[MerlinMatt]

I feel like I'm acting like such a know-it-all today. Someone PLEASE tell me to shut up! :)

Anyway, this message is for those of you that may not understand what a priority seating "reservation" is.

In the rest of the civilized world, when you call a restaurant to make a reservation, the expectation is that the restaurant will make every effort to have a table ready fo you when you arrive.

This is NOT how it works in WDW. (there are some exceptions, like Victoria and Alberts and a handful of other places)

A Priority Seating is actually quite similar to Fast Pass. It is not a true reservation. It is a time where, if you show up, you'll be put in line behind all the folks who have PS's earlier than you and ahead of folks without PS's and folks who have PS's later than yours.

So what does this mean?
1.) When in doubt, make the reservation. If you'd *like* to make it but fear that circumstances might interfere, go ahead and make the reservation. WDW expects that a certain percentage of PS's will be no-shows.

2.) If you can't get a PS for your time, go ahead and try to get walk-up seating. The worst they can tell you is that there's a long wait for folks without PS's. The best that can happen is, "we have a table ready for you now." :)

3.) Even WITH a PS, that's no guarantee that you won't have to wait. Personally, I've never had to wait for more than 30 minutes when I've had a PS, but I've heard stories of people who have had to wait longer.

I don't think I missed anything, but I'm sure someone will point out if I have. ;)

[mickaholic4077]

You hit the nail right on the head!! Personally,I like the PS system.

[sjpurple]

We like ps's. We had no problems with it.

[lawwin]

I don't think we waited longer than 10 minutes with a PS and that was at Crystal Palace at Dinner and it was packed. Absolutely packed. So I have to say that although a PS isn't exactly a reservation, it's awfully close and good enough for me.

[Scottwdw]

The only thing I would add is that if you are asked to give a credit card number to hold (or in the case of Cindy's Breakfast actually pay for), make sure you get the cancellation information. PS's with credit card numbers are subject to penalites of usually $10 per person.

Happy Planning!

[downsouthtigger]

Matt,
I am thinking of making PS for ohanas and the big dinner shows/Character meals.
But it's just going to be me and DGF, so for the other restaurants do you think I should make any PS?? I've walked up to Le Cellier, with just me and a date before and I was seated in less than 5 min.
Just thought I'd see if you're up to par with the skills, and maybe you can help a CM out! Wow there's a change, the guest helping the cm! :dazed: lol

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by downsouthtigger

Matt,
I am thinking of making PS for ohanas and the big dinner shows/Character meals.
But it's just going to be me and DGF, so for the other restaurants do you think I should make any PS?? I've walked up to Le Cellier, with just me and a date before and I was seated in less than 5 min.

In early May, you shouldn't have a problem, although there have been lots of reports that WDW has been very busy lately.

According to the Unofficial Guide, the PS folks intentionally overbook during slow seasons because of the higher rate of no-shows.

Since there's no penalty for no-shows, I would still make a PS. Therefore, you can pick wherever you want, but if you can't get a table quickly, use your PS as a backup.

Always happy to help a CM.

[MissDisney]

Matt, you are not a know-it-all, and please don't shut up!

DST, I think you should be safe and make PS -- make a lot of them -- before you go and then cancel the ones you don't need when you get there. There is the tiniest possibility that you could end up eating food-cart stuff instead of something memorable.

That said, I'd like to tell you one of our favorite new pastimes at WDW, and it is all about PS! When we would arrive at a restaurant for a PS this last trip (it was one of the busiest weeks ever at the parks!), we would sit and watch all the people who were waiting with us. There are really interesting and hilarious things going on as people wait. I swear, some of these episodes can be as amusing as the best park attractions!
I'll give an example:
You have to understand that the weather was perfect... 75 degrees, blue skies with puffy clouds floating by, flowers blooming all around, and we were at Disney, for Pete's sake!!! Even in this most perfect of settings, some people were absolutely furious about waiting a few minutes. We saw one man who was about to explode. We really thought his head would fly off as he was bent over, questioning the CM at Hollywood Brown Derby at top volume: "What the *&%$ do you mean I have to wait? Can't you see I have my wife and KIDS with me? Why the *&@# did I call to make these reservations a month ago if they mean total &*%$*?"
Parents immediately started to scatter with their own kids so they could keep them from hearing this man's salty language. Can you imagine him cussing at WDW in front of 20 kids? And can you imagine his wife, chatting up anyone who would listen about how the restaurant CMs were a bunch of total, well, you know.
People were looking at them like they were crazy, and laughing about how this guy thought he should get a special table because he had kids with him! What did he think everyone else was here with? Sheep?
Of course, the CM was absolutely patient and apologetic. We were amused beyond belief to find that the table given to these people was in the farthest corner of the restaurant, back in a corner where they couldn't see anything or bother anyone any more.

[downsouthtigger]

originally posted by MissDisney
DST, I think you should be safe and make PS -- make a lot of them -- before you go and then cancel the ones you don't need when you get there. There is the tiniest possibility that you could end up eating food-cart stuff instead of something memorable

Make PS..... Geez I Still need to do that!!! Grr, with ashley not making her mind up on what to eat and now extending our vaca for 2 more nights, it's throwing my preplans in the trash. Now I don't know where to make ps for! Anyways how many PS can I make in a day?? Can I make em for lunch too?? Can't I just get a good table cause I'm a good CM??
And what happens if I bring kids?? Will I get a better table for that??

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by downsouthtigger

Make PS..... Geez I Still need to do that!!! Grr, with ashley not making her mind up on what to eat and now extending our vaca for 2 more nights, it's throwing my preplans in the trash. Now I don't know where to make ps for! Anyways how many PS can I make in a day?? Can I make em for lunch too?? Can't I just get a good table cause I'm a good CM??
And what happens if I bring kids?? Will I get a better table for that??

Call them and ask.
As far as I know, you can't make conflicting PS's (i.e. 2 PS's for the same time), but I could be wrong about this.
Beyond that, I don't believe there are any limitations.
I would also suggest talking to Ashley and explain your quandry. (Am I a relationship counsellor too? ) Just tell her that when you visit the park, that you don't have any "inside track" ways of getting good seats and that making a reservation is the best way to make sure that you don't end up eating hot dogs for dinner.
If that doesn't work, just pick someplace safe that you know she'll like and use that as your emergency backup.

[downsouthtigger]

originally posted by Matt McDonnell
Just tell her that when you visit the park, that you don't have any "inside track" ways of getting good seats and that making a reservation is the best way to make sure that you don't end up eating hot dogs for dinner.

I don't know how but even if I don't make PS I get good seats, disney charm I guess....but you sold me Matt, I will not make one PS!! I mean screw all that fancy food, if I can get a hot dog, I'm there!!! And I mean a real american frank, not some brats from germany! Who am I kidding, I still have enough German ancestry in me that cant resist a beer and brat, sommerfest here I come!

[downsouthtigger]

also originally posted by Matt
I would also suggest talking to Ashley and explain your quandry

Well Mr. relationship counselor, we have a problem. I'm disneyfied, obviously I'm a CM, so I've planned disney into the ground. Ashley is now fed up of my over planning and wants to be spontaneous. So do you think I can manage making my PS while I'm down there a day or so ahead?? She wants it to be spur of the moment type dealies. Yeah but she still wants Ohanas to be our first night thing..... I think I'm going nuts help!

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by downsouthtigger

Well Mr. relationship counselor, we have a problem. I'm disneyfied, obviously I'm a CM, so I've planned disney into the ground. Ashley is now fed up of my over planning and wants to be spontaneous. So do you think I can manage making my PS while I'm down there a day or so ahead?? She wants it to be spur of the moment type dealies. Yeah but she still wants Ohanas to be our first night thing..... I think I'm going nuts help!

Dude, the woman gets what the woman wants. (I'm coming up on 13 years of marriage, so I can speak with some authority on the subject.. )

If she wants sponteneity, then give it to her. I think there's a couple of Beck's and a couple of Brats with that are calling your names from Germany.

[downsouthtigger]

originally posted by Matt McDonnellDude, the woman gets what the woman wants. (I'm coming up on 13 years of marriage, so I can speak with some authority on the subject.. )
If she wants sponteneity, then give it to her. I think there's a couple of Beck's and a couple of Brats with that are calling your names from Germany.

I shall listen to the experience oh wise one, teach me your ways!
Lol
Yeah she's going to get what she wants, but thats what being a good Bf is all about!
Just too bad the beer and brats is a no go for me I don't think she's of German decent and I know she doesn't know what a Brat is. Another factor is that she's only 19, so you can see the problems there.
Not that I really drink but on Vaca a man wants a brew once in a while. Either that or some really tight mixed drinks with collectable glasses!!

[downsouthtigger]

this forums title should be changed to Matt gives Fred advice on women, Food, and PS