The "I lied to get an ADR" thread

[thomas998]

Because CRT is a prepaid ADR how should I handle cancelling out the extra space that I don't need? I know I have to make changes 24 hours in advance ...

You can actually just do it at the table whem you get there. I had that happen to me once. The waiter will adjust the bill, the downside is you'll get your refund back in the form of a Disney Gift Card... but since you'll be buying other stuff while your at disney it really doesn't matter.

 

[SWesterman92]

You can actually just do it at the table whem you get there. I had that happen to me once. The waiter will adjust the bill, the downside is you'll get your refund back in the form of a Disney Gift Card... but since you'll be buying other stuff while your at disney it really doesn't matter.

Even though they say any changes or cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance they will still let you cancel off one person the morning of your ADR?????

 

[Connears]

I have never lied to get an adr, but I had a CM do it for me! I was trying to get adr for xmas night 2005 at CG for 9:00pm for 5 people. The CM looked and then said"So you want 9:15pm for 5 adults and an infant..RIGHT! I said "umm, sure.." He then said if the baby is too tired to make it, just tell them when you check-in that night." I got the hint and I did exaclty that. I'm assuming it was a cancellation of the exact size that came up. There was no problem when we checked in..just as the CM said and it was an amazing dinner(with Wishes for xmas).

Connears

 

[marvali]

I know this was addressed earlier on this very thread. 180+10 does not mean you can book 190 days ahead. It means that on day 180 you can make reservations for that day, and then the next 10 days of your vacation. Why is that so hard to understand? I have done this and it makes it easier for onsite guests to make ressies without having to call every day that would be day 180 for a particular day for an ADR. It is a great thing!!

It is not real hard to understand. I have a reservation for December 11-21, 2008. I can call tomorrow (180 days out from December 11) and make ADRs for December 11, December 12 (181 away), December 13 (182 away) and so on to December 21 (190 days away from when I call tomorrow). So since I am staying on Disney property, even though I can't call until 180 days before my trip starts, I can get an ADR "ESSENTIALLY" 190 days away from the day I call to make the ADRs. If you couldn't get day 190 by being on Disney property, they wouldn't call it 180+10. It's just a matter of semantics.

And you are right, it is a great thing and a big benefit of staying on Disney property.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We had a couple of occassions where 1 of us did not show up for our ADR for 11. The person was sick one day, and just too tired the other. And it was no problem at all. We just told them we were one short when we checked in and they didn't blink an eye.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

Because CRT is a prepaid ADR how should I handle cancelling out the extra space that I don't need? I know I have to make changes 24 hours in advance ...

Im assuming you would lose the money on this. Because there is that 24 hour policy.

 

[MadamMim]

I find it hard to believe that if your party size changes you have to remake your reservation.

Sorry if this has already been addressed, but I have the answer to your question. They way the Dining Res system works is that a table is booked, not a party size. So if you're a party of 5 you'll most likely be booked at a 6 top table. If your party size changes to 4, then acording to the (love 'em or loathe 'em) Disney rules of engagement, you should no longer be at a 6 top table. Your friendly CM will rebook a 4 top table and give you a new confirmation number. This not only makes sure your reservation is accurate, makes sure the CM doesn't get in trouble for having too small a party at too large a table (by Disney's standards), but also frees up a 6 top table for a party of 6! Everybody wins.

 

[eeyoregon]

This thread just reminded me of something that happened last year.

We had an ADR for 7 at LTT. We checked-in with 5 of us and told the CM that the other 2 were on their way (they were literally stuck ON Splash Mt due to a technical issue and called on the cell phone).

The CM would not seat us until our entire party was present and was quite rude about it saying that once they arrived we would then get the 1st available table but not necessarily right away.

Irked me to say the least.

Same trip but at Mama Melroses we had an ADR for 7 but the family of 3 we were traveling with had an ill child and went back to the resort. When I checked in at the podium and told them it would just be the 4 of us I was met with a "we'll see what we can do" comment and then we sat and waited for 20 minutes past our ADR time.

Surely they understand that things happen??

 

[OzFan]

This thread just reminded me of something that happened last year.

We had an ADR for 7 at LTT. We checked-in with 5 of us and told the CM that the other 2 were on their way (they were literally stuck ON Splash Mt due to a technical issue and called on the cell phone).

The CM would not seat us until our entire party was present and was quite rude about it saying that once they arrived we would then get the 1st available table but not necessarily right away.

Irked me to say the least.QUOTE]


The same thing happened to us (twice). Once at the Concourse and again at Whispering Canyon. We had a party of 15. One famliy is FAMOUS for being late everywhere they go. We were told we had to wait until our ENTIRE party was there before being seated. We were not even at the same tables. We had ressies for 3 tables of 5. When they did arrive we were given the NEXT availble seating. It did irk me abit, since we were not sitting together, but we were on the same reservation.

Just a quick side note:
I witnessed something last year that really turned me off to LeCellier. We arrived for our ADR and was told it was going to be about a 20 minute wait, ok no biggie. as i sat there I saw at least 10 different people walk up and ask if there was anything available for a walk up (parties ranging from 2 to 5). They were told "no". Some were even told that this resturant books up months in advance. Then that is when it happened. A cute young 20sh girl walked up and asked if there was an opening, she gave a little pout when told "no". She then started pouting and saying it was her birthday. The MALE cast member told her ok, they will find a place for her. I was ticked. I went inside to sit in the air conditioning, I wanted to literally cool off. Then the kicker came, she had a party of 5, just like us, they seated her BEFORE they seated my party. Needless to say my Disney magic was wearing thin. I didn't want to start anything, I hate it when people do that, so I just went up and politely asked why her party got special seating when I had an ADR and had been waiting for 20 minutes, I was told I was checked in and I would get the next table. (SMILE) and pretty much shut up and sit down.

So, I guess what I am saying is that lying to get what you want whether it's a big lie or a little lie, it does HURT someone down the line. It jaded me to one of my favorite places to eat. I am not going back there. As stated before there arre over 100 places to eat. I will find a new favorite.

 

[tlens]

This thread just reminded me of something that happened last year.

We had an ADR for 7 at LTT. We checked-in with 5 of us and told the CM that the other 2 were on their way (they were literally stuck ON Splash Mt due to a technical issue and called on the cell phone).

The CM would not seat us until our entire party was present and was quite rude about it saying that once they arrived we would then get the 1st available table but not necessarily right away.

Irked me to say the least.

Same trip but at Mama Melroses we had an ADR for 7 but the family of 3 we were traveling with had an ill child and went back to the resort. When I checked in at the podium and told them it would just be the 4 of us I was met with a "we'll see what we can do" comment and then we sat and waited for 20 minutes past our ADR time.

Surely they understand that things happen??

Same thing happened to us at the CP.

 

[Tricia1972]

If your entire party is still showing up to dine that evening this is the case. You will not be seated until your entire party is there. I think they may be worried about chatting between tables and maybe if they seat the first 10 (for example) when they are there then those two tables will go slower because they are waiting on the third table to 'catch up'

If some members of your party are not joining you, you'll be seated without a problem. It happened to us three times when we legitimately had sick members who weren't coming to dinner.

 

[Disney8704]

I asked for a party of 3 instead of 2 for Chef Mickeys when I couldnt get a table for 2. And then I posted a thread asking Has anyone ever booked extra people but showed up with less (didnt know about this thread here until now) and people gave me attitude problems, saying it was wrong and etc and I just got completely frustrated and mad and lost interest and cancelled my Chef Mickeys. Now im kicking myself in the butt and I really want my ADR back. I wish I could turn back time and stopped myself from cancelling it. Now all I can do is pray for a miracle something opens up for either a party of 2 or 3!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I'm sure you will be fine. Love Narcoossee's

 

[lacy1101]

I asked for a party of 3 instead of 2 for Chef Mickeys when I couldnt get a table for 2. And then I posted a thread asking Has anyone ever booked extra people but showed up with less (didnt know about this thread here until now) and people gave me attitude problems, saying it was wrong and etc and I just got completely frustrated and mad and lost interest and cancelled my Chef Mickeys. Now im kicking myself in the butt and I really want my ADR back. I wish I could turn back time and stopped myself from cancelling it. Now all I can do is pray for a miracle something opens up for either a party of 2 or 3!

I read the earlier thread and noticed that you said this was for your anniversary. Is there some particular reason you wanted to eat at Chef Mickey's for your anniversary? We love Chef Mickey's and usually try to eat there on our first night at Disney; however, I'm not sure I would choose it for an anniversary dinner. That's just me, though. I'm assuming you've eaten there before?

 

[maxiesmom]

I say go for it, people lie all the time to make life more fun and magical - how many of us have perpetuated the Santa Claus and Easter Bunny are real lie for our children's sake to have a more magical holiday??? I know I have!

Yeah, lying is a skill we should all cultivate.

I would think most adults would be able to tell the difference betwen a lie that is harmless and one that actually causes a company to loose money. But for some reason it is ok to lie to the Disney corporation, as long as you have fun. Wow, people can justify anything on these boards if they want to.

If Disney wanted to give your party of 2 a table that seats 4, it would. Reality is they make more money actually having 4 people at that table then 2.

I really wish they would go to having a non refundable deposit on all ADRs, for each member of the dining party. You only show up with 2 when you reserved for 4, $20 per person gone. Then people who actually want ADRs and have the correct party size could get those reservations. Not people doing an end around on the system.

 

[Shell54]

one of the tricks (ok lies) I was told to use is indeed ask for a table of 4 instead of a table of 2 when you call to make your ressies. I tried to do the right thing with my DH and mine ressies and be honest about "party of 2" but I was being stuck with awfully late dinner times...so I tried my WDW veteran's trick and called back with requests for tables of 3 or in most cases 4 and darn if I didn't get much better times. I cancelled my other deuce ressies and wondered if couples were given late ressies on purpose. My WDW veteran pal told me that when I showed up for my ressie I should just tell them that the other people were sick.... I feel a little bad, but not bad enough not to do it.

 

[dizzknee3]

Yeah, lying is a skill we should all cultivate.

I would think most adults would be able to tell the difference betwen a lie that is harmless and one that actually causes a company to loose money. But for some reason it is ok to lie to the Disney corporation, as long as you have fun. Wow, people can justify anything on these boards if they want to.

If Disney wanted to give your party of 2 a table that seats 4, it would. Reality is they make more money actually having 4 people at that table then 2.

I really wish they would go to having a non refundable deposit on all ADRs, for each member of the dining party. You only show up with 2 when you reserved for 4, $20 per person gone. Then people who actually want ADRs and have the correct party size could get those reservations. Not people doing an end around on the system.

Why does Disney allow this then...It was the concierge desk that suggested I get a table for 3 since 2 was not available..I wouldn't have done it on my own..I would have just assumed I couldn't have a reservation

 

[Disney8704]

It was for breakfast actually. No we never been to CM before.

I read the earlier thread and noticed that you said this was for your anniversary. Is there some particular reason you wanted to eat at Chef Mickey's for your anniversary? We love Chef Mickey's and usually try to eat there on our first night at Disney; however, I'm not sure I would choose it for an anniversary dinner. That's just me, though. I'm assuming you've eaten there before?

 

[lacy1101]

It was for breakfast actually. No we never been to CM before.

Oh, I see. It is a fun place - good luck!

 

[janiebegood]

I have an ADR for 3 on New Year's Eve at 'Ohana. I also have a reservation for my kid at the Never Land Club the same night. Why haven't I dropped my ressie from 3 people down to 2? Because I feel that it's got to be easier to drop from 3 to 2 than to go up from 2 to 3 if my DD balks at being left at the NLC (which we would have to pay for anyway at that point, given the NLC's cancellation policy). When we arrive the day before, we're going to go look at the NLC, get her comfortable, and at that point, I'll probably change my reservation.

The CM who helped with my ADRs suggested we NOT drop from 3 down to 2 until we were very sure our third member would not be joining us.