What happens if not everyone comes to a dining reservation?

[Nicnicnic.nic]

I have a dining reservation for tonys restaurant in magic kingdom for myself, my husband, my daughter and my son. There is a chance that my husband and son will not make it in time (due to my son's nap time). Will there be a penalty fee if they don't come? I don't want to change the time of the reservation because I'm timing it around the parade which my daughter wants to see.

 

[gottalovepluto]

No penalty on that one, you just lower the amount of guests when you check in. Might even be able to do it when checking in on the app.

 

[epcothotel]

Nope, you can book a reservation for 8 people and have 1 person show up and still no fee for the people who no show

 

[gharter]

Not an issue as long as 1 person shows up.

 

[pens4821]

As others said, just let them know when you check in. Last year we reserved 8, but the other family backed out morning of. It was Tutto Italia and we had one of the first reservation times of the day. Told them and there were no issues.

I will say I did feel bad. I looked into dropping the reservation as soon as we found out, but there was nothing available for 4 at that time. I hate that we took up a reservation of 8 from someone else that could’ve wanted it when we only had 4.

 

[Sandi]

I'm so glad you asked this question. This summer I'm visiting with my sister, niece, and (hopefully) daughter. My daughter might have to pull out of the trip due to work and I was worried about having to adjust our ADRs. I'll plan to make them for 4 and just not worry about it.

 

[Mazz519]

No penalty… if you know in advance it would be nice to let them know, but as far as a charge there is none as long as some people in the party show up

 

[Dug720]

As others have said, absolutely no penalty as long as someone shows up. There is sometimes a glitch where the system will not show for 1 person but will for 2, so those of us solo often book for 2. Never an issue.

I have noticed that the Walk-Up Wait List will often massively increase the wait time if you're only 1 - so I'll often put 2. When I went when called and it was just me, the hosts asked about the second and I said "It's just me, but the time increased by a lot if I just put 1." At Three Bridges they said "That's weird. Come here and we're seating you." At Le Cellier they were still confused, but I asked politely if it would be the same table regardless and they said "Yes. You're right. That's strange it did that." and seated me no problem.

 

[jimmymc]

Nothing. As long as one guests shows up, there's no penalty for most restaurants.