Question about PS's.

[chefkellyb]

We just got back from our first trip with another family (4 adults and 4 kids total). We had 3 PS's for dinner during our trip and were seated very late after our PS time 2 out of 3 of the dinners. Is this normal?

More specifically-
PS at Crystal Palace 4:10pm - seated promptly (Tues 9/27)
PS at Sci-Fi 6:50pm - seated at 8:00pm (Thurs 9/29)
PS at Olivia's 5:50pm - seated at 6:50pm (Sun 10/2)

Our waitress at Sci-Fi explained that the ressies are running late because of the amount of dining plans that are being used right now due to a good special Disney is offering. It takes the waitstaff longer to bring a 3-course meal to a table instead of a 1-2 course that is typically the norm without a dining plan.

A CM at OKW explained to me that a PS isn't really a reservation to be seated at that time. It just puts you on a list and you would get the next available slot for your party starting at that time. I just said "oh, ok" because I don't know if this is the true definition of a PS. Please help!

I'm not posting this to complain - although I was a little disappointed. Both families have a DD4 and DS2. (The two-year olds can be hard to entertain for an hour wait.) I'm just asking because it was my first experience with PS's since becoming a DVC member and we plan to return in January. We missed the opportunity to see Fantasmic on Sunday because our dinner was an hour late. I thought I would have enough time and want to know if I need to be more cautious in my planning when I return in January.

 

[Frantasmic]

That is the correct definition of a PS/ADR. You get the next available spot.

I imagine that many people came up early on those two ADRs with the very long waits and it bumped everyone back. I haven't heard of ADR waits longer than 20 minutes however, so the hour wait and the other longer wait time seem excessive.

 

[bwv4me]

That is the correct definition of a PS/ADR. You get the next available spot.

I imagine that many people came up early on those two ADRs with the very long waits and it bumped everyone back. I haven't heard of ADR waits longer than 20 minutes however, so the hour wait and the other longer wait time seem excessive.

I think he/she's right. I had a wait of over an hour (arriving on time) at Prime Time this past August!

 

[Hopefully]

The definition is correct. They are not "reservations" per se, with a guaranteed time, but they put you in line for the next available table.
The waits you experienced do seem excessive and more than most have experienced.
Sorry that you were disappointed!