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

[wrmiller13]

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.

 

[maxiesmom]

It won't work. They don't monitor who is eating what at the table. And they won't allow anyone in the restaurant who doesn't have a reservation.

 

[wrmiller13]

That makes sense

It won't work. They don't monitor who is eating what at the table. And they won't allow anyone in the restaurant who doesn't have a reservation.

That makes sense! Thanks!!

 

[persimmondeb]

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.

 

[NYCgrrl]

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.

Have you tried putting in an ADR request at touring plans restaurant finder? Can't hurt and might get you what you want with all at the table.
HTH!

 

[wrmiller13]

Have you tried putting in an ADR request at touring plans restaurant finder? Can't hurt and might get you what you want with all at the table.
HTH!

Yeah I did. We have the deluxe dining plan so that is a lot to change! Lol! I keep running 2 at a time! Thanks for the idea!! I will keep at it!

 

[wrmiller13]

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.

Yes! They are 4, 16 months and 10 months ( now) so will have 2 in high chairs! The 16 month old is the one we didn't think we would have!! Thanks for the kind words! We love ALL our kiddos!!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Yeah I did. We have the deluxe dining plan so that is a lot to change! Lol! I keep running 2 at a time! Thanks for the idea!! I will keep at it!

I hear you but trust me if anyone can do it they can. They found a reservation for 7 or 9 (FL family coming to the mouse house, LOL) at V+A which I had to toss back since we didn't all agree it was the place to eat at and a BOG dinner that was definitely for 9 but then the Floridians changed their dates to visit. Point being it can happen. As a side note we too are on the deluxe dining plan and I'm finding it right for the way we want to eat.

 

[Hopefully]

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.

 

[Allison]

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

 

[maxiesmom]

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.

Sorry, but that is bad advice. The tables at Disney restaurants are close together. There is no way to squeeze in a high chair, they take as much room as a regular chair.

Hopefully Touring Plans helps you find an ADR that will fit everyone. Otherwise, it never hurts to ask at the time, especially as you are prepared if you are told No. If they can help it, Disney won't turn an extra guest away. Good luck!!

 

[wrmiller13]

I hear you but trust me if anyone can do it they can. They found a reservation for 7 or 9 (FL family coming to the mouse house, LOL) at V+A which I had to toss back since we didn't all agree it was the place to eat at and a BOG dinner that was definitely for 9 but then the Floridians changed their dates to visit. Point being it can happen. As a side note we too are on the deluxe dining plan and I'm finding it right for the way we want to eat.

I will keep trying! We are there The week of Thanksgiving, so, lol......but I won't give up!

 

[akfan513]

I had a similar thing happen. We called the individual restaurant and were able to work it out with them individually. The people on the Disney reservations phone line couldn't make it happen for us but they were willing to transfer us to the actual restaurant so I could talk to a manager. The managers then created a new reservation for us. They were all willing to help us out.

Especially because you have little ones that will could sit on a lap and are 2 or under, I am confident they will be accommodating.

Good luck! Call and talk to someone at the actual restaurant!

 

[wrmiller13]

I had a similar thing happen. We called the individual restaurant and were able to work it out with them individually. The people on the Disney reservations phone line couldn't make it happen for us but they were willing to transfer us to the actual restaurant so I could talk to a manager. The managers then created a new reservation for us. They were all willing to help us out.

Especially because you have little ones that will could sit on a lap and are 2 or under, I am confident they will be accommodating.

Good luck! Call and talk to someone at the actual restaurant!

Thank you SO much!! I didn't know I could call the individual restaurants! I will do this immediately! Thank you!!

 

[akfan513]

Good luck! I hope it all works out!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I don't know if this will help and it may not because of your large group but we are at Disney a fair amount and almost every restaurant I have noticed a group larger by one more than the reservation and the host has always said no problem! I am very observant and notice these thing lol! I wouldn't sweat it and I would try, you maybe surprised!

 

[bumbershoot]

You hear of people who don't take the fosters with them with some frequency.

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.

 

[wrmiller13]

Thank you!! I,

I don't know if this will help and it may not because of your large group but we are at Disney a fair amount and almost every restaurant I have noticed a group larger by one more than the reservation and the host has always said no problem! I am very observant and notice these thing lol! I wouldn't sweat it and I would try, you maybe surprised!

Thank you! I AM sweating! Haha!!

 

[wrmiller13]

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.

Yeah, you can "usually" get permission to leave the state with foster peeps...some birth parents will say no. Sometimes a Magistrate will over rule the parents ad say "yes" ( especially with Disney) but leaving the country is not allowed!!

 

[RAPstar]

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

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.