Admit it: You lie about having priority seating

[patsal]

I usually have ADR's unless I make some change and try to wing it--I do know what I will be up against. I always have the front desk print out my ADR'S when I check in. I carry them in my bag. Only once have I encountered a "lost ADR" once I showed my ADR list it was a non issue.

 

[Patty3]

I have never lied about having an ADR. But on our last trip, Boma did not have us in their system. Luckily, I had my ADR number and they were able to find us after the hostess said we were not in the system. It must have been an off night for them, because the folks in front of us had the same problem.

 

[Amirah95]

I hope to never get my ADRs lost. Carry your confirmation numbers people!

 

[pbharris4]

I haven't seen it, but have seen people looking confused about what a PS or ADR is. Now, a year or so ago at check in I requested a print out of all my ADRs..they had trouble finding some. So they checked under my address or something and voila! they CM who took the ADRs (I called on 2 seperate occasions) had put Pam Parris..not Pam Harris as she should have. SO ALWAYS request a print out of ADRs at check in and double check them against what you have written down. If there is a descrepancy then you can take care of it right then. Or better yet..call a few days ahead and confirm all the ADRs too!

 

[jodifla]

We've had our name bungled on more than one occasion. Most of the time, they were able to figure it out.

I started carrying our ADR numbers after that.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

The one and only PS I ever made was lost when we got to the podium, strangely enough the security gate had me on their list but the restaurant couldn't find me. They finally called over another CM (manager?) and she found it after she verified the spelling....we were treated like we were lying even though the place was only 1/2 full. The meal after that was great and the kids had fun but...

 

[marcyinPA]

It just so happens that we made some ADR's for Ohana in September. There were 11 of us, and I had our Dreams TA make our ADR for 11. We checked in, and they only had us down for 5. It didn't matter that I had the confirmation number...the ressie still only showed for 5. I was pretty ticked because they weren't going to seat all of us at first. This was pretty much the straw that broke the camels back, as we had had several issues beginning with check in at our resort. I kind of "lost it" on the cast member at the check-in stand, and we all got seated pretty promptly...all 11 of us. I apologized afterwards to the cast member....it wasn't one of my brighter moments and I was kind of embarrassed for flipping out!

 

[DaisyD]

We go to WDW quite a bit and I've never seen anyone talking to a CM about losing an ADR. I certainly wouldn't do it but then again I plan a sit down every day we are there.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I would never even think to lie like that, BUT I wouldn't put it past some people. I don't think it's prevalent, but does it happen occasionally? Probably.

In addition, I've never had an ADR lost (YET, knock on wood) but I have *often* had them misspelled- my last name is a very long Polish name, with several consonants in a row, so I've gotten used to carrying all my confirmation numbers.

I've actually found a really easy menthod- I have a spreadsheet with all my ADR's and I use that throughout planning. Shortly before the trip, I put the day's itinerary on an index card and put the day's confirmation numbers on that card. I make a card like this for each day, so I don't have to carry a whole binder, just one day's card! They're also helpful for scrapbooking (if I ever get past page 2 . . . . )

 

[bdg100]

Well let me be the first to say YES.

I didn't lie...my dad did. I was maybe 11 at the time (I'm 29 now) and the shame of it still haunts me to this day. I don't remember the exact sequence of events but apparently the family (about 10 of us, my mom/dad/me/two sisters, aunt/uncle and 3 cousins) had ressies to get into Sci-Fi and they lost our ressie and wouldn't seat us. The group was so large and the restaurant was so crowded that they just couldn't...so we left and went to another restaurant that they (management) told us they could get us into. Well we get there (don't remember which one it was) and they refused to seat us without a ressie! It was chaos!

We went back to the hotel to swim and relax and unwind, but the moms were pretty angry and my dad was pretty deflated. We went back to Epcot that night and went to the Coral Reef where my dad had us all sit quietly while he went up to the host and said we had a PS for 10. When they couldn't find us in the sytem (DUH!) he launched into a tirade about management elsewhere swearing that there would be no problem after we were treated so poorly at the other two restaurants...

they seated us without hesitation...the restaurant wasn't terribly full. I was MORTIFIED! still am.

You were the first, and only, to say yes. It was your Dad, not you. I hope I don't embarass my daughter like this. I'm sure I do.

 

[mickeymousemom]

Nope, never lied abut having and ADR. I am a nut aboiut making them ASAP, as it really gets me in the Disney mood(not that I ever need prompting, but it makes me feel like I'm closer to our trip time). I write down ALL my info inc. conf. numbers, and I take them all with me. Never had a problem, but if I did, I'd be prepared!

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

We've been lost at the Poly Luau. We made our reservation at the Poly Guest Services. Two hours later, they couldn't find us when we checked in at the cove. It was a miserable experience. We even had one of those hand-written cards that guest services used to fill out. (Anyone remember the old King Stefan's and CRT cards? They were beautiful.) We showed the podium the card and they treated us like we forged it. We had totally cruddy seats and no time to eat. What a horrible experience.

 

[eeyoregirl]

As much as I would want to eat at a particular restaurant, I could never lie about having an ADR.

I do attest, however, that technology does fail us sometimes. It is possible for a computer to crash, lose an ADR, etc.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

No, sorry we have never lied about having an adr. We only had trouble one time. I usually dh check us in. They said they couldnt find our name etc. Well he looked at the list and pointed to the cm, yes our last name was spelled wrong. I always bring my list with me of time, date, confirmation number and even the cm who made the original adr etc. I also try to be a little early just to straighten out anything like this that could come up. I do admit I feel kind of happy when we just breeze by everyone without adrs trying to get into a restraunt that I booked months ago etc. Our 3 constantly hungry teen ds are happy too!!

 

[fran99999]

OK i admit it I have gone to rest professing to having an ADR for that rest. and was quite taken aback when they couldnt find me. I was starting to get upset when the CM told me not to worry they would fit me in. I went and sat down and deceided to look at my paperwork. When I found I was at the WRONG rest.
I went to the CM and appologized. Thanked her very much, told her I found out why I was not in the system. She seemed surprised I was going to go to the other rest. to eat.

I was reading the wrong days itinerary. My ADR for that rest. was for the next day. When I showed up the next day I gave them my ADR and the same CM's were there. We all laughed. Guess I made an impression they remembered me. I asked for the Manager when I was seated and relayed the previous night and told him how I was treated the night before I asked if I should write a note or if he could take care of the lovely CM's. I hope he put it in there file.

I now make sure I am reading the correct days info and only take that days with me so I dont embarass myself again.

 

[Drnifer]

I've never personally had a reservation lost, but always have my ADR #'s handy just in case. Last year we were in line to check in for breakfast at Cape May Cafe and a woman was arguing with the CM over her ADR. After about 20 minutes we finally got up to the desk and checked in, and the CM told us the woman who was holding up the line was trying to use our ADR!(I guess she saw the screen and picked a party of the same size.) Luckily we have an unusual last name and she couldn't even pronounce it correctly or else they would have had our table. I can't believe the nerve of some people!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I have never nor would I ever lie about having an ADR. Let's hope people aren't really doing this. This just messes things up for everyone if they are.

 

[Lorelai]

....until our last trip. With 3 kids in tow, we went to CRT for an early breakfast...8:15. Had my confirmation number and the whole 9 yards. They couldn't find me in the system anywhere! Finally, I asked the the 4th person (who was also the manager) if perhaps our last name had been mis-spelled. Sure enough...they had the whole name misspelled and the previous 3 people kept passing by our confirmation number since the name wasn't all that close! I spent nearly 15 minutes being persistent...(and was proud that I didn't lose my temper since I knew my credit card had been charged!). Trust me I got quite a few "uh-huh...sure you have reservation" looks from others standing around...but I really did! I'm glad the OP has never had this problem, but having been in the "this happened to me" situation, I'd say don't be too quick to judge! I also learned from this experience if your meal is guaranteed with a credit card, be sure to bring your credit card statement with you! To this day, I can't figure out how my credit card was charged when my name was so completely mis-spelled...but I guess the billing address was enough!

That is just the worst feeling - when you've worked so hard to secure the reservation, brought your numbers, then BOOM - nothing! I am glad that you were persistant though, mispells happen all of the time!

 

[bdg100]

Ok, we have now established that none of us here, at least those that posted would ever consider fibbing about having a reservation in order to get seated. I wonder if a host/hostess would have the same impression. I doubt it, again, call me cynical, but, I have seen too many people claim to have ressies without their reservation numbers to back it up. One poster did admit to not having a reservation but calling the reservation number from the restaurant to get a reservation for any time that night and then going up to the desk claiming to be there early for their reservation. At least it was an honest post. I wonder if there are other ways to "beat Disney's system" that people know about but don't use because it would be unethical. Maybe that should be saved for a different post.

 

[Mimi Q]

I haven't lied, but Disney has messed up my ADR once. In November 2005 we did the Candlelight Processional dining package. When we got to Le Cellier, they couldn't find our name. I pulled out the confirmation number, and they told me my ADR was for the next day. I had my CP badges that clearly stated we were attending it that day, so they seated us.