Empty tables when they're all "booked"

[icecrystahl]

I couldn't help but notice on multiple occasions during my recent trip(2/28-5/5) that there were a bunch of empty tables(as in 4 or more) in the restaurants that were supposed to be completely booked.

As I waited for our reservation at Kouzzina, I saw the host turn down 3 different groups of people saying they were booked until 10. Once we were seated around 9 the place was near empty, there were plenty of open tables. By the time we finished eating(around 10:30-11) only a few parties filled in, there were still so many open spots! I just don't understand! I noticed the same thing at Ohana's and Chefs De France.

I really believe they take less reservations than they can hold and turn away walk-ups unnecessarily. I know it's not ALWAYS the case but I noticed it happened more than once on my trip.

 

[Pinkgirl]

I've noticed this on previous trips. I guess it comes down to staffing issues.

 

[mom2cinderella]

From an Orlando Blog:

Guests get email reminders of their dining reservations in advance, and have 24 hours prior to the seating in order to cancel the reservation without the $10 per person charge.
<snip>
The big question remains; is $10 per person enough to stop people ‘no-showing’?
Generally, yes, we think this is going to clean up those empty tables rather quickly, but it will take a full 6 months from the 31st October before the full effect of the booking cycle takes effect.

So maybe after April 30 the no-shows will decrease?

 

[MarineVet]

I've seen this at the Garden Grill on the last two trips we made. We showed up a little early (both times)for our ADR, so we were waiting fairly close to the check in desk and could hear people asking for a table. We could see a number of empty tables yet they turned a lot of people away. By the time we were finished with our meal, they were only about 1/6 full and were supposed to be open another hour. Maybe that was staffing too.

 

[TDC Nala]

It is not no-shows. They book to staffing levels.

 

[LilyWDW]

Staff levels...

Depending on the time of year, they are going to schedule less staff. They could also have had call outs of servers or line cooks that could require a slower seating the originally planned.