Reservations for just 2 are hard to get!

[scrappinginontario]

Today was my 180 day mark, I was up at 6am and already it was difficult to find availability for some of the reservations I wanted. At 6:02 'Ohana was already fully booked. Thankfully I was able to move around dates and locations and get pretty much what I wanted but it took me 90 mins to book 8 reservations.

My frustrations comes in that if at locations where I get a 'no availability' from 3:00 - 10:00, as soon as I change my group to 3, 4 or more, lots and lots of options opened! I know that Disney wants to fill as many tables as possible but I will say I find it frustrating that groups of 2 are more limited in their options purely due to few 2 top tables in the restaurants.

Last year we had a 7:00 reservation at 1900 Park Fare and we were finally seated at 8:20pm!! Many others came and were seated but not us. The CMs apologized over and over but said it was because there were only a few tables that seat 2 people and those tables had finished and paid but were just sitting there. It was frustrating that we lost valuable time due to the limited numbers of tables to seat us at. When we entered the restaurant there were many tables for 4 open but they hadn't sat us at any of them.

I will say the frustration leads me to want to book a group of 3 and then just 2 of us show up and hope that we are not charged.

I wish Disney was more open to seating groups of 2 at larger tables or, opening up more tables for 2. I understand that Disney is intended for families but our family happens to be just 2 people.

 

[mom2rtk]

As long as part of the group shows up, you will not be charged. Book for 3 or 4 and don't give it another thought.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks @mom2rtk ! Think I may just do this!

 

[hulagirl87]

I remember having that issue when booking for a friend and I, a few years ago. I put in 4 people and it was way easier. Try that!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks so much @hulagirl87! I've finally settled with what I have but am going to use your suggestion next year as it would save a lot of frustration and moving things around!

 

[melanielll]

I book for 4 (or sometimes 6) and then modify it down to 2.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Ooo...great suggestion @melanielll! Going to try that!!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Just tried it and your suggestion worked perfectly @melanielll Thank you!!! Going to try it on a couple of others.

 

[melanielll]

Glad to hear it. The ADR algorithm is rigid. BOG is way easier to book for dinner if you are looking for 4 than for 2. Reservations for 3 can also be rough. I think the computer looks only for triangular shaped tables and never thinks that 3 people can sit at a square table for 4.

 

[Mal6586]

I had the weirdest experience as a party of 2 when we went in December. It was like pulling teeth to find tables when I was making ADRs, but then almost every. single. time. we checked in, we were seated at a table for 4, including at Be Our Guest (dinner), Cinderella's Table (dinner), Sanaa (lunch), and The Plaza Restaurant (lunch).

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

so no issues when reserving for 4 and only 2 show up? what about the $10 credit card charge ?

 

[scrappinginontario]

I had the weirdest experience as a party of 2 when we went in December. It was like pulling teeth to find tables when I was making ADRs, but then almost every. single. time. we checked in, we were seated at a table for 4

This is my experience too as last year it was just my DD and I. From now on when I can't find a ressie for 2 I'm going to:
a) Attempt to find a table for 4 and book that
b) Try to modify the reservation back to 2 - or 3 if I can't do 2
c) If I can't modify it just 2 will show up and hope not to be charged.

Like you @Mal6586, last year when I booked us for 2 people (8 reservations in total) we were sat at a table for 4 a few times.

 

[wilkeliza]

so no issues when reserving for 4 and only 2 show up? what about the $10 credit card charge ?

While officially they can charge you for the 2 no shows that is not practice. I would say you are fine going down form 4 to 2 but I wouldn't try say 6 or 8. At some point Disney will say okay no you are getting charged but for now if at least 1 member of your party shows up you aren't charged for no show.

 

[maryj11]

I know how you feel. I go with my granddaughter every year and have had to add 3 or 4 people and call to have them remove some lol. Now that we can modify the ourself that will be great.
I have been trying to get a BOG dinner by adding people and it is not working for me. They must really be booked up.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Wish I had known and done this, 2 is a Nightmare!

 

[Daisybell911]

I've been fighting to get an 8am for Akershus all week. I forgot that Disney hates two tops. I put in 4 guests, and got 8:15. I put in 8 guests and got 8am. I will gladly sit with all the other 2 tops at a table for 8 if that means I can get in at the time I want. I went in though immediately and modified the reservation back down to two. Easy peasy lemon squeezey!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Great news @Daisybell911!

So thankful for my DIS friends who are helping us learn to work the system and get the readies we want.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Yeah - so is getting them for one.

I'm a bit frustrated right now because I should have been able to book my dining for my Sept. trip yesterday and it only let me do one day, I look today and it's only letting me do one day. The one restaurant I wanted this time is on a day I can't book yet and it'll probably be filled up by the time Disney's system lets me book it. Grrrr.
Oh well - if it happens I guess I'll be saving money getting quick service instead since I'm not going to book something different in it's place.

I hope you get the restaurants you want!

 

[Daisybell911]

Yeah - so is getting them for one.

I'm a bit frustrated right now because I should have been able to book my dining for my Sept. trip yesterday and it only let me do one day, I look today and it's only letting me do one day. The one restaurant I wanted this time is on a day I can't book yet and it'll probably be filled up by the time Disney's system lets me book it. Grrrr.
Oh well - if it happens I guess I'll be saving money getting quick service instead since I'm not going to book something different in it's place.

I hope you get the restaurants you want!

Yeah, it can be a little bit of a challenge when you stay off sight. Just get online as close to 6 as you can and try to book it for four and then modify it after. Make sure to use Touring Plans or Mouse Dining. They'll keep looking for your reservation for you and alert you when they find a match. Don't give up! Also, check a lot the few days before the day you want to go. Lots of people finalize their plans just before they go and release reservations at the last minute. Lots of people do this and end up with a little bit of pixie dust in their favor!

Good luck!

 

[scrappinginontario]

@GaSleepingBeautyFan are you staying onsite? If so, go in to MyDisneyExpetience and ensure your reservation is linked to your account. Once it's linked you should be fine although you may need to lot out then back in for it to recognize the change.

If you are staying offsite you will be restricted to booking each reservation at the 180 day mark.