Why priority seating?

[cheyita]

Okay - this may sound like a ridiculous question to some of you, but is it that important to have priority seating? In our last couple of trips to WDW we didn't have sit-down dinner anywhere other than Cape May (since we were at BCV), and would grab food on the fly at the parks. Are there some places that it is really necessary to have that arranged?

And (I know this will provoke varied opinions) - what restaurant is so good that I should make the effort for priority seating, assuming that is the only way we'll get in...

 

[Grumpy92]

THe general rule of thumb for PSs is you need them if you are visiting during a holiday, want to go to a character meal or one of the more popular restaurants.

Popular EX. Cal Grill, WC, Le Cellier, V&As, Hoop De Doo, Narcoossees

Otherwise you dont really need them. Holidays are really the high priority time for a PS.

 

[Scottwdw]

Remember, a Priority Seating (PS) is NOT a reservation unless you are asked for a credit card. Otherwise, if you find you cannot make your PS, don't worry about it. The table will go to the next checked in party with a PS or a walk up group.

Another rule I go by is if I REALLY want to eat at a particular PS restaurant, I make a PS. Why be disappointed?

For more information, visit my web site (use links in my signature).

 

[ryansmom]

Also, priority seating is a necessity if you are travelling with a larger group.

 

[crisi]

We don't travel at peak times and have had poor luck with walkups. We just got back from going the second week in October and watched people getting turned away from Teppanyaki (at 5:00, no walk ins available all evening), the Ohana's character breakfast, Le Cellier and Boma. Some people have great luck with walk ups. I always schedule one sit down meal per day via PS - if I don't want it, we can just not show. But by 4:00pm, I'm always looking forward to a nice sit down hour long dinner with a drink and a waitress - plenty of time to make it to a 6:00 PS.

It does depend on how large your party is - two is easier to seat than six. When you go - September can be easier than Christmas (although sometimes the restaurants are lightly staffed in September and won't seat every table), when you eat - eating a late lunch or early dinner is better than trying to get seated at 6:00. Where you are interested in eating (Marrakesh in Epcot is a great place to go for walkups, Teppanyaki a horrible place to try and walk into). How flexible you can be (at WL, your choices are Whispering Canyon, very popular and need a PS, Artists Point, expensive, nice and not someplace I'd take my kids to, or the snack bar. Or you can leave and try your luck at another resort or DTD or the park. If you are just as happy at the snack bar or Artists Point, or aren't starving and can go someplace else, you won't miss PSs. Starving moms sick of chicken fingers who don't want to take their kids to Artists Point get cranky - generalization based on personal experience).

This last trip we thought Le Cellier was fantastic - and will make a PS again for that. We enjoyed our meal at Teppanyaki - and that is on our "do again" list (although you can do the same meal at your local Benihana). Boma is a favorite here, but we won't go out of our way for that again unless someone we travel with really wants to go (it is worth it to check out the resort). We've always made time for Marrakesh - but that is one that you can usually walk into. A character meal (and I really don't think it matters to much which one, except who appears - the food is always mediocre) is a must do with a PS for every trip - particularly with small kids but we did it before the kids came as well.

 

[Gutto]

Sorry to use your thread, but i have a question to DIS veterans

Even i tried for 15 days, waking up at 5:00 AM, checking my clock from atomicnet and others things, i didn t get a PS for CRT

Is it possible to get a table (3) if you don t have PS to CRT ?? ( early Dec )
Do you know if any person had a great luck ?

thanks

Gutto

 

[2MuchOhana]

Gutto,

I know it is getting expensive calling all the time; but don't give up. There is always a chance that someone will cancel. DIS members often post on the boards if they are going to cancel for whatever reason. Keep your eyes open for that, too.

You can always call when you are there too to see if there is availability. I don't think too many people that just show up get seated; but I could be wrong.

Good Luck! I would send you some Pixie Dust if I had any.

 

[Cinderella37]

Since some would call me a control freak, but I like to have the peace of mind that we will have a table at a restaurant. We have lunch and dinner PS daily on our trips. If you're going during a holiday period or summer, I would strongly recommend PS. I can't tell you how many times in July we walked into a restaurant and were seated within five minutes of our PS and the restaurant wasn't even taking stand-by reservations (often leading to walking through hungry and disgruntled guests).

 

[cheyita]

Thanks everyone. Based on your responses, I don't feel I need to worry about PS for our family of 4 going next month. There are days we prefer simple meals on the fly (fast foodish). For the couple of sit-downs we'll have, I think we'll be able to find somewhere that can fit us in. Plus we're going during Food & Wine, so I'm sure that will help us out with the eating at least one day! The only place I'm in question about is that I'd like to check out Chef Mickey's - seems like a cool place to take the kids. I suppose if we can come up with an actual agenda for our trip, I'll make PS there since it would be going out of our way to get there no matter where we are that day - although I'll aim for a day we're at MK so we can just jump on the Monorail. Thanks again.

 

[mrsltg]

Cheyita-

I just noticed when you are going. You are not going during a "light" time of year. You're going to be there for Vet's Day, Jersey Week, Super Soap, and F&W Fest. There will be lots of people at WDW with you. I highly recommend scheduling a PS for meals that you really want. You may have difficulty walking into a restaurant.

Erin

 

[cheyita]

Gosh, I figured it wouldn't be empty, being Veteran's Day week, but I was hoping it wouldn't be too bad. I will definitely get myself PS for Chef Mickey's and if there is any other sit-down restaurant we decide to try. Thankfully, staying at a DVC location we just have our breakfast in the room.