Long wait for ADRs - can you leave? (No Show Policy)

[figmentfan6]

I don't care that Disney says its a place in line type of scenario. That still doesn't mean its ok for Disney to take more reservations then they can fit in the operating time

I have to wonder if a place like Le Cellier that is always fully booked is an hour behind what happens to those that had the last ADR of the day? Do they get told "Sorry were closed"?

Disney doesn't overbook dining. You'll notice how upset people get about being "rushed" out of a Disney restaurant. That's why. Disney assumes a certain turn over rate, and bases their dining numbers off of that. They run behind for two reasons. People with ADRs take their time eating. This is true of large parties, which in my experience tend to stay for quite some time. The other reason is because walk-ins create an issue. The latter is less of a problem because the restaurant will turn away walk-ins if they are booked solid. But, a walk-in can occasionally be seated during a quiet time or in exchange for a no-show, then it gets busy or the no-show shows and demands to be seated.

So, next time you're at a meal in Disney, eat fast! If you take your time and linger, you really shouldn't complain if at your next meal you have a long wait to be seated. The servers will get you food fast enough to whip you in and out of there.

As for what happens to the last ADR, the staff will stay until they feed everyone with an ADR. Which is not fun for the staff, especially at places like Le Cellier where they often get screamed at. The staff don't like when they run behind anymore than you do.

 

[jedi jen]

In my experience, the food and service are slow at TS restaurants. I would prefer things go a little faster. So I have not noticed my party staying longer than expected (except at Cali Grill to watch Wishes, which seems expected and I always make a late ADR anyway). It always seems that TS meals take over an hour, after getting seated. That is a little long, generally speaking, to me. I don't see that lingering guests as a big problem in my experience----it is lingering service and food.

I will add that I have never left an ADR due to long waits. We have waited, and found ways to entertain ourselves by wandering near surroundings. This has always worked for us.

 

[buffettgirl]

oh my gosh, in all my years I have never had a long ADR wait. I am not doubting that it happens, I'm just feeling pretty darn lucky that we never experienced it.

Especially now with the no-show charge, I think everyone is right on: you are not a "no show". You've shown up for an ADR time that you picked based on many factors (kids? rides? other commitments?) Disney makes you pick a time on your ADR. If you're there, how can you be a no-show? They are the ones making you wait beyond a reasonable time.

I would consider 30-45 min reasonable though. I think of any popular restaurant at home and how even if you call ahead you sometimes have to wait that long.

 

[aubriee]

In my experience, the food and service are slow at TS restaurants. I would prefer things go a little faster. So I have not noticed my party staying longer than expected (except at Cali Grill to watch Wishes, which seems expected and I always make a late ADR anyway). It always seems that TS meals take over an hour, after getting seated. That is a little long, generally speaking, to me. I don't see that lingering guests as a big problem in my experience----it is lingering service and food.

I will add that I have never left an ADR due to long waits. We have waited, and found ways to entertain ourselves by wandering near surroundings. This has always worked for us.

I got to WDW several times a year and mainly eat TS, because I am not a fan of most CS restaurants. I have noticed many times people lingering at their tables, when the restaurants were very busy. Just this last Feb my husband and I were down there with our 3 y/o GS. We were on the DxDDP, so had an appetizer, entree, and dessert at each meal. At TRex we were seated next to a large, loud table. They were eating their entrees when we were seated. We ordered and while waiting for the appetizers to arrive, I took my GS around to look at the different dinosaurs. We then ate our appetizers, entrees, and desserts. We took our time and did not rush. However, that large table was still sitting there being loud and obnoxious. They were through eating and were just sitting there talking. The same thing happened at Le Cellier. There was a large table that was finishing up, as we were being seated. Even with us ordering appetizer, entrees, and dessert, they didn't leave until we were finishing up our entrees. This past Dec I had a 7:45pm ADR at Rose and Crown, arrived early, and was lucky enough to get seated out on the patio. I was on the upper level right next to that big round table in the corner. When I arrived there was a large party at that corner table, who had already eaten and was finishing up their drinks. They were still there over 1 1/2 hours later when Illuminations started. Rose & Crown was packed that night and there is no telling how long that party took up that big table. Again they were completely finished eating before I was even seated about 7:30pm, and still there until well after 9:00pm. Heck, with ordering an appetizer, entree, and dessert, I was there over 1 1/2 hours myself, so they had to be taking up that table well over three hours. We've also seen people sitting around at California Grill many times, well after they've finished eating, meaning the people with ADRs after them are having long waits in the lounge.

 

[kamik86]

Disney doesn't overbook dining. You'll notice how upset people get about being "rushed" out of a Disney restaurant. That's why. Disney assumes a certain turn over rate, and bases their dining numbers off of that. They run behind for two reasons. People with ADRs take their time eating. This is true of large parties, which in my experience tend to stay for quite some time. The other reason is because walk-ins create an issue. The latter is less of a problem because the restaurant will turn away walk-ins if they are booked solid. But, a walk-in can occasionally be seated during a quiet time or in exchange for a no-show, then it gets busy or the no-show shows and demands to be seated.

So, next time you're at a meal in Disney, eat fast! If you take your time and linger, you really shouldn't complain if at your next meal you have a long wait to be seated. The servers will get you food fast enough to whip you in and out of there.

As for what happens to the last ADR, the staff will stay until they feed everyone with an ADR. Which is not fun for the staff, especially at places like Le Cellier where they often get screamed at. The staff don't like when they run behind anymore than you do.

However if Disney assumes a certain turn over rate, and there are certain restaurants that CONSISTENTLY are behind. To me that means they need to re-evaluate there assumed metrics to use recent actuals from that time period (so use actuals from Easter week last year for Easter this year, and January last year for January this year because I would assume the rates are different) because the assumptions are wrong.

If we were talking that this rarely happens at any particular restaurant and just by the sheer number of restaurants it tends to happen somewhere every day I would say Disney is doing a good job. However it seems that Le Cellier, Crystal Palace and a few others always have this issue. So maybe their numbers are wrong and thus they ARE overbooking, not on purpose the way airlines do but they are overbooking.

 

[kamik86]

I got to WDW several times a year and mainly eat TS, because I am not a fan of most CS restaurants. I have noticed many times people lingering at their tables, when the restaurants were very busy. Just this last Feb my husband and I were down there with our 3 y/o GS. We were on the DxDDP, so had an appetizer, entree, and dessert at each meal. At TRex we were seated next to a large, loud table. They were eating their entrees when we were seated. We ordered and while waiting for the appetizers to arrive, I took my GS around to look at the different dinosaurs. We then ate our appetizers, entrees, and desserts. We took our time and did not rush. However, that large table was still sitting there being loud and obnoxious. They were through eating and were just sitting there talking. The same thing happened at Le Cellier. There was a large table that was finishing up, as we were being seated. Even with us ordering appetizer, entrees, and dessert, they didn't leave until we were finishing up our entrees. This past Dec I had a 7:45pm ADR at Rose and Crown, arrived early, and was lucky enough to get seated out on the patio. I was on the upper level right next to that big round table in the corner. When I arrived there was a large party at that corner table, who had already eaten and was finishing up their drinks. They were still there over 1 1/2 hours later when Illuminations started. Rose & Crown was packed that night and there is no telling how long that party took up that big table. Again they were completely finished eating before I was even seated about 7:30pm, and still there until well after 9:00pm. Heck, with ordering an appetizer, entree, and dessert, I was there over 1 1/2 hours myself, so they had to be taking up that table well over three hours. We've also seen people sitting around at California Grill many times, well after they've finished eating, meaning the people with ADRs after them are having long waits in the lounge.

Then maybe Disney needs to re-evaluate this policy at some restaurants, especially those with illuminations or Wishes views instead of charging those with long waits in the lounge, that did nothing wrong. The people who should be charged are the ones that are causing the problem.

 

[rachellm]

However if Disney assumes a certain turn over rate, and there are certain restaurants that CONSISTENTLY are behind. To me that means they need to re-evaluate there assumed metrics to use recent actuals from that time period (so use actuals from Easter week last year for Easter this year, and January last year for January this year because I would assume the rates are different) because the assumptions are wrong.

If we were talking that this rarely happens at any particular restaurant and just by the sheer number of restaurants it tends to happen somewhere every day I would say Disney is doing a good job. However it seems that Le Cellier, Crystal Palace and a few others always have this issue. So maybe their numbers are wrong and thus they ARE overbooking, not on purpose the way airlines do but they are overbooking.

I agree with this. I think there are a small handful of restaurnants where it's very common that any ADR after X time (like 6:30-7ish for dinner) will be delayed. I know O'Hana commonly has problems, Chef Mickey, Crystal Palace, Le Cellier. So maybe Disney is being too optimistic in their turnover assumptions for certain TS options.

 

[figmentfan6]

However if Disney assumes a certain turn over rate, and there are certain restaurants that CONSISTENTLY are behind. To me that means they need to re-evaluate there assumed metrics to use recent actuals from that time period (so use actuals from Easter week last year for Easter this year, and January last year for January this year because I would assume the rates are different) because the assumptions are wrong.

If we were talking that this rarely happens at any particular restaurant and just by the sheer number of restaurants it tends to happen somewhere every day I would say Disney is doing a good job. However it seems that Le Cellier, Crystal Palace and a few others always have this issue. So maybe their numbers are wrong and thus they ARE overbooking, not on purpose the way airlines do but they are overbooking.

Trust me, I know it's a flawed system and I agree 100% that it ought to be reevaluated.

However, I have a question for the population at large.

Would you rather get an ADR for your favorite restaurant (which is also super popular and books quickly) and wait longer than average to eat there, or would you rather not get the ressie at all and be turned away at the door?

That's basically what the options are in this scenario. Disney either cuts the number of ressies it takes and people start complaining that they can't get in anywhere (and let me tell you, they complain very loudly too) or they leave it as is and have people complain about waiting longer but still get them into the restaurant they want to go to. It's kind of a lose-lose situation, and Disney has chosen the latter option.

 

[rachellm]

Trust me, I know it's a flawed system and I agree 100% that it ought to be reevaluated.

However, I have a question for the population at large.

Would you rather get an ADR for your favorite restaurant (which is also super popular and books quickly) and wait longer than average to eat there, or would you rather not get the ressie at all and be turned away at the door?

That's basically what the options are in this scenario. Disney either cuts the number of ressies it takes and people start complaining that they can't get in anywhere (and let me tell you, they complain very loudly too) or they leave it as is and have people complain about waiting longer but still get them into the restaurant they want to go to. It's kind of a lose-lose situation, and Disney has chosen the latter option.

That's a good point. I see that it's a hard decision to make. I just wish that they would waive the "no show" fee if people don't want to wait. As you've said, plenty of people would probably just wait. But for the ones that don't want to - I don't think they should be penalized because Disney picked this option.

I'm not saying waive the fee if there's a 10 minute wait. But when waits exceed 30 minutes, or even 45 ... I think their policy should be to waive the fee if someone specifically asks. Maybe I'll write Disney and share my opinion

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't know why they are applying the "you can't leave before you are seated, or you are a no-show" thing to all restaurants, but when California Grill got a credit card guarantee, it was mostly because they had recently closed off the restaurant for the public to just walk in (you used to go up to the restaurant itself to check in) and there were guests making reservations just to get upstairs and watch the fireworks, then leave without ordering anything. So if they left without ordering anything, they were considered a no-show.

While I can see how it applies to California Grill which is in a unique situation with the fireworks, I don't think it should apply to a situation where guests are kept waiting for ADR seating for 45 minutes to an hour or more. Which is why if I had that situation I'd probably go right to Guest Services and say I expected that I wouldn't be charged the no-show penalty.

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

Trust me, I know it's a flawed system and I agree 100% that it ought to be reevaluated.

However, I have a question for the population at large.

Would you rather get an ADR for your favorite restaurant (which is also super popular and books quickly) and wait longer than average to eat there, or would you rather not get the ressie at all and be turned away at the door?

That's basically what the options are in this scenario. Disney either cuts the number of ressies it takes and people start complaining that they can't get in anywhere (and let me tell you, they complain very loudly too) or they leave it as is and have people complain about waiting longer but still get them into the restaurant they want to go to. It's kind of a lose-lose situation, and Disney has chosen the latter option.

I understand what you're saying and for the rare ADR we have at a place that does run behind I plan accordingly for my kids and would be willing to wait. My issue is the same as other posters in that I don't think Disney should charge the no show fee for people who are there and don't want to stay for the excessive wait. I think if the wait is over 45 minutes from the ADR time that the no show fee should be waived.

 

[buffettgirl]

Then maybe Disney needs to re-evaluate this policy at some restaurants, especially those with illuminations or Wishes views instead of charging those with long waits in the lounge, that did nothing wrong. The people who should be charged are the ones that are causing the problem.

I think there are some issues over at Rose and Crown where people book their ADR thinking they'll be able to see Illuminations and then when they realize that their dinner is done too early, they just sit. And just about every tour book or every website advises people to do this. I'm not sure how they could change it other than to encourage people to leave by offering a special seating area where diners could watch the show, akin to a fantasmic package - so the need to linger at your table wouldn't happen. You'd already know that you'd be getting a front row spot. Of course, that's just illuminations.

Trust me, I know it's a flawed system and I agree 100% that it ought to be reevaluated.

However, I have a question for the population at large.

Would you rather get an ADR for your favorite restaurant (which is also super popular and books quickly) and wait longer than average to eat there, or would you rather not get the ressie at all and be turned away at the door?

That's basically what the options are in this scenario. Disney either cuts the number of ressies it takes and people start complaining that they can't get in anywhere (and let me tell you, they complain very loudly too) or they leave it as is and have people complain about waiting longer but still get them into the restaurant they want to go to. It's kind of a lose-lose situation, and Disney has chosen the latter option.

I agree that there seems to be no good solution and what works for my family might not work for a family with small kids or a couple with no kids. Like I said above, I'd probably wait longer now that my kids are older. when they were much younger I planned those ADRs to keep as much to our home schedule as we could, because it made for a nicer trip. I mean, if there is such an issue anyway, why not just scrap the whole system and just take walk ups? There are probably 200million reasons why not with that too.

 

[carrie6466]

The two longest waits we've ever had at a restaurant we had ADR's at were 50's PT, where we waited almost an hour to be seated and Crystal Palace, where we waited well over an hour to be seated. I don't understand the 50's PT one, just slow/lingering eaters and servers I guess. CP was a whole different story and we were probably a reason that others behind us were late. We got there and saw Pooh pretty much right away. Then there was a break with no characters. Then they did the parade. During all this we had finished eating, but dd hadn't seen any characters except Pooh yet. By the time we got to see all 4 characters, we had been sitting there close to 90 minutes or longer.

I do think they need to re-evaluate how they do the CC reservation ADR's to accomodate for long delays. I don't think you should be charged a no-show if you decide you don't want to wait longer than 20-30 minutes.

 

[figmentfan6]

Don't get me wrong, I agree that if you show up and are told the wait time, you should be allowed to leave with no penalty! I think as long as you leave straight away and don't meander around after you say you're not staying (i.e. Cali Grill) there shouldn't be a penalty. It's not a no-show if you show!

I was responding to folks wondering why Disney doesn't lower their reservation cap.

 

[buffettgirl]

Don't get me wrong, I agree that if you show up and are told the wait time, you should be allowed to leave with no penalty! I think as long as you leave straight away and don't meander around after you say you're not staying (i.e. Cali Grill) there shouldn't be a penalty. It's not a no-show if you show!

I was responding to folks wondering why Disney doesn't lower their reservation cap.

yep, I totally got what you were going for.

 

[Abharmagic]

I agree- it's not a no show if you show. I also think that there should be some way for the hostess to remove your ADR from the system if the wait is in excess of 35 mins. I think if you have to get to the restaurant in 20 mins or else forfeit your confirmation money, then you should also have the option of canceling your ADR after checking in with the hostess. One time we waited over an hour for LTT dinner, ended up missing Spectromagic, my kids were a mess tired, cranky, the meal took forever (and this is a pre-made already plattered meal mind you, it's not like we ordered seperate dishes)... lesson learned. I will be angry if I have to wait over an hour for my ADR ever again or risk losing the $$$ I had to put down to secure the ADR.

Ugh, I am all for the CC confirmation, I get it. It drives me crazy that people used to double book ADRs for multiple restaurants and then never use them. I like that the CC policy is in place to make sure that doesn't happen as much anymore. BUT- to take someone's money b/c they don't feel like waiting a hour for a table, well, that just seems wrong. You check in, you decide not to keep the ADR, they give your ADR to someone else, face it at the restaurants that are asking for the CC confirmation they will fill the table- they are the popular restaurants.