Will I be charged for the extra person?

[mommaC82]

My family and I (my dh, our 3 kids, and I) plus my IL's will be going to Disney in 1.5 wks. I made my dining reservations 6 months ago, when my dd was into Mickey Mouse. Well, fast forward 6 months, and she's into the pricesses, specifically Cinderella. I have been calling every day to check for a cancellation for 1900 Park Fare for the Character Dinner for a party of 5 (my family) or 7 (our family, plus the IL's) to no avail. Yesterday, the CM told me that b/c of the way the tables are arranged, it's far easier to get a table for an even numbered party. So, today when I called, I asked if there was any availability for a party of 5,6, or 7 on any of the nights we will be down there. There was availability for a party of 6 every night of that week! I took an ADR for a party of 6, thinking only the 5 of us will go. Will they somehow charge me for that extra seat though? She did mention that gratutity is automatically added to the check for parties of 6+. We're on the Disney Dining basic plan if that matters. Thanks for any info/advice you can offer!

 

[disneyfan55]

Maybe you could make the reservation for 6 and call the next day to cancel one. I would try that and hope it works. Sorry, missed that you already made the reservation for 6!

 

[Tricia1972]

You will be charged the value of the meal for the guest for each guest who doesn't show up. Children 3-9 Pay the Child Price, Adults pay the Adult Price.

How old did you tell them your 'phantom' guest is? That's the price you'd be charged.

 

[kofduke]

I had a reservation for 10 at LTT a few weeks ago, and one member of our party became ill and returned to our resort. We were not charged for her meal.

 

[disneyfan55]

I had a reservation for 10 at LTT a few weeks ago, and one member of our party became ill and returned to our resort. We were not charged for her meal.

I didn't think they would charge for a guest that didn't attend. Maybe a prepaid type dinner show but not a buffet or regular dinner.

 

[Tricia1972]

I misread! I stopped reading at Cinderella and thought CRT.

In your instance, no you will not be charged for the additional person at 1900 Park Faire.

SORRY! My bad.

 

[lillymom]

I was a little confused as to why you were not able to get a table earlier. If table of 6 was available it should be able to accomodate either a party of 5-6 or 6-7 depending on the resteraunt. Regardless if you have a table for 6 and a party of 5 you will not be charged for the extra person.

 

[disneyfan55]

I was a little confused as to why you were not able to get a table earlier. If table of 6 was available it should be able to accomodate either a party of 5-6 or 6-7 depending on the resteraunt. Regardless if you have a table for 6 and a party of 5 you will not be charged for the extra person.

It sounds like the OP tried to make reservations for 5 but none were available. When they tried for 6 every night was open. It sounds like WDW doesn't have that many tables for just 5 and wants to fill up the 6 capacity tables with 6. Last year when we went for free dining, originally we were 4 and made all the reservations that way. Then just before final payment we added another person. I was able to change all of my reservations to 5 and most tables we were assigned were for 6 actually. Not sure why there is a problem in getting reservations for 5 this year.

 

[lillymom]

It sounds like the OP tried to make reservations for 5 but none were available. When they tried for 6 every night was open. It sounds like WDW doesn't have that many tables for just 5 and wants to fill up the 6 capacity tables with 6. Last year when we went for free dining, originally we were 4 and made all the reservations that way. Then just before final payment we added another person. I was able to change all of my reservations to 5 and most tables we were assigned were for 6 actually. Not sure why there is a problem in getting reservations for 5 this year.

That is my point. I used to be a cast member for dining reservations and most tables at 3-4 or in her case 5-6. For example we are going in sept. with a party of 3 which would be me, DH and DD. I already made all our resies but on one night my DMIL and DSIL want to eat at WC with us so I tried get a table for 5. Had only one of them wanted to eat with us i wouldn't have even called because we already have a table for 4. I know things change but I would not expect disney to turn down a table of 5 to get a full table at a 6 top.

 

[daisy112878]

I was a little confused as to why you were not able to get a table earlier. If table of 6 was available it should be able to accomodate either a party of 5-6 or 6-7 depending on the resteraunt. Regardless if you have a table for 6 and a party of 5 you will not be charged for the extra person.

B/c this is how the ADR system works. There's been quite a few discussions on this subject recently and some of the park books talk about this flaw in the ADR computer system. THe books and some Dining CMs tell you to up your number to an even number to see if any tables open up.

 

[mommaC82]

Thanks! I don't understand why they couldn't accommodate a party of 5 if there was 6-top tables available as well, but they wouldn't do it. I even asked if they could give us a table for 4 considering our youngest is only 9 months old and will be in a high chair. They wouldn't do it. I never even would have realized tables were open had the CM yesterday not told me that even numbered parties have more luck getting reservations! Makes me kind of mad that I wasted all that time calling every day to see if a table opened up for a party of 5 though! Oh well. I just wanted to make sure we wouldn't "get in trouble" for having the wrong amount of guests show up. My daughter will be so excited to have dinner with Cinderella!