Rose & Crown Seating Fail

[jmcdonnell04]

Celebrated my daughter's 21st birthday at Epcot this week with my entire family (14). We have enjoyed this restaurant in the past but certainly not with a large group. I made the reservation at the 5 month window for this past Tuesday night. I made the reservation for 12 but my nieces were last minute additions and I tried to change my reservation but the computer system is not very flexible when trying to add on people. It just tries to look for a new table for 14 and says nothing is available.

I went a 1/2 hour early to let them know that there would be 2 extra people. OBI at the front counter then rolled his eyes when I told him we were celebrating a birthday. They gave me a buzzer and 15 minutes later we were buzzed and directed to our table. Rose and Crown seating is both inside and outside.. Our table was in direct sunlight. JANET the seating manager said that was all she could do because we changed the number from 12 to 14. I offered different suggestions of splitting up to 2 tables or waiting longer but JANET attitude was take it or leave it.

My wife and I sat in the sun so the party could continue but we were miserable and we could not even order an entree. Being a Disney veteran, I was shocked by both of these cast member actions. I voiced my displeasure to JANET again when we left.

Some will flame me for changing the reservation number but it is their attitude that bothers me. Be our Guest, Liberty Tree Tavern, Teppan Edo, 50's Prime Time Cafe all were able to accommodate 2 extra people.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Well, it sounds like Rose and Crown was able to accommodate 2 extra people as well, you just didn't like where they put you. I won't "Flame you", but I think if it were me and they did actually make the adjustment, I would gladly accept whatever table got the 14 seated in a pinch and ran with it. As far as being directly in the sun, I suppose that would affect my bill as it would probably require a few more Harps!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

At a fully-booked restaurant, someone will end up at the table in the full sun.

 

[HopperFan]

I agree the front counter should not have rolled their eyes. All they had to do was note the birthday, even though we have found that usually does not result in any extras since just about everyone is celebrating something.

Regarding your table - R&C is small and very popular - honestly I am surprised they accepted your extra guests. I would have been very happy they agreed to seat them. Just like you couldn't find a reservation for 14, there are people that already have reservations for the two tables that you wanted.

You asked for them to seat your extra guests, they did. The seating manager accommodated your party. Someone has to sit in the sun, it worked for their seating to put your large party where they did.

 

[Rafikifan]

I'm actually surprised with a party that large that you were even able to add two at the last minute no matter where they seated you. I'm sorry that you were disappointed with your experience but I've known people trying to add 2 to even a smaller party at Disney restaurants and they will try but can't always do it. Anytime we've had a large party we book at exactly SIX months out and still can't be guaranteed to sit together. Hope that you had a great vacation anyway and your daughter had a memorable 21st birthday.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Well, here's the flame you were expecting. I think you were lucky they accomodated you at all. You essentially did a walk-up with two people. If the restaurant was fully booked, you took a table away from other guests who had an ADR and threw the schedule off. They could have easily said no to you, but instead they accomodated so you could all dine together. IMHO, you should be thanking them, not complaining. I would suggest if you ever encounter this situation again, it would have been best to look for an ADR for 2 around the same time as the reservation for 12. At least then the restaurant would have expected all of you and wouldn't have had to shift around last minute to try to accomodate you.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm going to flame you as well. You walked up with two additional people at multiple restaurants and were not at all happy when one restaurant was not able to accomodate you in the manner you wanted. I think you were pretty darn lucky to have your two walk ups seated at all, and as the Previous Poster suggested, I think you should have thanked them. Instead you complain.

We warn peole all of the time that walk ups are not gauranteed a seat, that many restaurants are fully booked, and that they should be sure to book an ADR for EVERY member. WHen you chose to bring two extra people, you also chose to inconvenience many more because in order to accomodate you, other guests were pushed behind, servers needed to adjust. Yet you are upset. Makes no sense to me.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Some will flame me for changing the reservation number but it is their attitude that bothers me. Be our Guest, Liberty Tree Tavern, Teppan Edo, 50's Prime Time Cafe all were able to accommodate 2 extra people

1) A restaurant does not have to offer seats when there is no ADR for people in your group.
2) Lots of guests try to add people for meals, and many then get disappointed. (See Below)
3) Additionally, I have no idea why you could not order an entrée.

****************************************************************************************

THE QUESTION OF AN EXTRA PERSON or EXTRA PEOPLE (the "411"):
1) Disney is getting wise to the "but, they decided to join us" or "I miscounted".
2) People can't always get the ADR they want.
3) So, they under-count to get a table.
4) Then, they show up with "unexpected" additional people.
5) In a team meeting, CM's have been told to warn guests against this.
6) If there is room, WDW will not turn away revenue.
7) But, if busy, they will turn away the additions.
8) Go ahead and arrive with the extras, if you like.
9) Just be prepared to have someone stand around while you eat, or get tables in less than desirable locations..
10) I have heard explanations such as . . .
. . . "but, Aunt Suzy decided to join us and we need an extra seat"
. . . "but, two friends from off-site decided to join us and we need two extra seats"
. . . "but, brother-in-law decided to join us and we need an extra seat"
. . . "but, the entire Boy Scout Troop decided to join us and we need 22 extra sets"
. . . "but, my baby is so small that I didn't count her in the number of eaters"

NOTE1: It is far easier going from an odd-number to an even number, such as from 7-people to 8-people, adding a person to an even number of diners, such as going from 6-people to 7-people. Adding odd person can mean adding a table, and this might not be possible. Going from an odd-to-even might only mean adding a chair or using an empty seat. So, if going from even-to-odd, you might not get the extra person a seat. It is always better to get another ADR with the proper people-count.
.
NOTE2: Frequently a party-of-two will try to add a third person at the podium. This can be risky, because many eateries do have tables-for-two. If the guest was slated for one of these, there simply might not be a table available to seat the third person - even if an infant. The extra chair location might extend into an aisle and block access for other guests or Servers.
.
NOTE3: Sometimes it is a threesome adding a fourth. Unfortunately, there are many eateries that do have 3-top tables - usually against a wall or pillar. They can't add a fourth chair, since that would invade the aisle and be unsafe for SERVERS.
.
NOTE4: The final question is that of how many people are in the eatery. There are Fire Codes
which dictate the maximum amount of people. If the capacity is exceeded, there are some big

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I am sorry you didn't have a nice experience at R&C. Whether or not you asked for 2 additional people, they shouldn't be rude. If they allowed the extra people or not shouldn't change how they treated you. You weren't asking for a free meal. That being said when we ate at R&C the staff was never overly friendly like we have had at the other EPCOT restaurants. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time anyway.

 

[Hopefully]

Another voice here who believes you were well accommodated with adding 2 people to such a large party. I also think it is totally inappropriate to post a CM's name on an internet forum.
Hope the rest of your trip was enjoyable.

 

[nicolemb]

For what it's worth, I don't think the computer system works the way you described. It takes the space in your own adr into consideration when trying to add more people. I was able to add two more to one by modifying the res- there was not a 6 person table available, but there was a 2 person slot and I already had one for 4. I'm going to guess that you weren't able to add two because they were booked.

 

[Lisa F]

it seems to me that even a table for 12 would not be easy to move on the fly in a restaurant that is fully booked. It's not like you can just point to that 4 top over there and ask if you can have it instead. It takes a lot of planning and orchestration to get that many seats all together. I'm not sure why JANET should inconvenience all of the people who followed the rules and booked for their party size so they could accommodate someone who did not. There should have been no attitude though but sounds like the only thing that would have made you happy was something that could not be accommodated in a small restaurant.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Your subject line/title appears to be inaccurate. It should be 'R&C Seating Success'.

 

[jrmasm]

Your subject line/title appears to be inaccurate. It should be 'R&C Seating Success'.

That's exactly what I was thinking!

 

[goofy4prez]

I get the eye rolling, that would bother me a bit as well; But for your disappointment and complaining about not getting another table in another location when you added two more people to an already large seating of 12 is beyond me. I'm not trying to be judgmental here since I also like to sit in favorable locations (as do most of us), but your attitude should have been one of thanks and feeling blessed, because that is exactly what you were, fortunate and blessed that they were able to accommodate you...Here's the flame... It's a shame you don't feel that way.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I'm sorry they were rude, I am sure that greatly affects your opinion. I would also not want to sit in the full sun in the Florida summer heat, I am surprised they don't have some sort of awning to shade that area and fans or something.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I think there were two people who reacted inappropriately

1. The CM who rolled their eyes
2. The guests who just show up with 2 extra people and expect the entire staff to be thrilled and give them a perfect table. Your suggestions were "displace someone else so we can have what we want" (AKA as splitting up to take two tables. I am sure the guests assigned to those tables would have loved to all move to your one large table? )

It's a fully booked restaurant and you just show up with extra people and then want them to inconvenience others to make you happy because "it's her birthday" (Did you not notice the celebration buttons on tons of guests.. it's a "special" day for practically everyone now LOL! ) I think you are lucky they just didn't say "I am sorry Sir, but you have 12 seats and we can't assist you" (And if you had been only 12 then there would not have been two people in the sun)

 

[Shellyb84]

I'm sorry the CM rolled their eyes, I agree that is very rude. I also agree with most everyone else though that you were fortunate that they accommodated you. I'm not sure that it would've made a difference, but I would have called as soon as I found out about the +2 to try to change the reservation if I wasn't able to online.

 

[drew64]

Celebrated my daughter's 21st birthday at Epcot this week with my entire family (14). We have enjoyed this restaurant in the past but certainly not with a large group. I made the reservation at the 5 month window for this past Tuesday night. I made the reservation for 12 but my nieces were last minute additions and I tried to change my reservation but the computer system is not very flexible when trying to add on people. It just tries to look for a new table for 14 and says nothing is available.

I went a 1/2 hour early to let them know that there would be 2 extra people. OBI at the front counter then rolled his eyes when I told him we were celebrating a birthday. They gave me a buzzer and 15 minutes later we were buzzed and directed to our table. Rose and Crown seating is both inside and outside.. Our table was in direct sunlight. JANET the seating manager said that was all she could do because we changed the number from 12 to 14. I offered different suggestions of splitting up to 2 tables or waiting longer but JANET attitude was take it or leave it.

My wife and I sat in the sun so the party could continue but we were miserable and we could not even order an entree. Being a Disney veteran, I was shocked by both of these cast member actions. I voiced my displeasure to JANET again when we left.

Some will flame me for changing the reservation number but it is their attitude that bothers me. Be our Guest, Liberty Tree Tavern, Teppan Edo, 50's Prime Time Cafe all were able to accommodate 2 extra people.

Rose and Crown did also you just didn't like the way they did. So, based on your poor planning, you had to add 2 guests to a party of 12 at 5 different restaurants successfully and are complaining? You could not once pick up a phone, call and make these changes ahead of time? How last minute could they have been and still impact 5 meals. I am also rolling my eyes.

 

[Nancyg56]

Rose and Crown did also you just didn't like the way they did. So, based on your poor planning, you had to add 2 guests to a party of 12 at 5 different restaurants successfully and are complaining? You could not once pick up a phone, call and make these changes ahead of time? How last minute could they have been and still impact 5 meals. I am also rolling my eyes.

The problem was that the OP probably could not add the two extra people and either could not or did not make additional adr's for two people for the added guests, so they just shoed up, placing pressure on CM's to find room.
I think that based on how many restaurants had to accommodate this family, the OP was darn lucky. For every one of these impromptu walk-up guests, and the additional two were walk ups, they were accommodated. Now let's take a poll...how many people have successfully walked up to restaurants and were seated, never mind seated with a large group? This family inconvenienced a lot of people and did not understand that the people who he is upset with did not need to help him. And when they did, other guests were impacted. The proper response to that would be "Thank you!!!!"