Showing up at CG with 5 when ADR is for 4?

[lvvacation]

Before I even ask this question I am cringing in expectations of being flamed! I just want to say I'm not trying to pull anything over on Disney, I'm just asking a question! (I can't find the little peace/hippie icon to show I mean no harm!) I have an ADR at CG for 4 people, its the one restaurant I really want to eat at so I was so excited to get it. My sister is coming and called me yesterday to tell me she is now bringing her boyfriend on the trip. OK, fine, I called Disney yesterday and tried to switch the ADR to 5 people. The only time they can seat us is 9:45, which is a lot later than I wanted to have dinner. For right now I just left the reservation as it is and I plan on calling back often to see if they have any cancellations (we're not going until December). I'm just wondering what would happen if we showed up with 5 people instead of 4? Would we just have to wait for the next available table for 5 or would they turn us away? This may not even be an issue, my sister has been dating her boyfriend for all of 6 weeks, so who knows what will happen by December. Ahhh, but that is a whole other topic!

 

[gigi1313]

you would probably be okay... but, because it is december, and a very busy time of year, i would continue to call every day to see if you could get an earlier adr... you may also want to try asking for a table for 6 (same table, different allotment) and see if that's available... then call back and remove a person (easier than adding)...

good luck!

 

[disnut8]

No flames.

Disney World does dining reservations based on tables, not people. So right now, you have a table for four. In order for you to have five people for your reservation, one of two things will have to happen. (1) a table for six needs to be available or (2) a table for two needs to be available.

The table for six is difficult to get as it needs to be used for any party over four.

The table for two is difficult because (1) Disney World doesn't have very many of those and (2) it needs to be available for the exact time as your existing reservation.

This is the California Grill and it is a signature restaurant. You can show up with five but you probably will then be considered a "walk up" and your existing table for four will be given to the next party of four that has already checked in. Then you will have to wait until you can be seated as a group of five.

Going from an even number up to an odd number is always difficult because of possibly having to add another table.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Before I even ask this question I am cringing in expectations of being flamed! I just want to say I'm not trying to pull anything over on Disney, I'm just asking a question! (I can't find the little peace/hippie icon to show I mean no harm!) I have an ADR at CG for 4 people, its the one restaurant I really want to eat at so I was so excited to get it. My sister is coming and called me yesterday to tell me she is now bringing her boyfriend on the trip. OK, fine, I called Disney yesterday and tried to switch the ADR to 5 people. The only time they can seat us is 9:45, which is a lot later than I wanted to have dinner. For right now I just left the reservation as it is and I plan on calling back often to see if they have any cancellations (we're not going until December). I'm just wondering what would happen if we showed up with 5 people instead of 4? Would we just have to wait for the next available table for 5 or would they turn us away? This may not even be an issue, my sister has been dating her boyfriend for all of 6 weeks, so who knows what will happen by December. Ahhh, but that is a whole other topic!

I would guess it may be a problem, only because for a party of 4, they probably planned for you to sit at a table for 4. If it were a party of 5 or 7 and you wanted to add one, would would probably have the extra room being seated at a table for 6 or 8, but with 4, it may be tricky (especially when they told you they couldnt accomodate over the phone).

I dont know their policy on adding an extra chair for a 4 seating table?? I suppose if youre not blocking the waitstaff, you may be OK??

Just my opinion.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I think you should be okay. Good Luck! It's really god there & great view.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I would keep trying dining to check for an opening more in line with what you want for a dining time. Like others have said, there are many many tables for 4, but tables for more than 4 are not easily found at CG, especially on the fly. I doubt you would be turned away, but I don't think they would necessarily honor your dining time by any stretch.

 

[aribelle]

If it were me...I'd keep doing what you're doing and try for a table of 5 (or 6 as some have explained...weird that it should make a difference, but in the World that is Disney it does, lol).

Then...if I didn't get it changed, I'd show up with my party of 5 and ask if they can be accomodated. I'd also have already told my sister and her boyfriend that since this meal is important to me, we can try to get you in, but if they say no, then please enjoy yourself somewhere else! Seriously....if they can't take you for 5, then tell them that it's only going to be 3 and sis and bf will have to go fend for themselves. If your sister is a nice gal, she'll totally understand and you guys can meet up later for some fun together. If she's not a nice gal...well, don't take her to Disney with you.

This may get ME flamed....but you might have your sister make an ADR somewhere that they'd like to eat as an alternative for 20-30 minutes after your CG ADR....that way if they aren't able to acommodate them, they'll be able to go to their second choice. Obviously, if they're accepted at CG, use a cell phone to cancel the other ADR....even that close to the time for the ADR, it might provide some pixie dust to a walk up!

 

[crisi]

This may get ME flamed....but you might have your sister make an ADR somewhere that they'd like to eat as an alternative for 20-30 minutes after your CG ADR....that way if they aren't able to acommodate them, they'll be able to go to their second choice. Obviously, if they're accepted at CG, use a cell phone to cancel the other ADR....even that close to the time for the ADR, it might provide some pixie dust to a walk up!

I think that's a great strategy. They MAY seat you with five (they probably won't squeeze a chair in to a table of four for five - they might if one of your party was in a high chair - but the CG tables for four aren't large.)

 

[Kristineamb]

I have a similar problem in September...
Have a lunch ADR @Le Cellier for 4 and there are 5 in our party...I have been calling everyday to change it but nothing is available (down side of going during free dining I guess) If nothing opens up for 5 we will cross our fingers, show up and hope they can accomadate us...if they can't I guess we will just start drinking around the world earlier than planned!
Good Luck!

 

[disnut8]

This may get ME flamed....but you might have your sister make an ADR somewhere that they'd like to eat as an alternative for 20-30 minutes after your CG ADR....that way if they aren't able to acommodate them, they'll be able to go to their second choice. Obviously, if they're accepted at CG, use a cell phone to cancel the other ADR....even that close to the time for the ADR, it might provide some pixie dust to a walk up!

Actually, since the two reservations will be in different names and different phone numbers, that's not a big deal at all.

I suggest your sister make a reservation over at the Grand Floridian Cafe or Kona Cafe. If your seating turns out to be a problem, all they would have to do is get on the monorail and get to the other seating.

But something tells me the boyfriend of six weeks ends up not going.

 

[lvvacation]

But something tells me the boyfriend of six weeks ends up not going.

Yeah, thats kind of my guess too, but I'm not saying that to my sister!! I will keep trying, and also see about a table for 6 (Disney really has a reality all its own ). DH already suggested if all else fails we tell my sister we want one dinner by ourselves and that will be the one. Ah family, ya gotta love 'em!

 

[njdisneymomof2]

Last November after our Disney Cruise, my family of 4 (DH, DD, DS & myself) had a reservation for the California Grill for 4. My MIL decided to join us at the last minute so we showed up with 5 of us for a reservation for 4 (hoping they could accommodate us). We had no problem. They added an extra chair on the end of a table for 4. It was a little tight, but still we all had a very nice dinner. Disney had no problem with the extra person. Have a great trip!