Priority Seating and Stupid Guests

[BRWombat]

Sorry, I should have been more specific... "Advanced Reservations" is just the new name for PS. Should be real fun for the restaurant greeters.

I understood. I think the new name (officially "Advanced Dining Arrangements" from now until June 1; after that "Advanced Dining Reservations") will create more confusion, since it will still function as a PS does. The word "reservations" means a table is held for you most everywhere else. Now you'll get stupid guests saying, "What do you mean our table isn't ready? We have reservations!"

[Stduck]

I always thought when a reservation was made for a restaurant that when you got there the first available table was given to you. It's also held for some time even if you don't show up. Eh I don't think Priority seating is that confusing now. The one that does get people in a knot is the Fantasmic Priority Seating at Disneyland, people see these empty chairs and want to know if they sit there. You Tell them they are unable to and you tell them why. Most are cool with it, others are not.

[kimpossible33]

Hahaha, I believe they just started using the term "reservation" instead of "priority seating." That ought to do it. :p:

[1team1dream]

I'm waiting for eating fast passes. You have a set time, you go, you eat, you leave. :D

I found this kinda funny. I work in Disney Dining so I deal with this every day and trust me, when the guests actually ask I do slowly explain the difference between a Priority Seating Arrangement and an actual "Reservation". When you think about it though, a PSA is Fast Pass. Guests are able to walk up to restaurant locations however those with a PSA are given the first available table for their party size for the time they booked. ;)

p.s. I highly doubt we will change the name to Advanced Reservations for as you've noted would only cause more confusion.

[Ho-say]

Or even more fun - when guests book the Candlelight Processional dinner package during the holidays. (I know that the Processional is originally from DLR...but not sure if you all offer dinner packages for it. At WDW, guests can book a Candlelight package and dine at any of the Epcot full-service restaurants...choosing from 3 different price tiers, depending on the restaurant. Then this guarantees the guest a seat at the American Gardens Theatre for the performance)

No matter how times I have spieled it when booking the package, some guests seem to think that since they bought a dinner package, that it's not a Priority Seating time for their meal and rather a "real" dining reservation. Sorry - still is a PS....you've just paid for dinner in advance and have guaranteed seating for the Processional.

Moreover, some folks assume they're going to have very special reserved seating for the show. Unfortunately, not so. While the reserved seating is a roped off area in the front of the theatre....it's still on a first come, first serve basis as far as what row, if your party will all fit on the same row together, etc. Get there early if you want your entire party to sit together or if you want to be in one of the rows that are closest to the stage :)

Hmm...maybe it's just that not everyone that is booking the package is spieling everything that they should be......or some guests aren't listening - or a fun-time combination of both scenarios ;)

[Celerystalker]

So how does priority seating actually work? When I made my dining reservations, I was told the times I could sign up for - but when I got to Cinderella's Royal table, it seemed like they had seriously overbooked. I think the walk in time was 2 hours and even with priority seating, we waited over 45 minutes (we were 9 minutes late for our PS time, but we waited an additional 45 minutes after that).
Is it possible to overbook the priority seating? I was under the impression that it was like a fast pass - there were only so many slots a day, and then you are out of luck.
We were there the week of September 20th, so I was really surprised that it was so packed at this one restaurant. Everywhere else moved pretty quickly.
The CMs were extra polite though - I asked about 40 minutes into it if they knew when we would be seated and they moved me up - I didn't ask for that - I was worried I'd said it like a rude guest. :(
I overheard at a couple of other restaurants how they have 15 to 20 minutes? Is that guidelines for priority seating?

Another question - what does CP stand for? I see Indy using it the most. Just curious.

[Ho-say]

So how does priority seating actually work? When I made my dining reservations, I was told the times I could sign up for - but when I got to Cinderella's Royal table, it seemed like they had seriously overbooked. I think the walk in time was 2 hours and even with priority seating, we waited over 45 minutes (we were 9 minutes late for our PS time, but we waited an additional 45 minutes after that).
Is it possible to overbook the priority seating? I was under the impression that it was like a fast pass - there were only so many slots a day, and then you are out of luck.
We were there the week of September 20th, so I was really surprised that it was so packed at this one restaurant. Everywhere else moved pretty quickly.
The CMs were extra polite though - I asked about 40 minutes into it if they knew when we would be seated and they moved me up - I didn't ask for that - I was worried I'd said it like a rude guest. :(
I overheard at a couple of other restaurants how they have 15 to 20 minutes? Is that guidelines for priority seating?

Another question - what does CP stand for? I see Indy using it the most. Just curious.

As far as how we book the Priority Seating, yes..that's how the system works. When the CM checks on availability for your preferred restaurant and party size, they can only see what time slots are available for all available party sizes (or actually, table top sizes that will accomodate said party sizes).

CRT, as you probably know, is one of the busiest and popular restaurants on property - I don't know if there is a way to technically "overbook" the restaurant. I do imagine that what I call the "princess factor" must slow down the entire dining process and getting guests in and out of the restaurant. Granted, this should taken into account in DRS (Dining Reservation System)....well, in theory anyway. I'm sure that someone who works in full service F & B could help us answer this better than I can.

CP stands for College Program - that is, the college internship known as the Walt Disney World College Program.

Those students accepted to the CP come down and live in furnished Disney-owned apartments (which the CM pays for) with other CP Cast Members, and typically work 4.5 - 8 months (depending on whether they are placed in the standard Spring or Fall program or the longer Spring/Fall "advantage" program). Some students can earn college credit for their internship, often by also having to take Disney-run courses in business, communication and the like.

[jlima]

We were a party of four with a 7:30pm PS for the Rose & Crown. Waited in line behind 5 - 6 families to check in; and told wait would be approx 20 minutes.

30 mins later pager had not gone off. Returned to podium to inquire. Hostess asked us to wait by her podium. Waited another 10 minutes before we were seated.

Why tell me 20 mins when I check in, when the reality was twice as long? Is it normal to wait 45 mins for a PS? Why not just tell me 8:15 is available when I ask for 7:30? I have never understood the wait times involved with Disney Dining, in both Orlando and Anaheim.

Other than getting in the door, the food and service was excellent (this was in June of 04).

[hhsrat]

A good number of the seaters have little or no sit down restaurant experience before working at WDW (or DLR), and as a result, are not good at estimating wait times. It's one of those skills that is aquired with practice ... some people are much better at it than others.

[TalkingHands]

Or even more fun - when guests book the Candlelight Processional dinner package during the holidays. (I know that the Processional is originally from DLR... but not sure if you all offer dinner packages for it. At WDW, guests can book a Candlelight package and dine at any of the Epcot full-service restaurants... choosing from 3 different price tiers, depending on the restaurant. Then this guarantees the guest a seat at the American Gardens Theatre for the performance)

Moreover, some folks assume they're going to have very special reserved seating for the show. Unfortunately, not so. While the reserved seating is a roped off area in the front of the theatre... it's still on a first come, first serve basis as far as what row, if your party will all fit on the same row together, etc. Get there early if you want your entire party to sit together or if you want to be in one of the rows that are closest to the stage :)

Also remember on the right hand side there are a few rows reserved for guests who are deaf or heard of hearing and need to have a clear view of the interpreters.