Ohana Table Requests

[TheRealDrDisney]

Hi Gang,

Just a quick bit of info from my trip to Ohana this past weekend (Sat - Aug 25).

I usually check in and ask for a window table, MK view and follow-up by saying that I'm happy to wait as long as it takes. I make my way to the Tambu Lounge and enjoy some Blue Hawaii's prior to dinner.

This time, I was informed by the person working the sign-in desk that we could no longer request tables.

"You reserve a time, not a table". A bit abruptly delivered, but on the business side of rude - not the rude side of rude.

I asked when that had started as we had been there about 3 weeks earlier with no such notification. She said it started about a month ago.

Anyway - she went on to say that she would note our request but could not guarantee it because of the new policy.

We got our window table but were left a bit surprised by the change. I can certainly understand telling people that they may have to wait (even quite a while) to get their request - but it seemed a bit strange to have removed the option at all.

It felt a bit odd that she put us off for the request, and then noted it anyway - even as I was saying "OK - but if you accept feedback for management please let them know we don't care for the new policy." She said many people weren't happy - so... I don't know.

Is this one more nail in the previously unsurpassed quality of Disney Dining? We also recently dined at Fogo de Chao on International and were treated like royalty for about the same price, and (for us) just as enjoyable food.

Thoughts?

 

[budafam]

I don't know why they would do that. I mean, what is the harm if you agree to wait for it? They'll probably end up making more at the bar this way I'll be going there with my daughter for her 4th birthday in a few weeks and I am hoping for a window table (we've never had one)... I may just "put in my request" anyways... lol

 

[minnie mum]

I see no difference between this and the current (similar) policies in place at La Hacienda and Rose and Crown. When they are busy and/or running late they will flat out tell you that you can't wait for a patio/window table. Just remember that you are NOT the only one asking for that window table- so are a LOT of other people. That would mess up anybody's reservation list.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I don't know why they would do that. I mean, what is the harm if you agree to wait for it?

1) It is not just a simple thing.
2) It is called REVENUE.
3) Many people leave when they find out they can't get the fireworks view.
4) So, the eatery loses revenue.
5) Also, there is a waitress equalization issue.
6) Tables may be left empty while people wait for the window.
7) So, waitress "A" gets fewer covers (guests) and thus fewer tips.
8) Waitress "B" with window tables now gets more covers and more tips.
9) So,
. . . when your name is called, you must go to the table assigned
. . . if you do not agree to that at check-in, your ADR can be canceled.

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

1) It is not just a simple thing.
2) It is called REVENUE.
3) Many people leave when they find out they can't get the fireworks view.
4) So, the eatery loses revenue.
5) Also, there is a waitress equalization issue.
6) Tables may be left empty while people wait for the window.
7) So, waitress "A" gets fewer covers (guests) and thus fewer tips.
8) Waitress "B" with window tables now gets more covers and more tips.
9) So,
. . . when your name is called, you must go to the table assigned
. . . if you do not agree to that at check-in, your ADR can be canceled.

1. Rusty I find your posts to be condescending.
2. No need to respond to any of my posts - including this one.
3. Lists are annoying to constantly read - learn to write more conversationally.
4. With your suggestion in number 9 (cancelling), it would lead to number 4 and number 7 as well.
5. Cancelling an ADR at check-in can now cost anywhere from 20 dollars up to a lot more, depending on party size - if you are at a restaurant with a 24+ hour cancellation requirement.

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

I see no difference between this and the current (similar) policies in place at La Hacienda and Rose and Crown. When they are busy and/or running late they will flat out tell you that you can't wait for a patio/window table. Just remember that you are NOT the only one asking for that window table- so are a LOT of other people. That would mess up anybody's reservation list.

You make a good point, especially when looking at the big picture. I gues I just figured that there were enough people who were either looking to get in and get out or else didn't care about seating that it would make up for those who request tables and don't mind the extra wait.

I know from reading on here that a lot of folks aren't looking for that 3 hour dining experience with drinks. Nothing wrong with that, we all have our plans. However, my plans often include taking it easy, drinking a few adult beverages with my beautiful wife, people watching, and then eventually being led to a table in the general area we requested after patiently waiting.

You make another good point about the actual restaurants in question - those with a good view. I know I don't care where I sit at Whispering Canyon, Biergarten, Chef Mickey's, and so on. But I imagine those restaurants with the awesome view have that added level of concern.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

I don't know why they would do that. I mean, what is the harm if you agree to wait for it? They'll probably end up making more at the bar this way I'll be going there with my daughter for her 4th birthday in a few weeks and I am hoping for a window table (we've never had one)... I may just "put in my request" anyways... lol

I agree with you in principal - that's my take on it as well. However Minnie Mum makes a good point about those few restaurants with premium seating that have to concern themselves with managing people wanting to wait for certain tables.

Oh Lord - this might be a new revenue stream for Disney. Paying for premium seating - like the airplanes.

 

[cigar95]

I agree with you in principal - that's my take on it as well. However Minnie Mum makes a good point about those few restaurants with premium seating that have to concern themselves with managing people wanting to wait for certain tables.

Oh Lord - this might be a new revenue stream for Disney. Paying for premium seating - like the airplanes.

Possible compromise, but probably too complicated to actually do - you can wait for a window table, but that option to wait expires as soon as there are no other takers for empty tables in non-preferred parts of the restaurant. At that point, you take your table or you lose your reservation. (And if your wait extends beyond closing time, too bad. No soup for you.)

and while your last comment was meant as a joke, nothing would surprise me. They could even be sneaky about it simply by giving you a menu for which the prices are higher. You might never know the difference. (This menu would only be for those who waited for the preferred location - not for those who were placed there just because the table happened to be open.)

 

[Sweettears]

Possible compromise, but probably too complicated to actually do - you can wait for a window table, but that option to wait expires as soon as there are no other takers for empty tables in non-preferred parts of the restaurant. At that point, you take your table or you lose your reservation. (And if your wait extends beyond closing time, too bad. No soup for you.)

and while your last comment was meant as a joke, nothing would surprise me. They could even be sneaky about it simply by giving you a menu for which the prices are higher. You might never know the difference. (This menu would only be for those who waited for the preferred location - not for those who were placed there just because the table happened to be open.)

Shhhhhhh! Just walk away quitely. Nothing happened here. No one will get hurt.

 

[danceintherain]

I agree that it's probably a money problem. If they have a whole bunch of people come in with ADRs and they ALL ask for a window table, then the whole point of ADRs is compromised.
They don't offer ADRs for the guests so much as they do so the restaurants can be at capacity without making people wait so long. They have it set up so they have a steady stream of guests throughout the entire meal, instead of everyone arriving at the same time.

As it is, I doubt many of the restaurants at Disney get very many walk-up guests. When they do, they have a limited number of people they can take before they start turning people away. I've seen people get told that they can take a lunch ADR for 3:20 around noon, but there won't be any available tables before then. If you check-in for an ADR and opt to wait for the table you want, then a table could go completely unused the entire time you're waiting, and someone could walk up as soon as the restaurant is completely full again. There's no way to go back and put someone at that table for that time period.

I'm glad you got your request this last time!

 

[gonemousin']

We ate there last week. Had a 5pm reservation, was one of the first to check in so I politely asked for a window table. I received the same reply the OP got (including the curtness) about no longer taking table requests. We were the first party seated and got a window table. Had a great dinner!

 

[Amyhoff]

I always say to the kids, "You take what you get, and you don't pitch a fit!"

In all seriousness though, the first time we ate there we had no idea that we would get to see Wishes and it was such a pleasant surprise to be seated at the window and it just gave our vacation a little extra touch of magic. I think it's good for people who don't know to request a certain table to get a chance to have some of that pixie dust.

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

Possible compromise, but probably too complicated to actually do - you can wait for a window table, but that option to wait expires as soon as there are no other takers for empty tables in non-preferred parts of the restaurant. At that point, you take your table or you lose your reservation. (And if your wait extends beyond closing time, too bad. No soup for you.)

and while your last comment was meant as a joke, nothing would surprise me. They could even be sneaky about it simply by giving you a menu for which the prices are higher. You might never know the difference. (This menu would only be for those who waited for the preferred location - not for those who were placed there just because the table happened to be open.)

Interesting suggestion! I could see that, but you're probably right about the complexity being a problem.

You're so right about the menu suggestion. Half the time with seasonal pricing and what-not, I don't know what I'm expecting to pay - especially at Ohana where you don't even get a menu anymore!

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

Shhhhhhh! Just walk away quitely. Nothing happened here. No one will get hurt.

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

I'm glad you got your request this last time!

Thanks! We had a great dinner with cousin Cathy and cousin Aziz! Food was hot, delicious, and plentiful.

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

We ate there last week. Had a 5pm reservation, was one of the first to check in so I politely asked for a window table. I received the same reply the OP got (including the curtness) about no longer taking table requests. We were the first party seated and got a window table. Had a great dinner!

Very interesting! Glad you also had a great dinner and view!

Your check-in person didn't happen to be a blond-haired lady named Hillary by any chance?

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

I always say to the kids, "You take what you get, and you don't pitch a fit!"

In all seriousness though, the first time we ate there we had no idea that we would get to see Wishes and it was such a pleasant surprise to be seated at the window and it just gave our vacation a little extra touch of magic. I think it's good for people who don't know to request a certain table to get a chance to have some of that pixie dust.

Glad you had a great time and got some good pixie dust!

I'll have to remember your quote about taking what you get - I love it!

 

[kelma]

I will be very disappointed if we can't even request which area. Last time we went, we were seated at one of the tables that's the farthest away (and completely out of sight) from the main room. Our small children wanted to participate in all the fun and because of their ages, we needed to be in the same area they were. Every time we got back to our table, more food had been served and everything was stone cold. It was most unpleasant. We have a reservation here for our next trip and I'm really hoping that we can be in the same room as the action so we don't have to decide between our children joining in the fun and the adults have hot food.

Kelma

 

[JimmyV]

I will be very disappointed if we can't even request which area. Last time we went, we were seated at one of the tables that's the farthest away (and completely out of sight) from the main room. Our small children wanted to participate in all the fun and because of their ages, we needed to be in the same area they were. Every time we got back to our table, more food had been served and everything was stone cold. It was most unpleasant. We have a reservation here for our next trip and I'm really hoping that we can be in the same room as the action so we don't have to decide between our children joining in the fun and the adults have hot food.

Kelma

Interesting point. While window views are certainly an issue, equally important is the ability for guests without kids to request seating away from all of the kiddie games. People post about that here all the time. Usually, such requests are greeted with a knowing nod, and patrons are seated in quieter (relatively) areas. I wonder if this practice will be curtailed. Obviously, the PP had the opposite problem, so it clearly works in reverse as well even though the opposite issue doesn't seem to surface here all that often.

 

[gonemousin']

Very interesting! Glad you also had a great dinner and view!

Your check-in person didn't happen to be a blond-haired lady named Hillary by any chance?

Nope - dark haired girl.