Question about transferring a reservation to another family traveling with us

[brinafair]

We are traveling to WDW along with another family. Our packages for room, dining, and park tickets were purchased separately but they are included in our Family & Friends list on the Disney website.

As I am tweaking our itinerary, I have a couple of dining reservations that I'm not going to keep. There are 5 of us in our party and 4 in the family accompanying us. The other family would like to use the reservations I don't need. Disney Dining wouldn't let me transfer the reservation to them and I'm not concerned that it's reserved on my credit card instead of theirs. Can I change the names on the reservation to their names? I know it will leave my name on there as the person who made the initial reservation. Will it be a problem if I'm not present at check-in? Will it charge the meals to their account instead of mine at the end of the meal? Will they be charged for 5 table service credits if they show up in our place with only 4 in their party?

Is this one of those situations that is "frowned upon"? Uncharted waters for us. Sorry if these are dumb questions.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The best thing to do is to search for the same reservations for 4, make a new reservation and then cancel the one for 9. If that doesn't work, the other family can show up with just 4 and let them know at the podium that your party number is less than originally expected. You won't be charged a no-show fee for the 5 that don't attend and the family of 4 can pay for their own meal. If no one shows up, you will be charged the full $90 no show fee. This is for credit card hold reservations only. If you have a pre-pay reservation (like CRT) you may be charged for all 9, but I'm not sure. Hopefully someone will chime in on a pre-pay situation.

 

[brinafair]

I'm sorry, I should have clarified. The original reservations are for the 5 in my family, not the 9 of us total. It would only be a one person difference.

 

[Disneyliscious]

A party of 5 would be seated at a "6 top" table. Showing up with 1 less person isn't going to change anything. Its not like having a party of 5 (where you'd be seated at a 6 top) and then showing up with a party of 4 (where you'd be seated at a 4 top).

Just tell your friends to use your ADR and make sure they request to pay themselves so its not charged to your CC. Have her check in under your name. I did that once with no issues at all.

 

[quakechicago]

They'll have to check in under your name and if it's on the Dining Plan you'll be charged the number of people there but do have them check as mistakes can be made. As a courtesy if you know it's a reservation for under the number of people booked you can call disney and have the official number changed. It might even enable someone else to get in.