Places that do and don't permit online ADRs for one person?

[MatzoBelle]

The online booking system accepts reservations for two or more people everywhere, but a solo diner needs to enter a "dummy" second person in order to book at many places. Because some of these restricted ADRs are hard to get anyway, it pays to know in advance which restaurants require the dummy. I do understand that one can then call to have the second "person" removed, which is especially important for pre-paid events such as dessert parties. But the question is whether there is a list somewhere of places that allow ADRs for one, or whether we need to create that list by sharing our booking experiences. Thanks a lot for any info you can offer.

 

[purple figment]

I have never been to a DW TS restaurant that had 1 tops; the smallest has always been 2 tops so I doubt there is a list of venues that will consistently book tables for 1. Perhaps people will post on this thread, but people probably book for 2 at the places they want to eat if they can't get a res for 1. When BOG began accepting ADRs for lunch there were a number of people who booked tables for 1, but that is the only time I've seen it happen and I suspect this is a glitch.

You can try looking for a table for 1, but the reservation system has problems with any odd number in that it wants to fill every seat at the table so it overlooks parties of 1, 3, 5, but if you add 1 diner you may find availability because now you are searching for an even number. For a regular non pre-paid reservation you can just let the CMs at the podium know you are a solo diner when you check in. As long as you show up you will not be charged for the "missing" diner. As a party of 3 we have had to look for a party of 4 to get reservations.

If you cannot find a reservation for 1 online for a pre-paid event such as CRT, the dinner shows, or the fireworks dessert party, you can call and have the charge for the extra person reversed. Or you can call the dining line and book the reservation and only pre-pay for one person.

 

[MatzoBelle]

Thank you again, purple figment. You are always so helpful. I did discover that one can search a whole park at once (and maybe a whole resort at once?), so it should be fairly straightforward to determine, by putting in one person, which places do and do not accommodate online ADRs for one.

 

[LilyWDW]

Any restaurant accepts reservation for 1, including through the online system. The issue is the system itself. They are trying to maximize the use of their tables which is why odd numbers in general are harder to book. Obviously the restaurant will want to book a 4 top with 4 people, not 3. Same with the two tops. There is just a limited number of tables that can be booked at those odd numbers in general.

 

[MatzoBelle]

Oh, that's interesting. So there is a quota on the number of ADRs for one they will permit. Thanks.

 

[AriesAriel]

I have a question about a 1 top as well. We have BOG reservations for our family of 4. My sister would like to join us for dinner, so I keep stalking for the ability to do so, but so far no luck (going at end of May).

Does anyone know how easy it would be for them to put a chair at the end of a table so she can join us? Or will I be out of luck?