Your Experience Trying to Add 1 person...

[desparatelydisney]

So last night I agreed to let DD bring a friend on our mother/daughter trip (it was 2 moms, a teenager and a 7 yr old; now it's 2 moms, 2 teenagers and a 7yr old).

All of our reservations are for 4 and now we have 5. I called Dining to see if there was any chance of modifying and she said she had no way to just add one person, she would have to just look for availability for a whole different table of 5...

Would you....

1. Call back and see if another CM has a different answer?
2. Cancel the parties of 4 and immediately search for a party of 5?
3. Wait and talk to GS when we check in?
4. Wing it and see if they can help at the podium knowing we run the risk ending up with a table for 4 only?

We are talking about Ohana dinner, BOG dinner, and Trattoria al Forno breakfast.

TIA!

 

[sharonabe]

So last night I agreed to let DD bring a friend on our mother/daughter trip (it was 2 moms, a teenager and a 7 yr old; now it's 2 moms, 2 teenagers and a 7yr old).

All of our reservations are for 4 and now we have 5. I called Dining to see if there was any chance of modifying and she said she had no way to just add one person, she would have to just look for availability for a whole different table of 5...

Would you....

1. Call back and see if another CM has a different answer?
2. Cancel the parties of 4 and immediately search for a party of 5?
3. Wait and talk to GS when we check in?
4. Wing it and see if they can help at the podium knowing we run the risk ending up with a table for 4 only?

We are talking about Ohana dinner, BOG dinner, and Trattoria al Forno breakfast.

TIA!

Don't cancel anything, but keep searching for an ADR for 5. I would also sign up with Touring Plans for their free reservation finder.

I wouldn't expect any of the three you're headed to to allow you to add one person at the podium. But it's always worth an ask both with GS and once you're at the restaurant. However, if they say no, you need to have a plan for what you're going to do. Cancelling on the spot and no one eating could still incur the no-show fee.

 

[SG131]

The CM probably can’t add a person because the restaurants you listed are all very popular and probably all full. Since you are talking needing a 6 top table instead of a 4 top they can’t simply convert your old reservation. I would set up a reservation finder on the touring plan site and hunt for new reservations. Chances of being able to add a person at the podium are slim.

 

[JerseyJanice]

FWIW, you have probably the three hardest places to modify.

Keep them for now and try modifying them on MDE. As you get closer to your dates, you may find some openings.

Good luck!

 

[Hopefully]

Keep looking for a party of 5. It is Highly Unlikely that they can help you at the podium. People do cancel so keep checking. Have a Plan B. Will you all walk away and pay the $10/ person fee or will someone eat alone?

 

[Cinderella94]

I agree, you need a plan in case you get turned away at the podium. It's not like you're going from 3 to 4 where, in theory, your table will likely be the same size. This is going up to a different table sized. I would not expect to be helped at the podium if you can't get a different ADR beforehand.

 

[friedela]

I was able to add my mom to CRT by calling and having a CM change it for me, even though it wasn't showing up on MDE. I would call again, can't hurt.

 

[gharter]

As others have said, adding to an ADR can be difficult. keep looking online, call the restaurants directly, when you get to the park, stop in and ask them. Try touring plans, they have found hard to get reservations for us in the past.
Its not impossible, it can be done.
We had a similar issue at Flying Fish. Needed to add one. Online, no luck, reservation finder no luck, stopped at the restaurant the day before no luck, resort front desk no luck. We stopped at the restaurant the day of and were able to add one.

 

[michhess]

And search for a party of 6 by the way, some of the restaurants can’t seem to search for odd numbers.

 

[OneinThree]

You're going to have to make an entirely new reservation -if you show up with an additional guest, they'll have to treat you as a walk-up.

 

[DisneyKingpin]

Go to the podium and tell them you need a 5-person table. It works about 50% of the time. When it doesn’t, I slip the host/hostess a 50-dollar bill and that almost always gets you a table.

If you can’t spare the money, then crying is usually a successful tactic. Don’t make demands or get angry. Do the opposite. Act desperate and sad. Tell them it is the 7-year-old’s birthday wish and now it’s ruined.

If you can’t cry on demand, then change the reservation to be under the name “William Iger.” They’ll be so nervous that you’re related to Bob Iger - they’ll likely give you anything you ask for.

Just get creative.

 

[Haley R]

Idk about the others, but we had dinner at ohana with a group of 4 and our table easily could have sat more people. We even had extra chairs. So you might not have a problem there?

 

[kaytieeldr]

When your table is larger than your party's needs and has multiple additional chairs, you were simply seated at a larger but available table. Not typical with even numbers and probably not the best idea to advise someone they shouldn't have a problem.

But still exponentially better advice than anything in post # 11.

 

[goofyintoronto]

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.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Lastly, even though everyone says you'll be turned away

One 'wouldn't expect, one 'probably can't ', and one 'highly Johnson's out of a dozen posts doesn't seem like "eveyone" saying anything.

Not having ADRs doesn't seem to be the same as trying to add a person. The no-ADR diner risks nothing if they get turned away. The party of four loses $40.

 

[goofyintoronto]

One 'wouldn't expect, one 'probably can't ', and one 'highly Johnson's out of a dozen posts doesn't seem like "eveyone" saying anything.

Not having ADRs doesn't seem to be the same as trying to add a person. The no-ADR diner risks nothing if they get turned away. The party of four loses $40.

I was simply giving an example as to why one shouldnt give up hope. I recommend trying. Because you never know. That was my point. I thought it was rather obvious. But why would they lose $40?? That would be correct if they didn't show up for the ADR. But if the restaurant cannot accommodate their request for 5 people...would they really charge them $40 if they decided not to eat there? I honestly doubt it. They did show up for the ADR. But who knows. Maybe someone who has been through it can chime in....

 

[maxiesmom]

Go to the podium and tell them you need a 5-person table. It works about 50% of the time. When it doesn’t, I slip the host/hostess a 50-dollar bill and that almost always gets you a table.

If you can’t spare the money, then crying is usually a successful tactic. Don’t make demands or get angry. Do the opposite. Act desperate and sad. Tell them it is the 7-year-old’s birthday wish and now it’s ruined.

If you can’t cry on demand, then change the reservation to be under the name “William Iger.” They’ll be so nervous that you’re related to Bob Iger - they’ll likely give you anything you ask for.

Just get creative.

I'm I the only one not finding this funny????

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I was simply giving an example as to why one shouldnt give up hope. I recommend trying. Because you never know. That was my point. I thought it was rather obvious. But why would they lose $40?? That would be correct if they didn't show up for the ADR. But if the restaurant cannot accommodate their request for 5 people...would they really charge them $40 if they decided not to eat there? I honestly doubt it. They did show up for the ADR. But who knows. Maybe someone who has been through it can chime in....

I have read where people have been charged the no show for not being seated as a larger party so yes I would plan on the charge. this is mostly true at the popular ones which her ressies are at

 

[goofyintoronto]

I have read where people have been charged the no show for not being seated as a larger party so yes I would plan on the charge. this is mostly true at the popular ones which her ressies are at

Wow, really???? Good to know! Thanks for clarifying.

 

[maxiesmom]

Would the 2 teenagers be fine with fending for themselves for a meal if the restaurant can't seat everyone? That way some get to enjoy the meal and you don't have to worry about the no show fee. I'd try and get ADRs for the proper number of people, but maybe letting the teenagers go off for quick service could be your just in case plan.