Table for 3, 4, 5? Questions.

[lucigo]

I want to make reservations for spring break but I'm not sure yet how many family members will be going.

What happens if I make a reservation for 3 and then 4 of us show up to eat?

or 5 and then 4 show up?

I have a child with autism who won't eat, do we add him to the reservation or just bring him and his lunchbox?

Or do I just make a TON of reservations and then cancel the ones we don't end up needing?

 

[KJay]

If your reservation is for 3 and 4 show up, one of you may not get in. They might be able to accommodate you, but, they might not. If your reservation is for 5 and 4 show up- that's a little easier to do. If you truly can't figure out how many will be in your party before you make your res, I'd shoot high to be on the safe side. If your son will be with you at the restaurant, you must include him in your numbers, regardless of whether or not he'll eat.

Making tons of reservations, many of which you know you won't use? There are whole threads dedicated to that . Many say it's inconsiderate and selfish, others say it's the easiest way to go. I'm sure some posters out there will give you their insight

 

[Missytara]

Restaurants are set up as two-tops. Two people to a table.

So if you make an ADR for three, you will be assigned a 4-top, so if an extra person shows up, you are okay.

If you make a reservation for 4 and you are assigned a 4-top, and a fifth person shows up, you will need a 6-top and will have to wait for a table to open up.

So it is best to make the reservation with an extra person (as long as it is a round number) and if one less shows up, you are okay.

And please don't make multiple reservations; when the online dining reservations started, people were booking multiple reservations at different parks and then just used whichever one they wanted. You would go to the restaurants and they would be half empty. People were having trouble getting ADR's at certain places because they were all booked and they didn't try later to see if a table was available there (and they were). Restaurants took a beating that first year because of it.

And you will find that Disney is extremely good with disabilities; I am sure they won't mind if you need to pack something special for him.

 

[Quin]

1. When you make an ADR you are not reserving plates of food, you are reserving chairs to sit it. Make your ADR for the number of people who will be sitting at the table, whether they are going to eat or not.

2. Make your ADR for the maximum number of people who will be coming. If you've made an ADR for 4 and only 3 show up, no problem. If 5 show up the layout of the restaurant may not allow an extra chair to be stuck on the end of the table. You could have a very long wait for a bigger table to open up.

3. But don't make ADRs for any events where you have to pay at the time of the reservation (Wishes Dessert Party, CRT, HDDR, etc.) Unless you want to be out of pocket $$$, wait until you know exactly how many people are coming.

 

[lucigo]

Thank you for all of the replies! Things get so much more difficult when the kids are in college to pin down, and life would be so much simpler if everyone had the same spring break! We have 3 schools and 3 different spring breaks!

I will aim high and hope for the best!!

Off topic, we had to redo all of our reservations due to postponing this weekend's trip with the blizzard - I have all our ressies redone except for Ohana Saturday night - all I can get is 8pm. I'm REALLY hoping someone with an early reservation will cancel as thats just so late for us, we like 4-5pm!! So much for planning ahead!

 

[Nadjalu]

FYI, Ohana doesn't open until 5pm, so that is the earliest seating for dinner.

Good luck getting that ressie, it is so popular right now it is as difficult to get as LeCellier.

Have a great trip!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Even if the child will not be eating, he will be taking up a seat so he must be on the reservation.

 

[LilyWDW]

Even if the child will not be eating, he will be taking up a seat so he must be on the reservation.

Also, you may be charged for the child at a buffet or all you can eat.

Sometimes they will charge full price, sometimes a reduces price (entertainment fee), and sometimes nothing if the child does not eat.

 

[lucigo]

Also, you may be charged for the child at a buffet or all you can eat.

Sometimes they will charge full price, sometimes a reduces price (entertainment fee), and sometimes nothing if the child does not eat.

Thats really ok, we are on the dining plan so its not like I would use that credit elsewhere anyway. If I'm lucky he will eat french fries, maybe a banana or a cookie. Tonight we went to a chinese buffet and he was charged $5. He ate 2 squares of jello and 2 pieces of corn (not corn on the cob just two tiny pieces), and drank a soda. I begged him to try the chicken - no luck.