Reservation for 1 too many

[princessesmom]

We are going to be at WDW for President's Week when my younger children are on winter break. I booked all of our ADRs in August at the 180 day mark. I was hopeful my oldest would be able to fly down from college to meet us for part of the week, but that isn't going to happen. I called to make adjustments to our numbers (a few other things had changed also). We had a 7:50pm reservation for Rose and Crown on President's Day for 8 people. I was not able to reduce it to 7 and still keep the reservation, though it seems to me the table would likely be the same. The Disney rep is telling me we will owe the $10 fee if 7 people show up instead of 8. Is this really the case? I booked the reservation before the new policy took effect. I was also under the impression the policy was for cancellations within 24 hours and no shows. We are definitely going to show up, but will have 7 people instead of 8. I kept the reservation and figured worst case we'll owe an extra $10, but this really doesn't seem right to me. Does anyone have experience with this situation?

[Strmchsr]

My understanding is that they won't charge you if it's 1 person over. I could be wrong, but if the rest of the party shows up I don't think you're charged for that 1. That said, you can certainly reduce the party size to 7. it sounds like you got a CM that didn't know what they were talking about. I would suggest calling back and talking to a different CM and they should be table to take care of it for you.

[VWL Mom]

The $10 per person charge is if you don't show up at all. A reduced party doesn't incur the charge (at least as of the beginning of January). I was able to get an table of 4 but couldn't get a 3, booked the 4 and wasn't charged for having one less person.

Add that to the fact that you booked before the new rule came into effect I'd say the CM was wrong.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

We're a family of 3, and often end up having to book for 4 because the system will show that there are no tables for 3, but lots of tables for 4.

We've never had an issue with being charged for the "missing person."

[Davy Crockett]

So in the NEW world of My Disney Experience and family profiles. Do you just add a phantom non-discript guest when you book more than your regular real party size? As our DF has 3 members as well.

[Strmchsr]

So in the NEW world of My Disney Experience and family profiles. Do you just add a phantom non-discript guest when you book more than your regular real party size? As our DF has 3 members as well.

No, the MDE thing may make being able to find a table for 4 a thing of the past if you only have 3. Not sure on that.

[princessesmom]

Thanks for the feedback. I have to call again to make some other changes. I'll try to reduce it by one. If that doesn't seem to work, I'm not going to worry about it.

[PirateLover]

That definitely doesn't sound right. On our recent trip, one of our reservations was for 4 people at Garden Grill, but the other 2 members of our party left earlier than expected. It was close to the reservation time, so we just showed up. We did attempt to change it through the My Disney Experience app, but apparently you can't do that. The CM at the check in desk said that it wasn't a problem, so I wouldn't stress too much about reducing your party. Like you said, it's highly unlikely you will be getting a different size table anyway.

[VWL Mom]

So in the NEW world of My Disney Experience and family profiles. Do you just add a phantom non-discript guest when you book more than your regular real party size? As our DF has 3 members as well.

You only need to provide one name when making the reservation. I am the only one on my MDE account and I've not (yet) had a problem booking.

No, the MDE thing may make being able to find a table for 4 a thing of the past if you only have 3. Not sure on that.

I don't think so. That would mean they would be restricting you to eat with only those guests at Disney using MDE. It would basically prevent you having guests for dinner that live in the area or such.

[Davy Crockett]

You only need to provide one name when making the reservation. I am the only one on my MDE account and I've not (yet) had a problem booking.



I don't think so. That would mean they would be restricting you to eat with only those guests at Disney using MDE. It would basically prevent you having guests for dinner that live in the area or such.

Thanks VWL Mom - you, Strmchsr and so many more are always a wealth of information.

[mom2morgan]

one problem with Disney is that the rules seem to be moving targets, being interpreted and enforced differently by different people at different times. I can say for sure they did NOT do this to us- we had a table for 5 at Chef Mickey's and my son had a teenage sized temper-tantrum(about getting up early) and we had to go without him so only 4 of us showed up - I apologized profusely since that even meant changing a table configuration, but they said it was absolutely no problem and did NOT charge us any extra. Also, one time we went to Cindy's table and I was ill and couldn't eat (but went to keep company). I've been told by a bunch of people they'd deduct a credit for me, but they didn't. (and I was able to use my two saved credits for an extra dinner with hubby when I was feeling better).

[dvcmember83]

Last June I book reservations for 7 for most of my dining because my sister may have possibly been able to join us. We showed up at all of our reservations and told them we had one less person and we were never charged for the extra person not showing. I hope this helps!