What happens if you show up at your ressie with 1 extra person?

[MinniesYooHoo]

We have an unexpected guest coming with us on our upcoming trip in 45 days. I just tried to add him on to our existing ressie, but they're telling me there is no room. What happens if we just show up with him? I'm not trying to circumvent the system, I'm just curious what Disney would do. Anyone have any experience with this situation? TIA!

 

[LilyWDW]

We have an unexpected guest coming with us on our upcoming trip in 45 days. I just tried to add him on to our existing ressie, but they're telling me there is no room. What happens if we just show up with him? I'm not trying to circumvent the system, I'm just curious what Disney would do. Anyone have any experience with this situation? TIA!

Multiple things could happen.

1) Disney will seat you no problem.

2) Disney will seat you with a wait (which, depending on the restaurant and day, it might be a long one).

3) Disney will say they have no room to accommodate and the extra person will not be seated.

Keep trying to adjust your ADRs.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

They will usually try to accomodate you if possible but there's always a chance they are fully booked and can't fit in an extra guest. I'd get there to check in a little early and be willing to wait a little longer to be seated. Are you going from an odd to even number? Oftentimes it's easier that way because, for example, many restuarants don't have 3 tops (although some do - we've been seated that way at 'Ohana) so a party of 3 would get a 4 top anyway.

 

[usd2bmd]

What they do depends on when you're going...if it is a busy time (ex. during free dining) they may very well tell you they can not accomodate you and the extra person will not be seated. Have you tried moving the time up a little or back a little to see if they could accomodate you at a different time. If they can not it is usually because the restaurant is booked and can only accomodate a certain number of people according to fire codes. Keep calling and even the day you are there call and ask things very often change quicky with ADR's. Good lukc.

 

[Bete]

but it's manily the table size.

For example if you are a party of two, then the seating is for two and it can't be changed. If you are a party of three to begin with then you probably got a table for four and then they could accomodate an extra person at your table. For a party of four, there's no extra spaces. In the case for five they will have a table for six and adding another person wouldn't be a big problem.

The best thing to do is call especially if you are an odd number grouping. By going into the website it still has your existing reservation and it looks like you are trying to do a new reservation. I don't remember being able to modify an existing reservation on the web. If you call they may be able to add another guest into your existing reservation if you are an odd number group to begin with.

You can play with different time slots and see if anything opens up that way for you. You may have to chose a different place and see how that works out for you.

I agree with the other posters that showing up with an extra person doesn't really work well.

Unfortunately, it's much easier to downsize a party on the spot but upsizing a group doesn't work the same way.

 

[prfctlyximprfct]

I was wondering this same thing! I am going with my boyfriend in November (6-12) and have already made all our reservations. He has a half-brother who lives in Clearwater, so he was thinking of inviting him to visit us one day in Disney. I have no clue which day of our trip he is planning on coming, and do not want to cancel any of my ADRs. If he does so happen to come.. i don't know what to do!!

 

[CityGirlLost]

I've seen lots of reports around the DIS that despite it being tough to get rezzies, people are reporting a lot of open tables. Good luck!

 

[WendyWuWu]

I've done this before without any problems....and this was at 'Ohana.

 

[minnie mum]

Again, a lot depends on when and where you are planning to eat. If you are going during free dining, then there will be very high demand for most tables.

The fact that you are unable to re-book your existing ADR means they are probably totally booked up. As a PP stated, adding an extra person may be easier if they result in an even number of guests. Since a party of 5 will usually be seated at a table for 6, adding an extra will likely be OK. But adding an extra person to a party of 2 is much more difficult, since they would have been assigned a table sized for 2.

All you can do is to keep trying for a new ADR every day. Cancellations happen all the time.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you are going up from an odd number of people to an even number it is never a problem, as all tables are designed for an even number of people. However, if going from even to odd there will be a problem as you will need a larger table.

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

If you are going up from an odd number of people to an even number it is never a problem, as all tables are designed for an even number of people. However, if going from even to odd there will be a problem as you will need a larger table.

That's perfect as all of our ressies are for odd numbers and the extra person will make it even!

 

[PrincessShanShan]

We were there Easter week this past April. We had lunch ressies at LeCellier for 4 and a friend happened to be at Disney at the same time. She went with us and was seated with no problem. It was peak season at a popular restaurant. Maybe we were just lucky, but that's my experience.

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

We were there Easter week this past April. We had lunch ressies at LeCellier for 4 and a friend happened to be at Disney at the same time. She went with us and was seated with no problem. It was peak season at a popular restaurant. Maybe we were just lucky, but that's my experience.

WOW! That's nice to know since Le Cellier is so popular and small and they were able to accomodate 1 extra person. I feel a little bit better, however, I still understand we may not be so lucky. Thanks!

 

[nulyte]

We went last November to Disney and had our ADR's months in advance. My mother decided she wanted to come at the last minute. We were staying in the cabins anyway so they had no problem adding her in. When we arrived for our ADR's mom said if they couldn't seat her she would just go to the nearest quick service to eat, but no one had an issue. I think the longest we waited was 15 minutes.

My husband is a travel consultant and he knows of many people that just make the ADR's to have and then never show. One time we wanted the Garden Grill and I hung around the waiting area and heard someone cancel their ADR I immediately went to the podium but they said no so I called 1-407-wdwdine and they gave me that reservation and we calmly walked back up to the podium. I know we looked like stalkers but that is one of my DS favorites and hey it didn't hurt anyone. How many peopel would have called for that spot at that exact time?

Usually Disney is very accomadating!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Disney is getting wise to the "but, they decided to join us" trick.
2) With free DDP, people can't always get the ADR they want.
3) So, they under-count to get a table.
4) Then, they show up with "unexpected" additional people.
5) In a team meeting, CM's have been told to warn guests against this.
6) Sure, if there is room, WDW will not turn away revenue.
7) But, if busy, they will turn away the additions.
8) Go ahead any arrive with the extras, if you like.
9) Just be prepared to have someone stand around while you eat.