Your Experience Trying to Add 1 person...

THE QUESTION OF AN EXTRA PERSON or EXTRA PEOPLE (the "411"):
1) Disney is getting wise to the "but, they decided to join us" or "I miscounted".
2) 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) If there is room, WDW will not turn away revenue.
7) But, if busy, they will turn away the additions.
8) Go ahead and arrive with the extras, if you like.
9) Just be prepared to have someone stand around while you eat.
10) I have heard explanations such as . . .
. . . "but, Aunt Suzy decided to join us and we need an extra seat"
. . . "but, two friends from off-site decided to join us and we need two extra seats"
. . . "but, brother-in-law decided to join us and we need an extra seat"
. . . "but, the entire Boy Scout Troop decided to join us and we need 14 extra sets"
. . . "but, my baby is so small that I didn't count her in the number of eaters"
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NOTE1: It is far easier going from an odd-number to an even number, such as from 7-people to 8-people, adding a person to an even number of diners, such as going from 6-people to 7-people. Adding odd person can mean adding a table, and this might not be possible. Going from an odd-to-even might only mean adding a chair or using an empty seat. So, if going from even-to-odd, you might not get the extra person a seat. It is always better to get another ADR with the proper people-count.
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NOTE2: Frequently a party-of-two will try to add a third person at the podium. This can be risky, because many eateries do have tables-for-two. If the guest was slated for one of these, there simply might not be a table available to seat the third person - even if an infant. The extra chair location might extend into an aisle and block access for other guests or Servers.
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NOTE3: Sometimes it is a threesome adding a fourth. Unfortunately, there are many eateries that do have 3-top tables - usually against a wall or pillar. They can't add a fourth chair, since that would invade the aisle and be unsafe for SERVERS.
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NOTE4: The final question is that of how many people are in the eatery. There are Fire Codes which dictate the maximum amount of people. If the capacity is exceeded, there are some big fines possible. And, Disney will not violate the max-capacity of an eatery.
 

At least 2 of your ressies are high demand currently so why not game the odds in your favor and put your requests into one of the online WDW restaurant reservation finders? Keep your cell phone on audible sound and be aware the text message can come at any hour of the day or night.

I don't think showing up at the podium with an extra person is truly in your best interest.
 
I would call back, it doesnt hurt to try.
I would also keep searching for ADRs, and search for a party of 6 this time. I've had to search for tables of 3-4 and even 5-6 (even though there were only 2 of us). Then i just change it back to a party of 2 afterwards in the MDE app. Sometimes you have better luck with large group searches.

Lastly, even though everyone says you'll be turned away at the podium check in, honestly, you have to at least try. You cant just assume you'll be turned away. It doesnt hurt to try...ask politely, and tell them you're willing to wait. You just never know. I didnt have ADRs for many popular restaurants...i've walked up and politely asked for a table and guess what? Most of the time they accommodated me. Never hurts to ask.

I would say you have been lucky if you were able to get into popular restaurants without an adr. I have definitely heard people without adrs being turned away from lots of different restaurants. And we don’t travel at the busiest times either. While it certainly doesn’t hurt to try for a walk up, it isn’t the best plan. Especially when you might end up paying the no show fee.
 
Would the 2 teenagers be fine with fending for themselves for a meal if the restaurant can't seat everyone? maybe letting the teenagers go off for quick service could be your just in case plan.

Don’t take this advice. Casting away your children sends a bad message. And you go to Disney to spend time together, not apart.
 
Don’t take this advice. Casting away your children sends a bad message. And you go to Disney to spend time together, not apart.

"Casting away your children?" DH and I went on a date night while at Disney and our two teens fended for themselves, but they didn't feel like we had cast them away. They LOVED roaming the park and doing what they wanted to do without us. We also split up in EP when they wanted to do the Phineas missions and we didn't. No problem. They had a blast and we had lots to talk about when we met back up.
 
"Casting away your children?" DH and I went on a date night while at Disney and our two teens fended for themselves, but they didn't feel like we had cast them away. They LOVED roaming the park and doing what they wanted to do without us. We also split up in EP when they wanted to do the Phineas missions and we didn't. No problem. They had a blast and we had lots to talk about when we met back up.

Agreed. If your children prefer not to hang out with you, then I think it is good advice to send them off on their own for dinner. Probably best for all involved.
 
Agreed. If your children prefer not to hang out with you, then I think it is good advice to send them off on their own for dinner. Probably best for all involved.
What? I'm confused by your implications in both of your posts on this thread. Teens having one fun night on their own in Disney and doing their own thing is not what it sounds like you're making it out to be. Enjoying one night on their own does not mean they "prefer not to hang out with" their parents.
 
What? I'm confused by your implications in both of your posts on this thread. Teens having one fun night on their own in Disney and doing their own thing is not what it sounds like you're making it out to be. Enjoying one night on their own does not mean they "prefer not to hang out with" their parents.

The post said the kids “LOVED” - in all capital letters - roaming the parks and being “without us.” I’m not sure how else I could interpret this comment. I’m agreeing that, if your kids LOVE hanging out without you, then you’re both better off for it. You get to keep the dinner reservation, and the kids get to get away from you. What’s so confusing about that? Why are you trolling me?
 
The post said the kids “LOVED” - in all capital letters - roaming the parks and being “without us.” I’m not sure how else I could interpret this comment. I’m agreeing that, if your kids LOVE hanging out without you, then you’re both better off for it. You get to keep the dinner reservation, and the kids get to get away from you. What’s so confusing about that? Why are you trolling me?
Quoting and replying to one of your posts hardly qualifies as ‘trolling’. But, okay :).
 


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