We're TIW members and enjoy the signature restaurants whenever we visit the world. This is the first time we've experienced serious issues with the ADR system.
Night one at Flying Fish. We had a cocktail at the Bellevue (our current favorite intimate lounge since they destroyed Mizners), then headed down at 7:40 for our 7:50 ADR. We were there right on time, and told it would be "just a few minutes". Then we waited...and waited...and waited. After 20 minutes, we started asking at the podium. Another 10 minutes. We (and our guests who were first-timers) began looking next door to see if they had immediate availability - they also said about 10 minutes. Finally, close to 40 minutes after our ADR, we were seated. We would have MUCH rather stayed for another round at Bellevue than standing around that tiny waiting area. To their credit, when we complained to the manager, he comped a round of drinks for us. That was very nice, but such a long wait really got the dinner off on a bad note.
Next night at STK - same thing. We showed up at 7:55 for our 8:00 ADR; told it would be "just a few minutes". I said "OK, we'll go wait on the rooftop bar" (it was a beautiful, although chilly, evening). No, they said, the rooftop bar would be closed at 8:00. Well, then we'll wait over at the main bar downstairs and have a pre-dinner cocktail. No, they said, that bar is already quite crowded. They suggested we wait in the lobby or outside on the patio. 10 minutes go by, then 15, then 20. All 6 of us were just standing there (they have no benches in the lobby). We finally started going up to the podium (again!) to find out how much longer the wait would be. They said there were several tables that had finished, but the patrons were just "hanging out and not leaving". Our guests (again) went across the way to Maria and Enzo's to see if they could seat us, but they had no availability. We finally did get seated at 8:45, a full 45 minutes after our ADR. STK also had several service missteps during our meal, but that's another story.
So, my questions are: If restaurants (especially the signatures/higher-end locations) are so backed up at later times, why do they not pad some additional times in between seatings? And if they are so crowded, why on earth would you shut down your lounge so early (on a holiday weekend no less!). Rather than enjoying cocktails (and giving them more revenue), why were we just left to stand around for 45 minutes. WTH is that about?!?
We've always enjoyed the signatures, and for us the TIW card works great. But after this weekend, I don't think we'll be renewing. For what they're charging (even with the TIW discounts), they need to do better. And if you're trying to promote your signatures as "fine dining", you don't leave guests milling around waiting for 45 minutes. Just unacceptable.
Perhaps if they added a feature to the TIW program that guarantees seating within 10 minutes of your scheduled ADR (kind of like a foodie Fast Pass), we would re-consider. But until they figure it out, I think we're done with Disney restaurants.
Night one at Flying Fish. We had a cocktail at the Bellevue (our current favorite intimate lounge since they destroyed Mizners), then headed down at 7:40 for our 7:50 ADR. We were there right on time, and told it would be "just a few minutes". Then we waited...and waited...and waited. After 20 minutes, we started asking at the podium. Another 10 minutes. We (and our guests who were first-timers) began looking next door to see if they had immediate availability - they also said about 10 minutes. Finally, close to 40 minutes after our ADR, we were seated. We would have MUCH rather stayed for another round at Bellevue than standing around that tiny waiting area. To their credit, when we complained to the manager, he comped a round of drinks for us. That was very nice, but such a long wait really got the dinner off on a bad note.
Next night at STK - same thing. We showed up at 7:55 for our 8:00 ADR; told it would be "just a few minutes". I said "OK, we'll go wait on the rooftop bar" (it was a beautiful, although chilly, evening). No, they said, the rooftop bar would be closed at 8:00. Well, then we'll wait over at the main bar downstairs and have a pre-dinner cocktail. No, they said, that bar is already quite crowded. They suggested we wait in the lobby or outside on the patio. 10 minutes go by, then 15, then 20. All 6 of us were just standing there (they have no benches in the lobby). We finally started going up to the podium (again!) to find out how much longer the wait would be. They said there were several tables that had finished, but the patrons were just "hanging out and not leaving". Our guests (again) went across the way to Maria and Enzo's to see if they could seat us, but they had no availability. We finally did get seated at 8:45, a full 45 minutes after our ADR. STK also had several service missteps during our meal, but that's another story.
So, my questions are: If restaurants (especially the signatures/higher-end locations) are so backed up at later times, why do they not pad some additional times in between seatings? And if they are so crowded, why on earth would you shut down your lounge so early (on a holiday weekend no less!). Rather than enjoying cocktails (and giving them more revenue), why were we just left to stand around for 45 minutes. WTH is that about?!?
We've always enjoyed the signatures, and for us the TIW card works great. But after this weekend, I don't think we'll be renewing. For what they're charging (even with the TIW discounts), they need to do better. And if you're trying to promote your signatures as "fine dining", you don't leave guests milling around waiting for 45 minutes. Just unacceptable.
Perhaps if they added a feature to the TIW program that guarantees seating within 10 minutes of your scheduled ADR (kind of like a foodie Fast Pass), we would re-consider. But until they figure it out, I think we're done with Disney restaurants.