Should I cancel them or explain when we arrive

[Princess_Belle]

I just realized I made my ADR's for 2 instead of three. I wasn't thinking that a baby in a highchair or in my lap would count as a guest. I was thinking that it was referring to eating guests. I am trying to get all our same ADR's for 3, but with no luck. Should I change them or explain at the podium when we arrive at each reservation? WWYD?

 

[sazzifrazz]

I would just show up and play dumb.

 

[kdfogliano]

I just realized I made my ADR's for 2 instead of three. I wasn't thinking that a baby in a highchair or in my lap would count as a guest. I was thinking that it was referring to eating guests. I am trying to get all our same ADR's for 3, but with no luck. Should I change them or explain at the podium when we arrive at each reservation? WWYD?

i agree with playing dumb, but if they r hard to reservations at tough times be prepared to get turned away or made to wait a while!

its all about fire codes not so much the table size, but it is annoying!!

 

[mousermerf]

i agree with playing dumb, but if they r hard to reservations at tough times be prepared to get turned away or made to wait a while!

its all about fire codes not so much the table size, but it is annoying!!

Actually its the opposite - it has absolutely nothing to do with fire codes and everything to do with table size.

Disney will not book a party of 2 at a table for 3-4, rather they designate certain number of 3-4 person tables to be allowed to seat parties of two every so often.

How often a table is "open" depends on how long Disney thinks you should take to eat at that particular restaurant. It cycles all day, and no, it does not open with all the tables available - they space it out.

 

[Nadjalu]

Sorry to say, but fire codes ABSOLUTELY have to be followed.

Table size matters, only to a certain extent, but when a restaurant is booked to capacity, no matter the table size, an extra person will NOT be allowed in.

As PP said, go and try to pull it off, but be prepared to be turned away from some of them.

 

[mcd2745]

Have you called Disney Dining and tried to have one person added to your existing ADRs? You may not be able to do it for all of them, but you should be able to do it for some.

 

[luvmy2babies]

I made the same mistake and when I called the Dining phone number, CM said it won't be a problem to pull up a high chair (my son will be 10 months old). I told her I had heard of people being made to wait a lot longer because of it and she said since it is a baby, I won't need a bigger table so not to worry about it.

I'm still worried about it though. I did book our meals at "off times", (we eat dinner early) but it is the fire code thing that worries me…not the table size. We often eat at tables meant for 2 at home. I'm really not looking forward to getting to each ADR (except the one I was able to change after I read the baby counts on here) and having to explain I didn't know and couldn't change them and how (CM's name) I talked to on September 30th said it would be okay. Especially worried about the two princess meals I have scheduled.

Personally I'm still trying, hoping that now that we are under 45 days, I can change them. I'm going to call later today and see what a different CM says.

 

[maxiesmom]

When you need to add another person to your ADRs, the best thing to do is keep calling, and keep trying to change to the right number of people. That way, you don't have to worry at all.

If that doesn't work, go to your ADR early, and tell them your problem. They may be able to fit an extra person it, or they may not be able to. It just depends on how busy they are. While the CM on the phone can tell you you will be ok, there is really no way of knowing for sure ahead of time.

If you can't change your ADRs you really need to ask yourself how comfortable you are with just showing up with an extra person. And how upset will you be if you can't be seated. Is it worth the risk? Maybe it would be better to change your ADR time, or switch to a different restaurant altogether. Only you can answer those questions.

 

[dunbarfamily]

I had this happen once before, not knowing that my 11 week old exclusivly breastfed non-highchair using newborn would count as a person. I called to change the ADRs once I realized it, and was able to get a few changed. As for the others, I asked the reservationist what to do, she said leave them, show up and explain. I ended up having to wait a few minutes at the podium, but I might have ended up having to wait anyways. It all worked out. I'd keep making honest attempts to change them, calling when you can, as things do open up. But if you can't get them all changed, I'd just explain at the podium.

 

[clkelley]

We have added extra ADULTS at the last minute. I have never been told they couldn't seat us.

 

[princessmom29]

If a restaurant is nto at capacity it won't be a problem, but if they are at or close to capacity then you may be out of luck. The PP that commented on fire code is correct. There is a maximum number of people that can be in the restaurant at any time, and that includes infants. I have seen people in this situation not seated at places like Le Cellier and Ohana. One couple with a baby got particularly upset when they were turned away at Le Cellier.

 

[JimmyV]

Restaurant managers will always do their best to accomodate, and will always obey the fire codes. The two are not mutually exclusive. With respect to fire codes, the codes exist relative to the maximum number of people that can be seated, which is usually the same number of total chairs in the restaurant. Even when all tables are "filled", each individual table may not be filled to its capacity. There will be parties of 3 at a table for 4. Parties of 5 at a table for 6. Parties of one at tables for 2. Each of these circumstances opens up a place for another person to be seated within the fire code regulations. Doesn't mean that the restaurant can or will accomodate you. But the point is, it is very rare for a restaurant to have an open seat, yet still be at maximum capacity for fire code purposes. Restaurant fire code limits usually accout for a reasonable amount of bar patrons and overflow, which Disney restaurants usually do not have.

 

[luvmy2babies]

Called again a little while ago and the CM did try to add my son but no go. She said not to worry if they had a high chair available they'd give me one if not I could hold him. We have mostly buffets so he'll probably be in the Ergo a lot anyway. She did tell me no stroller, but I wasn't planning on trying to bring the stroller inside.

I plan to show up 20 minutes early for our meals and keep trying.

 

[Princess_Belle]

I haven't called to try to change them yet, but I have been stalking the online ADR system ever since I found out. I am hoping everything works itself out. I am glad to see that others have had luck with adding a highchair. That gives me a little hope. I was really upset yesterday, I just kept thinking that we weren't going to get into any of our ADR's.

 

[maxiesmom]

Called again a little while ago and the CM did try to add my son but no go. She said not to worry if they had a high chair available they'd give me one if not I could hold him. We have mostly buffets so he'll probably be in the Ergo a lot anyway. She did tell me no stroller, but I wasn't planning on trying to bring the stroller inside.

I plan to show up 20 minutes early for our meals and keep trying.

I hate to say it, but I don't think that CM gave you good information. Disney doesn't leave much room for adding people at tables. And unless you are booked at a larger table to begin with, I don't see how you could just pull up a high chair. And I say that as someone who has been at the world with a niece who was just 4 months old for her first trip. I think even if you are just holding your baby they still count them as a person for fire code reasons. If the restaurant is at capcity, they won't allow you to bring an extra person in, even if they are a baby.

 

[kdfogliano]

Called again a little while ago and the CM did try to add my son but no go. She said not to worry if they had a high chair available they'd give me one if not I could hold him. We have mostly buffets so he'll probably be in the Ergo a lot anyway. She did tell me no stroller, but I wasn't planning on trying to bring the stroller inside.

I plan to show up 20 minutes early for our meals and keep trying.

actually you can bring in the stroller!!
I was very worried about this the past trip b/c my youngest was 3 months old.

EVERY restaurant let us bring it to the table.
Narcoosees even let us bring my 2yo stroller to the table!!!

But we had reservations for every person in the party, even the baby

Good luck! keep trying to change them if not just show up and hope for the best!!!

 

[luvmy2babies]

I'm hoping it translates into no more than a longer wait. I mean the people inside won't stay there all night. If one person leaves we're in right?

Our dinners are pretty early (all before 6) so I hope that helps us. Not the earliest in the dinner period. I know it starts at 4. But I'm hoping that makes it better for us than say a 7:00 reservation. The breakfasts concern me a little bit more, well except the H&V cuz I was able to change that one. Hopefully when we get to Chef Mickeys (8:40 ADR) people are heading for rope drop so a space opens. Our Tusker House breakfast is on the late side at 9:40 so I'm hoping that helps.

I've now been told the same thing by two different people, but I know it's the person at the restaurant that matters most. I even mentioned the fire code thing in both calls. They were both like "Yeah...but you might wait longer, but it is doubtful you'll be turned away."

Oh well...back to stalking the dining part of the site. So wanted to be done with that by now.

 

[camlace]

actually you can bring in the stroller!!
I was very worried about this the past trip b/c my youngest was 3 months old.

EVERY restaurant let us bring it to the table.
Narcoosees even let us bring my 2yo stroller to the table!!!

But we had reservations for every person in the party, even the baby

Good luck! keep trying to change them if not just show up and hope for the best!!!

I'd say this is not always the case...If you are booked at a table for 2 and try to sit at the table with 2 adults and a stroller, then the stroller is going to block an aisle most likely...so in that case no-go on the stroller. Also adding a high chair is going to be the problem in some restaurants (like Le Cellier) to a two-top. There just isn't any room.

 

[OzFan]

If a restaurant is nto at capacity it won't be a problem, but if they are at or close to capacity then you may be out of luck. The PP that commented on fire code is correct. There is a maximum number of people that can be in the restaurant at any time, and that includes infants. I have seen people in this situation not seated at places like Le Cellier and Ohana. One couple with a baby got particularly upset when they were turned away at Le Cellier.

This is the ABSOLUTE truth! No matter what the table size is, if the resturant is at capacity then you will not be seated. I just went through this with our 4 month old grandbaby. She doesn't even take up a highchair.

Keep calling. That is my best advice. It is better to have the ADR in hand than getting turned away and not having someplace to eat. Good Luck!

 

[luvmy2babies]

Well, I just got off the phone with Disney Dining again and the CM managed to change 2 of my ADRs to include my baby. Counting the one I already changed, I'm now set for 3 of the 6.

I had already changed Hollywood and Vine. She got both the 1900 Park Fare dinner and Chef Mickey's breakfast changed to include him and at the same times I already had.

She encouraged me to keep calling. She said getting Chef Mickey's changed was a major accomplishment, so if I can't get anything else tonight, I'll call again after the system comes back up on Thursday.

Of the 3 left, I'm most concerned about the Akershus reservation. I may try to get a breakfast there instead when I get home tonight.