What are our chances of sitting together?

[donaldsgal]

Moved our Crystal Palace ADR from March 24 (Monday after Easter) to Wednesday of that week (March 26). The 24th reservation was for 4 of us, and we got a table of 4. When we switched, they only had two tables of 2 available. I took it and was told there was no guarantee we'd be seated together but that they'd do their best.

My only other experience with something like this - having a party split up over multiple tables with no guarantee that we'd be together was at Le Cellier.

On December 30th.

A Saturday night.

For a table of 10.

And we ended up together with no problems.

What are the chances our luck will continue? I asked about getting there early and was told (in a snippy tone, which was the only time the CM wasn't polite and helpful the whole conversation) that this wouldn't help. However, with the reports that people here on the DIS make about recommending people show up right when a restaurant opens to try to do a walk-in, I really hope this works. It's my sister, mother, and my niece who is 2, so I really want to sit with them.

Any thoughts/experiences on this one? And despite the CM's advice, would you try to arrive early to help the process along of getting a table for 4?

 

[stellablue]

I would definately get there a bit early-it never hurts to ask. You also might want to give Disney reservations a call back to see if a table your size opens up-people cancel and cancel at the last minute all the time.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

We had a similar situation in January. We were a table of 6 and found out that friends were going to be there the same week - so we wanted to add 3 to our reservation. They were able to get a separate reservation for 3 within about 10 min of ours. We just showed up at the restaurant a little early - all together - and explained what we wanted. The host was able to pull a ninth chair to a table that normally seats 8 and we were good to go. The host was very flexible and willing to find a way to accomodate us.

The thing I realized is this - the folks taking your ADR's over the phone are just filling set slots. They don't have the flexibility to say "let's push some tables together" or add a chair here, etc... The phone people have no clue about how the restaurant manages it's tables - and I'm sure all restaurants are different (some more flexible than others).

Get to your restaurant early - explain the situation to the host and give them a chance to work it out. I'm sure they will!

 

[MadamMim]

It's all about the magic. Disney Dining CMs are required to tell any split party that they may not be seated together, if it's four or forty. They'll also discourage you from going early to the reservation because that will potentially just increase your wait time, making you resentful that you're missing time in the park and also more cranky if the restaurant still can't seat your party together. The whole thing is designed so that the restaurants know that every guest has been told the same information and that it's up to them (their table arrangements, their staffing for the evening, and any other large groups they know they've got coming) to see what they can do about it. It's also a great way to give people unexpectedly better service when they do get to sit together (which happens 9 times out of 10).

Bottom line is: don't stress about it. Just go to the location at the time you would normally, expect a bit of a wait while they see if they can do it (even tell them you don't mind waiting for another table to leave), and enjoy your meal. Everything will be grand.

 

[donaldsgal]

Bottom line is: don't stress about it. Just go to the location at the time you would normally, expect a bit of a wait while they see if they can do it (even tell them you don't mind waiting for another table to leave), and enjoy your meal. Everything will be grand.

Thanks for your post. I'm not sure if you're saying not to stress because I'll get what I want or if you're saying not to stress since it's not a big deal if we sit together. I would agree with the first and not the second. It does matter to me to be seated with my niece, who is 2, since this is the first trip where she "gets" where she's going and will know the characters. I do agree, however, that in the grand scheme of things, having two tables of two at Crystal Palace is better than one table of four at Red Lobster in Ohio where we live, so I get what you're saying. I just want to ensure we're all together. But thanks for clarification on the policy and for posting.

 

[robhawk]

During President's week we had 12 of us in our party. 6 different ADR's had us at different tables. We arrived a 10 minutes early and sat together every time. Twice they were side by side tables and the others were one big table. Good luck!

Rob

 

[MadamMim]

Thanks for your post. I'm not sure if you're saying not to stress because I'll get what I want or if you're saying not to stress since it's not a big deal if we sit together. I would agree with the first and not the second. It does matter to me to be seated with my niece, who is 2, since this is the first trip where she "gets" where she's going and will know the characters. I do agree, however, that in the grand scheme of things, having two tables of two at Crystal Palace is better than one table of four at Red Lobster in Ohio where we live, so I get what you're saying. I just want to ensure we're all together. But thanks for clarification on the policy and for posting.

Oh my gosh, you totally caught me! Old habits die hard I suppose and I was giving you the castmember reassurance without actually answering your question. I don't think it'll be a problem. And I hope you have a fantastic time with your niece.

 

[donaldsgal]

Oh my gosh, you totally caught me! Old habits die hard I suppose and I was giving you the castmember reassurance without actually answering your question. I don't think it'll be a problem. And I hope you have a fantastic time with your niece.

LOL - Thanks. No problem. After the various posts, I'm pretty reassured that we'll be seated together. I'll be extra sweet to the CM at the podium when we check in.

 

[disnut8]

We've had two separate incidents of having special meals for large groups. One for eleven at Cape May (my son's 21st birthday) and one for 12 at LeCellier (the renewal of our vows on our 20th anniversary). Both times we were told there was no guarantee we would be seated together. Both times there was absolutely no problem. I hadn't even told them about the special events.

Don't stress. It'll be fine.