I don't understand Disney's reservation system

[mill4023]

I looked for a party of 8 at Sci Fi and nothing was available.
Then I looked for a party of 4 and there was a 12:45pm available.
I booked it, then did another search for a party of 4 and it still showed a 12:45pm available.
If there are 2 12:45pm spots open for 4 people, why wouldn't it let me book for 8 people and give me the standard warning that our party may be split up?

 

[mill4023]

Another odd thing is that if I search for lunch on a particular day, I get nothing available for a party of 3, but I get times available for a party of 2 or a party of 4.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I looked for a party of 8 at Sci Fi and nothing was available.
Then I looked for a party of 4 and there was a 12:45pm available.
I booked it, then did another search for a party of 4 and it still showed a 12:45pm available.
If there are 2 12:45pm spots open for 4 people, why wouldn't it let me book for 8 people and give me the standard warning that our party may be split up?

Beacause they don't a space to "possibly" fit 8. How many parties of 8 would actually be totally fine sitting apart from each other? Most people even given the warning would want to try to sit together. It may have something to do with the "car table" configurations too.

Another odd thing is that if I search for lunch on a particular day, I get nothing available for a party of 3, but I get times available for a party of 2 or a party of 4.

One mystery of the odd numbered party. Others have mentioned if you are having trouble getting a seating for an odd numbered group, search for a larger even party. Book the seating for 4 and just show up one short.

 

[honugirl]

I had this exact same problem the other day. I was trying to get a booking for 2 and nothing was available, but I put in for 4 and a reservation showed up. Weird.

 

[fatjacksmama]

had a similiar experience with a table for 6, I was able to get it at some places and others I just kept putting in combinations of 6 until I could get the whole family at the same time.

 

[Disneyx6]

I had this same exact thing happen when making our reservation at Sci-Fi. I had to make it for 2 parties of 4 rather than 1 party of 8. I know that we have to sit in 2 different cars but we don't mind! Hope you have a good time.

 

[Reddy]

I think for a party of I would just call & let the disney dinning people handle it

I think the tables are set for 2 or 4 (at least that is how many "chairs" they have) the computer looks for what matches instead of looking for the next size up

 

[LilyWDW]

Disney reservations are done by table size. When you search, it is looking for THAT size of table. So, a table of 4 is not a table of 2 and is not a part of a table for 8.

 

[honugirl]

Disney reservations are done by table size. When you search, it is looking for THAT size of table. So, a table of 4 is not a table of 2 and is not a part of a table for 8.

True, but one could assume that if there is a reservation available for a party of 4 a party of 1, 2 or 3 could use that table since it's less than 4. I thought it was ridiculous that I couldn't get a reservation for 2, but I could get one for 4. That makes no sense at all! You would think they could set the search parameters to allow for that in the search.

 

[LilyWDW]

True, but one could assume that if there is a reservation available for a party of 4 a party of 1, 2 or 3 could use that table since it's less than 4. I thought it was ridiculous that I couldn't get a reservation for 2, but I could get one for 4. That makes no sense at all! You would think they could set the search parameters to allow for that in the search.

You might think so, but this IS Disney we are talking about. Their IT systems are not the best out there as many of us can attest to.

So, that is how their system works and as such, that is the explanation to the issue the OP (and others) have had.

 

[mill4023]

Beacause they don't a space to "possibly" fit 8. How many parties of 8 would actually be totally fine sitting apart from each other? Most people even given the warning would want to try to sit together. It may have something to do with the "car table" configurations too.

But does Sci Fi even have any tables that seat 8?
I know the cars seat 6, but I wasn't sure about the tables.
I was able to get a reservation for 10 on some days, but I assumed that we would be split up.

 

[mill4023]

Disney reservations are done by table size. When you search, it is looking for THAT size of table. So, a table of 4 is not a table of 2 and is not a part of a table for 8.

If you are looking for a party of 8 and the system is only looking for a table that seats 8, then why do they warn you that you may be split up?

 

[marivaid]

They do have tables for 8 at Sci-Fi, but not many of them. I'm guessing that the system searches for one of those specific table-for-8, then warns you that your party may be split because there's the possibility that, at the time you show up, the party sitting at the table for 8 will not be done.
And they would have to put you in 2 of the regular cars.

As far as being able to get a reservation for 4 and not for 2, it's easy to understand. Disney would rather have 4 paying guests at a 4-top than 2. There's always very few tables for 2 in their restaurants. We've add to add one (or two) persons to our reservations several times in order to get a table.

 

[LilyWDW]

If you are looking for a party of 8 and the system is only looking for a table that seats 8, then why do they warn you that you may be split up?

Why do they give the same warning for parties of 2... or even 1? It's a CYA warning that seems to come up somewhat randomly. By the time the party of 8 gets there, it is possible that THAT table has not come available. As such, Disney protects itself by saying it is possible that you could be split up if something were to happen.

and it doesn't always come up for every booking, no matter the number.

 

[mill4023]

Why do they give the same warning for parties of 2... or even 1? It's a CYA warning that seems to come up somewhat randomly. By the time the party of 8 gets there, it is possible that THAT table has not come available. As such, Disney protects itself by saying it is possible that you could be split up if something were to happen.

and it doesn't always come up for every booking, no matter the number.

I don't recall ever seeing that warning for a party size of 4 or less. But maybe I wasn't paying attention. And I get what you are saying.

 

[traylorc]

You might think so, but this IS Disney we are talking about. Their IT systems are not the best out there as many of us can attest to.

Amen...

Look I love Disney as much as the next person but their IT infrastructure is simply sad. You want to know the very definition of the word "aggravating"? Just spend some time on the WDW website. It's slow, somewhat unresponsive, and I routinely receive messages that state "I'm sorry we cannot display your reservations at this time".

Is it any wonder Disney's ADR system is somewhat confusing and limited?

 

[redc]

How about the circumstance where we booked for 8 people (5 are kids) and we arrive with 9 at a TS restaurant. Will they accommodate us? Anyone have real experience with a smilar situation?

 

[LilyWDW]

I don't recall ever seeing that warning for a party size of 4 or less. But maybe I wasn't paying attention. And I get what you are saying.

Search the boards... it is really hilarious when the warning pops up for 2 people. We have also had a report where it popped up for a single person... not sure how Disney expects THAT to work!

It really seems random. Some people get the warning and some don't, even with equal party sizes.

I just don't understand how Disney can have such a horrible IT system. A company of that size should have the means to hire people who know what they are doing. I mean, a glitch here and there I could understand due to the sheer size and complexity of their system... but the issues on Disney's site are beyond glitches.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Search the boards... it is really hilarious when the warning pops up for 2 people. We have also had a report where it popped up for a single person... not sure how Disney expects THAT to work!

It really seems random. Some people get the warning and some don't, even with equal party sizes.

I just don't understand how Disney can have such a horrible IT system. A company of that size should have the means to hire people who know what they are doing. I mean, a glitch here and there I could understand due to the sheer size and complexity of their system... but the issues on Disney's site are beyond glitches.

It may have to do with the table configuration at particular restaurants....like The Plaza which is smaller and doesn't really have any larger tables.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

How about the circumstance where we booked for 8 people (5 are kids) and we arrive with 9 at a TS restaurant. Will they accommodate us? Anyone have real experience with a smilar situation?

That you should avoid doing if at all possible. The restaurants have occupancy limits. Having one or two less people does not present the same issues because it's easier to have empty chairs than to squeeze them in as some restaurants are a tight squeeze. You may be turned away if they can't accomodate the extra person or someone won't be dining with you.