Party of 5 problems?

[wecksell]

Will I have any covid / distancing problems booking a reservation for a party of 5? The disney dining website implies I might? Because I've got a spouse and three kids...

 

[CarolynFH]

Will I have any covid / distancing problems booking a reservation for a party of 5? The disney dining website implies I might? Because I've got a spouse and three kids...

I don't think so. We had a party of 9 in December and had our ADRs split into two parties but were then seated together at one table. Try making reservations for 5, but if it says "not available" then try a party of 6 - the system is crazy that way, likes even numbers, and if you book for 6 and show up with 5, there's no penalty.

 

[wecksell]

No penalty? I thought no shows were $10 per person or something like that?

 

[VineHeart]

No penalty? I thought no shows were $10 per person or something like that?

They really only charge the no show penalty if none of the party shows up at all. You would not be penalized if you were to book for 6 and have 5 show up.

 

[petunia]

Will I have any covid / distancing problems booking a reservation for a party of 5? The disney dining website implies I might? Because I've got a spouse and three kids...

We are 5 going in August and havent had any issues booking.

 

[HashberryOTG]

I heard they had been cracking down on party member no shows (not just the entire party). They were having problems with groups of 2 reserving for 3 or 4 to get a bigger table and not get sat at a 2 top. No idea if it's true, but I do think their wording allows them to. If they would or not, unsure.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I heard they had been cracking down on party member no shows (not just the entire party). They were having problems with groups of 2 reserving for 3 or 4 to get a bigger table and not get sat at a 2 top. No idea if it's true, but I do think their wording allows them to. If they would or not, unsure.

Where did you hear this? I have one ADR for more than my party since it wouldn't let me reserve for less people at that restaurant for some reason.

 

[CarolynFH]

I heard they had been cracking down on party member no shows (not just the entire party). They were having problems with groups of 2 reserving for 3 or 4 to get a bigger table and not get sat at a 2 top. No idea if it's true, but I do think their wording allows them to. If they would or not, unsure.

I too would like to hear more about this. The most common reason people book for 4 when their party is only 2 or 3 is because the system says there are no tables for a party of 2 or 3. Same for booking a table for 6 after the system says there’s no availability for 5. It’s been a well-known issue for a long time.

 

[megapayne05]

I have a party of 9 and needless to say it’s impossible to get reservations even at 60 day mark at 6am . I have split the group for what I have, but in one case I am less 1 person (she’s 3 so hoping we can make it happen!).
Of course I will keep checking until our trip, but it’s has been a challenge for a large (5 plus) party. Wish you all the luck!

 

[PPFlight75]

We are a party of 5 and didn’t have a big problem. We do always have a hard time getting beaches and cream but otherwise we got everything we wanted.

 

[nuclearturtle]

Try making reservations for 5, but if it says "not available" then try a party of 6 - the system is crazy that way, likes even numbers, and if you book for 6 and show up with 5, there's no penalty.

Good to know... We're going to be a party of 5 during our Oct/Nov trip.... Nothing more frustrating then constant "not available" messages. Thanks !!

 

[MomOTwins]

We are a party of 5 and didn’t have a big problem. We do always have a hard time getting beaches and cream but otherwise we got everything we wanted.

Us too, but we are onsite so have the advantage of being able to book length of stay at our 60 day mark. I have noticed that availability for offsite (i.e., at 60 days from each day of the trip separately) is very limited for a party of 5. Also, parties of 4 have always been easier to book--that's just the name of the game. There are more tables that can fit 4 than tables than can fit 5 at any restaurant, Disney or no. With that said, we had no trouble booking CRT, Oga's, Tusker House and others. Topolino's was a challenge even on the last day of the trip we didn't get a time we like, but we'll keep looking and an off time is better than nothing. In general, if you are having trouble finding something at dinner, try lunch--that usually helps and we often find it's better to avoid the crowded CS restaurants at lunch and have a nice TS lunch instead.

 

[Malfie Cent]

The only issues I had for a couple reservations for 5 is trying to get Ogas (which I did end up getting).