Dining reservations

[partyoffour]

Dining reservations HELP!!!!!

So my father in law has decided 12 days before we leave that he will be coming on tues, wen, and thusday of our trip. Problem is he is not on the dining plan and we are so i am not sure how that works since he will be going to 3 of our reservations. next problem is i could only get him in to one of the reservations. So do I just have him come with us and tell the hostess i had always had 3 adults in the reservations?? it is only 1 person more. Will disney do this for us?? I do not want it to mess up my plans I have gone over for 6 months in plans for this. I also want to be happy he is coming but it just throws a wrench in everything, I think?? What do u all think ? we shoudl just bring him with us to the resturants and hope for the best . Maybe get there 40 min before to warn them. It is only 2 reservations.

 

[DisneyJoe]

For the dining plan credit situation, tell them when you are being seated that you are on the plan and he is not, and they will run a separate check.

Don't just show up and hope they can seat an extra person! Keep calling and see if you can get him added.

 

[partyoffour]

I tried online and everything is booked. I think i am just going to have to try. I cant tell my FIL that he cant go .

 

[DisneyJoe]

Please call Disney Dining on the phone until you get him a seat.

Hoping for the best by showing up with 3 adults at a table for 2 could result in one of these results:

- you get lucky and they can seat you around your scheduled time
- you get lucky and they can seat you - but you may need to wait - for who knows how long - for a table of the right size to open up - could be hours...
- they could tell you "No" and then what? You either skip the meal completely, or tell your FIL that he can't eat with you.

It's up to you of course, but please weigh all of your options.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

We had a similar problem in the Spring. DH & I had made our ADR's for two, and then it turned out that two other friends would be in the parks that week. They wanted to eat with us, but we couldn't add on. The reason is that when you make an ADR for two, they assign you a table that holds two people. Adding a third person would require a table change.

If you were going from 4 to 3, or 3 to 4 it wouldn't be as much of an issue because it's usually the same table size. Going from 2 to 3 is a toughie though. Your best bet is to call everyday and hope for cancellations. They happen all the time, so don't lose hope!

 

[partyoffour]

Well the original reservations is for 2 adults 4 children ( including a high chair) so now do you think it will matter. I mean when you have 6 whats 1 more. Although I will be calling everyday to hope for a cancellation my BFF who is a disney freak like me said that it should not be a problem ??? I am just hoping it is not my FIl is one of those people who will say go eat and wait for us outside and I could never let him sit outside alone?? LOL could I ...LOL JK JK

 

[Rob562]

As others have suggested, abandon the online dining reservation system and use the phone. Depending on the restaurant, you may already be assigned to a table size that can accommodate the additional adult. (With a current total of 6 guests, you may have been assigned a table for 8)

But that's not info that's available on the online booking system, so you have to call and ask. Trying to book new reservations for the larger party will only look at currently empty tables, not the one you currently have, and none of those might fit.

If you aren't able to add him onto the reservations, you can try a walk-up, but be prepared with a backup plan just in case. A nice backup that we like to use if we're at Epcot or the Studios and can't get into anywhere we like, is to head to the Boardwalk for ESPN Club or Big River Grille. Neither of them takes ADRs, they're strictly walk-in only. Plus, they're both on the Dining Plan.

-Rob

 

[NewfieFan]

I added my brother to a few of our restaurants with no problem. Just went up to the podium and told them the situation and they were more than happy to accomodate us! And this was during free dining last year. We were also a party of four moving up to a party of five!

I would ask at the podium in advance and see what they can do for you.

And my brother has done it again to us this year! He decided last minute to come and I have no ADRs for him. He's going to walk up to restaurants with us and see if he gets lucky! This time we're already a party of five, moving up to a party of six (should be a little easier as we'll have to be at a bigger table/booth anyway)!

 

[partyoffour]

I am not a fly by the seat kind of person although I envy those who are. I just cannot decide to go places at the last minute . LOL but maybe when I am in my 60's i will just look at my hubby and say lets got to Disney tomorrow with the grand kids. Maybe .....

Thanks for all the help i will call the # !

 

[RiversideBunny]

Just take along some beef jerky and Twinkies for him.
He can wait outside while you eat.

Good luck

 

[NewfieFan]

I am not a fly by the seat kind of person although I envy those who are. I just cannot decide to go places at the last minute . LOL but maybe when I am in my 60's i will just look at my hubby and say lets got to Disney tomorrow with the grand kids. Maybe .....

Thanks for all the help i will call the # !

Oh, neither am I! Maybe I misunderstood your OP! I have all my ADRs in place... my family and my friend will be eating just fine - my brother is the last minute guy! What I was describing above is adding him to our table at the last minute. Whether he gets in or not doesn't change the fact that will be eating there. He'll just have to go off and get himself some counter service!

 

[M5ward]

Well the original reservations is for 2 adults 4 children ( including a high chair) so now do you think it will matter. I mean when you have 6 whats 1 more. Although I will be calling everyday to hope for a cancellation my BFF who is a disney freak like me said that it should not be a problem ??? I am just hoping it is not my FIl is one of those people who will say go eat and wait for us outside and I could never let him sit outside alone?? LOL could I ...LOL JK JK

One more than six is seven. Six can sit at a six top but seven needs an eight top, so you're actually going up to a whole different table size. The unfortunate thing is that you are about a week into the free dining promotion which is why there is so little available. This promo may make it very difficult to get additional seating.