Couples' ADRs

[bulah1]

I just read something on another thread that alarmed me slightly...

They mentioned that they made ADR for a certain time and waited over an hour even after arriving 15 minutes early!! This was a group of only two people. They were told that the reason for the wait is they treat "couples" as "walk-ins"! So does that mean all of the ADR's I've been making for my upcoming trip for two people are now going to be worthless?

I'd love to hear some thoughts and experiences from others who have been couples only with ADR's.

This particular person was going to Ohana (for dinner), I actually had planned this one in my numerous ADR's as a breakfast on our last full day... now I'm second guessing. Any other restaurants you guys may have had issues in? Or no issues?

 

[tabrizia]

Last year with just me and DH we had no trouble getting into all our ADRs on time, early or with a short wait (everyone else was waiting as well). As far as I know 2 people is just a valid of a ADR as more. We never had any problem at any of our ADRs.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I just got back and it was me and my friend - we had no problem getting seated right away (and that's during free dining!) We had ADRs at 50s Prime Time, Le Cellier, Cinderella's Royal Table and California Grill.

When I went with my husband in January 2006 we also didn't have a problem at all and when I went in Sept 06 with another friend we never had to wait.

Hope this helps!
-Ana

 

[Simba22]

DBF and I had ADR's at 2 places on our December trip and never had that problem! We actually were able to get in earlier that our ressie time at Ohana and we were right on time at Crystal Palace. It sounds to me like the restaurant screwed something up and then someone started making bad excuses (maybe a new employee who didn't know any better?) You shouldn't have any problems though... we didn't

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I go alone all the time and are usually seated within 10 minutes of our checking in and sometimes we arrive alot earlier than our ADR time. We usually eat between 6 and 6:30.

There was one time that we waited an hour past our ADR time. It was a few years back at H&V. There wasnt anywhere else to eat, everything was sold out and the CM kept telling me we will seat you next. We were seated in a desserted part of the restaurant, the tables around us were filthy, the server was horrible and the food disgusting.

 

[webray]

Absolutely not..going 15 minutes early hubby and I usually get in early or right on time. We have never ever been made to wait because we were a couple only..I don't believe that for a minute!

The only time we ever had to wait was during the holiday season...we had CP package..and we waited for an hour to get in to Chefs. All the restaurants were busy..everyone behind.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I've never heard that before; I've also never had trouble getting seated (as a single) with a reservation. If you're assertive, I'd even mention what you 'heard' to a manager if one comes around to converse with the Guests. I'm sure that's not the practice anywhere that takes reservations.

 

[Lynne M]

They mentioned that they made ADR for a certain time and waited over an hour even after arriving 15 minutes early!! This was a group of only two people. They were told that the reason for the wait is they treat "couples" as "walk-ins"! So does that mean all of the ADR's I've been making for my upcoming trip for two people are now going to be worthless?

I think whoever told the other poster that was pulling their leg. That doesn't even make sense, Disney can't and doesn't ignore an ADR just because it's a couple. What would the point of that be? They have plenty of two-seater tables in every single restaurant.

 

[marivaid]

I remember that post and it made me go HUH??? because we never heard that before.The only times we ever had to wait to be seated were when we were late for our ADR.

Don't worry,and have a blast!! We'll be there almost exactly at the same time

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

As others have said, that just couldn't be true..

I was in a party of 2 on the DDP for 7 days in late August, and we had ADRs every day, and the longest we waited was 10 minutes for Coral Reef. It didn't seem to matter if we arrived a few minutes early or late (and we never arrived 15 minutes early as advised, just 5 minutes early) - we always were given a seat within a few minutes.

 

[septbaby]

We were at Boma on Sunday night, there was a solo diner who had waited 40 minutes and still had not been seated. I suggested that she go and remind them that she was there, she got seated right away. The waiting area was pretty full. I took the little on to the playground and observation are while waiting. Just as we reentering the Lodge our pager went off. Not sure how long we waited, but the timing was perfect. We were a party of 2A, 1C. Boma is also a gotta do now!

 

[flyball]

I hate to dissent, but honestly we experienced something similar on our late August visit to Raglan Rd. We arrived 15 mins early for our ADR, checked in, and we were given a beeper. 45 mins later, we still had not been seated. I politely inquired as to what the delay was, as there was only one other party waiting to be seated and I was told that the rain that night had caused people to remain longer than expected. We were assured that we'd be seated as soon as possible (this was at 9:45 pm) and watched a few larger parties arrive after we had and be seated. We waited another few minutes and I just couldn't take it any more (I was starving and DBF was beginning to get angry!), so I again politely approached the podium and requested a table. I explained that I didn't understand the point of an ADR if they weren't going to honor it within a reasonable amount of time. The hostess said that ADRs were not reservations (which I understand) but rather priority seatings (by now a manager had joined her). I explained that if we had arrived an hour late for our "priority seating," I doubted they'd honor our reservation and asked why we were expected to be understanding of their being an hour late seating us. They replied that if we had indeed arrived late, they'd add us to their priority seating list, just as we had been when we arrived. So it was my understanding that we weren't really being given any priority despite the fact that we had made ADRs. Ultimately, the manager said he would seat us shortly and then immediately brought us to a very nice table. But I was honestly perplexed on my way to the table, as I counted 4 deuces that were clean and ready for patrons. I really think somebody dropped the ball here, as this is atypical of our experiences at other property restaurants.

 

[Eeyore2003]

The only restaurant we had this trouble with was Le Cellier. It used to be our favorite restaurant and this happened to us twice there. Needless to say, it's no longer on our list. There are much better places to eat at Disney World and without the wait.

Has never happened any other place yet.

 

[Pakey]

We have had to wait longer (my DH and I) than 10 minutes at Le Cellier (once), Bistro de Paris (once), Coral Reef (every time) and Sci-Fi (twice). However, I do not think we ever waited longer than 20 minutes. Being just a couple does not make any difference in the seating. Once you check in, you are given the next available table for your party size.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We've had hour long waits at CG twice and several 20 miniute waits at Narcoossee's. But then all of those were Saturday night dinners at 8:00--prime fireworks time.
Almost all other times we're seated at, or even just before, our ADR times. Just the two of us!!

 

[Battousai]

The longest I ever had to wait was about fifteen minutes after my ADR with a party of two.... and at the Plaza Restaurant of all places, LOL

 

[scubamouse]

As others have said, that just couldn't be true.
.

Exactly!

My only caution on Ohana is that it is VERY family/kid oriented. I love that about it but it seems most of the complaints are from people going there w/o kids. If you go prepared, you'll have a ball.

We had ADRs on our trip for parties of 2 to 6 and never had a wait regardless of party size.

 

[bulah1]

This makes me feel much better about going! Like an earlier poster said, when I read the thread that mentioned this it didn't seem right at all - and definitely not something Disney of all places would practice. I've got all my ressies made, and it's not the busiest time of year - so hopefully they won't run into too many delays. And as far as Ohana goes, like many others - I am going in with a kid mentality about the place, that's why I chose it in the first place. I have found my new favorite character "Stitch" - and when I found out I could visit him for breakfast - HOORAY!! And it was yummy looking food from what I've seen on here, all stuff we like to eat!

I feel much better now! No time for waiting around to eat! Much too much magic to be had on our first trip together!!

 

[DISNEYDUET]

In my 60 + trips to Disney I have only had one bad experience. That was at Narcoossees. Our buzzer was not activated and we ended up waiting about an hour. Other than that we have gotten a table within 15-20 min (on time as we always arrive 15-20 min early) and we are always a table of 2.