Just returned - quite surprised at the empty tables

[MonkersMama]

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.

That magic date will be November 13. I know this because it was my 180 days mark that I was booking ADRs and the new program preventing the multi-bookings showed up that same afternoon.

 

[Colleen27]

I have seen pics at some of the 2 TS places,not even ENOUGH for my 8 yr old grandson to get full on.. He weighs maybe 56 pounds.

Let me tell you, those photos are deceptive. The presentation may make the dish look like a small amount of food in some cases (often because overlarge dishes are used for visual appeal), but they really aren't serving unusually small portions and the food is higher quality and very flavorful which makes it more satisfying. We've eaten at all the signatures except Citricos and never fail to leave full and happy (and we are not light eaters - I love food, DH is a typical steak-and-potatoes guy, and DS13 is a bottomless pit with expensive tastes).

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

the issue isnt staffing.. .25 percent of reservations dont show up.

 

[bcrook]

the issue isnt staffing.. .25 percent of reservations dont show up.

Then the walkups should be thrilled. There are plenty of people to fill the restaurants. But, they are choosing not to go.

 

[su_A_ve]

Prevent multiple bookings? Still dent work correctly. And with every person having an email address (or two) there is nothing to stop anyone from doing multiple bookings.

For example, we have a party of 11, but DW used her email to get the ADR. So we wanted to change the time. Made a new one hoping it would trigger the conflict and allow us to cancel the original one. But no, the system made two rez for the same restaurant, for 11, within 45' of each other.

Of course, went back and canceled the first one...

I have some under my email, and she has some under hers, while we finilize details... We do cancel afterwards, but clearly, the system still allows you to place multiple ones...

 

[Tara922c]

There are several reasons why there may be empty tables. Personally, I don't think it is because of no shows, because, people are always walking up to see if something is available, so those tables could easily be filled. One reason is staffing. On peak days, there is going to be more staff, and more servers to serve more tables. On slower days there may still be a wait, but there are less servers, and less open tables. Another thing resturants sometimes do is go on "mock waits". We did this when I was a server. During peak times, the resturant would fill up so fast that the cooks were unable to keep up with the orders. It wasn't possible, not enough grills, or work stations. If twenty orders went in to the kitchen at the exact same time, there was going to be a problem. What we did when the kitchen started to have more than a certain number of tickets, we would start a "mock wait". That way we could have a table wait for 5 minutes, and give the kitchen time to catch up. The party's food took the same time, but instead of waiting for 25 minutes for their food after they placed their order, they wait for 10 minutes in the lounge, followed by 15 minutes for their food.

Another reason is the time you eat. 9:30 for breakfast is going to be less busy than 8 because people are trying to eat before they go into the parks. Also, resort resturants are typically going to be less busy than the parks because their is less people who want to compete for that resturant. I have never been to trails end, but I have heard that it is normal for it to be slow.

 

[GeorgeG]

Competition and independents would be great if they could stick with some kind of theming. I hate to see Le Cellier be bought out by Longhorn Steakhouse.

Blue zoo fit category? Not on dining plan independently operated? Outrageously expensive.

To be honest, I think I would prefer Longhorn over the current Le Cellier, but that's just me. I've never eaten at Blue Zoo, but I hear the food is really good.

 

[TGaines107]

Free dining always seems to fill up the restaurants at Disney but at other times of the year (when we always get to go), obtaining a table has been rarely difficult. has to be the pricing which has crept up every year. Its kinda hard to stomach bacon & eggs for a family of five for $150!

 

[TDC Nala]

If it was solely because of no-shows, they'd be seating walkups.

 

[Simba's Mom]

If it was solely because of no-shows, they'd be seating walkups.

Actually I got seated a couple times during Free Dining, even though the sign at the front of the park said there was no availability at the resturant in question. Just decided to chance it and walk up anyways. Good thing I did!

 

[akhenaten]

Then the walkups should be thrilled. There are plenty of people to fill the restaurants. But, they are choosing not to go.

They may not be choosing not to go.. they may not even try to walk up because of all of the talk about having an ADR 180 days out or else you are out of luck...

I almost did not try to walk up on our trip a few weeks ago... but said we might as well ..and we go seated right away at Tutto Italia. It was my DH and DS fave meal of the trip.

 

[Amy&Dan]

They may not be choosing not to go.. they may not even try to walk up because of all of the talk about having an ADR 180 days out or else you are out of luck...

I almost did not try to walk up on our trip a few weeks ago... but said we might as well ..and we go seated right away at Tutto Italia. It was my DH and DS fave meal of the trip.

I agree. It used to be "walking up" was considered a foolhardy endeavor, now not so much. Between no shows and what I assume is lack of bookings due to the high prices, you can actually walk up and get something. I still think ADR's are a good idea, especially if you have some "must do's" and young kids that need certain foods at certain times of day/night.

They were taking walkups at Crystal Palace in June for dinner, it was very crowded in there and we had to wait about 15 minutes with our ADR and the people who checked in in front of us who were walk ups were seated right before us.

I think if tables are empty its a combination of many factors. But I do think trying to get in to places as a walkup is definitely easier than it was a couple of years ago. Especially at non character meals.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

That's my point kinda, I don't think it's just another amusement park. I think it's phenomenal, and love the food! There is no comparison, it is still a cut above the rest. But it is a family destination and makes a ton of food and does it well. Although I do agree I miss menus of the past sometimes ( especially CRT) I love the new stuff they have served... I go back next month, I'll let you know if I still thinks this way then



3 full days actually and one morning. And I can tell you for a fact that for 3.5 days I was there, I could have spent a week with MUCH better quality food at WDW.

Inked up momma, we are planning to go to Hershey next summer probably for a 2 or 3 day trip and what you are saying is similar to what I've heard because a lot of our family friends and people in our area go to Hershey for summer trips. I also see you are in Bucks County. Sesame Place! We Sesame Place but not the food there! We spent over $100 for the Big Bird character lunch (even without having to pay for our youngest DS since he was only 18 months old at the time) and could barely bring ourselves to eat it! I don't think we will have to worry about dealing with that kind of food quality at WDW! I hope!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Inked up momma, we are planning to go to Hershey next summer probably for a 2 or 3 day trip and what you are saying is similar to what I've heard because a lot of our family friends and people in our area go to Hershey for summer trips. I also see you are in Bucks County. Sesame Place! We Sesame Place but not the food there! We spent over $100 for the Big Bird character lunch (even without having to pay for our youngest DS since he was only 18 months old at the time) and could barely bring ourselves to eat it! I don't think we will have to worry about dealing with that kind of food quality at WDW! I hope!

OH, do NOT get me started on Sesame Place! I was a pass holder for 10 years! This was the first year we decided no more! The decline in service and incline of overcrowding and overpricing scared us off!

On a plus side, Sesame is right by oxford valley mall, where you can park for free and walk down, and also there are a TON of food options if you feel like leaving the park.

Sadly the crowds of people there these days has not missing it at all!

As for Hershey, I didn't hate the corn dogs, they were fine enough. The price however was horrendous!

I'm just saying, I know WDW is a cut above the rest, but I think people forget that it is still theme park. and the value there is much greater than others and it really can't be compared! what I can get for one day there vs a day at HP or Sesame is unreal!

AND, I actually LOVE the food! Yes, I will agree, I miss some of the old menu items, but I honestly have never left their unhappy!

when you go to hershey you HAVE to try the fried candy ice cream sundae! I forget where it is located, but make sure you ask! it is awesome!

 

[bangzoom6877]

OH, do NOT get me started on Sesame Place! I was a pass holder for 10 years! This was the first year we decided no more! The decline in service and incline of overcrowding and overpricing scared us off!

On a plus side, Sesame is right by oxford valley mall, where you can park for free and walk down, and also there are a TON of food options if you feel like leaving the park.

Sadly the crowds of people there these days has not missing it at all!

As for Hershey, I didn't hate the corn dogs, they were fine enough. The price however was horrendous!

I'm just saying, I know WDW is a cut above the rest, but I think people forget that it is still theme park. and the value there is much greater than others and it really can't be compared! what I can get for one day there vs a day at HP or Sesame is unreal!

AND, I actually LOVE the food! Yes, I will agree, I miss some of the old menu items, but I honestly have never left their unhappy!

when you go to hershey you HAVE to try the fried candy ice cream sundae! I forget where it is located, but make sure you ask! it is awesome!

Agree with you, regarding food at WDW vs. food at Sesame Place and Hershey. We're passholders at Sesame Place (we go often in the summer with the boys), and I couldn't believe the first time we went there that a kids' meal (counter service) was $10, when an adult meal was $11! Instead, I get an adult meal and have my boys share it. I usually just get a salad with grilled chicken in it when we are there for lunch. We have done the character dinner, and once we did Bert's B-Day bash (outdoors in the pavilion). The Birthday bash was very chaotic, and we vowed never to do a special dining event again. So we tried the regular character dinner. We thought the food was fine, but nothing near what you get as WDW for sure. I have never done the character breakfast or lunch. DH is a Big Bird passholder ($30 more gets us free parking all summer, which normally costs $15 per visit), and the boys and I are regular passholders. So, with DH's pass, we get 10% off at the character meals, and at character dinners, kids are free when dining with passholders. So, the dinner is far less expensive than the lunch or breakfast for us. We are going again on Friday...first time this season at the character dinner. I hope it is still OK. Before August ends, we are going to do a water day there too. Then we are renewing our passes, probably upgrading to the Grover pass since we plan to go to Busch Gardens Tampa and Sea World when we go to WDW next summer...plus Busch Gardens in Virginia on the drive home...and they are all included in the upgraded pass.

 

[Iamthequeen]

Dh and I went to Disney last September and didn't have one bad meal. The only time I was disappointed was when we went to Shutters (at the BC?) and that was with the Hostess and not the food. She was in an extremely bad mood and nasty as all get out. The restaurant also had lots of empty tables and a crowd of people waiting.

We are going back this year and since it is just the two of us, we are not doing any character meals. I love having the free dining - it has saved us a bundle.

I also agree that the food at Hersheypark is the worst of any amusement park I've ever been in - and the most overpriced. We used to go several times a year, but haven't been lately.

 

[TDC Nala]

They may not be choosing not to go.. they may not even try to walk up because of all of the talk about having an ADR 180 days out or else you are out of luck...

Not everyone is on this board, or aware of the caution about having ADRs 180 days out or you are out of luck, which is pretty much a myth anyway except for the ultrapopular restaurants. The DIS and other Disney discussion boards are a very small section of WDW attendees.

If they aren't getting walkups, it's because guests are deciding they don't want to go to the restaurants at all, possibly because they consider the prices to be too high.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Not everyone is on this board, or aware of the caution about having ADRs 180 days out or you are out of luck, which is pretty much a myth anyway except for the ultrapopular restaurants. The DIS and other Disney discussion boards are a very small section of WDW attendees.

If they aren't getting walkups, it's because guests are deciding they don't want to go to the restaurants at all, possibly because they consider the prices to be too high.

So true! Last summer, we were with our family (10 people) and originally one night, we were going to eat around the countries at Epcot at the CS places. Then, the day before, we were at MK, and my mom and sister asked me about the Biergarten in Germany...they asked if I thought there was a chance we would get in for the following night. We DID! I called dining right there, and got us in for the time we wanted (6pm) the following night, party of 10! And I cancelled the ADR there for DH, the boys and myself for our last night of the trip and was able to change it to Marrakesh instead, for the time we wanted (5:30pm).

So, yes, it is a myth that ALL restaurants are impossible to get unless you are booking 180 days out. And yes, we "uber-planners" are a VERY small percentage of the millions of guests WDW sees annually...remember, MK is the most popular theme park in the world!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Dh and I went to Disney last September and didn't have one bad meal. The only time I was disappointed was when we went to Shutters (at the BC?) and that was with the Hostess and not the food. She was in an extremely bad mood and nasty as all get out. The restaurant also had lots of empty tables and a crowd of people waiting.

We are going back this year and since it is just the two of us, we are not doing any character meals. I love having the free dining - it has saved us a bundle.

I also agree that the food at Hersheypark is the worst of any amusement park I've ever been in - and the most overpriced. We used to go several times a year, but haven't been lately.

Oh yes, Hersheypark is very overpriced and low in quality AND variety. But, the worst theme park food I have ever eaten was at Six Flags Great Adventure in NJ. AND it was extremely overpriced too.

 

[akhenaten]

Not everyone is on this board, or aware of the caution about having ADRs 180 days out or you are out of luck, which is pretty much a myth anyway except for the ultrapopular restaurants. The DIS and other Disney discussion boards are a very small section of WDW attendees.

If they aren't getting walkups, it's because guests are deciding they don't want to go to the restaurants at all, possibly because they consider the prices to be too high.

True... but many who are not on these boards may not even see the sit down restaurants... unless they research LOL
Most "amusement parks" don't have any at all!

And you are right the prices are very high!!!