Solo ADR Tip

[ElementCamper]

This may be an old tip for this board, however I saw it posted on another thread and tried it and it worked.

I have been trying to make ADR's for a solo trip 2nd week of December, so far pretty much got what I wanted except for Trails End at FW for breakfast and Boma for Breakfast. No availability for the past 10 days of trying.

I put in 1 adult trying all the days I will be there, no availability. Changed it to 2 adults and BAM! I get about anything I want either on or very close to the times I wanted. ADR system seems to be a bit 'prejudiced' to us solo travelers.

Please, no flames, a solo would be put at a table for two anyway so this shouldn't hurt the Disney 'bottom line' or keep others from reserving the same table for two.

 

[ttester9612]

I had to do the same thing for my trip in 16 days. The system told me no availabilities for 1 but when I changed it to 2, I got what I wanted. Go figure. They need to fix it for those traveling solo.

 

[Amysita]

Thanks for the tip...I've put it on a sticky note in my 2010 Disney Planning folder...I would have just given up figuring the place was booked...now when I make my ADR's I'll give that a shot if I run into the same brick wall!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Yes, it's quite odd. I was able to book a table for 1 at some restaurants but not others.

I would try for 1 adult first and if nothing came up, I'd switch to 2.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, it was rather wierd. About half the resturaunts I checked wouldn't book for one. Finally, I just gave up and made all my ADRs for two people. Who knows-maybe I'll meet someone in line for a ride who wants to have lunch with me.

 

[ttester9612]

Yes, it was rather wierd. About half the resturaunts I checked wouldn't book for one. Finally, I just gave up and made all my ADRs for two people. Who knows-maybe I'll meet someone in line for a ride who wants to have lunch with me.

My thoughts exactly. You never know who you might meet up with that would love to join in a breakfast, lunch or dinner ADR.

 

[daisax]

I had to do the same thing for my trip in 16 days. The system told me no availabilities for 1 but when I changed it to 2, I got what I wanted. Go figure. They need to fix it for those traveling solo.

I assume it's completely intentional -- they would rather give the available table to TWO paying customers, especially if it's a popular and more expensive restaurant with slow turnover.

I travel solo and I don't object to this approach (booking for two if you're a solo and nothing is available), because it would be illegal for them to turn you away if you showed up and wanted an available table but they only wanted to give it to a couple. However, I don't think they'll be in any rush to fix the "glitch" because from their perspective it's more profitable not to.

 

[Imaginationsetfree]

I assume it's completely intentional -- they would rather give the available table to TWO paying customers, especially if it's a popular and more expensive restaurant with slow turnover.

I travel solo and I don't object to this approach (booking for two if you're a solo and nothing is available), because it would be illegal for them to turn you away if you showed up and wanted an available table but they only wanted to give it to a couple. However, I don't think they'll be in any rush to fix the "glitch" because from their perspective it's more profitable not to.

Out of curiosity - what happens if you book for two and only show up with one? Can they deny you the reservation?

 

[jamstew]

Out of curiosity - what happens if you book for two and only show up with one? Can they deny you the reservation?

I've done it a couple of times and haven't had any problems. One time I really did originally have two people, and my friend decided to do something else. I just told them that. The next time it was always just me, and I had actually forgotten I made it for two. I said there must have been a mistake (not suggesting whose mistake it was) Now, I always make reservations for two since I often meet up with other DISers once I get there and am happy to share a table with them.

 

[ttester9612]

A few times when I showed up, there was 1 person waiting for a table who did not have a ressie so I let them join me since I had a ressie for 2. It's another way of meeting new ppl.

 

[RENThead09]

A few times when I showed up, there was 1 person waiting for a table who did not have a ressie so I let them join me since I had a ressie for 2. It's another way of meeting new ppl.

that is a great idea! I am gonna be there in January and doing the first part of my trip solo before the other people running the marathon show up for the weekend. I will definitely keep that in mind. THANKS!

 

[ElementCamper]

I had to confirm some of my ADR's by phone with 407-WDW-DINE and I asked the CSM about what Disney would think about this policy. She said there would absolutely be no problem with it. A party of one is seated at an available table for two anyway, there are no 'one top' tables she was aware of in any restaurant.

Only time it would be an issue is adding extra person(s) where you go 'over' the number of people your assigned table will sit, example:

Party of 4 assigned to a '4 top' (table for 4). It is not possible to just drag a chair over and seat an extra person, some restaurants the tables are very close and this ends up blocking the aisle. You could either be 1. turned away or your extra person be declined or 2. Face a very long wait until an available larger table came open. For a popular restaurant this would probably be unlikely.

 

[ttester9612]

that is a great idea! I am gonna be there in January and doing the first part of my trip solo before the other people running the marathon show up for the weekend. I will definitely keep that in mind. THANKS!

Your welcome

Marathon! I can walk 13 miles but cannot run it. Good luck.

 

[MyMuse]

I did the same.

I've never had a problem booking 2 and showing up as 1; it's the same table. No, for my CRT ressie, it might be a little different.

A friend of mine might show up (or not), but I'll definitely change that to 1 before I leave.