Carnation Cafe Priority Seating

[Luv Bunnies]

My family is going down next month and we wanted to have lunch at the Carnation Cafe. There will be seven of us (me, DH, 2 sons, my sister and my parents). I called Disney Dining today to try to get priority seating for all of us. The CM said they can't accommodate a table for 7 since the place is so small. I said, OK, how about if we split up in two tables of 3 and 4. She said no, we can't do that. I said how about we make 2 completely separate reservations for 3 and 4. She said no, we can't double book. I said what if we make the reservations under 2 different names and we even make them 10 or 15 minutes apart? My parents could eat first and we could wait around for our time, we really don't mind. The CM still insisted that we couldn't get a priority seating reservation that way because she wasn't allowed to "double book." I said, OK, so I'll make one now for 3 people and call back later to make another for 4 people. She said, no, you'll just get me again and I'm not allowed to do it that way.

So, basically, this CM won't let my family have any type of priority seating at Carnation Cafe. She said it's a very small place and they can't take that many people. I know it's small. I've been there a couple of times before. But why wasn't I allowed to split us up into smaller groups? I don't understand why that would be "double booking." Should I try again making 2 separate calls or just forget it? I just thought it would be nice for my parents to have a sit-down lunch and we all agreed that Carnation's menu looked the best. What's up with this?

 

[biolabetty]

I don't understand the response you got. The last time I was at Carnation, I saw them push a few tables together to seat 10 people, so it can be done. I doubt you would get the same person for your reservations again, I've never gotten the same person twice and I go to DL about 3 times a month. Just try calling at a different time of day if you want to be sure.

 

[CalGal]

I'm a bit surprised; perhaps you had a new CM who was being overly cautious about bending the rules . I'd just call again, make your PS for 4, and then call back later in the day or the next day and make a reservation for 3 under a different name. If you can't get the exact same time, get a time pretty close. I also doubt that you'll get the same CM as before. When you show up for your meal, ask the CM if they can seat your parties close together. You may have to wait a little longer, but I imagine they'll accomodate you.

 

[DangerMouse]

What I find hilarious is the fact that she stated you would get her on the phone the next time you called!

That is just beyond funny!

 

[GailT]

That sounds weird, I myself would call back later in the day, maybe 3 4 hrs after the initial call and ask for a manager. So another words they are turning your money away, I just dont get it

 

[Tink33]

I know there is a separate number for large group dining at the restaurants. Call back and ask for group dining.

 

[Misskitty3]

Just call them back and make 2 seperate ressies under 2 different names. Do this with 2 seperate phone calls.

Last year I double book ressies on the same day/time and different restaurants using my name/cell # and DH's name/cell # because we hadn't decided where we wanted to eat. It wasn't a big deal at all but I called seperately.

 

[GailT]

Just call them back and make 2 seperate ressies under 2 different names. Do this with 2 seperate phone calls.

Last year I double book ressies on the same day/time and different restaurants using my name/cell # and DH's name/cell # because we hadn't decided where we wanted to eat. It wasn't a big deal at all but I called seperately.

That was a great idea, I think I'll do the samw thing because I am so undecided where show I eat. Thanks for the suggestion, I know it isn't an honest one but I like it anyways.

 

[dizneyfreakz]

That was a great idea, I think I'll do the samw thing because I am so undecided where show I eat. Thanks for the suggestion, I know it isn't an honest one but I like it anyways.

Isn't HONEST? lol. You are giving them money and they don't want it. I honestly don't see anything dishonest about what you are doing. I bet if you talked to a different person, or asked to speak to a supervisor, you would get accommodated. Trust me, call and speak to a "higher up"