Candlelight Processional

[crazy4wdw]

I've been checking every morning to see what is avaliable at 60 days. My ADR window opens Monday. There is good availability if you have a party of 3 or 4 but none for a party of either 1 or 2. ....and I need a party of one.

 

[bdgrbckr13]

I've been checking every morning to see what is avaliable at 60 days. My ADR window opens Monday. There is good availability if you have a party of 3 or 4 but none for a party of either 1 or 2. ....and I need a party of one.

We we're having the same problem trying to book a party of 2 at Garden Grill. Lots of availability for 3's and 4's. So, I decided to go ahead and book a 4. Called last night to modify and the CM was able to change it to a party of 2 with no problem. One of the best interactions I've had with Disney on the phone. I've read this doesn't always work but it's worth a try!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've been checking every morning to see what is avaliable at 60 days. My ADR window opens Monday. There is good availability if you have a party of 3 or 4 but none for a party of either 1 or 2. ....and I need a party of one.

Wow,I just checked for the 60 days out, and yes, a party of 3 has options, even at nearly 2 PM! Not for 2. I hope you and I get something. My ADR opens on Monday as well!!

Want to join us…make it 3?

 

[mickey916]

We we're having the same problem trying to book a party of 2 at Garden Grill. Lots of availability for 3's and 4's. So, I decided to go ahead and book a 4. Called last night to modify and the CM was able to change it to a party of 2 with no problem. One of the best interactions I've had with Disney on the phone. I've read this doesn't always work but it's worth a try!

Great to know! I’m in the same boat and booked for 4 but only need 2 and am planning on calling. What time of night did you call?

 

[bdgrbckr13]

Great to know! I’m in the same boat and booked for 4 but only need 2 and am planning on calling. What time of night did you call?

About 8 pm EST Friday night. Had nothing going on so figured I could spend the night on hold. Was all wrapped up in just over 15 minutes.

 

[mac_tlc]

I was looking for 12/7….. nothing for 2 anywhere. So, I came here and now have a reservation for 3 at Biergarten. All the restaurants I checked had something for 3. Makes no sense at all. I see a call to Disney in my not-to-distant future.

mac_tlc

 

[bdgrbckr13]

Agreed. Makes no sense. Seems like it would be a lot easier on CM's if you could book your own reservation for two.

 

[lorileahb]

I have the same struggle. Though, I do understand - there are typically a set number of 2-top tables (which can fit 1 or 2) and 4-top tables (which can fit 3 or 4). It's not good business for a fixed-price event to sell your 4-top tables to parties of 1 or 2. It's just like the chart at the hostess stand at any restaurant. Hostess may accommodate a special request (like sitting at a larger table), but typically seats you at a table for 2. So, in Disney World, when you search for 1 or 2 people the system likely searches for available 2-top tables.. but then, if you call them (like making a special request to the hostess), they will try to accommodate special request (and remove an extra person you booked).

 

[bobbiwoz]

Isn’t the Garden Grill a booth, and so, two or four you’re in one of them. I don’t remember there being different sized booths.

 

[lorileahb]

Isn’t the Garden Grill a booth, and so, two or four you’re in one of them. I don’t remember there being different sized booths.

Guessing it goes towards the number of tables they've allotted to be 2-tops and 4-tops (regardless of actual table size)... with fixed-price event, doesn't make good business sense to sell more than a certain percentage of them as 2-tops when they can fit more people.

 

[georgina]

Guessing it goes towards the number of tables they've allotted to be 2-tops and 4-tops (regardless of actual table size)... with fixed-price event, doesn't make good business sense to sell more than a certain percentage of them as 2-tops when they can fit more people.

May not be good business sense, but the current system is discriminatory toward smaller groups. Biergarten (one of the places named above) used to be communal tables, I don’t think they have gone back to it, but I will be looking to make a CP booking for 1. Perhaps Disney needs to think about more flexible seating arrangements where they can have a table of 4 or two tables of 2.

 

[lorileahb]

May not be good business sense, but the current system is discriminatory toward smaller groups. Biergarten (one of the places named above) used to be communal tables, I don’t think they have gone back to it, but I will be looking to make a CP booking for 1. Perhaps Disney needs to think about more flexible seating arrangements where they can have a table of 4 or two tables of 2.

Respectfully disagree - not discriminatory at all. Restaurants have run their business on a variety of available table-tops... there are a lot of popular restaurants across the country where it is hard to get reservations for certain size parties - even months in advance. There is a limit to what tables restaurants can offer in their spaces, even when they have flexibility to re-arrange, during any given period of time. This practice isn't any different just because the restaurants are at Disney. Disney offers what hostesses at other restaurants offer - the opportunity to make a special request /exception (that may or may not be able to be accommodated - it definitely never hurts to ask... and has worked for some folks for certain!). Many good thoughts - hope you got / get the reservations you are looking for.

 

[mickey916]

About 8 pm EST Friday night. Had nothing going on so figured I could spend the night on hold. Was all wrapped up in just over 15 minutes.

Interesting...I called and waited on hold for 35 minutes. The CM told me she could modify my reservation from 4 to 2 then said the system wasn't allowing her to do it. So I thanked her for trying and told her we'd just have to find 2 people to join us....I then went in and our reservation showed only 2 Guests...so it looks like it went through after all. I did have to "update Guests" to add my and my DH's names though...

 

[bbeagle]

What time is best for the Candlelight Vigil? 5:15, 7:00 or 8:30?

At 5:15, the sun has not set yet until 5:30, and it won't be completely dark. But the positives is that you won't be standing in line hearing a previous candlelight vigil.

At 7:00, it's dark, not too late, but if you get there early, you'll hear the previous candlelight vigil.

8:30 - Might be too late for young ones?

 

[Debbie Jean]

What time is best for the Candlelight Vigil? 5:15, 7:00 or 8:30?

At 5:15, the sun has not set yet until 5:30, and it won't be completely dark. But the positives is that you won't be standing in line hearing a previous candlelight vigil.

At 7:00, it's dark, not too late, but if you get there early, you'll hear the previous candlelight vigil.

8:30 - Might be too late for young ones?

I actually like the 5:15 for exactly the reason you mention. Even with the dining package, you still need to line up early so I like the excitement of hearing it performed for the first time during the show. People do walk in later but I’m an “up front” kinda girl so I do get there early LOL Loved being up front for Gary Sinese and am really looking forward to Josh Gad

 

[bbeagle]

really looking forward to Josh Gad

We just booked our 5:15 to see Josh Gad on Sunday, Dec 11th. Kids are excited too.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Today, I had to book for 3, but called and things were changed. I needed December 9, the only day DH could do it, and we wanted the last program. We got it!

 

[georgina]

Respectfully disagree - not discriminatory at all. Restaurants have run their business on a variety of available table-tops... there are a lot of popular restaurants across the country where it is hard to get reservations for certain size parties - even months in advance. There is a limit to what tables restaurants can offer in their spaces, even when they have flexibility to re-arrange, during any given period of time. This practice isn't any different just because the restaurants are at Disney. Disney offers what hostesses at other restaurants offer - the opportunity to make a special request /exception (that may or may not be able to be accommodated - it definitely never hurts to ask... and has worked for some folks for certain!). Many good thoughts - hope you got / get the reservations you are looking for.

Sure, but this is not just a meal, with the package including the CP seating. On this thread and another there are people who have made the higher guest reservation, called in and were able to decrease the size. So Disney will accommodate them but not initially. If I had known how many other solos were looking to book for Dec 12 I might have started a group-reservation thread a while ago! I can't try until Weds, not very optimistic, might have been easier if Biergarten was still communal tables.

 

[lorileahb]

Sure, but this is not just a meal, with the package including the CP seating. On this thread and another there are people who have made the higher guest reservation, called in and were able to decrease the size. So Disney will accommodate them but not initially. If I had known how many other solos were looking to book for Dec 12 I might have started a group-reservation thread a while ago! I can't try until Weds, not very optimistic, might have been easier if Biergarten was still communal tables.

The Disney online reservation system is a database and functions as one (with set rules to query for a search - i.e. table of 1 or 2). However, when you call, a CM can help accommodate. Best of luck - I hope you get the reservation you hope for!

 

[pryncess527]

My ADR window opens tomorrow and I’m hoping for Le Cellier, and we’d also like the 5:15 show. When I play around with the availablity at other restaurants I see now (just to test), it seems the reservation time for the meal automatically gets assigned a show. Even 11:30 at Coral Reef had the 7 show.

Any idea what reservation times get the earliest show? I’m not above eating steak at 11:30am but I’d rather not