About to call off my whole trip over the dining UNFAIRNESS

[Finally08]

Well, they do base reservations on tables available to accomodate however many people. If they gave you a table for 4, when you only had 3, then is that fair to the person calling after you wanting a table for 4?? Just putting the point across.

If someone needed that table for four and they called BEFORE me then by all means they deserve it.
But to know the table is there and be denied it based on the # of kids I have seems unfair, since there are no real tables for three (just how many Disney decides to make available).

 

[BCV23]

Are there actually any tables for 3 at CRT these days. Back when it wasn't a character meal we had lunch at CRT every trip and I can't recall any tables for three. There were just a few two tops.

I wonder if it's just a few CMs who misunderstood training?

 

[VanessasMom]

Well, they do base reservations on tables available to accomodate however many people. If they gave you a table for 4, when you only had 3, then is that fair to the person calling after you wanting a table for 4?? Just putting the point across. You are upset now because it directly impacts you but how would you feel if you took a table meant for a family of 4 and this was a "special" thing for them as it is for everyone planning ADR's? That is just the system. You either like it or don't, ya know I don't think Disney is being unfair at all. They are keeping a table for 4, a table for 4. It is just the luck of the draw when you call. Keep calling later on as someone may end up cancelling as they did for us to get a CRT breakfast opening, breafast at 1900 Park Fare and Chef Mickey's. All of these weren't available at first, but I kept calling. Sorry, that the date didn't work for you but you won't be the 1st disappointed nor the last with not getting an ADR you want. Just think about the fact that if they seated you at a table for 4 and then someone right after you called and wanted a table for 4. See the other side of it

I can understand your point if you were booking a table that didn't fit the party size. There are no triangle tables for a party of 3. A table for 4 is the same table they use for a party of 3. So, it is the same reservation. Disney is just trying to squeeze one more paying customer out of it by screwing odd-numbered parties. That's my two cents on it anyways.

 

[JLKennedy]

Since most everyone else there that day will be eating free, you think they'd want to fill a few chairs with customers paying cash.

I'm sorry you had difficulties, but come on, that statement is a bit excessive! Do you honestly think that someone who is there for "free" dining, really got it for free? Those who are there have paid rack rate at their hotels and everyone has paid "cash" in the end for their vacation. It's a pretty bold statement being made, but I took offense, and I'm not even a "free diner", I'm a discounted deluxe diner.

 

[hentob]

I believe the first party to call that would fit at the table (3 or 4) should get the table.

I agree with you

 

[suzimar57]

another vote here for "book a table for 4, then say someone got sick"

they're disney - they want your money - you'll get in!

 

[goofy4tink]

There is no such thing as a table for three in WDW......in well over 15 trips, I have yet to see one. And a lot of those trips have been in a group of three. We have never been denied a table. In fact, I booked all of my free dining in Sept ADRs for three. Had booked them as for two but dh decided he did want to go with us, so I had to call back and get all new ADRs. Not once did the rep say anything about tables for three....why? Because there aren't any. Can you imagine what they would look like??
Man, it sounds like the OP got a real doofus for a dining rep. Call back, and book a table for four. If they give you any grief when you show up, tell them the 4th is back in the room with Montezuma's revenge!!!

 

[scjo68]

I agree, this policy makes no sense. We are a family of four, and in my wildest dreams I wouldn't complain because a family of three, who called before us, got a table for four, denying us a table. It would seem to me that the extra chair from the family of three could go on the end of another four table, and seat five, anyway.

I can totally understand OP's frustration and desire to cancel the trip. Of course it's not logical, but you do not expect to have to deal with a "snotty" cm when you call Disney. If you want snotty, there are plenty of other places. I could find that locally. One reason to put fourth the extra money and effort to go to WDW is customer service.

I have called Disney Dining and reservations sooo many times over the years and can't think of a time I wasn't treated kindly. Now, the CM's aren't always 100% correct. And, my every request has not been accomodated- far from it. But I have always been treated politely.

Enjoy your table for 4! More room for cameras, autograph book, etc.!

 

[FairyDust2008]

I believe the first party to call that would fit at the table (3 or 4) should get the table.

I had tried to get a table one time for CRT for our May 08 trip we just had for CRT for 2 instead of 4 so I could at least get my dd and I to experience it. They couldn't do it for my party size, period. No biggie. I moved on, kept calling and low and behold on the day BEFORE our trip, I got CRT for breakfast for 4 people. I'm sure everyone has experienced some sort of disappointment with ADR's but to call off a whole trip based upon dining unfairness just seems a bit much, that is all I'm saying..........I guess what is a big deal to some, just doesn't bother others. I'm sure Disney might catch on to people getting tables for a certain amount of people and then a lower number showing up. That really isn't fair to those with bigger parties either. Goes both ways

 

[Sleepy]

What does a table for 3 look like? Are these tables odd shaped and in corners? Unless they are designed differently, I would demand the table for 4 for my party of 3.

 

[jcc0621]

She told me I could be denied seating. I asked what happened if a group of 4 had a reservation and one person had gotten sick or something, would they be refused - she said, if they were seated at a table for 3 OR 4 they wouldn't, but if they had a table for 4 yes it was possible.
She was pretty snotty.

This is just wrong. We have had this happen to us. We had booked a party of 4, but my father wound up not feeling well and not attending. THey gave us no problem. I would just book for 4 and explain that the 4th person was unable to attend.

 

[SereneOne]

I just made ressies for our family of three, our teens are grown and gone, so it is just my DH, myself and our 4yo. We made ressies at 16 TS for three and had no issues, including 1900 Park Fare. We had no problems. Please call back and try again. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[jennwndrlnd]

As someone else said, there was a thread discussing how making reservations all depends on the CM you get. Last week I called in for 1900 Park Fare for the Cinderella Dinner. We needed two tables, one for 5 and one for four, the CM told me that they had no tables for either but there were two tables for six. He said just to tell them when we showed up that he messed up. Oddly enough I wanted to confirm another ressie where we also had two tables and I was told that the CM booked 3- one for 5, one for 3, and one for 1! He said "See, we make mistakes all the time." When I asked if I should cancel that ressie and re-book the correct thing he told me not to worry about it because if he canceled it then the tables might be gone by the time he got back into to book them. Again he directed me to tell them at check-in that the CM messed up when making the reservations.

 

[itchin2go]

I understand the OP is upset, but honestly, I think this is no big deal. I routinely book all of our ADRs for 3, and many of them end up only being for two people in the end (daughter opts for kids club instead of evening with the parents). No one has EVER had a problem with this.

And I don't think this is a "policy". I'm guessing this is one errant employee, drunk with power because she holds the keys to Cinderella's castle.

So again, I understand the frustration, but cancelling a trip over this? This is a case of one jerky employee. True, you shouldn't have to deal with ANY jerky employees, but I wouldn't let one ruin my good time.

Book it for 4, and then say, actually there are only going to be 3 of us today. They're not going to cause a scene in the middle of Cindy's. I would be SHOCKED if this happened.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

OP - I am glad you phoned back and booked for a party of 4!

We are a party of 3 - me, DH & DS. I have NEVER had a problem booking for a party of 3. Our 8th trip is coming up. We'll be at WDW for 16 nights, part of it with DxDDP. We have 26 ADRs and 23 of them are for a party of 3.

Sometimes we travel with dear friends of ours. They are a couple with no children, which makes us a party of 5. I have read all sorts of posts where people are given a hard time about being a party of 5, but I have never had an issue. I think it is luck of the draw on who answers the phone when you call.

I agree that there is no such thing as a table that only seats 3. Of course you will be seated at a table for 4 and you'll have an extra chair. That's where the bags go!

 

[livie1205]

omg BOOK THE TABLE FOR 4 ....and do NOT offer to pay for someone that is not there, you dont have to do that.If a family of 4 calls first so be it, if you call first you get the table.I have never seen a table for 3.I got my ADRS today through AKL IPO and when he was booking ohana for me he said they could not book for 7 people but COULD book for 6 or 8! he just picked one and said there is a extra person with us....

 

[Finally08]

I'm sorry you had difficulties, but come on, that statement is a bit excessive! Do you honestly think that someone who is there for "free" dining, really got it for free? Those who are there have paid rack rate at their hotels and everyone has paid "cash" in the end for their vacation. It's a pretty bold statement being made, but I took offense, and I'm not even a "free diner", I'm a discounted deluxe diner.

Being offended seems like part of the Disney experience. I'm glad I could be a part of that.

 

[Finally08]

I had tried to get a table one time for CRT for our May 08 trip we just had for CRT for 2 instead of 4 so I could at least get my dd and I to experience it. They couldn't do it for my party size, period. No biggie. I moved on, kept calling and low and behold on the day BEFORE our trip, I got CRT for breakfast for 4 people. I'm sure everyone has experienced some sort of disappointment with ADR's but to call off a whole trip based upon dining unfairness just seems a bit much, that is all I'm saying..........I guess what is a big deal to some, just doesn't bother others. I'm sure Disney might catch on to people getting tables for a certain amount of people and then a lower number showing up. That really isn't fair to those with bigger parties either. Goes both ways

Well but that makes sense because I've been to CRT and there are little bitty tables that seat only 2 people. So I can understand them not having a 4 seater table, but having a 2 seater.

And so what if I'm excessive...it is very frustrating when someone basically tells you tough stuff when you are willing to pay the same money as everyone else for your child to enjoy something. It does make you not want to spend any money there at all. If I treated my customers that way, I wouldn't expect them to want to hire me either.

Oh eta, since some people think it sounds excessive..lol. I looked into taking a quick (3 day or so) trip there in April for my dd's birthday. The entire trip hinged on getting this exact same dinner. Because there was never one available for any of the nights we could have planned the trip (her bday weekend) we called the whole thing off. So yes, I have canceled a trip before over "one silly little dinner ressie." This is like her mecca, so if we can't get it, we can just try some other time when we get an opportunity.

And fwiw...this is why she is so in love with this place (although I doubt we'll ever have a cast of characters as wonderful as that first time):





Where else do little girls get the chance to dance and be taught how to curtsy by Cinderella?

 

[mskayjay]

I understand the OP is upset, but honestly, I think this is no big deal. I routinely book all of our ADRs for 3, and many of them end up only being for two people in the end (daughter opts for kids club instead of evening with the parents). No one has EVER had a problem with this.

And I don't think this is a "policy". I'm guessing this is one errant employee, drunk with power because she holds the keys to Cinderella's castle.

So again, I understand the frustration, but cancelling a trip over this? This is a case of one jerky employee. True, you shouldn't have to deal with ANY jerky employees, but I wouldn't let one ruin my good time.

Book it for 4, and then say, actually there are only going to be 3 of us today. They're not going to cause a scene in the middle of Cindy's. I would be SHOCKED if this happened.

I agree with parts of what you said. It is not a big deal in the sense that she got a very cranky CM but this business of folks lying to get what they need is crazy. Just call back and talk to someone else! And please, when you do, let us know how it went. All the WDW vets know you got sold a line of garbage. Just reaffirm everyones belief in the "happiest place on earth" please! And yes, I am terribly, terribly sorry someone was so rude to you and got you this upset. Let it roll off, take a deep breath, and dial again.

 

[sk!mom]

Call back and book a table for 4. When you get there tell them one couldn't make it- pay if necessary but doubt they will charge you.