How is seating assigned at SOA show?

[JEANMR1]

Is it done by when you check in for the show that night or when you booked it?
I booked CAT2 seating (with DDP) at 188 days out.
Does it seem likely that I'll have about the best CAT2 table or does it not matter when I booked?
Thanks so much.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

It is assigned by when you booked based on how many are booked in each category. By this I mean if it's not sold out, and there are several Cat I seats not used, Cat II will be put immediately behind Cat I, not where the chart says Cat II begins. We booked at 186 out for HDDR Cat I and had the table pressed against the front of stage, an incredible place to sit for that show.

 

[JEANMR1]

So if we book 188 days out on Cat 2 then we should probably have the best Cat 2 seating?

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Or are you saying that by being one of the first to make a reservation in Cat 2, OP's table is more likely to be behind the Cat 1 tables, and not in the first row of Cat 2 tables to the side, but close to the stage?

I ask, because I booked at 6:35am-ish 180 + 10 days for SOA cat 2 on the DDP, hoping to get close to the stage!

 

[JEANMR1]

Okay, so if I got this right...it doesn't matter when I check in that night for the show because my specific seats have already been set. Correct?
Thanks

 

[vicki_c]

Okay, so if I got this right...it doesn't matter when I check in that night for the show because my specific seats have already been set. Correct?
Thanks

Yes, that is correct.

 

[brunette8706]

Yes, that is correct.

*
HI! I don't believe that is correct. The reason I know is because we booked for a party of 7. I asked when I should get to the podium and the CM stated that I should get there early so we can sit together. I explained to them that we wanted to get decent seating (cat 3) and she said that we can break the party up into 2 tables that will be next to each other if that gets us a better seat. Just my .02 cents.

Have fun!

You'll love the show. It's the best value for the money on Disney property. Appetizer, entree, dessert, beer, wine tax and tip are included in the price. We have Tables in Wonderland card which gives us 20 percent off. We are paying $48.00 per per which, like I said includes tax and tip! You can't beat it!

Brunette

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Or are you saying that by being one of the first to make a reservation in Cat 2, OP's table is more likely to be behind the Cat 1 tables, and not in the first row of Cat 2 tables to the side & close to the stage?

I ask, because I booked at 6:35am-ish 180 + 10 days for SOA cat 2 on the DDP, hoping to get close to the stage!

Any confirmation on this as well? Thanks!

 

[clanmcculloch]

Or are you saying that by being one of the first to make a reservation in Cat 2, OP's table is more likely to be behind the Cat 1 tables, and not in the first row of Cat 2 tables to the side, but close to the stage?

I ask, because I booked at 6:35am-ish 180 + 10 days for SOA cat 2 on the DDP, hoping to get close to the stage!

This is exactly how it works. If category 1 is not full then the first people to book category 2 tables will be assigned the farthest category 1 tables; everybody will get bumped up a bit.

When we went to SoA, we booked at 96 days (back when booking was 90+10 as opposed to the current 180+10). It was a sold out show. We were up on a riser behind the category 1 tables dead center from the stage. This was the absolute best category 2 4-top table you can get without being bumped up to category 1.

*
HI! I don't believe that is correct. The reason I know is because we booked for a party of 7. I asked when I should get to the podium and the CM stated that I should get there early so we can sit together. I explained to them that we wanted to get decent seating (cat 3) and she said that we can break the party up into 2 tables that will be next to each other if that gets us a better seat. Just my .02 cents.

This is a great example of how the CMs on the phone frequently say things that are not true. Seats are assigned as the others have explained. CMs on phones are notorious for their mis-information, and not just on the dining line.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

great answer, thanks!

I went back and looked at pictures I had taken in 2008, when I was on DDP. And compared w/ a seating plan chart I found at wdw dads (googled for "images").

My table was in category 1, in the back half of the last 2 rows to the side before the cat 2 seating starts.
Without being in the front, I still had a great view of the show (my pictures look like I was right in front... and I sure didn't walk to the stage to take pictures!).

I was momentarily concerned that maybe I should have waited a couple days before booking (I did online ADR 5mins after my Oct 2011 date opened for 180 + 10) but I think I'll be okay with my seats.
-my 2 sisters are coming with me, I so want them to have a good view/experience!