What happens if I make a dining reservation for more people than intend to show up?

[kfridle1]

Hello everyone! My mom and I are going to WDW this May. We have been to WDW several times, but this is the first time we are going on the dining plan and we haven't been to WDW in about five years. We really want to try Akershus, but the only time I can get a reservation for two if for 8:15pm, which does not leave us enough time for Illuminations. However, there are earlier times available for parties of 5.

What happens if I book a reservation for a party of five, but then two days before call and let them know only 2 people can make it? I know this is cheating the system, but we only go every five years, and we have never seen Illuminations, and I want to make it count. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[maxiesmom]

Hello everyone! My mom and I are going to WDW this May. We have been to WDW several times, but this is the first time we are going on the dining plan and we haven't been to WDW in about five years. We really want to try Akershus, but the only time I can get a reservation for two if for 8:15pm, which does not leave us enough time for Illuminations. However, there are earlier times available for parties of 5.

What happens if I book a reservation for a party of five, but then two days before call and let them know only 2 people can make it? I know this is cheating the system, but we only go every five years, and we have never seen Illuminations, and I want to make it count. Thanks so much for your help!

They will adjust your reservation down if they can. Otherwise be prepared for a few eye rolls when you check in.

I have to be honest, I think it is not a very nice thing to do. Can't you see Illuminations on another night, or dine at Akershus a different time?

I'm also afraid if too many people do what you want to do, Disney will start charging the no show fee per each guest that does not dine. And not waive it if at least a few people show up.

 

[mom2cinderella]

I know this is cheating the system but we only go every five years, and we have never seen Illuminations, and I want to make it count. Thanks so much for your help!

What about the family of 5 that only goes once in awhile? Or has never been? And really want to have dinner with the princesses?

I just think it's an uncool thing to do.

 

[buggy2727]

Hello everyone! My mom and I are going to WDW this May. We have been to WDW several times, but this is the first time we are going on the dining plan and we haven't been to WDW in about five years. We really want to try Akershus, but the only time I can get a reservation for two if for 8:15pm, which does not leave us enough time for Illuminations. However, there are earlier times available for parties of 5.

What happens if I book a reservation for a party of five, but then two days before call and let them know only 2 people can make it? I know this is cheating the system, but we only go every five years, and we have never seen Illuminations, and I want to make it count. Thanks so much for your help!

For one of my ADR's, after booking I realized I booked it for 6 people when we are only 5. I called the 800 # and asked them if they could change the number of guests. They were able to do so without me losing the ressie. Maybe call in and see if they can do this for you?

 

[dixielanfan73]

For one of my ADR's, after booking I realized I booked it for 6 people when we are only 5. I called the 800 # and asked them if they could change the number of guests. They were able to do so without me losing the ressie. Maybe call in and see if they can do this for you?

I second this! We are traveling with my parents and had a couple reservations booked for a party of 6. They made other plans so I called the 800# and they were able to reduce the number in our party to 4

 

[purple figment]

What happens if I book a reservation for a party of five, but then two days before call and let them know only 2 people can make it?

You can continue checking online to see if a reservation for 2 comes up and after securing that reservation, cancel the res for 5. If the time of the new res is close to your current res, the system is supposed to ask if you want to cancel your current res, but that doesn't always happen.

Alternatively, if you don't want to keep checking and you know there will be only 2 of you, call now rather than 2 days in advance to see if you can modify the reservation.

 

[luvmy2babies]

I did this last year. I wanted Cyrstal Palace at a certain time but for some reason I could not get a table for 3, but 4 showed a lot of availability. I mean like 8 tables between 8 and 8:30, and this was less than 3 months out so I took an 8:10. I kept looking for a table of 3, but never got one, but always saw multiple openings for 4. About the same size table so I just let them know later and they modified it.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I think there's a huge difference from going to 4 to 3 than 5 to 2. Especially since parties of 3 usually get sat at tables for 4.