two families same res at same time...sit together?

[lisareneeo]

We are going to WDW in Nov. and made our dining res about 3 weeks ago.
My friends have decided they may go with us So,last night we were able to change some of our reservations to accomodate them.

We are both families of 4 (2 adults and 2 children)
My question is....

for two restaurants we were not able to accomodate them, but they were able to get their own reservation. What are our chances of sitting together?
Or at two tables next to each other?

Via Napoli (dinner) at the exact same time as ours
Yak and Yet (lunch) 1/2 hour before ours

I will continue to check back, Nov is some time away and I know people cancell or change res. But if we have to keep them the way they are what do you think our chance of sitting together would be?

thanks,
Lisa

 

[opaleyes]

I can't speak for Disney, but as someone who works in a busy restaurant, I'd say that's really luck of the draw unless you've planned it out in advance with the restaurant. For example, if we know we have a large group coming (a large group being anything over 6 people for us), we have to plan a few hours in advance regarding where we'll put them, as we'll need to time the seating of their tables in such a way that we can get parties in and out of the tables we'll need at the same time throughout the evening. Let's say it's a party of 8 people for which we'll need two tables (we'll call them tables 1 and 2), and the people are arriving at 7pm. Assuming each party who dines with us takes 1.5 hours, we will have to seat tables 1 and 2 at 4pm on the dot, and 5:30 on the dot (when the party at 4pm gets up) in order to have those two tables get up by 7. We can usually accomplish it, if we have a plan for where the party is going a few hours in advance. This works the same for one party of 8 together, or 2 tables of 4 directly next to each other.

If we do not know though, we may seat table 1 at 4pm, and table 2 at 5 pm, not realizing that the two tables need to be synchronized. That will put them in a chain of not getting up at the same time for the rest of the evening.

Sometimes, by chance/luck/a slow evening you may have two tables of 4 open at the same time directly next to each other, but you never know. We try to scatter our seatings on purpose to give the servers equal tables and the guests more space. So I'd say if it works out for you, awesome. But it may not, and I wouldn't count on it unless it was pre-arranged.

 

[FireDancer]

It never hurts to ask. I'm sure they would try their best to accommodate your request to sit together but some of it will come down to luck. If two tables that are next to each other are opened they will do it, if not they won't. Your odds will go up if you let them know you are willing to wait a little longer.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

My husband travels with a college team, so 25 people at once and makes ADR's for 8 people at a time. He tries to stop by the restaurant a few hours ahead of the ADR (esp. if it is in the park or his resort) and ask if they can seat all 4 tables near eachother or together. If they know ahead of time, they are usually very kind and accommodating.

 

[Pakey]

Via Napoli has some long communal type tables so I think you might have a chance there. I don't know about Yak because both times we have dined here, the place has been at least half empty.

You have a lot of time yet, I'd keep checking online to see if there are any openings to book a combined party size.

 

[minnie mum]

Another factor would be the time you have booked. If your ADR is for an early lunch (ie 11:00) or dinner (5:00), I'd say your chances are much better. But if your ADRs are for the middle of the meal rush, then I doubt it.

And with their Y&Y reservation being 1/2 out from yours, I would highly doubt it.

But you can always meet up after your meal