Weird Dining Reservation Experience

[CVW]

We're staying at HRH June 9-11. I called down to get some dining reservations. There's no centralized number for hotels, Citywalk and the parks.

First I call HRH. The woman there says that HRC is not on her system, and there are no reservations taken there, anyway. You simply walk in. For in-park dining, she sent me to the dining number. When I got transferred, it was very difficult for me to hear him through all the background noise. He said he was located right next to the Hulk coaster. (Sounded like he was located ON it.)

He first told me that HRC DID take reservations, so we made those. But then he didn't know the closing time for some of the restaurants. He said, Mythos, for example, doesn't decide until a couple of weeks ahead of time if it will serve dinner.

For the reservations that he DID make, I then asked for a reservation number. He said, "Just tell them Steve made the reservation." [Not his name.]

WHAT?? By this logic, anybody could claim a reservation by knowing a reservation clerk's first name.

Some questions:

1. Does HRC indeed take reservations?
2. Why would Mythos not be open for dinner on a weekend in June?
3. Is it normal for a reservation number to simply be a guy's first name?
4. Is Universal Dining reservation system run by chimpanzees? If so, should I bring along bananas for tipping?

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Yeah, the USO dining system is a bit different than their competition up the street.

While I've never gone during a busy time like June, reservations are rarely needed in my experience at US/IOA/Citywalk. There are a couple exceptions, like Emeril's, Tcoup Chop and Mythos. Mythos we usually book a day or two in advance of when we'd like to eat there. Their hours do vary.

For HRC, we've been told the same thing, they don't take ressies. We've been there over a dozen times, and we've never had a long wait even without ressies. If you're staying onsite, your room key will get you in even quicker. I believe that Bubba Gumps doesn't take ressies, either.

Anyway, in all my trips to Orlando, we usually start at WDW and end at USO. The need for ADRs at WDW booked months in advance has become almost a necessity, and it's very different at Citywalk and the restaurants at those parks. If you like to plan all your meals months in advance, I suppose this could be a negative, but if you like to go with the flow and eat where you feel like on any given day, it's a big plus

 

[phamton]

For the reservations that he DID make, I then asked for a reservation number. He said, "Just tell them Steve made the reservation."

Did "Steve" ask you your name? If so, that is all he needed to make a reservation. You don't get a reservation number. The reservation is in your name, not a number like Disney. Most places at Universal, IoA, and Citywalk do not take reservations for dining after 5:00 PM. After 5:00 is walk up only. There are a few exceptions like Emerils.

Mythos' normal closing hours are 3:00 PM. During busy seasons, they stay open later but like "Steve" told you, that isn't known until closer to the date. Most people just make reservations for Mythos on the day they are dining by stopping at the dining cart either in Citywalk or at one of the dining carts near the entrance of both parks. You can also drop in at Guest Services and they can make it for you.

You are going in with a Disney experience where reservations need to be made months in advance. That is not necessary at Universal. You should have no problem getting in if you make a reservation the day of your visit. If you are eating after 5:00 PM just be aware that it is walk-up only for most of the places.

 

[CVW]

So is my HRC reservation for real or not? The hotel told me I couldn't, but dining made one for me. (And I have the reservation number "JimBob" to prove it!)

 

[CVW]

Thanks for the info. Phamton, you posted as I was writing. As always,it's an honor to see your name in one of my threads.

Still confused about my HRC reservation.

 

[phamton]

I've seen HRC take reservation and other times say only walk-up. My guess, and it is only a guess, is that they take a certain number of reservation and after that number is reached, they only accept walk-ups. If you were given a reservation, I am sure it is valid.

 

[robvia]

Like others have said, it's not an issue.
For Emiril's, or Tchop Chop, there are separate numbers you can call. I have most of that info on my menu page.
There's a stand near the entrance of Citywalk to make reservations for everything else. They'll give you a card and enter your name into a computer.
Universal Menus

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I posted this on the TripAdvisor forum in response to a UO, restaurant reservation question there. Hopefully, it will help you too.

If you plan to dine at either of Emeril's restaurants, a reservation is mandatory. Book as far ahead as possible. They fill up fast. Reservations at The Palm & Bice aren't as hard to get, but they can also be made at the following link:
http://www.opentable.com/start.aspx?m=28&n=64

Reservations for Hard Rock Cafe can be made at the following link or by calling 1-407-224-FOOD:
https://www.hardrock.com/px/px/register.asp?
selLocation=ORLANDO

NBA City reservations:
http://www.nba.com/nbacity/index.html

1-407-224-9255 - Number for making reservations at restaurants in Universal Parks & Resorts (excluding Emeril's)

1-407-224-2155 - Margaritaville

1-407-224-FOOD - Bob Marley, Pat O'Briens, Latin Quarter, & Pastamore
The number for Bubba Gump is 1-407-903-0044, but I'm not sure if they're taking reservations yet or not.

1-407-224-7223 is the number for Nascar Sports Grille. It has been recently redone. Like Bubba Gump, I'm not sure if they're taking reservations yet.

You can also make same day reservations at kiosks at CityWalk & in the parks.

We usually eat at Emeril's, Mytho's, & in the Resorts. All of which take reservations. We do occasionally eat at other CW restaurants, but only if we have reservations. If we can't make reservations, we choose places where we can. Some of the restaurants (i.e. Mythos) don't finalize schedules or take reservations, until around 2 weeks in advance.

Note: Some of the restaurants take reservations. Some take priority seating, which is pretty much the same as having a reservation.

 

[Melanie230]

I LOVE the PX on the Hard Rock Cafe website. You just put in a few bits of info and print it off. I took our print out to the hostess INSIDE and she sat us down within 5 minutes. I believe the wait that night was over an hour.

 

[macraven]

I posted this on the TripAdvisor forum in response to a UO, restaurant reservation question there. Hopefully, it will help you too.

If you plan to dine at either of Emeril's restaurants, a reservation is mandatory. Book as far ahead as possible. They fill up fast. Reservations at The Palm & Bice aren't as hard to get, but they can also be made at the following link:
http://www.opentable.com/start.aspx?m=28&n=64

Reservations for Hard Rock Cafe can be made at the following link or by calling 1-407-224-FOOD:
https://www.hardrock.com/px/px/register.asp?
selLocation=ORLANDO

NBA City reservations:
http://www.nba.com/nbacity/index.html

1-407-224-9255 - Number for making reservations at restaurants in Universal Parks & Resorts (excluding Emeril's)

1-407-224-2155 - Margaritaville

1-407-224-FOOD - Bob Marley, Pat O'Briens, Latin Quarter, & Pastamore
The number for Bubba Gump is 1-407-903-0044, but I'm not sure if they're taking reservations yet or not.

1-407-224-7223 is the number for Nascar Sports Grille. It has been recently redone. Like Bubba Gump, I'm not sure if they're taking reservations yet.

You can also make same day reservations at kiosks at CityWalk & in the parks.

We usually eat at Emeril's, Mytho's, & in the Resorts. All of which take reservations. We do occasionally eat at other CW restaurants, but only if we have reservations. If we can't make reservations, we choose places where we can. Some of the restaurants (i.e. Mythos) don't finalize schedules or take reservations, until around 2 weeks in advance.

Note: Some of the restaurants take reservations. Some take priority seating, which is pretty much the same as having a reservation.

can we get this info put in the sticky for this forum?

 

[patster734]

When staying on property, I don't make reservations unless I'm eating at either Emeril's or Emeril's Tchoup Chop. When staying off property, we usually stop at the dining booth in the morning, prior to visiting one of the parks, and make a priority seating for an evening meal at one of the Citywalk restaurants (excluding Emeril's which usually needs reservations a few months in advance).

 

[macraven]

mythos is the only place i have done ressies for when i go in the summer.
other times, i'm a walk in