Just returned - quite surprised at the empty tables

[Valencia Joe]

I just returned from a two week stay spread between WDW and Universal and came back quite surprised at the number of empty tables that I encountered at a number of restaurants at WDW, and quite shocked at the price difference (and quality) of meals between the two competing theme parks. I know that there are reasons for empty tables, such as staffing issues, but is this a problem throughout WDW? The first night we were there, we had an ADR at Whispering Canyon. We arrived a few minutes early than our time and still ended up waiting over 30 minutes AFTER our ADR to sit, and there were a lot of empty tables that night. The next morning, we had ADR's for Trails End that were not really necessary because when we showed up, there were only 5 other tables occupied, and this was during what I thought was breakfast time (9:30sh). That night, we went to Boma (we have a tradition on going to Boma always on the 2nd night of our vacation), and did not encounter the huge crowd waiting to be seated. What we saw was a restaurant that was about 1/2 to 2/3rds full. We encountered this trend in almost all the restaurants that we went to during our WDW stay.

Finally, I was quite surprised at the price difference that I encountered at the restaurants at Universal. I'd say that the cost was about 1/3rd to 1/2 less than what we spent at WDW. I was quite surprised at the quality of food at Mythos (we ranked Mythos first and Brown Derby 2nd for in-park restaurant foods).

To give you an idea of our group, we consisted of two adults and two kids (11 & 7). We used our Tables in Wonderland card in WDW and the AAA card in Universal.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've noticed this too, and I can't help but wonder if a large number of people are making ADRs and just not showing up. If so, I wonder what Disney's going to do about this practice. I've been unable to get ADRs at a few places before my trip, only to go to the resturant in question when I get there and get seated right away as a walk-in.

 

[GeorgeG]

There are a lot of people who book multiple restaurants for the same meal just to cover all the bases. That has had Disney ADRs messed up for the past few years. I think part of the problem is the dining plans and free dining and Disney has had to lower the standards and raise the prices to make that work. While some people are still raving about the so-called "signature" restaurants, no matter how you shake it the dining is not as good as it once was, and that's a fact.

The bottom line is Disney has sold their soul to fill the parks and resorts. The new generation of management is so concerned with maximizing profits they have forgotten what made Disney special in the first place. We can only hope they get back on track soon.

 

[Cafeen]

There are 2 primary reasons for empty tables.

The first is no-shows, which we've already covered. The second is staffing. If Disney decides to cut staffing by a certain percent (whether actual people, or just the hours of people), then there are going to be tables sitting empty. With staffing cuts in other areas, I wouldn't be surprised if restaurants also experienced the same.

Likely, as I pretty much always say, it's probably a combination of both. Though it's going to be interesting in a couple months when the 180 day catches up with the date they adjusted the system to prevent multi-bookings online.

 

[kelldawn]

It is expensive to eat on property.People do not have the money to eat on..Free or NOT. Free has not ruined the quality, Economy and this great mess we are in this past 2 years.We were going to cancel our trip in Dec because our
dates fell between the free dining. We cannot go if the food was not free for us
this year.. Our business has fallen 75% and we have had our business for 27 years.. Barely hanging on but wasted a huge amount of our life to only get to this point to loose it all. Lots of us are struggling out there. Disney is a change and comfort to people to get away and forget about it all. Some just charge it and have to pay it off for years. Food is the most expensive part of Disney and people are bringing their own food and also leaving property so they can go to the parks..So Disney needs to reduce the price of their food greatly and then stop the free Dining..Until then the restaurants will be like this. DISNEY reduce prices, give less, improve quality and things will change..Or raise ticket prices make it all inclusive that you have the option of food or not on your ticket..

 

[dawgsgirl]

The only way Disney seems to be able to fill the restaurants is with free dining. Costs are too high and the food is not that great. Why do you think they keep offering free dining??

 

[mainelyj]

I am not an expert. The way the economy is, I would rather eat outside the parks (much cheaper) or a quick service places will onsite.

I enjoy sit down dinning the best. However, I can not justify the expense anymore, unless it is a special occassion or event.

 

[hintofspy]

TBH, I think it was more staffing than anything, since this past weekend, I wasn't able to get a walk-up at Boma nearly any breakfast or dinner I tried (and I, too, saw many empty tables, but also encountered a packed waiting area when I was turned away Sunday, but walked across and got a table at Jiko no problem!).

I am curious though, as to where else you ate at Universal. Mythos is the only place I will eat there - their QS is, imo, horrible quality, particularly for the price, and haven't found any other TS places even approaching WDW quality, but am wondering if it was just bad luck.

 

[honeymo78]

My thoughts - Whispering Canyon likely had reduced staff so there were empty tables but plenty of people waiting. Trails End is never busy. Kind of out of the way unless you are at WL, CR or FW and there are no characters. I would expect few people there for breakfast. Boma, while more popular than Trail's End, is relatively out of the way and many people think the food is too exotic. I honestly wouldn't be surprised that there are empty tables at resort restaurants that don't have characters/games or signature meals.

 

[G8r4evr]

I've noticed this too, and I can't help but wonder if a large number of people are making ADRs and just not showing up. If so, I wonder what Disney's going to do about this practice. I've been unable to get ADRs at a few places before my trip, only to go to the resturant in question when I get there and get seated right away as a walk-in.

Same here. Its super frustrating. Last trip, I was unable to book Crystal Palace ahead of time. I mentioned this to a CM when we checked in, who ended up calling us with a ressie. Once we arrive, there were TONS of tables....I would say the restaurant was only 40% occupied, but only, it was BOOKED.

This trip, I have been desperately trying to get Tusker House for breakfast and Chef Mickeys for any meal, and have had no luck. My guess is they sure wont be full while we are there.

 

[annacali]

We were there July 22nd-July 28th. We stayed offsite, no dining plan but did have 4 ADRs. Never had more than a 5 min wait and this included Ohana 5pm dinner, Coral Reef 6pm dinner, Akershus 8am breakfast, and Prime Time Cafe 12:30 pm lunch. We walked into Via Napoli for lunch last Thurs and were seated in 5 min. The parks were crowded but the restaurants didn't seem to be. Did QS a few times as well and there were never lines at the registers. Ohana had a line of walkins when we were there and I believe they were all seated quite quickly.

 

[inkedupmomma]

There are a lot of people who book multiple restaurants for the same meal just to cover all the bases. That has had Disney ADRs messed up for the past few years. I think part of the problem is the dining plans and free dining and Disney has had to lower the standards and raise the prices to make that work. While some people are still raving about the so-called "signature" restaurants, no matter how you shake it the dining is not as good as it once was, and that's a fact.

The bottom line is Disney has sold their soul to fill the parks and resorts. The new generation of management is so concerned with maximizing profits they have forgotten what made Disney special in the first place. We can only hope they get back on track soon.

How is that possible? Any double ressies I have made, I have had to cancel one.

And I have to disagree, the food there is MUCH better than most amusement parks and not that much more. I just paid $45.00 at hershey park for a 2 corn dog meals, one order if cheese fries and 2 $.99 refills for junky corn dogs!!!

Not picking on you, I just picked your reply cause I haven't been able to double book any ressies

 

[BLTLDZ]

WEll, the good thing is now the website makes you cancel if you try to double book.

I was able to get Cali Grill at a later time than I originally wanted, but right away ,the box popped up saying I had a conflicting reservation, and had to cancel one.

I was thrilled to see that.....

 

[danceintherain]

Though it's going to be interesting in a couple months when the 180 day catches up with the date they adjusted the system to prevent multi-bookings online.

I don't see how it will make that much of a difference, unless the double bookers are also incredibly stupid. All that ADRs require is an e-mail address, a phone number, and a name. We have multiple phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and names in our family. Sure, you wouldn't be able to link them all to the same online account, but I don't see that as an insurmountable barrier, especially for those who stay off-property.

I hope it does alleviate some of the multiple bookings, so that ADRs are a bit easier to come by....

 

[TDC Nala]

Just to present an opposing view, I did a trip last September including both WDW and Universal where the restaurants were rated. Mythos was rated last. It's not like I haven't been there before, but this time was the first time to be disappointed in the place. They committed the cardinal sin of selling "parmesan fries" at an increased price which turned out to be regular french fries with the canned-type parmesan cheese shaken over them. My friend had a shrimp caesar salad which looked beautiful but she said it had no flavor. So since then I can't consider Mythos to be in my own top rankings of theme park restaurants. Haven't been back there, either. I've been to Universal but succumbed to the novelty of eating at the Three Broomsticks, which although it had pretty standard fast food was actually better than my last trip to Mythos.

If I'm going to eat at a sit-down at Universal I will leave the park and go to Tchoup Chop, most likely.

 

[clanmcculloch]

If there are a bunch of empty tables yet you're not being seated right away then that means it's staffing reasons that the tables are empty. ADRs are not true reservations; they're basically permission to get in line to be seated. If there is an available table that has a server working that table then there's no reason for the restaurant to make somebody wait. At least this is how restaurants worked way back when I worked in restaurants (I refuse to admit how many years ago that was). Now if you're being seated right away yet the place is booked solid then that does suggest that it has to do with no shows for whatever reason people aren't showing up.

 

[Cafeen]

I don't see how it will make that much of a difference, unless the double bookers are also incredibly stupid. All that ADRs require is an e-mail address, a phone number, and a name. We have multiple phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and names in our family. Sure, you wouldn't be able to link them all to the same online account, but I don't see that as an insurmountable barrier, especially for those who stay off-property.

I hope it does alleviate some of the multiple bookings, so that ADRs are a bit easier to come by....

Because it snipped at least some of them. Either those who didn't recognize that they weren't allowed (we saw some repercussions of that on this board itself when the system changes), those who didn't cancel their old booking when making new ones (for whatever reason, yes it was easy before, but now you have to), or the "lower level offenders" who did it on purpose, but don't feel like trudging around the system now. Obviously, those dedicated to the mutli-booking operations won't be phased, but getting the low hanging fruit is at least an improvement.

 

[ewrisit]

i have to agree it is a staffing issue at certain restaurants. Last year we ate at France and had a tough time getting a reservation. We waited 15 minutes past our ADR only to find it was more than half empty.

 

[Valencia Joe]

I am curious though, as to where else you ate at Universal. Mythos is the only place I will eat there - their QS is, imo, horrible quality, particularly for the price, and haven't found any other TS places even approaching WDW quality, but am wondering if it was just bad luck.

We ate at Mythos at IOA and Finnegan's at USF. I thought the food was good at Mythos, and a good value. I had the corned beef sandwich at Finnegan's and thought the beef had little taste to it, but my wife and daughters liked what they had. For dinner, we at either at the hotels (Tchoup Chop, Trattoria del Porto and Sal's Market Deli) or at Citywalk (Emeril's and Margaritaville). Margaritaville was the only place that we waited a long time for (close to an hour) and that was even with the priority you get while showing your room key.

 

[GeorgeG]

How is that possible? Any double ressies I have made, I have had to cancel one.

And I have to disagree, the food there is MUCH better than most amusement parks and not that much more. I just paid $45.00 at hershey park for a 2 corn dog meals, one order if cheese fries and 2 $.99 refills for junky corn dogs!!!

Not picking on you, I just picked your reply cause I haven't been able to double book any ressies

Not long ago I talked to someone who had at least four reservations for every meal. I think it's easier with larger groups where the reservations for everyone are made by different people. I don't see the same person being able to make multiple reservations, at least in the same phone call. Keep in mind that you don't need to be a guest at a resort to make them. It would be obvious if they were all listed under the same room.

I think my biggest problem with the dining is knowing how good many of the restaurants were several years back compared to now. It used to be nearly impossible to have a bad meal at WDW, especially at a Disney-run restaurant. It was also not fair to compare WDW to other amusement parks, but that seems to be changing. I used to get upset with one of my sister-in-laws (who still has never been to Disney) when she would say it was "just another amusement park." Any die-hard Disney fan would never have made that comparison, but with the decline in dining and the addition of new thrill rides, WDW is slipping away from what used to separate them from the rest. I just think that's sad.