Ridiculous wait at Mama Melrose...

[5DisneyNuts]

Nope sorry, I disagree. Disney gave up this up when they decided to charge a 24 hour cancellation fee. They reserve the right to call a party a no show after 15-30 minutes and charge the cancellation fee even if the party shows up later and can't be seated due to restaurant capacity.

When I gave them my cc for a RESERVATION guarantee, we have a deal. That deal goes both ways.

(Note: I edited post quoted by removing first paragraph)

Disney ADR's are also not a reservation time, as mentioned. After you check-in, you are seated at the next available table for your party size. Whether that's immediately or in 30 minutes, Disney makes no warranties. Depends on when the next table for your party size becomes available. I do find 60 minutes to be excessive, but like others, would chalk it up to one of the drawbacks of going to a major tourist destination during the single busiest time of year.

 

[Mkrop]

No. Call ahead seating is when you call the restaurant when you are leaving your house. IF the restaurant is on a wait list, they will add you to the wait list when you call. When you arrive, the restaurant will give you a pager and quote you the rest of your wait time. If the restaurant has a 60 minute wait, you call at 6pm and get there at 6:15, you still have to wait 45 minutes. All it does is allow you to add your name to the wait list while you're en route instead of when you arrive. So, it's not factual that every restaurant seats you within 15 minutes of arriving if you do call ahead seating. If that's been your experience, the restaurant either did not have a wait list or you happened to only have 15 minutes left of the wait when you arrived.

Disney ADR's are also not a reservation time, as mentioned. After you check-in, you are seated at the next available table for your party size. Whether that's immediately or in 30 minutes, Disney makes no warranties. Depends on when the next table for your party size becomes available. I do find 60 minutes to be excessive, but like others, would chalk it up to one of the drawbacks of going to a major tourist destination during the single busiest time of year.

But the OP said he did not go Christmas week this was BEFORE the holiday

 

[Jetta8300]

No. Call ahead seating is when you call the restaurant when you are leaving your house. IF the restaurant is on a wait list, they will add you to the wait list when you call. When you arrive, the restaurant will give you a pager and quote you the rest of your wait time. If the restaurant has a 60 minute wait, you call at 6pm and get there at 6:15, you still have to wait 45 minutes. All it does is allow you to add your name to the wait list while you're en route instead of when you arrive. So, it's not factual that every restaurant seats you within 15 minutes of arriving if you do call ahead seating. If that's been your experience, the restaurant either did not have a wait list or you happened to only have 15 minutes left of the wait when you arrived.

Disney ADR's are also not a reservation time, as mentioned. After you check-in, you are seated at the next available table for your party size. Whether that's immediately or in 30 minutes, Disney makes no warranties. Depends on when the next table for your party size becomes available. I do find 60 minutes to be excessive, but like others, would chalk it up to one of the drawbacks of going to a major tourist destination during the single busiest time of year.

No. Lol. I have been calling ahead at certain restaurants for 10 years now weekly and the ones I'm talking about do it the way I stated.

I call carrabbas at 3pm. They currently have no wait. I say, "I'd like to put my name in for call ahead seating." They say, "what time are you coming." I then say, "6:00". They then say, "ok we have you down for 6:00, and we will try to seat you within 15 minutes of your call ahead time." That's how call ahead works at Carrabbas, Maccaroni Grill, Outback, and Texas Roadhouse. Other restaurants actaually call this a reservation like Disney, such as Maggianos. But it's all the same thing Disney does. And they Usually manage to somehow seat us usually within 15 minutes. Never longer than 30. Call any carrabbas and give it a whirl. They will ask you what time you are coming and they take the "call ahead" any time of the day or Even the day before, and you just get put near the top of the list when you arrive.

I'm not doubting that there are restaurants that exist somewhere that do it the way you're saying... But that's not what I'm referring to. I'm referring to restaurants that do it just like Disney and are much more successful at seating people promptly. Call it whatever you want, call ahead, reservation, priority seating, etc. makes no difference.

And ps... When I have vacationed at Disney it's always been one of the very SLOWEST weeks of the year. So it's not due to a holiday, its due to overbooking. They can fit the same amount of people in Mama Melrose in the middle of July as the week of Christmas. They're always busy.

 

[Jetta8300]

.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

No. Lol. I have been calling ahead at certain restaurants for 10 years now weekly and the ones I'm talking about do it the way I stated.

I call carrabbas at 3pm. They currently have no wait. I say, "I'd like to put my name in for call ahead seating." They say, "what time are you coming." I then say, "6:00". They then say, "ok we have you down for 6:00, and you will be seated within 15 minutes of your call ahead time." That's how call ahead works at Carrabbas, Maccaroni Grill, Outback, and Texas Roadhouse. Other restaurants actaually call this a reservation like Disney, such as Maggianos. But it's all the same thing Disney does. And they ALL MANAGE to somehow seat us usually within 15 minutes. Never longer than 30. I know exactly what I'm talking about. Call any carrabbas and give it a whirl. They will ask you what time you are coming and they take the "call ahead" any time of the day or Even the day before, and you just get put near the top of the list when you arrive.

I'm not doubting that there are restaurants that exist somewhere that do it the way you're saying... But that's not what I'm referring to. I'm referring to restaurants that do it just like Disney and are much more successful at seating people promptly. Call it whatever you want, call ahead, reservation, priority seating, etc. makes no difference.

And ps... When I have vacationed at Disney it's always been one of the very SLOWEST weeks of the year. So it's not due to a holiday, its due to overbooking. They can fit the same amount of people in Mama Melrose in the middle of July as the week of Christmas. They're always busy.

Not how it works at our Carrabbbas or Outback. They will put you name on the list,but it is NEVER a guarantee to be seated within 15 min of that time. It usually cuts a 2+ hour wait down to about 45 min. I don't know of any restaurant in our area that will do what you are describing.

 

[Jetta8300]

Not how it works at our Carrabbbas or Outback. They will put you name on the list,but it is NEVER a guarantee to be seated within 15 min of that time. It usually cuts a 2+ hour wait down to about 45 min. I don't know of any restaurant in our area that will do what you are describing.

No, it's absolutely not a guarantee. If they take longer than 15 minutes they're not going to give us a free meal or anything. But 15 minutes is the "goal" time. They will tell you when you check in if they're running longer than the 15 minutes but it's never been longer than 30. And no it's not a guarantee. But there is absolutely a set time that you give them, and you can call any time even if there is no current wait. It sounds like your Carrabbas overbooks like Disney. Haha. Maccaroni grill is pretty serious about the 15 minutes though. They never ever go over. So it can be done.

 

[Aurora0427]

Wow Disney sure has almost everyone under their spell! They seated OP one hour after his reservation. Yes, I get that you're not guaranteed a time, it's not a typical reservation blah blah blah but COME ON. An hour wait? That's just bad all around, and I cannot believe how everyone rushes to defend Disney! Amazing the crap people will take just because "it's Disney."

It's such BS that we as diners have to show up or we get charged $10 per diner, if we are late they reserve the right to no show our party, but Disney can keep you waiting an hour for mediocre Italian food. Laughable.

 

[GaryDis]

Not how it works at our Carrabbbas or Outback. They will put you name on the list,but it is NEVER a guarantee to be seated within 15 min of that time. It usually cuts a 2+ hour wait down to about 45 min. I don't know of any restaurant in our area that will do what you are describing.

Maybe what's going on in this thread is that people used to inferior service at home are more forgiving of MM's inferior service, while people who are used to good service (which includes not overbooking) think it's shameful when a Disney restaurant frequently fall short.

 

[Pookles]

The more I read posts about ADRs the happier I am that, aside from one at Sanaa, we will be eating CS. An hour once or twice i could understand, but every meal world just be more of my vacation time than I'm willing to spend. I get all the arguments why, I just think it's unfortunate that Disney appears, from many threads I've read in recent months, to take advantage of everyone's good graces. People keep taking what they're dishing, so they keep serving it up, and charging handsomely for the privilege. Still looking forward to an awesome trip, but also willing to ditch plans and eat peanut butter and jelly from our snack bag if it means more time for family fun.

 

[Jetta8300]

Maybe what's going on in this thread is that people used to inferior service at home are more forgiving of MM's inferior service, while people who are used to good service (which includes not overbooking) think it's shameful when a Disney restaurant frequently fall short.

Exactly. I'm just trying to sympathize with the OP because it did affect us as well... mama melrose taking over an hour to seat us caused us to be charged the cancellation fee at Beaches and Cream. We made 9pm reservations at Beaches and Cream for a special dessert after mama melrose, it was 3 hours after our reservation at mama melrose and we still couldn't make it because of the 70ish minute wait. When they started charging the fee, they need to hold up their end of the bargain and seat people promptly.

 

[freshmanjs]

Not how it works at our Carrabbbas or Outback. They will put you name on the list,but it is NEVER a guarantee to be seated within 15 min of that time. It usually cuts a 2+ hour wait down to about 45 min. I don't know of any restaurant in our area that will do what you are describing.

If you go to Carabba's website, it works exactly as the other poster described. you pick # of people and arrival time and they tell you they will do their best to seat you close to that time.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

If you go to Carabba's website, it works exactly as the other poster described. you pick # of people and arrival time and they tell you they will do their best to seat you close to that time.

Yes, that's the theory, but it definitely doesn't happen at our Carrabbas in practice.

 

[Aurora0427]

Exactly. I'm just trying to sympathize with the OP because it did affect us as well... mama melrose taking over an hour to seat us caused us to be charged the cancellation fee at Beaches and Cream. We made 9pm reservations at Beaches and Cream for a special dessert after mama melrose, it was 3 hours after our reservation at mama melrose and we still couldn't make it because of the 70ish minute wait. When they started charging the fee, they need to hold up their end of the bargain and seat people promptly.

Whoa. I missed your post. 70 minute wait? Then they charged you a cancellation fee at B&C. That's so bad!!! I agree- you charge me a fee for no showing, you seat me at a reasonable time.

 

[Mkrop]

Whoa. I missed your post. 70 minute wait? Then they charged you a cancellation fee at B&C. That's so bad!!! I agree- you charge me a fee for no showing, you seat me at a reasonable time.

WDW would be hearing me if they even attempted to charge me for the B&C when it was their fault that I was late...no way in heck would they be charging me!

 

[aaarcher86]

We had this situation at HBD, but they were more than happy to cancel our ADR/waive the fee/give us our F! seating tickets. We just went to a QS instead since we had Jedi Training.

I think it sucks, but it happened ONE time during 9 days in the park with 2 TS reservations almost nightly. I just don't expect perfection from anyone or any company 100% of the time when there are factors that are out of their control. They accommodated us by canceling and still giving us our passes. It was disappointing not to eat there, but whatever. I may have missed it, but did the OP make an attempt to cancel without a fee with the hostess?

 

[maxiesmom]

The more I read posts about ADRs the happier I am that, aside from one at Sanaa, we will be eating CS. An hour once or twice i could understand, but every meal world just be more of my vacation time than I'm willing to spend. I get all the arguments why, I just think it's unfortunate that Disney appears, from many threads I've read in recent months, to take advantage of everyone's good graces. People keep taking what they're dishing, so they keep serving it up, and charging handsomely for the privilege. Still looking forward to an awesome trip, but also willing to ditch plans and eat peanut butter and jelly from our snack bag if it means more time for family fun.

I eat many ADRs during my WDW vacations, and I have never ever waited an hour to be seated. It is not the norm.

 

[maxiesmom]

[QUOTE="aaarcher86, post: 54919137, member: 269887" I may have missed it, but did the OP make an attempt to cancel without a fee with the hostess?[/QUOTE]

No. The manager offered fast passes, which the OP found offensive. But they didn't ask for anything else.

 

[CT Disney]

So, just to be clear:

A Disney Dining Reservation is not actually a "reservation".

And the time listed on your "reservation" is not actually the time you should get there. You actually need to be there 15 minutes earlier.

So...a Disney Dining Reservation for 6:00 pm...isn't a reservation and I should definitely not get there at 6:00...that's too late.

Does anyone else see the confusion in this?!?! Haha!

When you go to the Disney website, the word "reservation" is all over the dining section. Most people think they understand what a reservation is. Therein lies the problem. Disney is using a commonly understood term to mean something totally different.

The term "reservation" implies that they are holding your spot for the time specified. For example, if I have a doctors appointment for 9:00 am, I may get there at 8:55 am. If a person who has a reservation with the doctor at 9:10 gets there at 8:50 am (five minutes before me) they aren't going to be seen by the doctor first. My appointment is first...so I will be seen first, as long as I'm there before my appointment time. Disney Dining is the exact opposite. They will seat the other patron first because he checked in first.

It seems that Disney could avoid some confusion by not calling it a "reservation". I actually think the term "Priority Seating" or something along those lines was far more appropriate. And, they should list the time that they want you to check in. So, in my previous example of a Dining Reservation of 6:00 pm....they should call it a Priority Seating for 5:45, with instructions to check in beginning at 5:45. With no early check-ins. And if you don't check in by 6:15 your credit card will be charged.

Bottom line...they should call it what it actually is. And, they should give you the time that they want you to show up.


*Edited to fix spelling mistake

 

[Tigger's ally]

I eat many ADRs during my WDW vacations, and I have never ever waited an hour to be seated. It is not the norm.

Yeah, over an hour is not the norm. It also matters how many are in the party, etc. If you are a twosome, you will probably never wait too long. Our longest wait ever though was actually for an ADR for lunch at LeCellier. We were in no hurry, waited an extra long time with many apologies. We ended up getting free desert (of which I normally don't eat) but I tried the Maple Creme Brulee and loved it. We never asked, they just did it. We are quiet types and just go with the flow though. It takes alot for us to complain. Taking a big drink of half Iced Tea and half cleaning bleach at our local McDonalds did trick my trigger though. Imagine if a kid had gotten that?

 

[Pookles]

So, just to be clear:

A Disney Dining Reservation is not actually a "reservation".

And the time listed on your "reservation" is not actually the time you should get there. You actually need to be there 15 minutes earlier.

So...a Disney Dining Reservation for 6:00 pm...isn't a reservation and I should definitely not get there at 6:00...that's too late.

Does anyone else see the confusion in this?!?! Haha!

When you go to the Disney website, the word "reservation" is all over the dining section. Most people think they understand what a reservation is. Therein lies the problem. Disney is using a commonly understood term to mean something totally different.

The term "reservation" implies that they are holding your spot for the time specified. For example, if I have a doctors appointment for 9:00 am, I may get there at 8:55 am. If a person who has a reservation with the doctor at 9:10 gets there at 8:50 am (five minutes before me) they aren't going to be seen by the doctor first. My appointment is first...so I will be seen first, as long as I'm there before my appointment time. Disney Dining is the exact opposite. They will seat the other patron first because he checked in first.

It seems that Disney could avoid some confusion by not calling it a "reservation". I actually think the term "Priority Seating" or something along those lines was far more appropriate. And, they should list the time that they want you to check it. So, in my previous example of a Dining Reservation of 6:00 pm....they should call it a Priority Seating for 5:45, with instructions to check in beginning at 5:45. With no early check-ins. And if you don't check in by 6:15 your credit card will be charged.

Bottom line...they should call it what it actually is. And, they should give you the time that they want you to show up.

LOL, I get it! So a Disney ADR is actually a dining fastpass.

Good to hear that others haven't had bad issues. And I do take posts with a grain of salt. People don't usually post equal praise with equal complaints, I know I will usually make more time to post if I'm upset about something than if everything is bliss.