What exactly is Priority Seating?

[PAcpl]

Can someone please help out this complete newbie? DW and I went to Disney for our first time this past September. We found out way too late that you need to start making ADRs well in advance. The only ADR we made the entire trip was a FDP. Although that was great, I know we missed out on a lot of great dining experiences.

We are going back to Disney at the end of the month and we have a total of 9 ADRs. Quite a step up from our last trip, but I still feel there is a need for improvement. I have been reading a lot about Priority Seating, but I am a little lost. Is priority seating like a waitlist? Do you make priority seating when you get to the parks or when you are planning in advance? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[tiger4me2]

When you have a ADR for say 5 PM you should arrive at the resturant about 15 minutes ahead of time (this is what we do) They sign you in & then then will call you around 5 PM or soon after shouldn't have to wait that long. But we get the first ope3ning time for all of our ADr's

 

[swift]

Priority Seating is the old name for ADRs. So if you have read anything referring to PS at WDW it is old information.

Just to confuse us, I think it is still called Priority Seating at Disneyland in California.

 

[disnut8]

Not sure where you've been reading about priority seating but that is what the Advanced Dining Reservations used to be called at Disney World. Since you already have nine dining reservations, you don't have to do anything at all. You've got what you need.

 

[TDC Nala]

At this point Disney is just callling them "reservations."

Which is not entirely correct. For general restaurant reservations, WDW does not hold a table open for your party. Your "reservation" means you'll get the next open table that will fit your party.

 

[PAcpl]

Great, thanks for everyones help. I just want to make sure im not missing out on something!

Thanks again,

Brian