Disney Dining Reservations

[drakethib]

I am beginning to almost think that this is a waste of time.

During our trip we called asking to make reservations and they said they were booked solid each time. (I know this seems reasonable as we were calling at the last minute).

However, after being told the restaurants were booked, we walked to them (Cindi's Castle, Rainforest) on different occasions for the times we called about and were seated without wait.

While I can see where this service is of use, it aggravates me that people make reservations and just don't show possibly causing other folks who may want those seats not being able to have the opportunity.

I would almost like to see a non-refundable deposit ($25 bucks or so) or something to the like for those wanting to make the reservations.

Thoughts?

 

[bicker]

While I'm sure some folks make priority seating arrangements and then don't cancel them when they decide not to use them, that isn't necessarily the reason why you're able to get seated without a wait when you walk-up: Restaurants can reserve a certain number of tables for walk-ins.

Also, my experience has been that Disney doesn't encourage folks to cancel priority seating arrangements. The several times I have called to cancel I've been told not to worry -- it seemed to me that despite having told Disney that I wasn't going to be able to make it, they didn't intend to open up that slot for another guest to reserve in advance. Perhaps it is part of their plan to count on a certain number of no-shows to supplement the initial number of tables they automatically reserve for walk-ins.

 

[shellybaxter]

I think a deposit on PS is a really bad idea I can't begin to remember the amount of times we've had a PS at a certain time but have been delayed by long ride lines, transportation issues, etc. Disney is a theme park. Theme parks, as much as we all try, can not be scheduled to the minute.

I can see this system increasing the wait times, not helping them. Less people would make PS therefore more people would try to walk up, making the walk up wait very long.

 

[segue2life]

If you are cancelling or changing your vacation dates, you should always cancel the PS youve made that you know you wont be using.... If everyone did that, then the next time you call for a PS somewhere, it may actually be there!

 

[Luv2Roam]

I see more often than not walk up guests being turned away.
I agree there are too many factors involved with taking $ for secure seating in a theme park. All it would take is one bus or monorail to break down and they have an angry guest(s) over losing the res and $.
And with a deposit I think guests would expect more -- like (ON TIME) guaranteed reservation seating.
I think a deposit would deter most reservations. Now whether that be good or bad for Disney could go either way. It could be bad for a restaurant because with deposits there would be less reservations, and more guests just impluse eating, leaving fewer in the sit downs.
I am always leery about giving a $ deposit for a meal res just in case something gets screwed up one way or another in their system. I don't have enough faith for that.
I would like to hear from someone in the restaurant biz to hear the plus and minus.