I requested my PS about 2 weeks before we went. I also asked when I checked in at the podium. I was also celebrating a birthday and mentioned that when I made the PS.
We eat there all the time and never have reservations. We just walk up early in the day at the restaurant, put our name on (requesting a water-side table)...they always say that they cannot guarantee a WS table, but will try to accomodate us when we return. Then go and enjoy the park....return at your designated time and check-in and request a WS table (the wait time will vary, of course).
We've done this dozens of times and never had to wait more than 20 mins for a table.
One of the most irritating things (to me) is to be riding Pirates in the row behind someone using a video camery with an LCD screen (not thru the viewfinder). Those things light up the whole place!
I think it's been a year since we've even taken a camera to DL, let alone taken a picture inside a restaurant!
Now, when we were at WDW a couple weeks ago, we took pictures of EVERYTHING...even inside the SciFi Dine In... WITH A FLASH!!!!
Good thing the Flash Police weren't out in force that afternoon!