About to call off my whole trip over the dining UNFAIRNESS

[Traveliz]

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.

Well I will add there is one table (or there was anyway) a table for three at 1900 - -we have eaten there many times and had the table twice.-- it was against a pillar before the circular area with the larger round tables.

That said I think tables for three are hard to come by.

Liz

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I would not let a bad CM ruin my plans to WDW, but at the same time, I wouldn't book a table for 4 if I only have 3 in my party. Then I would be cheating out a family of 4 from possibly getting that table when they actually need a table for 4.

So, I would just keep calling back until a table for 3 opens up. Otherwise, there are lots of other restaurants to try out. Disney does have tables for all different parties, but they do get booked, so its very important to call on the morning of your 180 day mark or you risk not getting a table.

In this case, they just ran out of tables for 3 so the only thing the OP should do is keep calling to see if a party of 3 have cancelled.

By the way, I have a family of 3 too and have never had a problem getting my ADR's.

 

[terri01p]

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


I must admit that I have not read the whole thread because well I'm just lazy like that but I did watch your clip of your little girl with Cinderella and I must say that is really what it's all about, they grow up so fast, do what you have to do for your little girl, everyone deserves to have some magic in their life, I have a clip of my dd with Cinderella when she was 6, shes 25 now and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything in this world ! Godspeed for a wonderful trip.

 

[FigmentFinder]

My family is a party of three. I never remember being seated at anything but a four person table. I'm sure there is a few strange 3 person tables somewhere, but it's not the norm.

 

[*disgal*]

OK, that video is about the most precious thing I've ever seen...............oh my word, no wonder she's totally mesmorized by Cindy!

When our kids are that young, they don't know about ADR's and tables of 3,4,6, or cost, they don't even care about the menu.........they just want some time with their favorite character.

That is precious.

 

[Finally08]

OK, that video is about the most precious thing I've ever seen...............oh my word, no wonder she's totally mesmorized by Cindy!

When our kids are that young, they don't know about ADR's and tables of 3,4,6, or cost, they don't even care about the menu.........they just want some time with their favorite character.

That is precious.

Yes, I still cry when I see her curtsy...I have no idea what all they even talked about since we stayed at the table during that. It was *her* time and it was *the best* time.
Originally the Prince tried to get her to dance with him, but she cried "mommy!" which is when Cindy stepped in and took her to dance. Now all she says is that she's ready to dance with him now, she's not scared anymore.

This was more from that night....
the characters had fun picking on her about her "mouse dress." She's especially excited that she now has the green beads to go with it (they were Drizella's if you remember from the show....we couldn't find any last time and Drizella asked her where they were)

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

There is no such physical thing, at Disney (and with the disclaimer "in my experience") as a table for three.

There are tables designated on paper/in planning for one-two, for two-three, for three-four; as well as tables for two, tables for four...
Make the reservation. For four, if you must. Too bad about that fourth person being SOOOO painfully exhausted by a day in the parks that she 'can't' make it to dinner - or that you didn't realize that was the situation until you were on you way to check in at the restaurant.

My understanding is that even your non-refundable deposit might be refunded in the form of a Disney Gift Card.

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??

Conversely, is it fair that even though I called FIRST, because my party size doesn't 100% match Disney's designation for a given table's occupancy, I can't make a reservation - but somebody who calls two weeks later with the 'right' party size, CAN book that table?

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I did not read all the pages, but wanted to say to you, I would be writing a letter to Disney over this.

Or, I would call back and book the table for 4 and when I get there, just say I am paying for the 4th person who could not be here, which is the truth. Why would Disney care if you pay for the empty chair......they are still getting their money, I do not understand this at all.

The bottom line here, lose the money that you would have spent on the trip, over the empty chair that you would pay for?? It is a no brainer.

Also, I edited with this, did you get the name of the person you talked to on the phone at Disney Dining because I would definitely be includiing that in my letter to Disney. You called, the table was available... 3 people sit at a 4 table... I do not get it, but I am annoyed myself over this.

 

[gabbyrosebud]

Yes, I still cry when I see her curtsy...I have no idea what all they even talked about since we stayed at the table during that. It was *her* time and it was *the best* time.
Originally the Prince tried to get her to dance with him, but she cried "mommy!" which is when Cindy stepped in and took her to dance. Now all she says is that she's ready to dance with him now, she's not scared anymore.

This was more from that night....
the characters had fun picking on her about her "mouse dress." She's especially excited that she now has the green beads to go with it (they were Drizella's if you remember from the show....we couldn't find any last time and Drizella asked her where they were)

This is the most precious thing I've ever seen! She is darling! A true little princess. Did you make that Mouse dress? I absolutely love it!

I wish you luck that everything will work out. Sending some pixie dust your way.

 

[alldiz]

Didn't read the whole thread but....don't let a poorly trained CM ruin your day....or worse...cancel your vacation.

Only table I ever saw for 3 was at Ohana's.....butted up against the "show" floor.

I always book a table for 4.....we wind up being 3. I put my DD in the kids club....but I want that extra chair in case she wants to come with us.
Since I am paying for her to be in the kids club....and I wind up wasting her table service credit. I don't feel like Disney is losing any money and will continue to do this.

Like I said....Ohana was the only place we got a table for 3....when we showed up with 3.
Kerri

 

[dmslush]

Call and make the reservation for 4. I have often done that, we are a family of three and I just make it for 4 if that is all they have. There has NEVER been a problem when we went to podium. There have also been times that I was no able to attend dinner due and my husband and daughter went on their own, they were never turned away.

 

[goofy4tink]

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.

Well....I had my room in Sept all booked. I have an AP, dh has leftover days on his park hopper, and dd would be getting her new AP. But, when free dining came out, I cancelled my existing reservation and switched over to the free dining package. Yes, we had to get one day park passes for each of us, but dh will use them along with a two day after 2 pm pass he got from a conference, and I will use the other two one day park passes towards my dd and my next APs.....when I sat and figured if it was a good deal for us (after paying rack rate and for one day park passes vs passes we had and a AAA rate) I came out $350 ahead. I aleady had my ADRs made, so I knew how much I was going to spend on food, and I would have used my DDE card for that discount. But I saved all that food cost.
So, yeah...it's free dining for me. Most of us did our homework and made it work in our favor.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

We are also a family of 3 and I never had any issues making ADRs for 3. The only 3 top table we were ever seated at was at Crystal Palace. The table was sort of a triangle with two seats being in a booth and the third one a chair. So their are probably a few restaurants with actual 3 tops, but to not give a party of 3 a 4 top seems crazy to me.

 

[Disney Brat]

We are also a family of three, and have never had a problem being seated anywhere because of our size. I surely hope this was not a change in Disney's policy. It seems quite unfair to 'punish' a family of three. We can only have one child, and would love to have another. I am sure there are many families in our position, and that policy seems to 'rub salt in our wounds'. I am only child by choice, and there are also may families like that as well, it is their choice, and they are not less of a family becase of that!!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

This topic has sort of already been exhausted, but I'll add my two cents....

While I've never encountered OP's situation. I HAVE encountered bad CM's at CRO. Add to that the excessive wait times when you call and lack of an 800 number. To change a simple thing recently I had a 45 minute phone call recently - YIKES!

Op, you have to ask you, why did the CM even tell you there were tables available for 4. Anybody in customer service with an ounce of good training and common sense would have known that this was going to make you , the CUSTOMER, angry.

This should tell you that you encountered someone who had no clue what they were doing. Sadly, bad CM's at CRO are very common these days. when you encounter one, hang up and call back. (unless they are in the middle of changing your reservation before you find out and you basically HAVE to stay on the line until they fix it....) Another thing to do is to immediately ask to talk to a supervisor.

 

[dzorn]

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

Except for the few odd exceptions they don't have tables that only seat three. You are seated at a table for 4 either way. DUH

Denise in MI

 

[yaksack]

I would just call back and make a reservation for 4. Then after you are seated, say the fourth is in the room and not feeling well.

 

[nikkistevej]

We are a family of three, and have never had any problems getting tables at any restaurants, and they have always been 4 tops, I would call back and speak to another CM. Good luck!!

 

[Finally08]

Thanks everyone - I think we will be fine now.
If the CM stated her name at the beginning of the call it blew out in a fit of steam from ear to the other when she told me that I couldn't have the table.
And I agree - smart customer service would have said "sorry there's no availability" rather than yeah we do have a table for 4 but nah nah nah boo boo.

But we're cool now, and very excited about our trip. Booked my cruise last night and now I'm trying to figure out all the must dos!

Oh and the dress - no I didn't make it. A good friend had it done custom and loaned it to us - now we have to get it back from her to use again.

 

[pilferk]

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.

Is it theoretically possible that someone would be refused seating because ONE member of their party was a no show due to illness?

Sure.

Would it EVER, EVER happen?

No way.

While the CM on the phone can read you rule and guideline til they're blue in the face, the FRONTLINE CM at 1900 Park is NOT going to enforce that rule if you tell them your 4th member was a no show.

I've had this legit happen to us: One member of our travelling party didn't make the trip, at all. At the 3 ADR's I had for the rest of our group (this was a business related trip), we were NEVER, EVER even questioned about the missing party member. I told them we were short one due to a family emergency, and that was that.

I'd call back, book for 4, and simply "lose" a party member between now and then.