Dining solo at 'Ohana

[Zummi Gummi]

So, this seems a bit odd...

One night during my next trip, I'm going to be dining solo, and want to eat dinner at 'Ohana. When I went to go book an ADR online for 1 guest, the restaurant came up as booked. I then changed the criteria for two guests, just out of curiosity. Suddenly, there were several time slots available.

Why is this?

I went ahead and booked a reservation for 2, even though it will just be me. Will I be turned away when I arrive?

 

[Monorail Lime]

How bizarre!! Does Disney dining have a prejudice against solo travelers?

 

[Pioneer Hall]

That is odd. I didn't have any problem searching for solo dining for the day I am by myself this weekend. Wonder what it could be about 'Ohana that would make it biased against solo diners.

I don't think you would be turned away when you come with only one person. You're using the same table you would have had if they would have allowed you to book your solo spot.

 

[menamechris]

This has happened to me so it is not just a fluke. A couple months ago, I decided I wanted to have dinner at Chef Mickey's, because I had never been there and wanted to see what the big deal was about. I did the same thing as you. When I put it in as 1, it didn't show a reservation. When put in as 2, it popped up. Shhh..I finally made the reservation for 2, then showed up and said my friend bailed on me. :lol: I am not sure WHY they do that, but it seems to be very intentional.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

The odd thing is, 'Ohana is the ONLY restaurant I've encountered this problem with. I've solo-dined at other numerous other restaurants before, and this was never an issue. Weird.

Well, I booked a reservation for 2, and then will just tell them the other person couldn't make it (which is true...sort of...my friend was supposed to come the whole week, but has to leave 3 days early, so I'm flying solo the end of the week.).

 

[menamechris]

LOL - If you are gonna feel guilty or something, I'll come out! I can never turn down 'Ohana!

 

[Mukta]

This happened to me when I booked breakfast at Kona and dinner at Artist's Point. When I put in '1', nothing came up, but when I put in '2' lotsof times available.
There was no issue when I checked in at the restaurant. I told them I was alone and I was seated.

 

[jaime_1234]

The same thing happens to us when we try to book for 3 vs. 4. Trying for 3 people will show nothing, but trying for 4 will all of a sudden show availability. We think it has to do with trying to fill the tables to capacity, especially at a place with a set price, like a buffet or family-style restaurant. For every empty seat at a table, that means about 30 less dollars coming in, and less tip for the server. But that's just been our guess, because it seems to happen whenever we book buffets.

 

[lilclerk]

That happened to me at Le Cellier last year. I made the reservation for two people anyway, and they didn't even blink when I got there by myself.

 

[menamechris]

It would be very interesting to see if as the date gets closer, they release tables for any number of people. I think that happened to me once. I assumed someone cancelled, but now that I think about it, I wonder if they hold off on reservations for solos until 24 or 48 hours away.

 

[The MadHatter]

its because ohana means family so they discriminate against solo diners
....hahah jk

 

[Gee70]

So, this seems a bit odd...

One night during my next trip, I'm going to be dining solo, and want to eat dinner at 'Ohana. When I went to go book an ADR online for 1 guest, the restaurant came up as booked. I then changed the criteria for two guests, just out of curiosity. Suddenly, there were several time slots available.

Why is this?

I went ahead and booked a reservation for 2, even though it will just be me. Will I be turned away when I arrive?

Nope you will not be turned away, have been booking for two even though most of the time I travel solo. For some reason the system cannot find a table for one which states no availability. CM's at the 407-dining did states the same. Just like as the previous poster said if you need company just tell us when to show up

 

[Coach81]

Interesting...

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Not to raise this from the dead a year later, but I just had a similar experience. I went to book a reservation at Trail's End for next Wed night, when I will be on my own. I was pretty surprised that it told me there was nothing available considering Trail's End is far from a hard ADR. I then searched for two people, and I was given my choice of dining times.

So I decided I was going to experiment and see if this is happening at any other locations. Sure enough there are a few that for some reason do not want to let you book solo. Just for Wed I see this issue with Akershus, Chef Mickey's, Narcoossee's, and Olivia's.

 

[Victoria]

I encountered this over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon I attempted to find myself a last minute ADR for pretty much any restaurant in, near, or around the Magic Kingdom. Through the Mobile Magic app I searched for a table for 1 and nothing came up anywhere on property except for Olivia's Cafe, Turf Club, and a few random places in DtD. When I searched for a party of 2 the results were entirely different. Suddenly I could choose from Grand Floridian Cafe, The Plaza, Tony's, Trails End, Liberty Tree, and Kona. I ultimately went with the 8:15p at the Plaza and just said the other half of my group bailed on me. :shrug:

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I encountered this over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon I attempted to find myself a last minute ADR for pretty much any restaurant in, near, or around the Magic Kingdom. Through the Mobile Magic app I searched for a table for 1 and nothing came up anywhere on property except for Olivia's Cafe, Turf Club, and a few random places in DtD. When I searched for a party of 2 the results were entirely different. Suddenly I could choose from Grand Floridian Cafe, The Plaza, Tony's, Trails End, Liberty Tree, and Kona. I ultimately went with the 8:15p at the Plaza and just said the other half of my group bailed on me. :shrug:

It's so odd. I wonder if it is a glitch or if it is being strategically being done that way.

 

[Victoria]

It's so odd. I wonder if it is a glitch or if it is being strategically being done that way.

I would be willing to bet it is strategic. Disney likes to have their seats filled, particularly in their more popular locations. They are probably banking on solo travelers searching for table for 1, seeing no availability, and just giving up. In my case, I did get some availability for a solo table, but it was all in restaurants that you can walk up to pretty much anytime you like. Seems as though they want to direct the solo traffic to the less popular places and keep the busier restaurants available for parties who will fill a whole table.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I would be willing to bet it is strategic. Disney likes to have their seats filled, particularly in their more popular locations. They are probably banking on solo travelers searching for table for 1, seeing no availability, and just giving up. In my case, I did get some availability for a solo table, but it was all in restaurants that you can walk up to pretty much anytime you like. Seems as though they want to direct the solo traffic to the less popular places and keep the busier restaurants available for parties who will fill a whole table.

I would agree, if I saw it only happening with popular restaurants. Next Wed, I saw this issue at Trail's End and Olivia's. Both of which are restaurants that I could just walk up to usually and get a seat. That's what is just making me wonder about the whole thing.

 

[Silver Figment]

Seems like they might just do that to encourage people to brings others which means more money for Disney. It is a tad stupid though.

 

[Communicore]

I wonder if you book a table for 8 at Biergarten and you show up as yourself, do they give you a death stare and give you your reserved table, or do they sit you with other people?