Does money buy you dining access?

[nigel-bigel]

I just commented to DH about people who visit the World during peak times and have no idea they need ADRs. He said, well, if thy have enough money it doesn't matter. They can still get in any where they want.

Do you think this is true? I suppose if you are staying on a Concierge Level, the Concierge can find you ADRs someplace where they can squeeze you in. But can they get you where you want to go, when you want to go - even at the last minute?

I'm thinking he's probably right...

Nicole

 

[imLissy]

I don't think so. Maybe if they're rich and famous or have connections or something. Just money won't get you into a restaurant.

 

[TDC Nala]

No, it does not. Probably only for VIPs who have enough cash to rent out whatever they want or have it arranged through Disney's VIP services.

 

[Tinkh]

Nope. We saw Aimee Teegarden who plays Julie Taylor on Friday Night Lights last year at Christmas. We had ADRs and we got in much, much sooner than she did. LOL! Forgot to add that it was add Rose and Crown.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

It depends who and how much money. I'm pretty sure if Bill Gates showed up at WDW on Christmas Eve and wanted to dine at CG he would be accomodated.

Also, I'm sure that a WDW Resort Concierge regular, maybe someone who makes five or six visits a year, would get their concierge's help and if that didn't work I'm quite sure their hotel manager would make it work.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I just commented to DH about people who visit the World during peak times and have no idea they need ADRs. He said, well, if thy have enough money it doesn't matter. They can still get in any where they want.

Do you think this is true? I suppose if you are staying on a Concierge Level, the Concierge can find you ADRs someplace where they can squeeze you in. But can they get you where you want to go, when you want to go - even at the last minute?

I'm thinking he's probably right...

Nicole

I would disagree with your DH. Maybe if you are one of the VIPs that Disney has asked to participate in the CP, but does money talk..........

 

[disnut8]

We once "dined with" Steven Tyler at Sci Fi. He, his then wife, his son and another member of Aerosmith (sorry, too lazy to try and find the name of the guy) were seated just in front of us. They waited just like us to be called to their car, there was no special security no nothing.

We did ask our Cast Member waitress if that was really him (I know, how many people look like Steven Tyler but aren't him?) and she said it was and that he, like just about any other celebrity at Disney World, didn't want any special treatment.

Yes, I can see when Princess Diana was there or the Jolie-Pitt crew (I still don't get why they get so much media attention) are there, there might some backdoor thing but come on, you are talking more than just a $50 tip to get a table.

 

[GeorgeG]

I agree that you might get special treatment through the concierge or VIP channels, but WDW is not the kind of place you will get seated by slipping the host or hostess a twenty or more. They would be fired on the spot. No ADR? Most of the time you can still get seated simply by being polite and patient. Many of the people with ADRs book multiple meals and only show up at the one they're closest to. The restaurants give them 15 minutes and then seat on a first come basis.

 

[nicki.momof3]

I have to agree with your husband. Just like anywhere in the world $$$ buys perks.

For example, when the TV show Jon and Kate +8 traveled to WDW they had all the perks. Private meetings with princesses and so on.

Yes it was a TV show but they were also HOT at the time and they got perks.

How many of us can have the fab. 5 + some princesses play with our kids in a private grassy area.

$$$ and fame get perks.

 

[vicki_c]

I think it's a matter more of WHO you are then how much money you have. Regular "rich" folk - no special access. A celebrity, of course that would be different, but they don't stay at WDW like "regular" people either. So a true VIP type would probably have things available that the rest of us wouldn't.

But staying concierge doesn't get you special ADR access for the most part - they are numerous reports of concierge staff who couldn't get people ADRs when/where they wanted.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I just commented to DH about people who visit the World during peak times and have no idea they need ADRs. He said, well, if thy have enough money it doesn't matter. They can still get in any where they want.

1) You can tell him that he is basically wrong.
2) Yes, in some circumstances
. . . you are a true VIP
. . . you are a Disney/ABC major executive
. . . you find a concierge with an override code *
3) Other than that, nada
. . . you cannot have the Club Floor exert more "pull" than lobby concierge
. . . you cannot bribe a podium hostess
. . . you cannot call the restaurant and ask for favors

* Some concierge have an override code that allows them to add people to the ADR, even if the eatery is sold out. The right is seldom used, but if you could view the ressie system for any popular eatery, you would see ADR's in "red". These are manual overrides. Now, concierge with override codes do not advertise the fact, so finding them is tough for non-management types.

 

[BillSears]

I pretty much agree...

money won't get you much. But MONEY! can get you anything you want. I've seen people get married on the stage in front of Cinderella castle. I'm sure MONEY! was involved but I bet they didn't just slip a CM a $20.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have to agree with your husband. Just like anywhere in the world $$$ buys perks.

For example, when the TV show Jon and Kate +8 traveled to WDW they had all the perks. Private meetings with princesses and so on.

Yes it was a TV show but they were also HOT at the time and they got perks.

How many of us can have the fab. 5 + some princesses play with our kids in a private grassy area.

$$$ and fame get perks.

That's different - only the most VI of VIPs (the hottest and the richest) are going to get that kind of treatment. WDW isn't the kind of place where if you're not a celebrity, you can slip the maitre'd a twenty and they'll find you a table in a full restaurant.

If you want to save up a bazillion dollars, call Disney up and say you want to rent out California Grill for your own private party, they'll probably let you do that....but not many have that kind of cash.

 

[JacksLilWench]

I actually worked with a woman one time that was going with her family to WDW around Christmas time and her granddaughter wanted more than anything to eat at CRT. We were talking about it one day, and she said "We couldn't get reservations, so I bet when we get there we're gonna have to pay through the nose to get in!" and I just remember thinking "If they don't have a table for you, it doesn't matter what kind of money you go flashing around; they simply don't have a table. Make ADR's next time!" There are situations where money is going to open doors for you, ie. getting married in front of the Cinderella Castle. But just because you start waving AmEx Black Card doesn't mean they're gonna pull a table out of their behinds.

 

[B-Ride]

If they offered me 500$ I would probably let them have my ADR.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

But just because you start waving AmEx Black Card doesn't mean they're gonna pull a table out of their behinds.

Yeah ,they will.

 

[TLSnell1981]

But just because you start waving AmEx Black Card doesn't mean they're gonna pull a table out of their behinds.

Yeah ,they will.

Are you sure about that, or will they laugh hysterically in my face?

 

[centurythree]

Are you sure about that, or will they laugh hysterically in my face?

I'm confident it will get you this: this: or this:

If you are the type of person who is likely to generate crowds of people seeking autographs this doesn't apply. They have the option of being ushered through rear entrances of rides, etc., so they can enjoy the parks relatively unmolested. (Some who have that option choose not to exercise it of course, but it is "encouraged.")

Amazingly enough, I'm speaking from experience. Apparently in one cast member's eyes I was identical to a very very very famous child star of the time. On top of that several of the child star's co-stars had been to the parks within the last few weeks. Let's just say the cast member had a very serious chat with me about why I shouldn't just be walking around the park with my family alone and why I needed to go through the special entrances until we finally convinced her I wasn't that kid.

Once she finally believed us she did still offer to let us go in through the other entrance, which was really nice of her (I refused.) It actually made me feel bad for the other kid that they wouldn't be able to just get on rides and walk around with their family.

 

[DisneyMim]

We've stayed Concierge, or now what they call Club Level, many times. Yes it is true that years ago they used to get you in any restaurant last minute. The last time we stayed CL at the BC, we had a totally different experience. We had made our own ressies in advance, but there was one place we wanted to eat that we could not get. We had asked the CL staff prior to arriving and they said that nothing was available, to wait till be got there. Well, we asked all week and never got our reservation. I talked to some other people and they said the same thing. It's not a guarantee any more that CL will get you in a restaurant. Again, this was our experience. I'm sure that if some big celebrity was visiting they would get what they wanted, but for little ole me, NO!! LOL!! The dining plan as become so popular that restaurants are filling up faster and earlier. I can remember the good old days when you didn't need any ressies too far in advance. We used to make ours when we arrived at WDW, and sometimes could actually (gasp!!) walk up!!

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Yeah ,they will.

If you are speaking i n the context that you can use that AMEX black card to make any type of advance arrangements, because cost doesn't matter to you...I tend to agree. For instance, getting married in front of the castle used to be a very expensive option from Disney weddings. I think it's been discontinued, but at the time, anyone with enough money could reserve it within the WDW limitations set for that function.

OTOH, if you are talking about walking up to a podium and flashing your card to get a table when the restaurant is full...I don't think that will work at WDW.

We're only talking about money here, not celebrity. That throws a different parameter in the mix.