Question about Hoop Dee Doo seating

[BYC]

I made our HoopDeeDoo(Category 1) reservations at 180 days out. We are less than a month away from our trip. I called last night to remove one adult from our reservation (We will now be 3 instead of 4). I asked her if by doing this, will it knock us off from being one of the first to make a reservation, to having made it only last night...therefore, putting us farther down the list for the better seats. She said that the seats are not assigned until you pick up your tickets right before the show. Only the Category is guaranteed, and the tables are assigned first come-first served as people arrive. Is that true?? I always thought that the earlier you made your reservation for this show, the better table you would get? I never know when to believe information that I get from a CM or not!

 

[OhThePain]

I don't know exactly how the seating arrangements are made and if it depends on when you pick up the tickets. However, the CM was right in that just because you may book earlier than others, it does not mean you are sure to get a better table and that only the cat. is guaranteed.

 

[bonoriffic]

We picked up our tickets just as the line was starting to move to be seated. As some tables are setup for larger or smaller groups, time you pick up your tickets has little overall effect. They aren't going to rearrange tables just because 8 groups of 2 were first to pick up. We got very good seats and were definitely the last to get our tickets.

 

[clanmcculloch]

The first time went to HDDR we booked at 90 days out (actually I think it was around 98 because it was during out +10 and this was when it was still 90 day bookings, not 180 days). We were category 2 and we were in the very first table along the side. I believe this is the very first category 2 table for 4 assigned. We picked up our tickets the day before the show.

The second time we went to HDDR we booked closer in and category 2 tickets were already sold out so we got category 3. We picked up our tickets after checking in because I forgot about them. We were in the first category 3 table meaning on the side but at the very back right beside the category 2 folks. There's no way they assigned our table when we showed up.

I've read many, many times that they actually do the seating arrangements earlier that day or maybe even the day before but that they go in order by when the ADRs are booked. The CM is correct that the category is what determines which section you'll be in, but the seating within each section I've always understood to be based on when you book.

I would think that if your confirmation number changes you'll be bumped to a new position in the order. If your confirmation number stays the same then you'll likely keep your position in the order.

Remember, CMs on the phone are notorious for giving wrong information. They've probably never met the people who do the seating assignments.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

They do the seating chart within 3 days of the show, but seats are asigned by when the ADR was made. If you change your ADR, you're in the back of the line. The good news is that all the Cat 1 seats are great.

 

[BYC]

They do the seating chart within 3 days of the show, but seats are asigned by when the ADR was made. If you change your ADR, you're in the back of the line. The good news is that all the Cat 1 seats are great.

All I did was change from a party of 4 to a party of 3. I kept my same confirmation number. Do you think that would send me to the back of the line?