Can someone explain this re: ADR's

[scidawg]

Lounging by the pool at Wilderness lodge last week, we decided to eat at Boatwright's at PO-R. Went on the app and requested 6pm, was shown only 5:20 or 6:20 available. Called the dining number instead, same info. So we booked 5:20 as we wanted to make sure to have time to get to MK for the evening entertainment. Had to hustle but made it only a minute or 2 late, and the restaurant was almost empty. Stayed almost empty thru our entire meal. So why couldn't we get 6pm reservation? Any ideas?

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Lots of no-shows. No credit card guarantee required.

 

[figment_jii]

I concur with the PP, that a lot of has to do with ADR no shows. The restaurant operations on the assumption that folks with show up, so only have a limited number of reservations available for any given time. If folks grab those and then do not show up, the system does not know that and does not allow anyone else to make an ADR for that time.

Also, Boatwrights opens at 5:00 pm, so some of the empty tables when you arrived may be due to staggered seating. The restaurants do not seat all of the tables right at opening (it would overwhelm the kitchen), so some tables will remain empty for a while after opening to allow for a better flow in the kitchen.

 

[purple figment]

Restaurants at resorts that aren't readily accessible - need to take a bus or drive there - aren't as popular. However, people will make fallback reservations when they can't get their first choice. (We can go back to our resort to eat or we've always wanted to check out POR). Since it's not their first choice often they'll find something closer to the park they're at or have CS instead. Since there's no cc guarantee required at Boatwright's, they also don't take the time to cancel. Unfortunately, it's probably like the PPs said - all the 6:00 ADRs were taken, but lots of no shows.