Adding 1 to a party of 3???

[Marceline]

A similar thread is going but I didn't want to hijack it with my specific situation...so....here it is.

Stupid me, I opened my mouth and asked a dear friend that I reconnected with a month ago, who lives in the Orlando area, to join us for dinner and fireworks viewing at the Cali Grill, well after I already made my ADR's for this trip.

We are a party of 3, adding my friend makes 4. I asked him to come along before I called to find out that I cannot just add 1 more on to our party due to "fire codes". I would need to book a whole new ADR for 4 instead....but of course, none are available. The CM suggested to keep checking back to see if anything comes open. No luck so far. She also suggested to just show up at our original ADR time (which I kept of course) and see if they could accommodate us.

I understand the reasoning behind the policy that forces you to rebook, rather than add on to the existing ADR, I mean....that could be taken advantage of I am sure. Party of 5 suddenly becomes 10, ect, ect. But gosh, we will be at a table with 4 chairs, one will be empty....I was hoping they could just seat him there....but, nope, fire code regulations. (Are they really booked that tight?)

So my question.....should we just show up with him and hope that they can wiggle us in, risk a long long long wait, missing the fireworks perhaps, or even not being seated at all. Or, should I break it to my friend that I am a louse and we just can't get him in with us at this meal.



It's silly, I could cancel my ADR and then try to immediately rebook the same time with a party of 4, as it should be open....but I could never be certain. I could totally lose the ADR all together.

What's a girl to do?

[J9]

I would tell him that you thought you could, but there are no more ADRs available for 4, so unfortunately that night won't work.

Since they live in the area, they probably have Florida resident tickets - see if they can meet you at one of your other ADRs where it is more likely they can accommodate you than at California Grill.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

I'm so sorry for this! ADR's at Disney are just crazy, aren't they?

I know that (believe it or not), we've been seated at a table for 3 at a couple of places, (the "open" side was against the wall), so maybe they really do book that tight???

I would let your friend know that you're having trouble, and see if they want to plan for another night. If this is the only night they are free, I would keep trying the ADR and even stop by the restaurant on the day of the ADR and talk to the hostess, see if there is anything they can do.

[#1donaldfan]

PLEASE JUST SHOW UP !!!!

My sister had ressies every single night for their recent vacation and my mom, at the very last second, made plans to go. She ended up taking or DD with her and they showed up at every single eatery and were allowed in, and that was two extra !!!!!

They will tell you that on the phone, but in person they will accomodate !!!

[TheRustyScupper]

But gosh, we will be at a table with 4 chairs, one will be empty

1) That is the error in the thought process.
2) There are many eateries that have tables for three.
3) Thus, adding a fourth is not possible.
4) If all the other tables are booked, then there is no place to put the 4th person.
5) In such an event, there are only a few options
. . . the eatery may just refuse to seat the 4th person (embarrassing)
. . . the eatery might have you wait for a 4-top, but it could be a long wait

6) In this case, break it to your friend.
7) CG is too crowded at fireworks to change tables.

[elmjimmlm]

I posted a new thread about this same situation without seeing yours first...
http://www.intercot.com/discussion/s...d.php?t=160948

[Polynesian Dweller]

As usual, Rusty does a pretty good job of summing things up. I'll just add something from my experience with the restaurant in the hotel I used to own.

Occupancy is very definitely related to fire codes. If you are rated for say 70 people then that's all you can have legally. Go over that and something happens and the restaurant is completely financially liable and the operators are criminally liable.

So if you "just turn up" and your party would put the restaurant over its occupancy count, you may either be in for a long wait or outright refused. It won't be because the restaurant or staff are 'uncooperative' or 'nasty' it's because they have no other legal choice. So either try to get the ADR changed or at least prepare your friend and yourselves for this.

[awaggett]

I would show up. I've eaten there quite a bit (while traveling for work) and eat at the bar. There are always lots of folks in the bar area eating and waiting for ADR. They might not seat you at the same time, but they will likely accomodate you.