Why does Le Cellier show availability for 3 people but not 2?

[roliepolieoliefan]

This is a last minute trip for DH and I only. I was trying to get a Le Cellier reservation for 2 for the 1st week of November. Of course nothing available while we are there.

That is when I key it in for 2 people. If I key it in for 3 people an available table comes up. Why is that? Would you take it and when you check in just say there are only 2?

 

[quirty30]

I've had similar problems. Needed a reservation for 3; nothing. Looked for 4; available. I booked it and called the WDW dining line shortly thereafter and changed it to 3.

 

[westonkamom]

Book it!

 

[cbg1027]

This is just my theory -

Le Cellier has booked up all their 2 seater tables. They have a 4 seater table left. They want to get 3-4 people at that table because then they are selling more food in the same period of time than they would by giving that table to 2 people.

I'm thinking it's also about providing x number of tables to family type groups of 3-4 and x number of tables to parties of 2.

Same thing could happen to a party of 4. Say they try to book and the system shows them no availability. But then when they search for reservations at the same restaurant, around the same time, for a party of 6, there is availability - Disney wants to fill as many seats as possible.

That said, I have booked a reservation for 3 when I was only a party of 2. I just said when I checked in that there were only 2 people now. The host didn't seem to care, I'm sure it happens all the time.

 

[Pumbaa_]

agree, the reservation system they use will leave a table empty before allowing an online booking for 2

Book it and have a great time!

 

[KB24]

file this under awesome thread. my DF's (disney fiance works right? lol) has her bday on 12/8.

i called the IPO and have been checking myself multiple times a day for Le Cell on her birthday and they could give me 3:30 pm for dinner which is far too early and 8:30 PM which is late and we'll miss illuminations.

I looked for 3 today and lo and behold there was a 5:50 available.

 

[goofyintoronto]

file this under awesome thread. my DF's (disney fiance works right? lol) has her bday on 12/8.

i called the IPO and have been checking myself multiple times a day for Le Cell on her birthday and they could give me 3:30 pm for dinner which is far too early and 8:30 PM which is late and we'll miss illuminations.

I looked for 3 today and lo and behold there was a 5:50 available.

Woohooo! Awesome!

And yes, I also agree...BOOK IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JimmyV]

If I key it in for 3 people an available table comes up. Why is that? Would you take it and when you check in just say there are only 2?

You could. But I think it might be safer to book the table, then call the dining number and see if you can change it to 2. The problem is, an ADR is not a reservation for a specific table. By booking the 3, you aren't reserving "table #42" which is a four-top. Instead, you are booking a place in line to be seated. And you will be seated at "the next available table for a party of your size." So if you show up as a 2 instead of a 3, there is a good chance that you will not be seated until a two-top opens up. And if the system is telling you that they don't have any such tables, you could be in for a hefty wait. There are a couple other possibilities, both of which will play out well for you. One is that they will sit you at a four-top and the other is that they will simply move you into the line for a two-top and you will get the next available table that size. Good for you, but not so good for the next few couples who show up and had booked a two-top all along. They might have a longer wait than ususal because you moved over from the line of "3" to the line of "2" and effectively stepped in front of them.

Imagine a restaurant that has 50 tables for 4, and only one table for 2. When booking ADRs, the system will only allow one ADR each hour, on the hour for the lone two-top. People have already grabbed the 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 slots. You grab the ADR for 3 people at 5:30. If you show up at 5:15 as a party of 2 and the couple that has the 6:00 ADR shows up at 5:45, you would jump in front of them if they move you into the line of tables for 2. All of a sudden, the 6:00 ADR and the 7:00 ADR would be in a world of hurt if they seat you at the two-top when the table becomes vacant at 6:00. The only solution to the problem is to put a party of 2 at a table that seats 4 so as to avoid the logjam. So for this reason, you either have to count on that happening, or, you should call dining and see if they can help you out.

 

[tinka-belle]

Adding that there are not that many 2-tops for this restaurant, many tables for 4 or more.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Fortunately the restaurants are much more practical than the reservation system, you will be fine

 

[TLSnell1981]

The system books for a two top, four top, etc... Make the reservation for three. There will be no problem, checking in with two. The only time it's an issue.. is when you must prepay..such as CRT.

 

[cajunprincess]

Just did the same thing after reading this thread! Now I will actually be eating lunch during a lunch hour!

 

[cbg1027]

Fortunately the restaurants are much more practical than the reservation system, you will be fine

I agree.

I've had an ADR for 2 at Le Cellier and we were seated at a four top.

I've booked an ADR for 3 at Coral Reef, showed up with 2, and was seated at a four top.

In fact, most places I've been as a party of two would seat us at four tops now that I think about it.