Reservations and babies?

[DisneyHardin]

That's really quite surprising that you've witnessed that more than once, or even once, as over the many many years of visiting WDW, and the very numerous trips we've taken, there have been several occasions where we've had an unexpected guest come with us to our table service reservation, and we've always been accommodated for the extra person, and not turned away. Guess we've been supremely lucky.

I was going to reply something similar except to say that in all our years of eating at Disney, I honestly have never stood so close to the family in front of me checking in to even know what they are discussing with the podium CM.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

We had it happen to us when the little was 2 months old at Trattoria we made the reservation for 2 not 3 and told we couldn’t be accommodated unless we wanted to return 2 hrs later. I’ve never not included her since.

 

[Disneypro1]

There's also a recently-linked podcast claiming DU guarantees connecting rooms under certain conditions. Does not mean it's accurate.
[QUOTED="Disneypro1, post: 60260272, member: 638497"]Just in my families example..once our kids turned 4 then they ate alot more...so we included them...when they were say 3 and under..and didn't even have a ticket for the parks.

Did you mean under 3?[/QUOTE]
I meant what I said. We all have our own way to plan and execute our Disney vacations. Ymmv

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I would not include any child that wasn't being charged for a meal on the reservation.

No one is going to get turned away because they didn't add a 1 year old child to a ressie. That just doesn't happen.

This is terrible advice. There is ZERO reason not to include every person on the reservation. Why take the risk?

 

[TeresaNJ]

This is terrible advice. There is ZERO reason not to include every person on the reservation. Why take the risk?

I am not including a child who is either in a stroller, in a high chair, or on a lap on any dining reservation I make. It's hard enough to get a TS reservation on the date and time you need, for the people actually eating and sitting at the table. Why would I say I need a table for six, if one of the children/babies isn't even sitting at the table? Sorry, not going to do it.

 

[Disneypro1]

I am not including a child who is either in a stroller, in a high chair, or on a lap on any dining reservation I make. It's hard enough to get a TS reservation on the date and time you need, for the people actually eating and sitting at the table. Why would I say I need a table for six, if one of the children/babies isn't even sitting at the table? Sorry, not going to do it.

That’s exactly right. And you don’t need to say you are sorry. It’s your vacation. You do what is best for your family. That’s all that matters.

 

[Disneypro1]

This is terrible advice. There is ZERO reason not to include every person on the reservation. Why take the risk?

There is a lot of reasons. Each family had their own. And no. It’s not a risk. Every family is different as to how they plan thier vacation.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Did you mean under 3?
I meant what I said. We all have our own way to plan and execute our Disney vacations. Ymmv

[/QUOTE]

Just so you know, it's against DIS board policy to discuss circumventing Disney rules.

There is a lot of reasons. Each family had their own. And no. It’s not a risk. Every family is different as to how they plan thier vacation.

You do you, but it's still terrible advice to give others.

 

[Disneypro1]

Just so you know, it's against DIS board policy to discuss circumventing Disney rules.



You do you, but it's still terrible advice to give others.[/QUOTE]
No one said anything about breaking the rules. We all plan differently. You do it your way. Others thier way. Not sure where you get the rule breaking comment.
And just because you disagree with anyone’s advice doesn’t make it terrible.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

I was going to reply something similar except to say that in all our years of eating at Disney, I honestly have never stood so close to the family in front of me checking in to even know what they are discussing with the podium CM.

Well, when they shouted at me it became my business. I've never had that happen to me in 30 years of Disney trips but there's a first time for everything.

Also at some restaurants it's not a huge waiting area.

There is a lot of reasons. Each family had their own. And no. It’s not a risk. Every family is different as to how they plan thier vacation.

Whatever reasons there are circumvent Disney's policy to include everyone. Really the only reason people do this is because they can't get an ADR for their entire party. At some point, people who do this are going to ruin something else for those who follow the rules. Many families are able to easily plan vacations within the policies set by Disney.

It is a risk- you risk not getting into the restaurant or having to wait longer to be accommodated and/ or possibly losing your $10 per person fee. Sure, it may not always be enforced and it may not routinely be enforced but at any day and time, it is their right to enforce it and turn someone away. So if it was your party being turned away, what then? Argue for 20 minutes in front of a group of others like I witnessed? Be turned away like I witnessed another time?

 

[Moliphino]

Just so you know, it's against DIS board policy to discuss circumventing Disney rules.

You do you, but it's still terrible advice to give others.
--
No one said anything about breaking the rules. We all plan differently. You do it your way. Others thier way. Not sure where you get the rule breaking comment.
And just because you disagree with anyone’s advice doesn’t make it terrible.

A 3 year old needs a ticket, that's the rule they're talking about. You said you didn't get tickets for 3 and under, the rule is under 3.

 

[Disneypro1]

Hopefully people plan what is best for their family. That’s all that matters. Period. What’s best for anyone’s family is not my business. Or vice versa.

 

[maxiesmom]

We just returned two weeks ago, and had a 3 month old with us. He wasn't noted on any of our table service reservations, and not one restaurant cast member had a comment about it. I would not include any child that wasn't being charged for a meal on the reservation.

That is totally wrong. You have been supremely lucky. Every person needs to be accounted for no matter how small.

 

[charmed59]

Let’s say I’m the hostess of a small restaurant. I have 4 tables that can seat 2 along a wall, with the side of the table being the aisle and 3 tables for four. At opening I have 3 reservations for 4, and 3 reservations for 2. The first party shows up with 4 adults and two highchair children. Fine, I can move one of the small tables over and seat that party. They will review the restaurant and say you don’t need to count high chair babies.

The next three parties come with 4, 4, and 2 and are seated accordingly. The last party comes with two adults and one high chair baby. I only have one table of 2 left, that will not accommodate a high chair due to needing the aisle for servers. That party will be told they will have to wait until one of the other parties of four finishes. The will review the restaurant and say high chair children need to be in the reservation.

That’s what is happening here. Sometimes the restaurant can accommodate extras, sometimes they can’t. If you want to be sure, make a reservation for all folks that need floor space.

 

[marikujawa]

I haven't been able to find any "rule" about this, but my neighbor's 2 children have 3 kids under three years old between the two couples. I would never advise them to make a reservation for 4 and expect the restaurant to honor that reservation by seating 4 adults and 3 kids, no matter how young.

 

[BuzzyBelle]

Several years ago we were dining at ‘Ohana and had local friends joining us. When I made the reservation at 6 months out my friend was pregnant and I didn’t think to include the, at the time, unborn child. When we showed up for the reservation they went to seat us at a table for 9. The hostess counted our party and saw we had 10 with the baby. She insisted we have a seat for the newborn and told us we would have to wait for a table for 10 to open up. It didn’t matter that the baby was less than 2 months old and was being held the entire time.

I now include anyone under 3 on all reservations. That’s what the infant designation is for. I think that at most restaurants they will try to accommodate you because they don’t want to turn away customers, but they don’t have to. I can definitely see how a very busy restaurant could say you’re out of luck if you show up with too many people.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

Let’s say I’m the hostess of a small restaurant. I have 4 tables that can seat 2 along a wall, with the side of the table being the aisle and 3 tables for four. At opening I have 3 reservations for 4, and 3 reservations for 2. The first party shows up with 4 adults and two highchair children. Fine, I can move one of the small tables over and seat that party. They will review the restaurant and say you don’t need to count high chair babies.

The next three parties come with 4, 4, and 2 and are seated accordingly. The last party comes with two adults and one high chair baby. I only have one table of 2 left, that will not accommodate a high chair due to needing the aisle for servers. That party will be told they will have to wait until one of the other parties of four finishes. The will review the restaurant and say high chair children need to be in the reservation.

That’s what is happening here. Sometimes the restaurant can accommodate extras, sometimes they can’t. If you want to be sure, make a reservation for all folks that need floor space.

Exactly right! So yes, sometimes people can be accommodated and other times they can not. None of us has any way of knowing which restaurants will be full and at what times on any given day. At some restaurants that are less popular or larger this is certainly less of an issue. Trying to go to Biergarten with a child not on the reservation, possibly not a big deal. Trying to show up at Beaches & Cream which currently has VERY limited space and seating is possibly more of an issue.

I am not including a child who is either in a stroller, in a high chair, or on a lap on any dining reservation I make. It's hard enough to get a TS reservation on the date and time you need, for the people actually eating and sitting at the table. Why would I say I need a table for six, if one of the children/babies isn't even sitting at the table? Sorry, not going to do it.

A child in a high chair or on a lap IS sitting at the table. Some seating lends itself better to this than others. Strollers are not permitted in most restaurants and that's a pretty broad age range. Some people put their 8 year old in a stroller, so should they then not count that 8 year old? Where's the cutoff?

To the bolded, people manage just fine to get ADR's for their entire party including infants/ lap children/ toddlers in high chairs and last-minute guests coming along.

 

[Moliphino]

I am not including a child who is either in a stroller, in a high chair, or on a lap on any dining reservation I make. It's hard enough to get a TS reservation on the date and time you need, for the people actually eating and sitting at the table. Why would I say I need a table for six, if one of the children/babies isn't even sitting at the table? Sorry, not going to do it.

Don't complain if you get turned away or have to wait longer for your table, then.

 

[Disneypro1]

Don't complain if you get turned away or have to wait longer for your table, then.

They won’t. And if that is what’s best for that family. Then that’s thier business. Not ours.
That’s my point. Folks can plan and do things that’s works out best for them. It may not you. But that’s ok. Look I book tons of ADRs. We will only use maybe one. But we cancel so no penalty. We do that so we have flexibility. And of course some folks think that is bad. There is no exact way people should book. It’s what is best for a family.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

They won’t. And if that is what’s best for that family. Then that’s thier business. Not ours.
That’s my point. Folks can plan and do things that’s works out best for them. It may not you. But that’s ok. Look I book tons of ADRs. We will only use maybe one. But we cancel so no penalty. We do that so we have flexibility. And of course some folks think that is bad. There is no exact way people should book. It’s what is best for a family.

I believe we're up to 3 people not including myself who have actually been turned away. But sure, they won't.