Possible changes to 2010 ADR'S

[KAB1]

I had a few issues with ADR's during my recent visit in June and recently spoke to an exec about them. My biggest problem was not being able to eat at the resort at which you stayed because restaurants were filled up and walk-ins were not accepted. She told me that they may be trying something in 2010. You can book dining 90 days out, but if you have a confirmed reservation at a resort than you may be able to book dining at that resort only 120 days out. She told me that they receive many complaints about this exact same issue, so this is a possiblity that they may try. I think it sounds good!

[Tiffany]

I had a few issues with ADR's during my recent visit in June and recently spoke to an exec about them. My biggest problem was not being able to eat at the resort at which you stayed because restaurants were filled up and walk-ins were not accepted. She told me that they may be trying something in 2010. You can book dining 90 days out, but if you have a confirmed reservation at a resort than you may be able to book dining at that resort only 120 days out. She told me that they receive many complaints about this exact same issue, so this is a possiblity that they may try. I think it sounds good!

Hi,
That is an interesting idea. I never really thought of that before. Would you be willing to share which resort you were staying at and which table service place you could not get into as a walk in?

[KAB1]

We were at GF and three nights could not get into GF Cafe, narcoosee's, citrico's or 1900 park. Dis Exec said they received numerous complaints from people staying at particular hotels, however they could not eat at their hotel.

[Colleen27]

I could see that being necessary/beneficial at the monorail and to a lesser extent the Boardwalk area resorts, since those restuarants do book up so quickly. I know that I've had times where I went to change something about my plan and couldn't get an ADR anywhere at the MK or any monorail resort, and I'd imagine that would be very, very frustrating for the people staying in those hotels. If they set aside a number of tables at Kona, GF Cafe, and the Wave for guests of the resorts where they are located, I'll bet they'd fill those tables consistantly and generate a large measure of goodwill among guests staying at their priciest properties.

[shellybaxter]

I think they will get far more complaints from non-resort guests when restaurants like Boma, Ohana and Chef Mickeys fill up with resort guest prior to the public having a chance to make ADRs

[DisneyKing82]

I think they will get far more complaints from non-resort guests when restaurants like Boma, Ohana and Chef Mickeys fill up with resort guest prior to the public having a chance to make ADRs

Resort guests should have first priority for their respective resort dining options!

[Piecey]

Resort guests should have first priority for their respective resort dining options!

I agree, but I also think only a certain number of tables should be set aside that far in advance.

I don't have a problem having some tables open at 120 days for resort guests, but the entire restaurant? That I'd have a problem with.

[maiapapaya]

I agree, but I also think only a certain number of tables should be set aside that far in advance.

I don't have a problem having some tables open at 120 days for resort guests, but the entire restaurant? That I'd have a problem with.

Maybe a better way to implement the system would be to designate a certain restaurant at each resort for on site guests to book 120 days out. For example, at Poly designate Kona, at CR the Wave. That way the more popular restaurants like Chef Mickey's & 'Ohana won't be affected for the general public, but there will still be an alternative for resort guests.

[KAB1]

I think that disney is just trying to make it fair to guests staying at a particular resort and also making it possible for them to always have a place to eat. I have a three year old who goes to bed early and most nights we just stay at the hotel. This makes it possible for us to be able to eat there.
I also think that it will help sell the dining plan, because people will def. have some places to eat at.

[Nikisha421]

I think after awhile all the ideas and new implementations just simply get too confusing!

[natalielongstaff]

I have to say i agree with the idea in principle, will be interesting to see how they implement it :)

[Colleen27]

I had a few issues with ADR's during my recent visit in June and recently spoke to an exec about them. My biggest problem was not being able to eat at the resort at which you stayed because restaurants were filled up and walk-ins were not accepted. She told me that they may be trying something in 2010. You can book dining 90 days out, but if you have a confirmed reservation at a resort than you may be able to book dining at that resort only 120 days out. She told me that they receive many complaints about this exact same issue, so this is a possiblity that they may try. I think it sounds good!

Thinking about this a little more, I don't think a longer booking window at one's home resort would really solve the issue. Other than Ohana and Chef Mickey's, and to a lesser degree California Grill, the resort restaurants don't book up that quickly. The issue is people either not making ADRs expecting to be able to walk up to something at their resort or booking last-minute, and changing the booking window does nothing to help those people.

[CarnotaurDad]

Colleen27 hit the nail on the head.

This doesn't really help at all. How does opening up ADRs at 120 days help walk-ins for people staying at the resort? What they really would need to do, if this is an actual problem, is save 5% (or some number) of each days tables for walk-in guests staying at the resort. Or maybe open them up within three days for guests at a resort.

Personally, I don't think this is that big a deal and doesn't need fixing.

[KYMickey]

This entire thread highlights my biggest problem with the ADR system. It takes away any possible spontaneity in dining choices. How can you possibly know 90 days out that you're going to be tired on Wednesday evening and want a low key dining option in your resort, or someplace else in Disney? You don't, you don't make reservations that far in advance at home except for a very special occasion so why should you be forced to do it on vacation? The entire ADR system just adds a huge amount of stress to a vacation that are supposed to be relaxing.

You have to panic to make sure you're awake and on the phone (or computer) at the exact minute reservations open for fear you won't be able to go where you want. In addition every day you're in the Parks you have to worry about your schedule so you can be at the restaurant where you have your ADR at the correct time, god forbid you have a Fast Pass for a ride across the park at the same time!

Is there anyplace else you go on vacation that you make all of your dining reservations this far in advance? My guess would be no, so why should you be forced to do it here?

[Rip]

This entire thread highlights my biggest problem with the ADR system. It takes away any possible spontaneity in dining choices. How can you possibly know 90 days out that you're going to be tired on Wednesday evening and want a low key dining option in your resort, or someplace else in Disney? You don't, you don't make reservations that far in advance at home except for a very special occasion so why should you be forced to do it on vacation? The entire ADR system just adds a huge amount of stress to a vacation that are supposed to be relaxing.

You have to panic to make sure you're awake and on the phone (or computer) at the exact minute reservations open for fear you won't be able to go where you want. In addition every day you're in the Parks you have to worry about your schedule so you can be at the restaurant where you have your ADR at the correct time, god forbid you have a Fast Pass for a ride across the park at the same time!

Is there anyplace else you go on vacation that you make all of your dining reservations this far in advance? My guess would be no, so why should you be forced to do it here?


Because of the popularity of the DDP. It wasn't like this before.

[Mith]

This entire thread highlights my biggest problem with the ADR system. It takes away any possible spontaneity in dining choices. How can you possibly know 90 days out that you're going to be tired on Wednesday evening and want a low key dining option in your resort, or someplace else in Disney? You don't, you don't make reservations that far in advance at home except for a very special occasion so why should you be forced to do it on vacation? The entire ADR system just adds a huge amount of stress to a vacation that are supposed to be relaxing.

You have to panic to make sure you're awake and on the phone (or computer) at the exact minute reservations open for fear you won't be able to go where you want. In addition every day you're in the Parks you have to worry about your schedule so you can be at the restaurant where you have your ADR at the correct time, god forbid you have a Fast Pass for a ride across the park at the same time!

Is there anyplace else you go on vacation that you make all of your dining reservations this far in advance? My guess would be no, so why should you be forced to do it here?

OK, so let's scrap ADR's altogether. But, I think it would be far more stressful to have to guess what time I need to show up at Le Cellier in hopes of obtaining a table for dinner. Sure, it would be great to just walk up to whatever restaurant suits our fancy and get a table, but that's not realistic. I think the ADR system is a necessary evil, at least for the most popular restauarants.

As far as making the ADR 90 days out, that's never bothered me at all. I guess we're not picky enough people to be at the park one day and say "Gee, I don't feel like seafood tonight. I wish I hadn't made a Coral Reef reservation." And if we're having too much fun at a park or don't feel like dinner, then we can simply cancel the reservation or not show. I just don't see it as being all that restrictive.

[Hoyt31]

I'm am having the same problem at GF. I pay to stay at this hotel and can't even eat breakfast there. I tried to book my ressies 90 day out... no luck oh well it is a very flawed system.

[MagicMe]

The DDP isn't necessarily the culprit on this. I can remember being in Epcot (during a light rain) and going up mid-afternoon to the old kiosks they used to have to book dinner. We were unable to find anything except the buffet in Norway. they didn't even have the DDP at that time. This was even before the "food and fun" deal they used to have too.

[Condorman]

I'm am having the same problem at GF. I pay to stay at this hotel and can't even eat breakfast there. I tried to book my ressies 90 day out... no luck oh well it is a very flawed system.

How is it flawed? You had the same chance/opportunity everyone else had at 90 days out to get that ADR. Why should occupants of a specific resort be afforded better odds of getting a TS at that resort? So the resort withholds 25% of the tables for its own occupants; maybe the occupants book that 25%, maybe not; but if not, then that 25% gets released back into the system only to find out that the people who initially wanted it have moved on to other TS locations? That, too, would be a flawed system.

The only thing that should change from the way it is now is switching back to 180 days. I firmly believe the only reason it ever went to 90 days was to lessen the issues Disney would incur if they ran into trouble while installing the new reservation system. Now that it is up and running, it can, and should, go back to 180. Also, they should hold CC#s for every TS reservation with a 72-hour cancelation policy.

I think people sometimes forget that WDW is the single largest tourist destination in the world -- 50 million visitors a year. All things being equal, for every one of us who gets the ADR of our dreams, there are likely 4 to 5 families out there who didn't. Be grateful.

[Hoyt31]

The only thing that should change from the way it is now is switching back to 180 days. I firmly believe the only reason it ever went to 90 days was to lessen the issues Disney would incur if they ran into trouble while installing the new reservation system. Now that it is up and running, it can, and should, go back to 180. Also, they should hold CC#s for every TS reservation with a 72-hour cancelation policy.

Well I guess you agree that the current system is flawed then. Those suggestions would definately be an improvement.

[KAB1]

How is it flawed? You had the same chance/opportunity everyone else had at 90 days out to get that ADR. Why should occupants of a specific resort be afforded better odds of getting a TS at that resort? So the resort withholds 25% of the tables for its own occupants; maybe the occupants book that 25%, maybe not; but if not, then that 25% gets released back into the system only to find out that the people who initially wanted it have moved on to other TS locations? That, too, would be a flawed system.

The only thing that should change from the way it is now is switching back to 180 days. I firmly believe the only reason it ever went to 90 days was to lessen the issues Disney would incur if they ran into trouble while installing the new reservation system. Now that it is up and running, it can, and should, go back to 180. Also, they should hold CC#s for every TS reservation with a 72-hour cancelation policy.

I think people sometimes forget that WDW is the single largest tourist destination in the world -- 50 million visitors a year. All things being equal, for every one of us who gets the ADR of our dreams, there are likely 4 to 5 families out there who didn't. Be grateful.

Could not agree more about the Credit Card. I would have no problem securing my reservations with a Credit Card.

[KYMickey]

Because of the popularity of the DDP. It wasn't like this before.
We'll if you think the problem is DDP then maybe it should be changed! Actually since everybody seems to love it, it is probably about time for Disney to get rid of it anyway.
OK, so let's scrap ADR's altogether. But, I think it would be far more stressful to have to guess what time I need to show up at Le Cellier in hopes of obtaining a table for dinner. Sure, it would be great to just walk up to whatever restaurant suits our fancy and get a table, but that's not realistic. I think the ADR system is a necessary evil, at least for the most popular restauarants.
The early system they had where you had to make your reservation in the park that day had a lot of advantages. It helped guarantee only made reservations they were going to use and made it nearly impossible to make multiple reservations. The problem of not being able to eat in the resort you were staying at (especially for breakfast) was nonexistent.
And if we're having too much fun at a park or don't feel like dinner, then we can simply cancel the reservation or not show. I just don't see it as being all that restrictive.
This statement just highlights one of the problem with the present system in that people can make an ADR, not show up and not be held accountable.
How is it flawed? You had the same chance/opportunity everyone else had at 90 days out to get that ADR. Why should occupants of a specific resort be afforded better odds of getting a TS at that resort? So the resort withholds 25% of the tables for its own occupants; maybe the occupants book that 25%, maybe not; but if not, then that 25% gets released back into the system only to find out that the people who initially wanted it have moved on to other TS locations? That, too, would be a flawed system.
You don't think it's unreasonable to not be able to eat breakfast in the hotel you're staying at? I can't think of a time when I've been traveling that I haven't been able to eat breakfast where I was staying if I wanted to. Especially families with children need to go back to the room to clean up the kids, go to the bathroom and collect what they're taking with them for the day after breakfast.
The only thing that should change from the way it is now is switching back to 180 days. I firmly believe the only reason it ever went to 90 days was to lessen the issues Disney would incur if they ran into trouble while installing the new reservation system. Now that it is up and running, it can, and should, go back to 180. Also, they should hold CC#s for every TS reservation with a 72-hour cancelation policy.
I highly disagree with the 180 day reservation window because it even takes more spontaneity away from someone vacation. I do however think these 72 hour cancelation policy with a CC# is a wonderful idea!
I think people sometimes forget that WDW is the single largest tourist destination in the world -- 50 million visitors a year. All things being equal, for every one of us who gets the ADR of our dreams, there are likely 4 to 5 families out there who didn't. Be grateful.
If that's truly the case then Disney certainly doesn't have enough quality dining locations for the number of guests they have! In their greedieness they have forgotten about making the customers happy! Maybe they should step back and evaluate what they're doing wrong if that number of families is not able to have the experience they want.
Well I guess you agree that the current system is flawed then. Those suggestions would definately be an improvement.
What suggestions do you think would be an improvement? I don't see any listed in this thread that there is a consensus on, much less one that Disney would consider.

[mom2rtk]

I think sometimes we all forget the we are at cross purposes with Disney.

We want restaurants with open tables, available for us to pop into on a when the mood and hunger strikes. This would indeed be VERY unpopular for Disney. They want every seat full, with lots of lead time to order the appropriate amount of food and staff at the proper level.

The truth is people are USED to eating out more than ever before. The restaurants at Disney are very popular.

So plan ahead and you won't be disappointed.

I hope they don't mess with it any more. Disney seems to be responding to complaints with changes. And those changes just upset others.

Go back to 180 days, where people who plan ahead can enjoy the fruits of that labor......

NOTHING they do to "tweak" the system will add more tables to CRT, Chef Mickey's or LeCellier. It will NOT make tables available to those who want to eat spontaneously at Disney......

[Hoyt31]

What suggestions do you think would be an improvement? I don't see any listed in this thread that there is a consensus on, much less one that Disney would consider.

I'm also in favor of CC# for reservation with a charge for reservations that aren't cancelled within the time period.

Oh how I miss the days of having to sprint to the Diamond Horseshoe with my parents to start the day to get our lunch reservations. Those were good memories. :lmao:

[Colleen27]

The early system they had where you had to make your reservation in the park that day had a lot of advantages. It helped guarantee only made reservations they were going to use and made it nearly impossible to make multiple reservations. The problem of not being able to eat in the resort you were staying at (especially for breakfast) was nonexistent.

That system only works in a climate of relatively low demand for TS dining, though, and I'm not sure Disney could recreate that now without doing away with the dining plan AND making changes to menus & pricing to make TS less attractive. Given the current demand for dining, can you imagine what the rush to those kiosks would be like at rope drop?

If that's truly the case then Disney certainly doesn't have enough quality dining locations for the number of guests they have! In their greedieness they have forgotten about making the customers happy! Maybe they should step back and evaluate what they're doing wrong if that number of families is not able to have the experience they want.

That I absolutely agree with. Disney needs to be adding dining experiences to keep pace with demand if they are going to continue to offer incentives that drive dining demand. I do wonder how much the tiered free dining promo like we're seeing for fall will change the situation, since all the people staying at value resorts will have the quick service plan.

What suggestions do you think would be an improvement? I don't see any listed in this thread that there is a consensus on, much less one that Disney would consider.

I think Disney should hold a small percentage of restaurant capacity for walk-ups at non-character locations. That way, spontaneity would be possible (though it could mean a long wait at peak times at popular locations). I also think there needs to be a CC associated with each and every ADR to discourage double bookings and no-shows. But all in all, I don't think the dining situation is going to change much. From a profit standpoint, full restaurants are better than restaurants with available tables, so Disney has no incentive to ease the ADR craziness or make it easier for last minute planners.

[KAB1]

I'm also in favor of CC# for reservation with a charge for reservations that aren't cancelled within the time period.

Oh how I miss the days of having to sprint to the Diamond Horseshoe with my parents to start the day to get our lunch reservations. Those were good memories. :lmao:

How about running with your parents to the Kiosks in Epcot to get dinner reservations for Alfredo's (Probably one of the worst restaurants in Disney). Miss those days!!!!!!!

[mom2rtk]

How about running with your parents to the Kiosks in Epcot to get dinner reservations for Alfredo's (Probably one of the worst restaurants in Disney). Miss those days!!!!!!!

But people are meaner and ruder now. Can you imagine the sprint to CRT????

Think Toy Story Mania on STEROIDS!!!!!!! EVERY DAY you want to eat!

[KAB1]

But people are meaner and ruder now. Can you imagine the sprint to CRT????

Think Toy Story Mania on STEROIDS!!!!!!! EVERY DAY you want to eat!

:lmao:

[manning]

I solved the problem

Bob Evans and other local eateries.

Many are cheaper and better!!!!!

One spot even had character meal....the waitress was certainly a character, but entertaining.

[KYMickey]

I solved the problem
Bob Evans and other local eateries.
Many are cheaper and better!!!!!
One spot even had character meal....the waitress was certainly a character, but entertaining.
That is not a solution to the problem, it's a way of avoiding the problem! It's also not actually very efficient if you consider how much a ticket costs to WDW and how much of the day you would lose leaving the Parks, eating and returning. It also is something you can do at home so it's not really part of the Disney experience.

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . My biggest problem was not being able to eat at the resort at which you stayed because restaurants were filled up and walk-ins were not accepted . . .

1) Not true, at least not in every case.
2) I know of six (6) resort restaurants that allow walk-ups.
3) In fact, they only book 80% of the eatery's capacity for that very reason!
4) Most managers will not mention this to you.
5) However, check with the Concierge Desk, and they can let you know.
6) Not exactly a secret, but it is not widely known or disclosed.

PS - That is also why a Concierge can sometimes get you into a restaurant at their hotel when the eatery is completely sold out. It is not "pull", but simply that there are open slots that the hotel knows about and are not booked through the dining system.

[mom2rtk]

Perhaps the people complaining about no walk-ups were there when the resorts were all at higher occupancy when the 4/3 deal first came out???????

[Cherta]

Sorry, but I have to disagree with penalizing those who cancel their reservations within 72 hours prior to their ADR time.

I had booked a Fantasmic Package (at H and V) at the 90 day mark (for our trip in June), but my DD spiked a fever and felt generally "icky" just a few hours before our ADR time. I immediately called and canceled our reservation (hope someone was able to grab it!) and we stayed in the room the rest of the night.

I would have not been a happy camper if my credit card had been charged when I had a legitimate reason for canceling my reservation. I know there are people who abuse the system, but I don't think Disney should punish the rest of us for the actions of a few...JMHO.....

[heatherbabydoll1]

I had a similar situation two years ago with the resturant at Norway! My husband got hurt at the Typhoon Lagoon and needed to stay off his feet and we stayed at the hotel that day and rested and cancled 24 hrs in advance and got charged when the reason we couldn't make it was do to an injury that happened at there water park.
On the other hand that has been the only time I ever cancled a reservation and I have been in resturants where we couldn't get a later reservation than lets say 8:30am and when we got done eating around 9:30am there was a ton of tables that opened up and noone waiting. So I do see why the charge the credit cards.
Now as far as the 120 day thing, I understand that if you are staying at a hotel and can not get a seat, that would tick me off also! Especially if your paying for the more expensive hotels. On the flip side I feel they should have a few table set aside for walk ups of those who stay there and not be given a jump ahead to book. Everyone should have equal oppertunity to book reservations, but those who are staying there always have the oppertunity to be even worked in if possible. Just make a gray area and not keep it so black and white.

[wishdisney]

i mean, besides making your reservations before your trip, if you don't make them in time to get a table, then its just tough luck. go during the slow season. i booked a table at the Crystal Palace just a few days I went. I also do remember when I went down in 2007 I was able to pick up a same day reservation at 50's Prime Time Cafe for dinner...in the summer. And i've gotten into Chef Mickey's without a reservation. I guess it really depends on your timing. If you want to walk in somewhere, for example, breakfast, get there literally the time when it opens.

[RACHELSMOM1]

[QUOTE=Condorman;32885188]How is it flawed? You had the same chance/opportunity everyone else had at 90 days out to get that ADR. Why should occupants of a specific resort be afforded better odds of getting a TS at that resort? So the resort withholds 25% of the tables for its own occupants; maybe the occupants book that 25%, maybe not; but if not, then that 25% gets released back into the system only to find out that the people who initially wanted it have moved on to other TS locations? That, too, would be a flawed system.

I agree totally. Why don't you just whine about every little thing? Either you call and get your ADRs, or you are out of luck. Just because some of us don't have the money to stay at CR, GF, or POLY, does not mean we should not be able to make our ADRs when you do. Can you say "resort snobs?"

[KYMickey]

I agree totally. Why don't you just whine about every little thing? Either you call and get your ADRs, or you are out of luck. Just because some of us don't have the money to stay at CR, GF, or POLY, does not mean we should not be able to make our ADRs when you do. Can you say "resort snobs?"
I don't think that's the point at all. Maybe what you're saying is correct for meals other than breakfast but for breakfast you should be able to sleep in if you want to and still be able to eat breakfast where you're staying.

It just makes no sense to me to have to vacation "on the clock" planning every minute of your life while you're on vacation. It's bad enough having to do that while you're working but you should be able to be spontaneous while vacationing! One of the reasons we're greatly reduced how often we go to WDW and instead are also vacationing it places like Hilton Head and Lake Tahoe where a vacation can include some relaxation. We still enjoy most aspects of WDW but we certainly find it a lot less relaxing than we used to.

[KAB1]

[QUOTE=Condorman;32885188]How is it flawed? You had the same chance/opportunity everyone else had at 90 days out to get that ADR. Why should occupants of a specific resort be afforded better odds of getting a TS at that resort? So the resort withholds 25% of the tables for its own occupants; maybe the occupants book that 25%, maybe not; but if not, then that 25% gets released back into the system only to find out that the people who initially wanted it have moved on to other TS locations? That, too, would be a flawed system.

I agree totally. Why don't you just whine about every little thing? Either you call and get your ADRs, or you are out of luck. Just because some of us don't have the money to stay at CR, GF, or POLY, does not mean we should not be able to make our ADRs when you do. Can you say "resort snobs?"

This is one of the most stupid posts that I have read. When you choose a hotel in Disney you choose your hotel based on the ameneties that the hotel has to offer. One of the big ameneties that seperates the deluxe resorts from the values is restaurants versus food courts. All disney is trying to do is to give guests staying at a particular resort a jump start on booking reservations for their hotel restaurants. They are not giving them priorty in booking Theme Park Reservations such as CRT or La cellier. A classic example, If you stay at the Plaza in NYC which starts at $600 a night, you are not gauranteed to have a reservation at any 5 star restaurant of your choice in NYC, but you are guaranteed a seat at any restaurant in the hotel. I don't understand why you have such an issue with this?

[DISNEY1975]

I think this whole conversation is null and void due to another thread regarding Disney going back to the 180+ 10 in October.

But.....if it were to be true......

I think I would be happy ONLY because I really really would like breakfast at my resort hotel on my day of check out and this would basically guarantee it. Nothing like trying to packup and having to get to another resort or park for breakfast, then back to your resort for luggage etc....

On the other hand, I have always booked at the 180 mark and have never had an issue getting what I wanted within 15 minutes of the times I wanted.

Again, this is all null and void anyway!