Rotate dining? ( I can't think of a proper name for this question)

[Betty Rohrer]

try

Please understand I am NOT trying to "trick" a restaurant or "pull a fast one". Headed to the world over Thanksgiving, I have brought this up before in another post, we are bringing our 7 kids, 3 of which are foster. So, 9 of us. When I made the ADR way back when, there were only 8 of us going as 1 little dude was "supposed" to be going home and reunified...now he is not. I got most of my ADRs changed from 8 to 9, but not all. We understand, and have agreed that one of us will just have some solo park time while the other one finds with the kids if they cannot accommodate us, and fully expect them not to as per everyone's responses on here. My friend, a Disney TA, recently said to me that if she "wondered" if they would let us adults "eat in shifts" though. ( at a buffet) Meaning hubby and 7 kids go eat, he eats a plate or 2 and then we "trade" places. I go in and eat with kids and he leaves. Still only 8 at table, but of course, we pay for 9....and we each get the experience of watching the kiddos interact with the characters. I am not trying anything dishonest here, on an just trying to see if there is a way to figure it out. We are fully prepared to have one of us sit the meal out i just thought I would ask the question.

for a ressie near your time for 2 or 3 and have second adult eat there with one or 2 of the kids. you will not be charged the no show fee if some of ressie shows but less than ressie

 

[persimmondeb]

We have many fostering friends, and sometimes you simply cannot take them. Can't take them out of state, etc. I have a friend who planned a trip to Paris and then got a foster, and simply was not allowed to take her. So she got respite care for the little girl and she and her son (adopted from fostering) went on the long planned trip.

I'm aware that this is sometimes the case, and is definitely not the kind of circumstance I had meant, because, no sometimes you can't even if you would prefer to.

 

[IrishNYC]

Is one of the children young/small enough to fit in a highchair? I'm betting people sometimes don't think to make reservations for high chair users, and Disney can probably but (not necessarily) manage.

BTW, it's wonderful that you are taking all the children with you. You hear of people who don't take the fosters with them with some frequency.

ADRs need to be made for the complete number of guests, including infants in high chairs. They WILL NOT just squeeze in a high chair.

Check at the restaurant. They likely will try to make something work.

I agree with @Hopefully that this is bad advice. Just last week we saw a family of 4 get turned away at Biergarten for only having 3 on their ADR because the youngest was under 2.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

This!! I once went into Via Napoli with an ADR for 4 people and was able to get it switched to 6 people at check in without an additional wait. If it's just one person you will probably be able to fit them in, more than likely.

While you may have been able to do this once, it is definitely not "more than likely." I would not give anyone false hope on this.

They do not squeeze or fit anyone in at tables beyond the number of chairs and spaces intended. Talk to any TS dining cast member. There is no squeezing 9 people on an 8-top. But if a 10-top configuration is magically open, that group could get in. Cancellations and restaurants that weren't full to begin with make additions at the podium possible.

There is a very real possibility that someone could be turned away. It happens all the time. They will try their best to seat people but people do get turned away with an extra person.

OP, it is so great that you are able to bring all the kids. I hope you end up getting everyone in, one way or another. Have an incredible trip!

 

[wrmiller13]

Thanks everyone! Like I said, I'm not asking for special treatment, and i understand rules are rules. I would not try to cheat the system. I just honestly didn't foresee this! We will go prepared with our plan for one of us to eat with the kids while the other enjoys some solo time! I haven't had a chance to call the restaurants individually, but will do that soon! I am thrilled he can join us, sorry for his parents that hoped he would be home...we will have a fun ( and crazy wild trip) no matter what!! Thanks for all the feedback, support,,and awesome suggestions!