Too many people for ressie?

[mariamouse]

My sister just decided that she may want to join my mom and me on our upcoming trip to WDW. This is great news, but also worrying me a bit since we leave in 20 days and all of our reservations are currently for two people (including some tough-to-book restaurants).

How hard of a time will restaurants give us if 3 people show up for a 2-person reservation? Will we just have to wait a bit longer or will they turn us away? Do most restaurant tables seat four anyway? Will certain restaurants (i.e. 'Ohana/Cali Grill/Tusker House) be more harsh than others?

Might we be okay since our dates (Dec 9-13) will not attract peak crowds?

I just don't know how worried about this I should be since I am not seeing availability for three at some of the restaurants I already have booked for two.

Thanks for any advice/testimonials/etc!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I think you're going to have a pretty difficult time. Restaurants may turn away the extra person or make you wait longer for a table. Try to change as many reservations as possible to parties of three as soon as you know for sure that your sister is going.

 

[Hopefully]

If you see availabilty - Grab It.
Most restaurnats have 2 tops as well as 4 tops. Going from 2 to 3 is difficult. At some restaurants you may have a long wait, and at others you may be just turned away.
Going up from 2 to 3 is not usually possible.

 

[TDC Nala]

You will probably be OK at most if not all the restaurants, barring the fact that you may have to wait longer, but you should have a plan in place regarding what you will do if your third person is turned away.

 

[mariamouse]

Thanks for the replies!

My sister booked her flight tonight, so we are definitely three now. I obviously care much more about having her with us than eating at particular restaurants, but am worried about a couple current ressies of ours that now do not have availability for three-- primarily 'Ohana and Cali Grill. Our 'Ohana ressie is at 5pm, so maybe we will get lucky since that is the first reservation time. The Cali Grill is a 7:30 ressie, so may be a bit more difficult.

I guess we will just wing it, though, and change plans if need be! I just have to remind myself that the time with my sister will be much more memorable than the food anyway.

 

[BraveMom3]

I'm having the same issue. I have trip planned for 5 (myself, BF, and 3 kids). I'm thinking of letting my DD invite a friend so we won't be an odd number, plus my 2 sons may take off and that leaves her having to hang with me and BF. Can't decide about extra girlie plus I have dining ressies for 5 people!

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for the replies!

My sister booked her flight tonight, so we are definitely three now. I obviously care much more about having her with us than eating at particular restaurants, but am worried about a couple current ressies of ours that now do not have availability for three-- primarily 'Ohana and Cali Grill. Our 'Ohana ressie is at 5pm, so maybe we will get lucky since that is the first reservation time. The Cali Grill is a 7:30 ressie, so may be a bit more difficult.

I guess we will just wing it, though, and change plans if need be! I just have to remind myself that the time with my sister will be much more memorable than the food anyway.

Keep in mind the California Grill will charge you a no-show fee if you don't cancel beforehand.

 

[mariamouse]

Keep in mind the California Grill will charge you a no-show fee if you don't cancel beforehand.

Got it-- thanks!

BraveMom3-- I hope everything works out!

 

[GirlDreamer]

It all depends on the restaurant and your luck. I used to work in the Norwegian restaurant, so I can only speak for that. That restaurant only have two 2-tops (table for two), so if we had a seating with more than two groups of two people, it wouldn't be a problem as some of them would have to sit at a 4-top anyway. At least try and call and talk to the reservation people, they might be able to add her to some or all of your reservations