Just before closing time reservations?

[embracethechaos]

At O hana's and 1900 Park Fare I have reservations at 10 mins before it says they close for the night.Does anybody know if its worth it to keep them? Will we have time to enjoy the atmosphere and or character interaction in that time? Is it just a way to get a large group of people thru to finish off the last of whats been cooked and maybe even picked over and not fresh anymore? It would be our first time at both of these so any info on how that works may be helpful. Thank you

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) You should be OK.
2) MOST food is replenished until gone.
3) Just pay no attention to the man behind the curtain . . . with the cattle prod.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'll say we had a closing time reservation ag O'hana and it was a terrible experience. They ran out of food and the manager had to get the cheif to cook us fresh stuff. Also the servers were lack luster and didn't explain anything and practiclly just threw stuff on our plates if we wanted it or not. Not sure if it was because it was the last seating or if it was because our table was passed off to an out of rotation server since ours was "too busy". Management had no clue that had happened and appologized profusely but we left around 11:30/11:45 still hungry.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'll say we had a closing time reservation ag O'hana and it was a terrible experience. They ran out of food and the manager had to get the cheif to cook us fresh stuff. Also the servers were lack luster and didn't explain anything and practiclly just threw stuff on our plates if we wanted it or not.

1) This rated a conversation with the resort Guest Services Manager (found at the Front Desk).
2) OK, maybe food ran-out and new food had to be prepared for you.
3) But, the actions, or lack of actions, by the SERVERS was unjustified.

NOTE: When things are so bad, go to the Front Desk, regardless of the hour of the day or night. Ask for the Guest Services Manager (aka, "GSM"). If not on duty, the manager will call you when he/she comes in. They WILL settle things for you. They HAVE to. They CANNOT allow complaints go over THEIR head to the Resort General Manager (aka, "GM"). This would be a terrible career move for the GSM.

 

[tomatecerise]

It's the reason i Checked often for an open Window for better time. If i was unable to find one i wanted for the Time i wanted i Will just switch for another restaurant.

 

[wilkeliza]

1) This rated a conversation with the resort Guest Services Manager (found at the Front Desk).
2) OK, maybe food ran-out and new food had to be prepared for you.
3) But, the actions, or lack of actions, by the SERVERS was unjustified.

NOTE: When things are so bad, go to the Front Desk, regardless of the hour of the day or night. Ask for the Guest Services Manager (aka, "GSM"). If not on duty, the manager will call you when he/she comes in. They WILL settle things for you. They HAVE to. They CANNOT allow complaints go over THEIR head to the Resort General Manager (aka, "GM"). This would be a terrible career move for the GSM.

It actually did end up at the GM's desk. It was a long weekend full of issues at the Poly. The O'hana dinner had actually been credited to us due to room issues the GSM (or whoever is the equivalent of the hotel) saw we had O'hana so said they would credit our account the cost of that meal plus our lunch in order to make up for the fact our ceiling caved in and leaked all over the room as well as the fact our dinning plan didn't work at all the first day and we had to spend 2 hours at the resort getting it fixed with out a single sorry and actually being told there was no way they could ensure it would work. Took me realizing we could go and try and pick up our mugs to see if it was linked. This was after a manger at DAK charged our credit card with our asking us after our dinning plan wasn't working. It was honestly our worst Disney trip every but I guess 1 out of 13 trips isn't the worst possible thing. We are not ones to complain at all but it was just a lot of stuff that you can't just grin and bear it through. We kind of laugh at the trip now that is it about 2 years later.

 

[3kidsdad]

I'll say we had a closing time reservation ag O'hana and it was a terrible experience. They ran out of food and the manager had to get the cheif to cook us fresh stuff. Also the servers were lack luster and didn't explain anything and practiclly just threw stuff on our plates if we wanted it or not. Not sure if it was because it was the last seating or if it was because our table was passed off to an out of rotation server since ours was "too busy". Management had no clue that had happened and appologized profusely but we left around 11:30/11:45 still hungry.

Had the exact same experience at O'hana's. We were sat about 30 mins before closing. Server seemed like we were bothering her. Drinks not refilled, never got to try the shrimp and dessert just slapped down on the table with a check and never saw the server again. Have never been back and probably won't.

 

[cjparker0110]

In general I try not to eat in a restaurant near closing time....at WDW or at home! As a former server, I can say that most restaurant staff cringes when people come in near closing. The staff generally tried to do some "pre-cleaning" before closing. Many restaurants have policies that prevent a lot of the end of night stuff being done while guests are in a restaurant. (i.e., if they vacuum the carpet, they can't do it while someone is eating). So what happens is front of house staff (wait staff, bartender, host) have to sit around doing nothing until the last guest leaves. Also, the back of house staff often has to come to a halt on some of their stuff until the last meal is cooked and out of the kitchen.

That said, usually your server will try to please you while gently nudging at your to leave. I can't speak for WDW servers, but just in general. It is best if you can find an earlier time. Your meal will be more magical and they will all be happier because they get to go home.

Mind you...it's not your fault if they have bad attitudes, but it does ruin your experience.

 

[bpadair32]

I try to NEVER go to ANY restaurant right before closing, you are keeping the staff there late and they are usually not going to be happy about it. Personally, I find it to be a bit rude.

 

[rainboots]

What about 30 min prior to close @ Tusker House? Ideas?

 

[OhThePain]

I am going to have to disagree with the general consensus here and say that we have had nothing but enjoyable experiences when we take one of the last, if not the last, ADRs of the day/night. As the meal winds down we have noticed that the wait staff gets a little more relaxed and usually a bit more chatty. We have had character meals where characters have come out with only about 5 tables remaining and really put on a show (happened at 1900 PF breakfast). We have had chefs come out and chat with us for a while after the meal as well. We have never had an issue with food running out or not being prepared properly and have never felt rushed to leave (in fact, we have felt more like we were being rude by trying to leave before some of the CMs would let us).

As for the service at 'Ohana, that terrible service seems to be the norm there whether you have the first or last ADR of the night there. Tried it twice, both times with that same terrible experience (and to top it off, the food is not too good at all).

 

[wilkeliza]

In general I try not to eat in a restaurant near closing time....at WDW or at home! As a former server, I can say that most restaurant staff cringes when people come in near closing. The staff generally tried to do some "pre-cleaning" before closing. Many restaurants have policies that prevent a lot of the end of night stuff being done while guests are in a restaurant. (i.e., if they vacuum the carpet, they can't do it while someone is eating). So what happens is front of house staff (wait staff, bartender, host) have to sit around doing nothing until the last guest leaves. Also, the back of house staff often has to come to a halt on some of their stuff until the last meal is cooked and out of the kitchen.

That said, usually your server will try to please you while gently nudging at your to leave. I can't speak for WDW servers, but just in general. It is best if you can find an earlier time. Your meal will be more magical and they will all be happier because they get to go home.

Mind you...it's not your fault if they have bad attitudes, but it does ruin your experience.

I try to NEVER go to ANY restaurant right before closing, you are keeping the staff there late and they are usually not going to be happy about it. Personally, I find it to be a bit rude.

Sorry but if a restaurant takes a reservation for a certain time then they are expecting that table to stay for the average turn over time. I would understand not going as a walk up but if you offer me a reservation at 10 minutes before your posted closing time then it is your job to staff for the average turn over which is usually 90 minutes. I won't stay any longer than that (unless I make it worth the staff's time with extra tips) but I'm not going to rush out because the posted closing was 10 minutes after I was seated.

Most restaurants at Disney have hours for their last reservation time not their closing time and may places that are reservations heavily suggested are the same way.

 

[DisneySOS]

I was actually contemplating this for our Epcot day. I know it's crazy leaving the park after Illuminations & it will be a first with us with my mom using an ECV so I was thinking of getting an ADR someplace for coffee and dessert then taking a nice leisurely walk out.

 

[wilkeliza]

I was actually contemplating this for our Epcot day. I know it's crazy leaving the park after Illuminations & it will be a first with us with my mom using an ECV so I was thinking of getting an ADR someplace for coffee and dessert then taking a nice leisurely walk out.

You can also just hang out in the countries. The shops won't be open and only restaurants where you have an ADR will seat you but honestly cast members will not come around to start slowly pushing people out until 10pm starting at American and working their way around. I did it for over a year as a CM so I still always hang back and let the crowd die down then start walking around 9:45.

 

[pens4821]

I agree with a couple points here. First, I wouldn't walk into a restaurant more than an hour before closing time. However, as mentioned, if they take reservations up until closing the crew knows that they are going to be there every night AT LEAST an hour past closing.

I see both sides, but I still wouldn't do it. By the end of the night the crew is most likely tired and just ready to leave. I wouldn't risk the possibility of a crew who just doesn't care anymore. It may be Disney and we want everything to be perfect, but the employees are human whether we want to accept that or not.

By the way, I'm not judging anyone for doing it, or saying they shouldn't. I'm just saying I wouldn't.