No tables for 2.....only for 3 or more

[ShellyMouse]

please don't flame me......this is just a question

my mom and i are going to wdw in sept (free dining), i made my food ressies at the 180 mark....was lucky and got everything i asked for......

BUT....now after checking the park hours....yes, yes, i should have done that before now......i want to switch a couple of ressies around. trouble is, there is no availability for a table of 2 for anything i want.....but there are tables for 3 people (or more)

so for my question.....and again please don't flame.....(i'm afraid of you), IF make the new ressies i want for 3 people, and when we show up, tell them 1 person couldn't make it......is this the same as pool hopping, or using a CRS mug at POP??(which i would never do) what will happen, will they still seat us? it's only for 2 ressies out of 6.

thanks.....

 

[scanne]

Yeah, I see your point. I don't understand the system...it's so strange.

Anyway, just to give you some perspective about your question/thoughts, here's a story from my trip last summer.

It was me, DH, DS, DD and my mom and dad. All our dining ressies were for a party of 6. Well, on our 2nd or 3rd night, my dad got really sick - either food poisoning or a 48 stomach bug. Anyway, we had two reservations in Epcot for all 6 of us. One was the Princess Storybook Lunch at Akershus, the other was dinner at Alfredo's. Well, needless to say, my dad was not able to be at either. My mom came with us to lunch at Akershus. It was not a problem at all that my dad wasn't there and we did NOT get charged for his not being there.

After lunch, my mom went back to the hotel to take my dad to the hospital since he wasn't feeling better.

So, the four of us went to Alfredo's for dinner and had to tell them our party size had changed. Again, there was no question, no issues.

So, I wouldn't think it is THAT big a deal to make a ressie for 3 and when you get there tell them that the other person in your party couldn't make it.

Or, what you could also try doing, is seeing if there are any solo travelers that care to dine with you....there's a whole board here on the DIS for solo travelers.

Now I'm afraid we'll both get flamed...

 

[dqpowell]

In my opinion, making a reservation for three when you know there will only be two in order to circumvent the ADR rules is lying. I wouldn't do it. I know (based on a recent discussion here) that many others disagree with me.

David

 

[ShellyMouse]

thanks for the quick replies!

i'm probably just going to keep the ressies the way they are. i already felt guilty just asking the question

1st poster......i'm sure you won't get flamed......you had a legit reason for your change in numbers.

thanks....we will just deal with it.

 

[dqpowell]

Shelly, don't feel guilty. I can't say the idea wouldn't cross my mind if I were in a similar situation. One possible solution is to see if another DISer is travelling solo or with a single companion and wants to join you for dinner on those evenings. Then you can make the reservations for 3 or 4.

I know (again, based on a previous discussion here) that many others disagree with me. They consider it nothing more than a white lie (i.e., no big deal) and since surely others are doing it, then that makes it acceptable. I can't help thinking of Pinocchio, and 4 person tables occupied by couples sporting long, wooden noses.

David

 

[robinb]

thanks for the quick replies!

i'm probably just going to keep the ressies the way they are. i already felt guilty just asking the question

I don't see a problem with you booking a reservation for 3 people when you really have 2. It sounds like the restaurant you are trying to book is out of 2-toppers and only has 4-toppers or bigger left. IMO, it really isn't a big deal . The restaurant still has guests at the table and the server still gets tipped. PLUS, you release your existing table to someone else. No harm no foul.

As for feeling guilty about possibly being a "liar", there will always be people with a different moral compass than you have. Personally, I don't let other people dictate their ideas of "liars" and "cheaters" to me.

 

[dqpowell]

It sounds like the restaurant you are trying to book is out of 2-toppers and only has 4-toppers or bigger left.

Exactly. And if they say they won't book two people at a 4-topper, then saying you have three to circumvent the restaurant's reservation policy is a lie.

As for feeling guilty about possibly being a "liar", there will always be people with a different moral compass than you have. Personally, I don't let other people dictate their ideas of "liars" and "cheaters" to me.

How would you define a lie in such a way that saying you have three people while knowing you have only two doesn't qualify? Are you trying to imply that Pinocchio's nose wouldn't have grown if he did exactly that?

Don't worry about answering. It's a rhetorical question.

David

 

[nolagirl]

So, this is the second or third thread that I have read in which someone was trying to make a reservation for 2 people, a table was not available, but then they say that the CM let them know that there are tables for 3 available. I am curious to know if you asked if there were tables available for larger parties or if the CM just offered the info regarding the table for 3 being available?

Honestly if I had been told a table for 2 wasn't available but the CM mentioned a table for 3 without my asking I might take that as a hint to call back and just ask for a reservation for 3. I realize that this is wrong and that I would be lying and dishonest if I made that reservation for 3. I am just curious about what the CM actually said.

 

[laughinplace199]

IF make the new ressies i want for 3 people, and when we show up, tell them 1 person couldn't make it......is this the same as pool hopping, or using a CRS mug at POP??(which i would never do) what will happen, will they still seat us? .....

I'm not going to argue whether it's lying or not, I'll just answer your question. I do not think that they would turn you away, but you may have a longer wait for a table. When you call to make your ADR's, they always say something about being seated at the next available table for your party size (or something like that). My guess is that they will seat you, but at a table for two, so you could have a much longer wait than you would have had if you were really 3 people with an ADR for 3 people. Does that make sense? It does in my head, but I don't know if I'm saying it right - it's been a long day!

 

[Allison]

So, this is the second or third thread that I have read in which someone was trying to make a reservation for 2 people, a table was not available, but then they say that the CM let them know that there are tables for 3 available. I am curious to know if you asked if there were tables available for larger parties or if the CM just offered the info regarding the table for 3 being available?

Honestly if I had been told a table for 2 wasn't available but the CM mentioned a table for 3 without my asking I might take that as a hint to call back and just ask for a reservation for 3. I realize that this is wrong and that I would be lying and dishonest if I made that reservation for 3. I am just curious about what the CM actually said.

I actually had a CM tell me she was going to book my LeCellier reservation for 4 when I only needed it for 2 a couple of years ago. Otherwise, she didn't have a table for me.

 

[dqpowell]

I actually had a CM tell me she was going to book my LeCellier reservation for 4 when I only needed it for 2 a couple of years ago. Otherwise, she didn't have a table for me.

Based on the recent previous discussion, it appears that they used to commonly do this prior to the DDP becoming so popular. More recently, it appears they have stopped doing this. It seems to be a matter of policy that they won't "waste" (my word, not theirs) a four-person table on fewer than three people. They have the luxury of keeping nearly every chair filled now, and that's what they're doing.

David

 

[robinb]

Are you trying to imply that Pinocchio's nose wouldn't have grown if he did exactly that?

David, I do not live my life by what a wooden boy would or would not do in a fable. You, however, are welcome to follow whatever fables or stories you wish to make your own moral compass.

I remain in the "no harm, no foul" camp on this one. Especially when the CM offered her the information that three people would be seated at that time.

One more thing, David ... Just wait until you are in your first "Can the 5 adults and a 3-year old (we're saying she's 2!) staying in one room at POP Century go pool hopping to Boardwalk and use our re-fillable mug from our last trip at POFQ?" thread .

 

[earthfaries]

I don't see a problem with you booking a reservation for 3 people when you really have 2. It sounds like the restaurant you are trying to book is out of 2-toppers and only has 4-toppers or bigger left. IMO, it really isn't a big deal . The restaurant still has guests at the table and the server still gets tipped. PLUS, you release your existing table to someone else. No harm no foul.

As for feeling guilty about possibly being a "liar", there will always be people with a different moral compass than you have. Personally, I don't let other people dictate their ideas of "liars" and "cheaters" to me.

I agree. Too some it might be okay, others it is not. Do what you feel comfortable doing, don't let anyone else make you feel guilty. If you already feel bad for asking the question, you might just be too uncomfortable and end up not enjoying your evening. It is okay if you want to do it, okay if you don't - just enjoy yourself and have fun either way!

 

[dqpowell]

David, I do not live my life by what a wooden boy would or would not do in a fable.

It's a fable designed to teach right and wrong, and it's effective and accurate when it comes to the simple question: "What is a lie?"

As I see it, the scenario we have here actually involves two outright lies, and an implied (third) lie. The first is when the reservation is made -- saying you have three or four knowing you only have two. The second is when you arrive at the podium and say, "My father/mother/brother/friend isn't feeling well and couldn't make it." The third is the implied existence of the third person. Somebody on the other thread said that when they arrive at the podium, and the CM asks where the third person is, he tells the CM that the third person is in the bathroom. This seems a particularly awkward thing to say, given the fact that the CM might well see you eating or leaving the restaurant later without the mystery third person. That's an awfully long bathroom visit, I guess.

Look, I won't say another word on this thread. I believe the point has been made.

David

 

[fAnnF]

I say it's fine, being a party of two I know how hard it is to get an ADR. I was going to be making ADRs for CRT and knew they only offered a few tables for two, I had to call at 180+10 days. Well I took the only time they had open for a table for two. I've made ADRs for 3 and then called back a few days later or before the time and see if a table for 2 has opened up. I've never had a problem showing up and saying there were only 2.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's a fable designed to teach right and wrong, and it's effective and accurate when it comes to the simple question: "What is a lie?"

It's not a fable, it's a fairy tale, and it's not designed to teach anything, it was written to entertain.

As I see it, the scenario we have here actually involves two outright lies, and an implied (third) lie. The first is when the reservation is made -- saying you have three or four knowing you only have two. The second is when you arrive at the podium and say, "My father/mother/brother/friend isn't feeling well and couldn't make it." The third is the implied existence of the third person.

Or, it can be done with no lying.
"Hello, Disney Dining Reservations? I'd like to make a reservation for three people at San Angel Inn on December 15 at 6 PM". No lie. Saying one would like to make a reservation for x number is not the same as saying there will be x number of diners.
Then, when the party checks in, they say, "ShellyMouse reservation. There are two of us dining." Absolute fact. Nothing implied.

 

[mickeysaver]

I have tried to get ADR's in the past when it was a last minute situation and was offered by the CM that while they didn't have a table for 2 that they had an opening for 3 or 4 and would gladly put us down in that slot. I never gave much thought to it. Frequently when we are seated as a party of 2, it is at a table that would have been for 4 anyway, so I don't see much difference. Maggie

 

[dqpowell]

As I'm being addressed directly, a response is warranted.

It's not a fable, it's a fairy tale, and it's not designed to teach anything, it was written to entertain.

I was using the terminology (fable) used by the person I was responding to. Either way, it clearly teaches a lesson about lying, along with being entertaining. You're splitting hairs.

Or, it can be done with no lying.
"Hello, Disney Dining Reservations? I'd like to make a reservation for three people at San Angel Inn on December 15 at 6 PM". No lie. Saying one would like to make a reservation for x number is not the same as saying there will be x number of diners.

Surely you're sophisticated enough to recognize this as a lie, since you're implying that three will be dining when you make the reservation. The sneaky wording of the request is simply a tortured justification.

Then, when the party checks in, they say, "ShellyMouse reservation. There are two of us dining." Absolute fact. Nothing implied.

And when the CM, being chatty or polite, says, "Oh, you have a reservation for three. What happened?" what will your response be?

David

 

[kaytieeldr]

I was using the terminology (fable) used by the person I was responding to

You're right. I should have quoted both of you.

Surely you're sophisticated enough to recognize this as a lie, since you're implying that three will be dining when you make the reservation.

I disagree. "I would like to..." or "I want to..." is saying EXACTLY what the Guest means. "There are three of us coming for dinner" is a lie.

And when the CM, being chatty or polite, says, "Oh, you have a reservation for three. What happened?" what will your response be?

I've never encountered a CM at the podium with that much time to chat, but my response would be, "They didn't come".

 

[DisneyKevin]

If a party of two walks up to restaurant podium and the only available table is a four top, they would not be turned away.

If you try making a reservation for one...you will make their heads explode

Parties of 3 will need to be seated at tables for 4.

We have "walked up" to Disney restaurants after having no luck getting an ADR and found half empty restaurants.

Disney Dining's reservation system is flawed at best. It is set to maximize the number of "people in seats".

My point in all of this is that if you are the person calling for the reservation and their is a table availible for your party, you should get the reservation. If Disney insists that you circumvent their computer system, then there should be no guilt.

Every restaurant would prefer two diners at a 4 top to an empty table, even Disney.