Suggestions for our messed up reservations

[gandb26]

We have a family group of 15 total going to Disney, 12 adults, 2 children and an infant. Unfortunately, the person in charge of dining did a great job and obtained them all 180 days out, BUT she gave the wrong number of people and shorted every reservation by 2 I called and could only get one. Any suggestions? She is going to call tomorrow morning and try to talk to a supervisor to see if they can assist. It was just a mess up on the coordinators fault. Open to any ideas.

Also where is the link to find people who may be cancelling reservations?

 

[tinkerbella16]

We have a family group of 15 total going to Disney, 12 adults, 2 children and an infant. Unfortunately, the person in charge of dining did a great job and obtained them all 180 days out, BUT she gave the wrong number of people and shorted every reservation by 2 I called and could only get one. Any suggestions? She is going to call tomorrow morning and try to talk to a supervisor to see if they can assist. It was just a mess up on the coordinators fault. Open to any ideas.

Also where is the link to find people who may be cancelling reservations?

Not sure which month you are going, but in the Dining Reservations subforum, there are ADR cancellation threads for each month. They have been very helpful and we've been able to coordinate with others to pick up or cancel an ADR.

 

[Lisa F]

IF you can pick up a separate ADR for 2 at around the same time it might help for them to be able to combine them, at least the restaurant won't be over capacity. But I agree your best bet is probably to talk to someone live and maybe the manager at each restaurant.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Personally, I'd show up with the group, explain at the podium, and I'm sure they'll figure out a way to squeeze in two more, especially since two of the group are children.

 

[gandb26]

Personally, I'd show up with the group, explain at the podium, and I'm sure they'll figure out a way to squeeze in two more, especially since two of the group are children.

Thats what I was thinking but I hate to do that, but I have been able to get a few of them confirmed by being persistent online. The BOG is going to be the tough one

 

[TeresaNJ]

Thats what I was thinking but I hate to do that, but I have been able to get a few of them confirmed by being persistent online. The BOG is going to be the tough one

Your group is so large though that you're most likely going to be at one large table, or two smaller ones, so everybody can just squeeze in a little! It will work out. I wouldn't give up any of my reservations, especially BOG. Don't worry!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Your group is so large though that you're most likely going to be at one large table, or two smaller ones, so everybody can just squeeze in a little! It will work out. I wouldn't give up any of my reservations, especially BOG. Don't worry!

If the restaurant is at capacity for fire codes, they will not allow extra members of the party to squeeze in. Especially popular places like BOG.

 

[rwdavis2]

Personally, I'd show up with the group, explain at the podium, and I'm sure they'll figure out a way to squeeze in two more, especially since two of the group are children.

If there is no space or the location is at at capcity they won't seat the extra people. That's the chance you take by just showing up.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I don't think it is as easy to squeeze two extras in as you are making it sound. I know many people who were turned away due to have extra people in their group. Keep trying and if you want try to get them to allow you in, but be prepared to be turned away. Better to be prepared than disappointed.

 

[TeresaNJ]

If there is no space or the location is at at capcity they won't seat the extra people. That's the chance you take by just showing up.

I don't think it is as easy to squeeze two extras in as you are making it sound. I know many people who were turned away due to have extra people in their group. Keep trying and if you want try to get them to allow you in, but be prepared to be turned away. Better to be prepared than disappointed.

I've shown up several times at a few different restaurants with two extra guests that I didn't know were going to be joining us for the day, and we've always been accomodated. Guess we've been lucky. We've never been turned away. Might have to wait a little before being seated, but it's never been a problem for us.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I've shown up several times at a few different restaurants with two extra guests that I didn't know were going to be joining us for the day, and we've always been accomodated. Guess we've been lucky. We've never been turned away. Might have to wait a little before being seated, but it's never been a problem for us.

Great that you had good luck, and we have never tried, so I am not speaking from experience, but I have read many posts on here in the past where people could not go in. I just wouldn't say "It will work out", could work out or even should work out is one thing will work out is a bit overly assuring, in my opinion.

 

[Eddie]

I would try to work it out ahead of time. No restaurant wants to turn away 15 guests but do not think just showing up is the way to go. I would try talking to someone 1st and then as another said maybe try to make 2 person ADR if possible and maybe they could combine or sit you close by. Good Luck.

 

[Lisa F]

If the restaurant is at capacity for fire codes, they will not allow extra members of the party to squeeze in. Especially popular places like BOG.

I keep seeing this "fire code" thing. i think it is highly unlikely that any restaurant will be pushed over their fire code occupancy by two extra people at a table. Things are not designed so tightly that you ride close to the maximum that way. Fire codes are about ensuring that you have enough exiting capacity for the number of people who can be using the space at any given time. There are rules of thumb given as people per square feet of space for different occupancies and it must include servers, kitchen staff, managers as well as guests and I can guarantee you there is not a disney restaurant on property that is designed right on the dot for exiting where 2 additional people would push you over the maximum occupancy. What happens if you have two managers on site at once for a shift change? you are suddenly over capacity?

 

[Hopefully]

I keep seeing this "fire code" thing. i think it is highly unlikely that any restaurant will be pushed over their fire code occupancy by two extra people at a table. Things are not designed so tightly that you ride close to the maximum that way. Fire codes are about ensuring that you have enough exiting capacity for the number of people who can be using the space at any given time. There are rules of thumb given as people per square feet of space for different occupancies and it must include servers, kitchen staff, managers as well as guests and I can guarantee you there is not a disney restaurant on property that is designed right on the dot for exiting where 2 additional people would push you over the maximum occupancy. What happens if you have two managers on site at once for a shift change? you are suddenly over capacity?

Really???? How do you know???

OP I think you need to keep trying to add 2 to either your ADR or a 2 person ADR near the same time. The restaurant is within their rights to deny access to the 2 extra guests. There is a CM here who reports on this very situation frequently.
Minimally, if you decide to go with 2 extra have a Plan B. Will the extra 2 find something else while the other 13 eat? Will you all walk away and potentially pay the $10/person no show fee?
Good Luck

 

[nicki.momof3]

Not sure if this will help. For many establishments disney dining will not take online or phone ADR's foe large groups. Instead they will give you the direct number to call. I was given the number to Morimoto Asia, The Boathouse, and Narcosses this week. By calling directly they were able to accommodate my large party. Disney Dining will give you the numbers. You can tell which you can call by putting in your party size and date and scrolling down. At the bottom it will say you have to call disney dining due to party size. Good luck.

 

[Lisa F]

Really???? How do you know???

OP I think you need to keep trying to add 2 to either your ADR or a 2 person ADR near the same time. The restaurant is within their rights to deny access to the 2 extra guests. There is a CM here who reports on this very situation frequently.
Minimally, if you decide to go with 2 extra have a Plan B. Will the extra 2 find something else while the other 13 eat? Will you all walk away and potentially pay the $10/person no show fee?
Good Luck

um, because I've both designed egress for buildings to meet code and I've also worked as a code enforcement officer to review drawings in regard to egress and occupancy? The standards they use do not count bodies (for restaurants... for fixed seat auditoriums they do), they allot a certain amount of occupants based on the use and the square footage of the building and then you need to take that occupancy and make sure you have enough inches in a clear pathway to exits... that pathway to exits are wide enough and short enough, that there is more than one exit, that exits are wide enough based on the type of construction and occupancy load. Restaurants do not generally have 100% occupancy in the seats they have and the rule of thumb is pretty generous at that to begin with (15sf per person in a restaurant in the seating area, it is different for kitchen and service areas). It is just stupid to design a space where you would be doing something illegal if 2 more people who were not planned for walked into the space. Going over occupancy limits is just not an issue in these situations. It is an issue in standing room only venues where it is possible to physically pack people into the space more densely than the calculations allow for... things like concerts and bars and sometimes auditoriums with people standing at the back... you might have a code enforcement officer not allow people to pack in standing room only in an auditorium that has an occupancy of 300 and 280 seats or something.

What would make sense would be for Disney to have a number of seats that is somewhat below their maximum occupancy to allow for fluctuating numbers of cast and also guests going in and out who are not necessarily sitting down and eating so that it is never at risk for being actually unsafe in case of a fire. I don't know for sure that they do this but having laid out restaurants and then run the occupancy calculation of square feet per occupant, you have to pack tables and chairs in pretty tightly to not have some wiggle room. Anything that is NOT a fixed seating venue (like an auditorium) has to have some wiggle room designed in for fluctuating numbers of occupants. I know because it just makes sense in a real world context?

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks for the detailed description.
Do the rules, regulations and laws vary by state? Or are they National standards? Is your experience in the Florida venues. It is good to hear about it.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thanks for the detailed description.
Do the rules, regulations and laws vary by state? Or are they National standards? Is your experience in the Florida venues. It is good to hear about it.

Rules vary by state and even locality. Fire codes are local control.

That said, I think the idea of showing up with 2 extra for very large parties across several days is dangerous. You may be lucky for some, but for others not, and that's awk-ward.

 

[ErinsMommy]

We have a family group of 15 total going to Disney, 12 adults, 2 children and an infant. Unfortunately, the person in charge of dining did a great job and obtained them all 180 days out, BUT she gave the wrong number of people and shorted every reservation by 2 I called and could only get one. Any suggestions? She is going to call tomorrow morning and try to talk to a supervisor to see if they can assist. It was just a mess up on the coordinators fault. Open to any ideas.

Also where is the link to find people who may be cancelling reservations?

Is the infant one of the two? In which case can they 'wear' the baby? Not sure if that'll help but one may be easier than 2.

 

[kamik86]

um, because I've both designed egress for buildings to meet code and I've also worked as a code enforcement officer to review drawings in regard to egress and occupancy? The standards they use do not count bodies (for restaurants... for fixed seat auditoriums they do), they allot a certain amount of occupants based on the use and the square footage of the building and then you need to take that occupancy and make sure you have enough inches in a clear pathway to exits... that pathway to exits are wide enough and short enough, that there is more than one exit, that exits are wide enough based on the type of construction and occupancy load. Restaurants do not generally have 100% occupancy in the seats they have and the rule of thumb is pretty generous at that to begin with (15sf per person in a restaurant in the seating area, it is different for kitchen and service areas). It is just stupid to design a space where you would be doing something illegal if 2 more people who were not planned for walked into the space. Going over occupancy limits is just not an issue in these situations. It is an issue in standing room only venues where it is possible to physically pack people into the space more densely than the calculations allow for... things like concerts and bars and sometimes auditoriums with people standing at the back... you might have a code enforcement officer not allow people to pack in standing room only in an auditorium that has an occupancy of 300 and 280 seats or something.

What would make sense would be for Disney to have a number of seats that is somewhat below their maximum occupancy to allow for fluctuating numbers of cast and also guests going in and out who are not necessarily sitting down and eating so that it is never at risk for being actually unsafe in case of a fire. I don't know for sure that they do this but having laid out restaurants and then run the occupancy calculation of square feet per occupant, you have to pack tables and chairs in pretty tightly to not have some wiggle room. Anything that is NOT a fixed seating venue (like an auditorium) has to have some wiggle room designed in for fluctuating numbers of occupants. I know because it just makes sense in a real world context?

It may not even be fire codes I could think of other reasons to have a top capacity that its just policy to not ever go over. It could be an issue with the kitchen there are many reasons they might choose to say no and risk that you probably aren't going to have all of you leave and that even if you all DID decide to leave at the really popular places disney could possibly even make more money then letting you dine. Charge you 130 for no show fees for the 13 that didn't dine and then take walk ups to cover the rest because the popular places always have the option to take walk ups

One reason to turn away at the most popular places would even be so that people don't start abusing this generosity and expecting it. If they ALWAYS allowed this how many people do you think would get BOG for 4 knowing all along they really are bringing 5 if that was all they could fine for example.