The "I lied to get an ADR" thread

[mommyto_3princesses]

I guess I am confused by the logic here....

If a party of 2 calls in April for a 7:00pm ADR on October 1st and the only thing left at 7:00pm is a table for 4.....are you saying that you think it's right that they are denied that table in the hopes that a party of four will call and want that reservation?

What if that party of 4 doesnt call until August? Should every party of 2 or 3 that calls between April and August be denied the chance to reserve that table?

In all my years at Disney, I have seen very few (if any) triangular tables. Where is a party of 3 supposed to sit?

And that begs the question of individual diners. Very few Disney restaurants have counter seating, so are parties of 1 out of luck? A table for two would leave an empty seat and therefore supposedly take money from Disney's pockets. What's the solution?

Imagine walking into your favorite hometown restaurant and seeing a sea of empty 4 person tables. The hostess asks how many and you tell her 3. She turns and looks and says "we have nothing for a party of three....would you like to try a different day"? I cant imagine there is a person reading this that wouldnt be at the very minimum, angry.

The problem we have here is that Disney Dining's system is flawed, and thats by there own admission. When working with a flawed system, you have to find solutions that work. People have finally caught on to Disney's flawed system and they are improving it.

The new system should be fully operation by the end of October. This comes directly from Disney.

 

[daisy112878]

I guess I am confused by the logic here....

If a party of 2 calls in April for a 7:00pm ADR on October 1st and the only thing left at 7:00pm is a table for 4.....are you saying that you think it's right that they are denied that table in the hopes that a party of four will call and want that reservation?

What if that party of 4 doesnt call until August? Should every party of 2 or 3 that calls between April and August be denied the chance to reserve that table?

In all my years at Disney, I have seen very few (if any) triangular tables. Where is a party of 3 supposed to sit?

And that begs the question of individual diners. Very few Disney restaurants have counter seating, so are parties of 1 out of luck? A table for two would leave an empty seat and therefore supposedly take money from Disney's pockets. What's the solution?

Imagine walking into your favorite hometown restaurant and seeing a sea of empty 4 person tables. The hostess asks how many and you tell her 3. She turns and looks and says "we have nothing for a party of three....would you like to try a different day"? I cant imagine there is a person reading this that wouldnt be at the very minimum, angry.

The problem we have here is that Disney Dining's system is flawed, and thats by there own admission. When working with a flawed system, you have to find solutions that work. People have finally caught on to Disney's flawed system and they are improving it.

The new system should be fully operation by the end of October. This comes directly from Disney.

Total agree with you!!

 

[thaggie]

I am making my ADRs for a party of 5, but who know how many it will actually be. My mom if her health stays good will come and my dh is coming but....we own our own business and the last two years he has had to leave mid trip. I won't know until a few weeks before we leave if my mom is healthy enough to go and I won't know until we are already into our trip if my dh will be there the whole time.

So I made my ADRS for 5 and I might have 5 or 4 or even 3.

I have found DIS board to have the very, good and helpful people BUT LOT of very opinionated, selfrighteous, mean people. Disney can just seem to bring out the worst in some.

Do what you feel is right for you.

 

[maxiesmom]

The OP lied and said her party of 2 people was actually 3. That means that they will be eating at a larger table. Disney does have 2 tops.

Fact is, if Disney wanted you to have the table they would book it for you without all the tom foolery. You very rarely see a table at a prime Disney location go empty, so why sit a couple at a table that can hold 3 or 4. And a group of 3 or 4 always sit at a 4 top, so DisneyKevin's comparison is a little off.

I'm just saying don't be suprised when Disney takes extreame meausres to put an end to what you all are doing. Any time people get cute and abuse a loophole Disney closes the loophole. And the people who will pay are those who actually have an ill family member, and get treated like they are liars.

I find it unfortunate that the boards seem to have so many self-serving, scamming people lately. Who do not seem to care if what they are doing is right or wrong, as long as the can get away with it and therefore justify it. Who think it is ok to lie for personal gain. Where is the integrity?

 

[goofytetreault]

I've read alot about people making ressies for 3 when they were actually 2, and that they get seated no problem. I understand this works, but in my case is a little more peculiar.

If anyone could help me out with this it would be greatly appreciated;

I have a ressie at CRT for breakfast for 6 people, however we are only 4 and this was the last table available in our time slot.
What should I do, should I just show up and mention that there will only be 4 of us, I know that they ask to call in to cancel at CRT or else they charge you for the missing people, or should I call and explain that 2 people in my party will not be able to attend?

What should I do...

 

[setsail]

Where is the Disney Magic in so many of these posts???? Several times when making ADR's for our family of 5, I have been told "we don't have that available, but do have a 6 person. Will that work for you?" I have always been grateful for the table and never thought "oh the dishonesty!!!"

And to those that obviously walk the straight & narrow at all times....hope we never see you sitting at a 4 top with a party of only 3!!!!

For the OP, keep checking for that ressie and don't listen to the "advice" of the perfects out there. Just have fun on your vacation!!!

 

[Disney8704]

You wanna know what would solve ALL problems...

1 -If people would just butt out of other's people personal business...if they wanna book a table for 3 when theres 2 - let them. How is it affecting you? Dont talk them out of it and make them feel bad - trust me I know how that EXACTLY feels! (maxiesmom and others)

2 - Disney should just do away with all 2 top tables and have nothing but 4 top tables. That way there is no more "lying" and you dont have to hear any more complaining from those who disagree that it's wrong. That way EVERYONE has fair equal chance. You call in for a party of 2, theres a table available - you got it. Sure it would cut down the amount of tables available, but that could be a possible way Disney could cut back on people booking more people then needed on their ADRs. And maybe Disney needs to start having lunch and dinner at ALL restaurants. Its not like they wouldnt make the money. I cant remember how many times I have read on these boards people wished that Boma served lunch.

Those who dont agree with # 1 - stop being a bunch of whinos, mind your own business, dont question why someone did something. If you must, read the post, and move on, dont post. You only will end up making the person feel bad, pissed off, and upset them. And Im not the ONLY one who has felt this way as Im sure others have. In words of Thumper "If you cant say something nice, dont say nothing at all!"

This is supposed to be a place to come for advice and tips. Not to be judged and critized. I told DH what happened yesterday to me, and he couldnt believe it. He feels the same way as I do on this topic. Seriously, do people really have nothing else better to do then to get on here and critize people?

 

[thaggie]

You very rarely see a table at a prime Disney location go empty, so why sit a couple at a table that can hold 3 or 4. And a group of 3 or 4 always sit at a 4 top, so DisneyKevin's comparison is a little off.

Where is the integrity?

The last TWO years I had ADRS at HS Brown Derby and both times tried to change them around a bit (earlier or later time) and was told that they were booked solid. BOTH times we sat there with many empty tables.

And again, I can't believe how many perfect saintly poeople we have here on the DIS boards that are so quick to pass judgment on others. They must truly lead flawless lives. Can't we all just offer advice and or opinions without the character attacks?

 

[Disney8704]

I cant believe how many saints we have on here either. Like they never done 1 bad thing in their entire lives. I have seen the DISboards changed. When I first got on here, everyone was nice, respectful of others, didnt judge people..where have those people gone? They probably left the moment these negative influneces got on here...which if they keep up with it and it gets worse, the DISboards is gonna have 1 less member soon - me! And whenever I meet another DISer - Im gonna come out and say, I feel so sorry for you.

I am making up LGMHs for my trip in 11 days. Im not even sure if I even want them anymore and even wanna have 1 on DH book bag and my fanny pack. Cuz right now I am NOT a proud member of the DISboards. Infact Im embarrased to be part of something so hateful. And its not just because of what happened yesterday, its been something thats been building up for a couple months now and Im about to blow like a volcano.

The last TWO years I had ADRS at HS Brown Derby and both times tried to change them around a bit (earlier or later time) and was told that they were booked solid. BOTH times we sat there with many empty tables.

And again, I can't believe how many perfect saintly poeople we have here on the DIS boards that are so quick to pass judgment on others. They must truly lead flawless lives. Can't we all just offer advice and or opinions without the character attacks?

 

[malcontent]

Scenerio 1: I call and ask for reservations for my party of 3. They have tables available that would accommodate that party, but they do not want to have an empty fourth seat at the table. So they don't volunteer that information. Instead, they tell me there are no tables available, even though there are plenty of tables that would accommodate my party.

Scenerio 2: I call asking for a table for 4. I have 3 in my party, but I don't volunteer that information. I simply tell them I want a table for 4. They take my reservation and give me a table.

I see nothing wrong with scenerio 2. Pixie dust and magic aside, I do understand that Disney is a private company and has a right to maximize its profits. They have the right to impose any policy they wish, as long as its legal and does not unlawfully discriminate. Accordingly, if they chose, they would have the right to deny seating my party of 3 after we had reserved a table for 4. In such case, if I chose, I could decide not to eat at a WDW restaurant. I could even choose not to go to WDW at all.

However, I also think they have turned the whole thing into a game, and we on this board have learned how to play it. That's mainly the reason many of us are here in the first place. So even if it means "splitting hairs" and reserving a table for 4 for my party of 3, I see nothing morally repugnant about it.

 

[marivaid]

note to self : stick to the TR boards

 

[Disney8704]

And them booking a table for 3 instead of 2 concerns you how?????? No one is scamming anyone. People are getting what they want, that simple. They wanna eat at wherever, they can do just that. Its their vacation - NOT YOURS. Theres a BIG difference lying about something serious then lying about how many people are in your party for a meal. Until someone does something that will effect your vacation in some shape or form, you have no right to judge people and call them self-serving and scammers. You calling people these things and putting them down like their lower then dirt is whats wrong. And last time I checked, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do to get something done. If you have to get a table for 4 for a party of 2, then so be it. As my favorite saying / motto...Take what you can, give nothing back!

I find it unfortunate that the boards seem to have so many self-serving, scamming people lately. Who do not seem to care if what they are doing is right or wrong, as long as the can get away with it and therefore justify it. Who think it is ok to lie for personal gain. Where is the integrity?

 

[bgbodnar]

Last year I was going to take my grandson down to Disney in Sept, so I made all my ADR for 3 people, well my daughter decided she wanted to go, with her son. So we decided that I would do down with my grandson down in August with the kids, and then just my husband and I, would go back in Sept. It was too late to change the ADR's so we left the Sept ones as is, with 3 people (as Disney Dining said it would be okay-I called) When we checked in for our ADR I told them there were 2 instead of 3, every place was good with it, except for 50's Prime Time Cafe-they were so rude (not just 1 person, 2 different people-and not Prime Time funny ,but mean rude), plus they kept us waiting over an hour longer. If it wasn't for the tip being included-they would not have gotten any.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

I have a ressie at CRT for breakfast for 6 people, however we are only 4 and this was the last table available in our time slot.
What should I do, should I just show up and mention that there will only be 4 of us, I know that they ask to call in to cancel at CRT or else they charge you for the missing people, or should I call and explain that 2 people in my party will not be able to attend?

What should I do...

At CRT you will be charged for no-shows, since you had to reserve it with a credit card. From what I've read on these boards, if you show up for your time and have less in your party, they'll still charge you and you'll have a longer wait for your table, though some claim to get a sympathetic CM that waives the fee for the no-show, but who knows? I wouldn't take the chance of having to pay for 2 non-existent people and I wouldn't knowingly take away a table from a family of 6 when I only need 4. Share the magic and try to get ressies for your party size.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Fact is, if Disney wanted you to have the table they would book it for you without all the tom foolery. You very rarely see a table at a prime Disney location go empty, so why sit a couple at a table that can hold 3 or 4. And a group of 3 or 4 always sit at a 4 top, so DisneyKevin's comparison is a little off.

But you havent answred my question.

If a party of 2 calls in April for a 7:00pm ADR on October 1st and the only thing left at 7:00pm is a table for 4.....are you saying that you think it's right that they are denied that table in the hopes that a party of four will call and want that reservation?

What if that party of 4 doesnt call until August? Should every party of 2 or 3 that calls between April and August be denied the chance to reserve that table?.

You have insinuated that people are lying in order to get a table.

In the above scenario, should the party of two be denied the available table?

And what if, by chance, that party of 4 never materializes? Disney now has a table sitting empty and has lost all revenue by turning away parties of two and three.

 

[maxiesmom]

I cant believe how many saints we have on here either. Like they never done 1 bad thing in their entire lives. I have seen the DISboards changed. When I first got on here, everyone was nice, respectful of others, didnt judge people..where have those people gone? They probably left the moment these negative influneces got on here...which if they keep up with it and it gets worse, the DISboards is gonna have 1 less member soon - me! And whenever I meet another DISer - Im gonna come out and say, I feel so sorry for you.

I am making up LGMHs for my trip in 11 days. Im not even sure if I even want them anymore and even wanna have 1 on DH book bag and my fanny pack. Cuz right now I am NOT a proud member of the DISboards. Infact Im embarrased to be part of something so hateful. And its not just because of what happened yesterday, its been something thats been building up for a couple months now and Im about to blow like a volcano.

You know, the embarrassment goes both ways. I am truly upset that so many people seem to have the thought process that it doesn't matter if what I do is right or wrong as long as I get what I want. When I joined the DIS the majority of members were a group fo people that loved Disney and were just offering each other tips on how to have an enjoyable vacation. Now many posts are on how to scam Disney and get around their rules. It is sad!

 

[dizzknee3]

So, If Disney gets us a table for 4 and there are 3 in our party, its Called "Disney Magic"..If I do it myself to make a little magic for my family, I'm a self serving scammer.. I would think that most of the time this practice is used for last minute reservations with an empty table available anyway. Why would anyone need to do this if they are making their ADR's at 180 days out?

 

[marivaid]

You know, the embarrassment goes both ways. I am truly upset that so many people seem to have the thought process that it doesn't matter if what I do is right or wrong as long as I get what I want. When I joined the DIS the majority of members were a group fo people that loved Disney and were just offering each other tips on how to have an enjoyable vacation. Now many posts are on how to scam Disney and get around their rules. It is sad!

What's sad is that Disney execs have become more and more greedy through the years. When a business keeps a party of two from enjoying a restaurant for the sole reason that a party of four MAY or MAY NOT want that table and bring them more money, it's greed. And that alone sets them up to be "scammed" (if you call paying $35 for a buffet that'd cost $6.99 anywhere else a "scam").

The truth is, this "rule" or "policy" is not stated anywhere in any of the reading material provided to guests by the Walt Disney World Travel Company. Of course not. Critics would make meatballs out of them if they did.
Can you imagine the publicity they'd get if a bunch of single moms and their kids reported walking up to a restaurant podium in WDW only to be told that yes, they have tables available, however since they are only a party of two and would only be spending half of what that family who's still in MK and hasn't yet decided where to go to dinner would spend, they can't eat with Mickey ? That's exactly what they're doing right now, except it's through the phone. And since mosts guests aren't aware of how the reservation system works, they just assume that this CM is indeed telling the truth and that aren't two seats left in that restaurant that night.

Disney may want us to only book tables for our party sizes but no one can break a rule that does not exist.

 

[Disney8704]

Well you would be sat at a table for 4 anyways. They dont have a table for 3. But yes, everyone usually only do this for last min ADRs. Its very pointless to do it at 180 days out unless you hear the words..nothing available, which would mean everyone who arrives there before you do decided to eat there on that day you wanted which isnt very likely. Can it happen? Sure..and it probably has at 180 days in advance.

So, If Disney gets us a table for 4 and there are 3 in our party, its Called "Disney Magic"..If I do it myself to make a little magic for my family, I'm a self serving scammer.. I would think that most of the time this practice is used for last minute reservations with an empty table available. Why would anyone need to do this if they are making their ADR's at 180 days out?

 

[friendofgusgus]

For all who are saying a Dining Reservation CM would never do this, you are mistaken, because one did it for us. I do tend to hope that it's a special thing and that it doesn't just happen everyday, but it was seriously a bit of Disney magic for us.

We were trying to get dinner at CRT for our wedding night, and couldn't get a table for 2 no matter what. We were calling every day, several times a day, even our wedding planner had no pull there.

Finally one day I got a reservation-fairy-godmother who heard the story, put me on hold, talked to her supervisor and booked us a table for 3 in the last time slot of the night. She told me to call and cancel the 3rd person 72 hours before our meal - and not to forget!

I did what I was told, wondered if I should feel guilty about it, and then made a note in my bridal planner to cancel the 3rd person. (We originally listed her as my future mother-in-law!)

The staff at CRT was not surprised to see us in Mickey Groom ears and full-on bridal hair and tiara and we dined there, just the 2 of us at a table that could have accomodated 4, on our wedding night. The Fairy Godmother actually made some crack during her spiel about us "having to come out to eat" - THAT I did not appreciate.

Like I said, though, that was an exception for us and a very special night, so I know it does happen but I never thought of doing it myself.

Jennifer
Disney bride in 2006