ADRs made for a larger party than attending

[sshindel]

I tried searching around for answers to this and didn't see one.

Back at the 180 day mark, we called and made all our ADRs for our trip in December. At the time, we had one person who was planning on attending that has decided not to go. A second group on our trip might also back out as well. We made our ADR reservations planning on these folks being there.

So, my question is, do we need to call them and readjust? Will they need to cancel and rebook our ADRs with the possibility of losing them when they cancel? Can they just adjust the number of people? Should I just show up at our dining time and say "yeah, those people couldn't make it".

Any thoughts would be great, we've still got some time to adjust, but I want to make sure I know the best course of action here.

 

[wilkeliza]

The polite thing to do would be to call and say you need to adjust the number down. You won't loose your ADR for doing that and it could open up a table for someone else.

 

[Monty]

The reservation system is set up with specific numbers of tables with specific numbers of seats. I would go online, find your current reservations [you can add the reservation number] and add them to your profile. Then try to re-book with the corrected number of guests. If there are tables available, the system will offer them to you and when it sees the conflict it will ask which you wish to cancel. If it doesn't have tables with the right numbers, just keep your current ADR and show up with less people. That way you're freeing up seating that can be used by others without giving up your plans.

 

[sshindel]

The reservation system is set up with specific numbers of tables with specific numbers of seats. I would go online, find your current reservations [you can add the reservation number] and add them to your profile. Then try to re-book with the corrected number of guests. If there are tables available, the system will offer them to you and when it sees the conflict it will ask which you wish to cancel. If it doesn't have tables with the right numbers, just keep your current ADR and show up with less people. That way you're freeing up seating that can be used by others without giving up your plans.

Thanks. I'll give this a shot. I dont want to hold larger tables from folks that might need them, but I also dont want to lose my reservations at places like Cinderella's Royal Table just because 1 person is not making the trip. For that one, I may have to call and talk to someone, since there is nearly 0 chance that one will have reservations online.

 

[DisneyJoe]

How many people did you start with? How many would you be adjusting to?

For example, if you are going from 4 to 3, it won't make a difference, since you will still be put at a table for 4.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

We had this same situation last year and I called to tell them about the party size. They were extremely happy we had and explained that often doing this opens a table or two for folks who weren't able to get an ADR before (that would've otherwise not been able to because it appeared the restaurant was booked). It doesn't matter (to me) if it's 1 less person or 10 less people, I think it's polite to call and adjust your group's size just because it may help another family squeeze in!

 

[JIMINYCR]

We had this same situation last year and I called to tell them about the party size. They were extremely happy we had and explained that often doing this opens a table or two for folks who weren't able to get an ADR before (that would've otherwise not been able to because it appeared the restaurant was booked). It doesn't matter (to me) if it's 1 less person or 10 less people, I think it's polite to call and adjust your group's size just because it may help another family squeeze in!

Appropriate thing to do.
Same thing happened to us and we called to adjust the table size needed. I know if I was waiting frantically for a dining spot to open up I would appreciate someone downsizing their reservation size which would fit me in.

 

[flynnibus]

Just call - that way you have Disney on the hook if you lose the reservation. I'm not sure if they will hold you liable for the $10/head charge if only part of the party shows up.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I'm not sure if they will hold you liable for the $10/head charge if only part of the party shows up.

Reports seem to be split on that. They may charge the $10 per person that doesn't show up. It seems to be at the discretion of the restaurant staff. If it's a meal that requires a credit card hold, I would definitely try to re-book. Otherwise, it could cost you $10-20 per meal.

 

[LizC]

I had an ADR for Le Cellier last night for 10 ppl, only 5 made it. (The kids just couldn't make it to dinner, so grandpa took them home). The staff had no problem with this, and we were not charged any fee.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

I had an ADR for Le Cellier last night for 10 ppl, only 5 made it. (The kids just couldn't make it to dinner, so grandpa took them home). The staff had no problem with this, and we were not charged any fee.

No you're right, typically they don't have a problem with it and only charge a fee if it was a "credit card reservation required" ADR and even then I think as long as your party shows in general, even if it's not the entire group, they don't.

 

[jim1051]

be careful some have cancellation charges, not sure if it applys to fewer people than reserved for.