Problems with Table of 8 and ADR's During Recent Stay

[bicker]

A really difficult part of this is the nature of larger parties, especially families. The cold, hard truth is that there's less margin. Keeping a party of four adults waiting, so long that they may choose to eat elsewhere, so you can keep a 4-top empty for an extra 20 minutes waiting for one of the surrounding tables to be vacated, so you can put together a larger table, is often a very bad financial move. There's no question that Disney wants to serve larger parties, even families, but the question is how much does Disney need to do to retain those parties' business? Again, the cold, hard truth is that the answer is "less than what they have to do to retain the other parties' business." It isn't fair, in the same way that it isn't fair that there are so many people who cannot afford a Disney vacation at all.

 

[srdipert]

THe only problem I had was the adding of the tip automatically when we got really lousy service and this happed 4 times at different restaurants. And these are places that I have eaten before and got really great service. I was disappointed because I made all the adrs and my family had never been to these places so it made me feel bad.

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

We went last August as a group of 8, and the only wait we had was at chef mickey's. That was a good 30 minutes, but in their defense they were packed. In general 10-15 minutes was it everywhere else. This June we are going as a group of 11, so I really hope things go smoothly.

 

[triplefigs]

EDITORIAL NOTE: Folks, you are on vacation and at Disney. Chill Out.

The OP and subsequent posters were expressing their frustration over ADRs and wait times. For larger parties, I am amazed at how much more difficult it is to get reservations at preferable times, wait times, and being separated at a meal. We had these problems, and we are only a family of 5. Everyone is entitled to post his or her opinion on a subject. But deliberately being snide and rude is completely uncalled for.

 

[UP Disney]

1) I am not sure what point the OP is trying to make.
. . . of course, large groups will wait longer
. . . of course, large groups may not be seated together
2) ADR's do not guarantee you a table at a certain time.
3) They only say you get the next available table of that size.
4) In many cases, even empty tables CANNOT be pushed together
. . . aisle space
. . . ressies for others at the same time frame
. . . fire code regulations


EDITORIAL NOTE: Folks, you are on vacation and at Disney. Chill Out.

It sounds like Disney has to do a better job of advertising if what you are saying is true.

When I dine with a larger group, I do expect to wait a little longer than a smaller group. However, not to be strung along 10 minutes by 10 minutes by 10 minutes. I also don't expect to be seated separately unless told this when I made my ADR's.

Many people are not regulars to Disney and would not have this inside info. Does Disney tell you when you are making your ADR's that this does not guarantee you a table at that time? I don't remember them doing so. For many, this is a once in a lifetime trip. Yes, they are at Disney. They want to chill out but that is hard to do when they have to wait an unusual length of time with no warning which takes valuable time away from their already too short vacation.

My family are looking at all planning a trip together. I will be looking for input at that time on which places seem to have the best success with getting large groups sitting together for their ADR's. I may even reconsider that our together time be at meal times. Maybe we'd be better to get together for something different. Hopefully, we'll go at an off time of the year where it won't be as much of a problem but thanks for the warning. Better prepared than sorry!

 

[mark&sue]

I may sound like a spoilt child but I am taking two other families with us from the UK for my DD and Best friend's DS birthdays which are on the same day. There will be 9 of us for this birthday meal at Whispering Canyon. I would be prepared to pay extra to have us sit together. I am going to order a cake and balloons and of course I would like for us to sit together.

It can be done in all restaurants in the UK and I would have thought Disney could do this as the DVC reps sure encouraged us to buy enough points to bring with us friends and family. Perhaps they should mention that we should be prepared not to sit together on special anniversary and birthday meals!

Sorry to vent but I so want this trip to be special.


Susan

 

[triplefigs]

I may sound like a spoilt child but I am taking two other families with us from the UK for my DD and Best friend's DS birthdays which are on the same day. There will be 9 of us for this birthday meal at Whispering Canyon. I would be prepared to pay extra to have us sit together. I am going to order a cake and balloons and of course I would like for us to sit together.

It can be done in all restaurants in the UK and I would have thought Disney could do this as the DVC reps sure encouraged us to buy enough points to bring with us friends and family. Perhaps they should mention that we should be prepared not to sit together on special anniversary and birthday meals!

Sorry to vent but I so want this trip to be special.


Susan

In December, we had a table for 10 at WCC and one for 13 at 1900 Park Fare. Both times we did get to sit together, but the wait was over an hour each time with ADRs and during a "not busy" time (end of Nov/1st week in Dec). I'd expect to sit together, but be prepared for a wait. I wish we'd had stuff for the kids to do to keep busy.

 

[bicker]

Restaurant reservations don't "guarantee" seating at a specific time, at any restaurant, anywhere.

 

[Enna]

We were in WDW in November in a multi-generational group of 8. Our ONLY ADR was for CRT and we waited more than 90 minutes for our two tables. We have pictures and video of the youngest member of the group SNORING in the downstairs area we now call, "the torture chamber".


We have several ADRs for a group of 8 for our August trip. Even making ADRs at 180 days, we had problems getting a reasonable meal time at some places. (No, 9:20 is not an appropriate dinner seating time for my 4 and 5 year olds!) In many cases we were told, "that's it, take it or leave it."

I also had an early ADR with my family of 4 and that 9:20 ADR for a get-together with my college friends. I received a message on my machine that the 9:20 ADR had been cancelled because I was not allowed to have 2 dinners on one night. Why am I not allowed to go to Chef Mickey at 5pm with my kids and CG at 9:20 with a group of adults? I find that particularly offensive as I had already given the credit card guarantee for the eight people on MY credit card, and had no way of changing that reservation to my friend's name without her credit card...and she was already away on her vacation--AT DISNEY, with her own extended family. Talk about irony!

Seriously, if Disney is so bent on marketing the parks and resorts to "gatherings" sized groups, they NEED to remember that those same groups will need to be fed. Not only will they need to be fed, but they'd most likely prefer to sit together in a table service restaurant where the highlights of the day and all of those picture perfect memories (as shown in the brochures) can be discussed.

 

[jann1033]

doesn't it seem strange that they play up the magical gatherings deal but can't seat them all together? isn't that for 8 or more?so "come vacation as a group" but don't expect to "vacation as a group"


oops sorry pp, didn't read your whole comment.... so I agree!

 

[Lewisc]

The best suggestion is to make your reservations for the opening of the restaurant and get there a few minutes early.

Bicker--I thought restaurants like V&A made reservations for a specific seating.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I've taken several trips with large groups and I've always been told whether or not we'd all be at 1 table or separate tables when I made the ADR.

 

[bicker]

I was talking about restaurants in general, not just WDW, Lewis.

 

[tinker1bell]

1) I am not sure what point the OP is trying to make.
. . . of course, large groups will wait longer
. . . of course, large groups may not be seated together
2) ADR's do not guarantee you a table at a certain time.
3) They only say you get the next available table of that size.
4) In many cases, even empty tables CANNOT be pushed together
. . . aisle space
. . . ressies for others at the same time frame
. . . fire code regulations


EDITORIAL NOTE: Folks, you are on vacation and at Disney. Chill Out.

Somehow I think you have not ever worked in a restaurant and I would not want to be your server.

Having worked in a restaurant and then two different hotels that had big restaurants we would have to sometimes set up for banquets. That of course meant getting long tables for the big families.
At each place, my job was to take names when there would be a wait and then I was repeatedly reminded not to SLAM the server because if you kept doing that, they would put all their food orders in at the same time and then they would be "In the weeds" and never get everything right. I would just about be in tears because I was at least 99% right when I would tell the person how long the wait would possibly be and I would always have that one person who would stand there with stopwatch in hand and literally call me a liar. One time I thought another 'guest' was going to physically haul one such person out the door. Then of course you cannot do anything about the table that decides to "Camp Out" I swear one table brought out the playing cards.
You cannot please everyone but I was determined to do whatever I had to do even if I had to go into the kitchen to help.

As a patron in any restaurant it is very hard to see 'open' tables but unless you work there, you do not know the reason. Also remember that in most states the servers get paid a minimum wage that is less than the regular minimum wage. They have to depend on tips and that has to be spread out between themselves, bussers and sometimes bartenders. Back in 1990 here in Pa that was $2.38 an hour and I would bet it is not much more now.

Just remember to sit back, take a breath, then step aside with your server or manager and privately chat to come to a an agreeable end. And, then if you are not satisfied, afterward be sure and let the manager know, BUT also please let the manager know when your server was spreading Pixie Dust. I cannot begin to even tell you how just hearing the praise from my manager the next day or after the shift did my heart good.
It has been over 13 years since I have worked in food service but I remember every time when I step into a restaurant so I can fairly present my side if needed.

AND YES this is a vacation but it is so much more because you have spent a lot and it took probably months to save for.

 

[Belle5]

The best suggestion is to make your reservations for the opening of the restaurant and get there a few minutes early.

Honestly, as a large family (party of 8, 9 with grandma, 12 with cousins) and folks who have been to the "world" 20+ times--I must say that the best advice out there is to do what Lewis says. When we arrive at a restaurant at first seating, we always get seated quickly...