"Of course I have an ADR, at 6:00p.m., during Spring Break!"

[5DisneyFans]

Just got back from 4 days at Disney and our first Disney cruise. We had a terrific time and I'll try to share some highlights later, but I HAD to snicker about this little freak show.

First, I knew that WDW during Spring Break was going to be crazy. We had just been there for Christmas, so the crowds were no surprise. I made ADRs as soon as I was able and I vowed to try all new restaurants on this trip. Mama Melrose's was DD14 twin A's suggestion. So we arrived at Mama's about 15 minutes before our ADR time. The waiting area was mobbed. Not a good sign, but this had already happened to us on the 2 previous nights and we were seated within 15 of our ADR time.

So, we staked out a spot and prepared to wait and then "the braided one" walked in. She looked to be about 50ish and had hair dyed jet black done in two braids, much like my ten-year-old. Already my people-watching radar is peaked. She marched right up to the podium and said, we have a reservation for 5:50. It's 6:00. Now I'm listening. The girl at the podium asks for her name. I didn't quite catch it, but the girl says pretty quickly that she doesn't see that name. "The braided one" tells her to check 6:00 pm, maybe she had the time wrong. The girl says she doesn't see that either. Now "the braided one" (BO for short, because that was unfortunately one of her other characteristics) gives her another name to look up. Maybe I used my sister's name. The girl says "Nope" So here's what happened in rapid succession:

The hostess asks for her confirmation number

BO says, I made this reservation weeks ago. I don't have that.
(She's getting really belligerent now)

Hostess leaves to retrieve her manager

BO calls her husband and son (about 17ish) up to the podium

Manager returns and BO explains VERY LOUDLY that it's not her fault that their system is messed up and since there are only 4 of them, they demand to be seated immediately.

Manager explains that without a confirmation number, the best they can do is add her in as a walk-in to be seated in 30 - 40 minutes.

BO drags her son over and says that he can verify that she made the reservation and the time it was made. Son mumbles something about the reservation that his mom made at the Prime Time Cafe. (By now, I've got DH eavesdropping with me)

Manager repeats his line about adding them to the list. He even checks the reservations again just in case the name was spelled wrong. He explains that all other ADR's for this time frame have checked in and that none are unaccounted for, so even a bad name mistake wouldn't be to blame.

BO now launches into a speech about how she, her DH, son and her sister have to get to another park to catch a show by 8:00. The restaurant is going to make her late if they don't seat her right now.

BO demands to speak to someone else.

Manager repeats suggestion that she add her name as a walk-in, throwing in that if she had done that right away, they would be 20 minutes closer to being seated. (snort)

BO rants some more about how she can't believe that they can't find one table for 4 people. (Meanwhile, there are about 40 people standing around her, that DID have ADRs and are patiently waiting to be seated.)

We got seated at this point, but curiousity got the better of me. I took a quick bathroom break. No sign of BO in the restaurant and no sign of her out front either. Looks like it was ABC Commissary for them.

Personally, I think the only shred of truth in her story was that they had somewhere to be at 8:00 and found themselves with no plans for dinner at 6:00.

Dinner and a show for everybody in line that night.

[Yogi3323]

Thanks for this funny story ... $20 says they had the wrong night!

[Deirdre]

BAH!!! Glad thr manager didn't cave.

[5DisneyFans]

And I know I'm being catty, but it didn't help matters that the whole group looked like an episode of Hillbilly Hand Fishin.

[PAJD]

It also sounds like they might have had a reservation at 50's Prime Time Cafe

[salmoneous]

Pffft. Amature.

You are supposed to take a quick glance at the computer screen while the person in front of you is check in, then give the same of somebody with a reservation.

"Hello, I'm Ratanjit Pratap... I believe you have an ADR for me."

[5DisneyFans]

Originally Posted by PAJD

It also sounds like they might have had a reservation at 50's Prime Time Cafe

Maybe...maybe not. The Mom was telling the son what to say before she offered him as a witness, but I think he forgot the restaurant name.

[5DisneyFans]

Originally Posted by salmoneous

Pffft. Amature.

You are supposed to take a quick glance at the computer screen while the person in front of you is check in, then give the same of somebody with a reservation.

"Hello, I'm Ratanjit Pratap... I believe you have an ADR for me."

I think that is exactly what she was trying to do when she caught my attention initially. I think the problem was that everyone was checked in at that point. That's why I thought she tried the second name.

[dsnygrl]

Originally Posted by 5DisneyFans

And I know I'm being catty, but it didn't help matters that the whole group looked like an episode of Hillbilly Hand Fishin.

Originally Posted by salmoneous

Pffft. Amature.

You are supposed to take a quick glance at the computer screen while the person in front of you is check in, then give the same of somebody with a reservation.

"Hello, I'm Ratanjit Pratap... I believe you have an ADR for me."

, too funny 5DisneyFans, and Salmoneous! I am glad the manager didn't give in too...I have seen people give in too many times and it's so unfair to the people that actually had an ADR and are patiently waiting. I wonder if she tried the same trick at the next place

[Deirdre]

Just to be evil, I probably would have said
Smith ? (BO family) Why I heard them call your name 10 minutes ago at Prime Time !!!