No Walk-Ups. Reservations Only!

[The MaD Hatter]

So I noticed something interesting at the Biergarten the other day. They always seem to have a sign out front that states "No walk-up. Reservations only," or something to that effect. Fortunately I had made an ADR for lunch there this past Saturday. While waiting to check in, they turned several people away who did not have reservations. I thought to myself that they must be very crowded due to F&W, but when we got inside the place was empty -- about 6 tables in the entire place were being used during the hour we were there. I found it very odd that they would turn so many guests away when they had more than enough tables available. Is this the case at other table service locations too -- that they refuse to serve anyone who doesn't have a reservation no matter how many empty tables they have? If so, this is very annoying and seems like a bad business decision to me.

 

[Weather_Lady]

That does seem odd! I wonder if they had a huge number of no-shows for ADRs. I've had lunch there as a walk-up (during Easter break), but that was a long time ago, in 2005.

 

[bgraham34]

I was there in Dec of last year and they told me they could not take walk ups. I was shocked. We took a peek inside and it was about 20% full.

 

[Gabe1]

Why would you turn away revenue? The only thing I can think of is so much of the german food takes a long time to prepare for the buffet, slow, long cooking process is part of german cooking. Maybe they need a ballpark idea of how much food to prepare for the day?

I've only gone twice since Germany went to a buffet and am done. I loved the menu choices and their sauerbraten with dumplings and gravy was perfection. The buffet does match the quality of authentic German food they once served.

 

[Master Yoda]

Just because they have empty tables does not mean they have the staff on hand to support them.

 

[Mrs. Jobson]

Last Sunday we were at the world on our last day and called to try to make an ADR for a character breakfast that morning. The lady on the phone was checking for availability. I told her that I knew it was last minute but my son loved the characters so much that we wanted to try and sneak one more in. At first she couldn't find anything so I asked her if there was a possibility that if we just showed up could we be worked in. She said that it is possible and happens all the time due to cancellations. She said that most restaurants have to go by fire code and can only have so much availability per person. That's why they try to be so strict with ADR's.

As for this case at Germany. I don't know. Maybe they were expecting a big group.

 

[The MaD Hatter]

Just because they have empty tables does not mean they have the staff on hand to support them.

That was the only explanation I could come up with myself. But do you know if this is par for the course at other table locations too or is it specific to Biergarten?

 

[Monty]

Another possibility is they have lots of un-canceled ADRs. With F&W on, many people who have ADRs end up filling up on the many amazing offerings around WS and can't imagine eating at a buffet. The restaurant might have difficulting seating the ADRs if they did show up after they've let walk-ups in.

 

[The MaD Hatter]

That does seem odd! I wonder if they had a huge number of no-shows for ADRs. I've had lunch there as a walk-up (during Easter break), but that was a long time ago, in 2005.

Yeah, back in the day, you could walk-up to almost any restaurant (except the super-popular ones) and get a table. You may have to wait an hour or more during peak dining hours, but you could still get in without a reservation.

 

[The MaD Hatter]

Another possibility is they have lots of un-canceled ADRs. With F&W on, many people who have ADRs end up filling up on the many amazing offerings around WS and can't imagine eating at a buffet. The restaurant might have difficulting seating the ADRs if they did show up after they've let walk-ups in.

The reason I made an ADR was because I thought they may be crowded due to F&W. But I was also turned away back in early September (before F&W started) because I didn't have an ADR and they were more than half-empty then too.

 

[Master Yoda]

That was the only explanation I could come up with myself. But do you know if this is par for the course at other table locations too or is it specific to Biergarten?

I couldn't tell you. You would think that the reservation system would make knowing what you need in the way of staff pretty easy, but anything could happen. ADR's could be light when the schedule gets made and then it spikes overnight, people call in sick or quit without notice, etc.

 

[luv]

It happens too often. Just a couple weeks ago we tried to walk-up to that buffet thing in DHS. No, reservations only. So we called and made a reservation for an hour later and immediately walked up, lol.

Always call if they won't let you sit down. They'll let a place sit 3/4 empty but won't take a walk-up sometimes. It's weird. I don't get it at all, but I'm sure they have some dumb reason to turn people away.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Who knows...another thought is maybe they leave slots open in the less popular restaurants for those who make late ADRs? Doesn't make sense for the less popular joints....

 

[tare]

We were there last December at the bier fatten and my husband just walked up and they said yes and seated us 10 minutes later--we had no problems without having resies--

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Were you there close to the beginning of lunch service? Did the restaurant get more busy during your time there? I could see it if you were there right as lunch was starting and people slowly started filling in. It would overwhelm the kitchen and the wait staff if they sat every single table all at the same time.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

With it being a buffet, they might also not want to have to prepare excess food that might go to waste. i.e. maybe it's easier to keep costs in check by only prepping enough food for the ADRs booked for that day...give or take. That would go hand in hand with MasterYoda staffing comment. i.e. why staff for 100% capacity if lunch is rarely over 30% (just hypothetical #s of course).

 

[lazyboy97o]

It doesn't matter why, it makes for a poor guest experience in a place that is supposed to e all about guest experience. Just another example of Efficiency trumping Show and Courtesy. Disney is not some mom and pop operation that is being strained or caught off guard.

 

[tare]

Were you there close to the beginning of lunch service? Did the restaurant get more busy during your time there? I could see it if you were there right as lunch was starting and people slowly started filling in. It would overwhelm the kitchen and the wait staff if they sat every single table all at the same time.

No we got there about 5:30 it was a spur if the moment decision. I wanted rouladen!! Yummy!!!

 

[The MaD Hatter]

Were you there close to the beginning of lunch service? Did the restaurant get more busy during your time there? I could see it if you were there right as lunch was starting and people slowly started filling in. It would overwhelm the kitchen and the wait staff if they sat every single table all at the same time.

Our ADR was for 2:00 and the place never got any more crowded. The whole thing seems kinda stupid if you ask me.

Walk-up guest: "We don't have a reservation but can I have a table for 2 please?"
CM: "No, reservations only. Sorry."
Leaves and calls 407-WDW-DINE. "Can I make a reservation for Biergarten for 2 for 5 minutes from now?"
Phone CM: "Certainly, there's lots of a availability. Let me take care of that for you."
Back to check-in at Biergarten, now with ADR: "I have a reservation for 2."
CM: "Yes I see. Right this way, our hostess will show you to your table."

 

[lazyboy97o]

Our ADR was for 2:00 and the place never got any more crowded. The whole thing seems kinda stupid if you ask me.

Walk-up guest: "We don't have a reservation but can I have a table for 2 please?"
CM: "No, reservations only. Sorry."
Leaves and calls 407-WDW-DINE. "Can I make a reservation for Biergarten for 2 for 5 minutes from now?"
Phone CM: "Certainly, there's lots of a availability. Let me take care of that for you."
Back to check-in at Biergarten, now with ADR: "I have a reservation for 2."
CM: "Yes I see. Right this way, our hostess will show you to your table."

It is the result of Efficiency for Disney being the true defining factor of how Walt Disney World is operated. Show or Courtesy are just marketing buzz words that only meant something in a time now past.