First post, and already venting

[webman]

Sorry, been watching this site for a couple of weeks and just got back from WDW and needed to vent someplace.

I decided to do the Fantasmic dining package and had reservations for Mama Melrose this past Sunday at 5:20. Just our luck it started to rain as we arrived at the restaurant so the lobby was packed. I checked in, at which time we were told they were 20min behind. No problem. I can keep 2 small kids and a wife happy for that long. Unfortunately we were seated at 6:15. 55 min past the reservation time. By this time I no longer had happy children. We had to quickly eat as the kids wanted to stop at another ride before the fireworks. At this point I find out I should have read the fine print that the package included appetizer, main course and desert. We were in such a rush we skipped desert and appetizer.

Well the kids went to wash up after an eating frenzy and I picked myself off the floor after getting the bill. At this point the manager came by to apologize for the long wait.

I just wish if they were going to be this long they could have told us. We could have gone to pizza planet or something. The kids were starving and we missed out on any more rides.

As for the Fantasmic special seating, not so special, but thats another thread.

Ok, I done now. Back to lurking.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

That stinks... And yes, this is the place to vent! We have all had the occasional stinker.

But, no, you can't lurk! Share the good stuff too, please.

Honest opinions help us all

 

[Hopefully]

Unfortunately and ADR is not a traditional reservation. They are not holding a table for your family at 5:20. The ADR gets you the next available table for your party size.
A wait that long is unusual. Sorry your meal was ruined.

 

[ssawka]

Not to be mean, but none of this is the fault of MM. I can sympathize with you if this was your first trip, but you should keep the following in mind for the next time:

1. ADRs are not traditional reservations and you will likely have to wait at busy times.
2. 55 minutes is not really a long time to be seated at a busy time. (Not just @ WDW. Where we live an hour is typical on the weekend.)
3. With anything @ WDW, do your research before going.
4. If getting everything in is important to you, it's best to stick to counter service and buffets.

 

[webman]

If they are not traditional reservations, then it should say so. On the webpage for the package is states "Reserve a table". If this is not guarantee that they will hold a table for you, then it should say so. If it were just me and my wife we still would have waited, but with two small kids (1 and 3) I would not have done it.

Plus it likely did not help that a reservation for 21 was behind us.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Not to be mean, but none of this is the fault of MM. I can sympathize with you if this was your first trip, but you should keep the following in mind for the next time:

1. ADRs are not traditional reservations and you will likely have to wait at busy times.
2. 55 minutes is not really a long time to be seated at a busy time. (Not just @ WDW. Where we live an hour is typical on the weekend.)
3. With anything @ WDW, do your research before going.
4. If getting everything in is important to you, it's best to stick to counter service and buffets.

Unfortunate but true! Consider this an expensive learning experience, trust me we've all had them! Also, when it rains, the restaurants are even more full up, people dawdle and don't want to head back out till it stops!

 

[wdwnut61]

to the DIS

Sorry to hear about your experience with MM but thanks for posting. I'm glad we have our Fantasmic Pkg for MM at lunch

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Sorry to hear! A 55 minute wait is unusual. Though I'm not sure why what's included and the cost of the meal would come as a suprise to you, since that information is easily found online. But just eating entrees it definatly wouldn't be a good deal, especially depending on what you order.

 

[lin7]

I disagree with the fact he had to do his research first. I think the server should have done his or her job and let the family know that their fantasmic package includes an app and dessert. The server was probably just trying to hurry up the pace and get rid of as many tables as he can.

Even on the ddp, we always are told what is included. Or we'd get a server that ask us if we're familiar with what our plan includes.

Personally I think at that point the family should have been able to pack their apps and desserts to go.

As for the wait, I've read on tripadvisor about similar incidences happening Hollywood Brown Derby.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I disagree with the fact he had to do his research first. I think the server should have done his or her job and let the family know that their fantasmic package includes an app and dessert. The server was probably just trying to hurry up the pace and get rid of as many tables as he can.

Even on the ddp, we always are told what is included. Or we'd get a server that ask us if we're familiar with what our plan includes.

Personally I think at that point the family should have been able to pack their apps and desserts to go.

As for the wait, I've read on tripadvisor about similar incidences happening Hollywood Brown Derby.

It sounds like the server did say it was included, since they found out at the restaurant, and decided to skip them to fit in more rides.