Showing up at a restaurant with an extra person?

[Salf777]

So four of us have all our dining reservations set for our upcoming trip. Our friends daughter just decided to surprise us and join our trip. I have tried to change our dining reservations from 4 to 5 people. Most of the reservations can’t be changed from 4 to 5 people and show no availability at our chosen restaurants for 5 people at all. Does anyone know if they will accommodate if we show up with 5 people?
Or do I need to look to make all new reservations in different restaurants?
Has anyone else experienced something like this?

 

[Aela]

Some may, some (most?) will not. There is no way to know for sure... I would attempt to make new reservations... just in case.

 

[Aela]

You could try and get tables for 2, depending on the ages you could sit 3&2.

 

[Rich M]

FYI when you check in online 20 minutes before your reservation it states you may add one more guests when you check in. It has been an option at every restaurant we have been too. I can try to get a screen shot of it tomorrow when I check in for Mama Melrose if you want

 

[JFDIS]

I did that last month at Hollywood Brown Derby. We had a party of 4 adults 3 toddlers and couldn’t get a reservation for anything bigger than 5. So I made the reservation for that number. They were VERY annoyed and had to reconfigure other reservations to accommodate us. I have to add that they couldn’t have been more professional but let us know not being honest on our reservation effected other party’s too. I won’t do that again. I was embarrassed, especially since my husband is in restaurant management.
Maybe depending on where you are dining you could stop by the restaurant a few hours prior and ask in person. You can always modify your reservation then cancel it.

 

[hereforthechurros]

The jump from four to five is tricky as it’s a different size table where three to four would still be a four top. Keep trying for the fifth the avoid any hassle or long waits. Especially right now while capacity is low for restaurants.

 

[Dug720]

The jump from four to five is tricky as it’s a different size table where three to four would still be a four top. Keep trying for the fifth the avoid any hassle or long waits. Especially right now while capacity is low for restaurants.

This.

Also try searching for 6 as that is the size table a party of 5 would be.

Otherwise, I'm sorry, but I'd just politely explain to your friend's daughter that while you're glad to see her, you have plans and you can meet up around meals which were already planned. If you show up with 5 when the reservation is for 4, I would expect 100% to be told that they cannot accommodate the extra person. Disney is not really the type of trip that accommodates for surprise guests - at least with Table Service meals.

 

[disneygirlsng]

I've been seeing several reports of there being an option to add a guest with mobile check in since the parks reopened. It was an option I saw on my trip as well, though I never used it.

 

[dislee1164]

What about showing up with one less person? I have a family of 4, but seems there is more availability if I put 5. (Strange)

 

[disneygirlsng]

What about showing up with one less person? I have a family of 4, but seems there is more availability if I put 5. (Strange)

Not an issue at all.

 

[Dug720]

What about showing up with one less person? I have a family of 4, but seems there is more availability if I put 5. (Strange)

Less is never an issue as long as at least one person shows up. Several restaurants will never show availability for 1 person (or in some cases any odd-numbered party) so solos pretty much regularly make theirs for 2.

The problem with adding one more is there are occupancy codes for how many people are allowed to be in the restaurant - and now with COVID regulations, it's even more strict.

 

[Aimeedyan]

On every single reservation in the last month or so, we have been given the option to add 1 person to our reservation when we did online check-in. However, we were a party of 3 and obviously seated at a table for 4 anyways so adding 1 person just meant more $$$ for Disney I don't know if they offer the same option for even numbers - hopefully someone will pipe in that had a party of 4 or 6 and can speak to whether that is an option.

Reality is that right now, they don't want you approaching the host stand until your table is ready. In some cases, you'd have to talk your way through the temp taker at the door and then the CM at the door checking for table ready texts just to approach the host stand and inquire. Everything is mobile (which I love, but it does limit how much special requests you can make). Pre-COVID it was much easier.

I would set up dining alerts for parties of 5 or 6 and hope you can snag something. That's definitely the easiest option and lots of availability does show up at the last minute still.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Echoing other replies that because the change from 4 to 5 will in most cases require a different table and because restaurants are restricted both in terms of overall capacity and the configuration of tables in order to maintain distancing that I wouldn't count on it being possible (I do also agree that they'll do their best and would accommodate if they could but it's not always possible. Searching for six (& showing up with 5) or booking a separate table for 2 in the approximate time frame and asking to be sat near each other are your best options. Or if your daughter and friend are old enough, maybe they'd like going out on their own to a quick service spot in the vicinity. A reservation finder like the one on Touring Plans may be helpful (it won't book for you but will alert you when something becomes available). Good luck!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Have you tried making reservations for 6 people? This may find larger tables for you then after that change it back down to 5 people.

we are a party of 2 and about 75% of the time we have a table for 2 assigned to us so arriving with 3 people would not be accommodated, at least not easily.

 

[Rich M]

Here is the screen when you do mobile check in

 

[Salf777]

Here is the screen when you do mobile check in

AWESOME Thanks!

 

[gharter]

Agree with suggestions changing from 4 to 6.
When we have needed to increase the number of guests, it can be complicated. I have tried on MDE, calling Disney Dining, using the resort front desk and stopping at the restaurant the day before or day of.
Going to fewer is much easier than increasing.
Also, using Reservation finder has worked well in the past.
Good luck

 

[maryj11]

I didn’t know we had to check in online. Is this new because of Covid?

 

[disneygirlsng]

I didn’t know we had to check in online. Is this new because of Covid?

Yes. I'm sure it's possible to do it in person, but it is strongly recommended to do it on the app.

 

[maryj11]

Yes. I'm sure it's possible to do it in person, but it is strongly recommended to do it on the app.

Ok thanks!