ADRs not really reservations??

[the1nonlysinger]

Hey everybody! So in preparation for our upcoming trip, I checked out "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids 2012" from the library. First time having a kid in tow so I'm trying to be prepared... (And yes I know it's outdated- it was the most recent version they had!)

I came across something that really surprised me and I wanted to float it by y'all to see if it is real/if you agree. (I'm a frequent WDW visitor, so I'm not worried, just was thrown by what the book said.)

"Disney tinkers ceaselessly with its restaurant-reservations policy. In 2005 Disney decided to change the name from Priority Seating to the rather redundant Advanced Reservations. Indeed, the name is all that changed. When you call, your name and essential information is taken as if you were making an honest-to-goodness reservation. The Disney representative then tells you that you have Advanced Reservations for the restaurant on the date and time you requested. Though they're called Advanced Reservations, most reservations at Disney World don't guarantee you a table at a specific time, as they would at your typical hometown restaurant. The Disney rep usually explains that you'll be seated ahead of walk-ins-- that is,those who do not have Advanced Reservations."

Now, obviously sometimes there is a wait because tables haven't opened up yet. That's normal for ANY restaurant, even outside of Disney. But what are your thoughts on what they said? Accurate? I never got the impression it was more of a call ahead seating... Nor have I ever had to wait very long for my table...

 

[englanddg]

Hey everybody! So in preparation for our upcoming trip, I checked out "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids 2012" from the library. First time having a kid in tow so I'm trying to be prepared... (And yes I know it's outdated- it was the most recent version they had!)

I came across something that really surprised me and I wanted to float it by y'all to see if it is real/if you agree. (I'm a frequent WDW visitor, so I'm not worried, just was thrown by what the book said.)

"Disney tinkers ceaselessly with its restaurant-reservations policy. In 2005 Disney decided to change the name from Priority Seating to the rather redundant Advanced Reservations. Indeed, the name is all that changed. When you call, your name and essential information is taken as if you were making an honest-to-goodness reservation. The Disney representative then tells you that you have Advanced Reservations for the restaurant on the date and time you requested. Though they're called Advanced Reservations, most reservations at Disney World don't guarantee you a table at a specific time, as they would at your typical hometown restaurant. The Disney rep usually explains that you'll be seated ahead of walk-ins-- that is,those who do not have Advanced Reservations."

Now, obviously sometimes there is a wait because tables haven't opened up yet. That's normal for ANY restaurant, even outside of Disney. But what are your thoughts on what they said? Accurate? I never got the impression it was more of a call ahead seating... Nor have I ever had to wait very long for my table...

Well, sortof. It is still a "seating" basis as tables open up, and you can have a wait (I had a rather long one, nearly 25 minutes, at Les Chefs one time). But, they ARE reservations for priority seating.

That's what I think they are trying to communicate, and it's written rather poorly. That, you may show up at your time, but you still may have a short wait for your table. It's not like it will be set up and ready for you guaranteed when you arrive.

 

[daisyduckie]

Yes, that is it exactly. Your time slot is not guaranteed, but they will try and seat you as close to it as possible.

 

[mattdenine]

It's no different than a reservation at any restaurant,they are going to try to seat you as close your time as possible but its not guaranteed

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

At most restaurants the ADR is secured with a credit card. Your card will be charged if you don't cancel (usually the day before) or you don't show up.
On that basis you are guaranteed a table to acomodate your party at that restaurant, they just can't guarantee you will be seated at exactly the time you've booked for as some diners eat slower than others

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It's a reservation. The technicality is just so you can't throw a temper tantrum if you have a 6:00 reservation and they can't seat you until 6:08.

 

[myhappyplace]

They don't have a table waiting for you, unused, at your time. They just give you the next one that works for your party after you check in.

 

[the1nonlysinger]

Well, sortof. It is still a "seating" basis as tables open up, and you can have a wait (I had a rather long one, nearly 25 minutes, at Les Chefs one time). But, they ARE reservations for priority seating.

That's what I think they are trying to communicate, and it's written rather poorly. That, you may show up at your time, but you still may have a short wait for your table. It's not like it will be set up and ready for you guaranteed when you arrive.

I definitely agree- it was worded poorly!! Like everyone has pointed out- that's how reservations typically work- you get a table that opens up as close to your time as possible! Just making sure I wasn't going crazy here. To me, the book made it seem like there was something else going on. Thanks, everybody!

 

[Jon81uk]

Some restaurants in the real world still put a little reserved sign on a table and wait for you to arrive. So if a party arrives an hour before the restaurant may not seat them there if they don't think they will get the table back for you, or tell the other party they need the table back for a booking in an hour.
Whereas at Disney, you are just guaranteed the next available table, so if the party did arrive an hour before, Disney will seat them and not care how long they take, you will just be next on the list for a table of that size.