180 Day Dining Reservations Unsuccessful at Epcot December 4 to 13, 2012 for L & D.

[Masonmj84]

I am just curious.

What do you think about all of this?

What do you think that Disney Management is planning?

Do you think that Disney Management just doesn't know what they did?

Do you think that Disney Management planned this to allow more Candlelight Processional Package times to be expanded if they need to in case regular 180 day reservations take to many time slots?

But couldn't Disney Management just block out more time slots for the popular Epcot CL package restaurants instead of closing out all time slots.

Has Disney Management made this kind of mistake before?

Shouldn't Disney Management plan ahead and see how this might affect Guests?

Shouldn't Disney Management train Disney Cast Members for consistent answers to avoid this type of situation?

I can't believe that Disney doesn't care about this.

What do you think?

My gut feeling is that they're holding back a very high percentage of the tables at the 4 currently unreservable restaurants for CP (in that regard, these restaurants tend to be on the smaller and/or more popular side). A higher percentage than in past years.

For example, I'll bet that Disney holds back the overwhelming majority of Le Cellier lunch ADRs for CP (the few left over for regular ADRs will mostly be before 1 pm and they will get snapped up lightning fast).

Simply put, Disney can make more money per guest if the guest books CP instead of a regular ADR. So they don't want regular ADR holders taking up valuable restaurant space when that space can be occupied by more lucrative CP ADR holders. CP dining packages are a cash cow for Disney and they want to milk that to the maximum extent possible.

This frustruates me because, as someone who is paying good money to stay on site, I should be able take advantage of the advertised 180+10 benefit. With the CP table hold, I can't and it makes me feel like Disney is putting the short-term pursuit of profits ahead of their resort guests (which, incidentally, are their highest margin customer). I believe this is a miscalculation on Disney's part.

Granted, I'm not planning to cancel my upcoming trip because of this (and am still going to be up at 6 am trying to snag that now-elusive Le Cellier lunch reservation) but it's left a bad taste in my mouth and made me question whether I'll make a return trip to WDW during the holidays any time soon.

 

[RaySharpton]

Thanks, I agree with you.

But sometimes, I just think there are some NonDisney Enthusiast Cast Members making these decisions.

Maybe they outsource this job to another company to save money and these decisions are not made inside Disney in order to let a special company that specializes in making more money for the company.

I don't want to even think that Disney Management doesn't even care about problems like this over the years.

Did Disney have just Lunch or Lunch and Dinner Le Cellier Steakhouse Candlelight Processional Packages? I don't think that they offered dinner.

It seems like that they could have at least allowed some regular 180 dining reservations for dinner if they are not going to use it for the Candlelight Processional Package.

Here is some info from last year, 2011. I got this from AllEars.Net.

{This is from 2011 and is not for 2012}

Participating restaurants are listed below. Package Prices do not include tax and gratuity. Dinner packages do not include park admission.
Prices listed are Adult / Child.

Biergarten Restaurant: Lunch $ 32.99 / $ 17.99; Dinner $ 50.99 / $ 25.99
Chefs de France: Lunch $ 51.99 / $ 13.99; Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99
Coral Reef: Lunch $ 51.99 / $ 13.99; Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99
Garden Grill Restaurant: Dinner $ 52.99 / $ 26.99
La Hacienda de San Angel: Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99
Le Cellier Steakhouse: Lunch $ 53.99 / $ 14.99
Nine Dragons Restaurant: Lunch $ 38.99 / $ 12.99; Dinner $ 49.99 / $ 15.99
Restaurant Marrakesh: Lunch $ 38.99 / $ 12.99; Dinner $ 49.99 / $ 15.99
Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room: Lunch $ 38.99 / $ 12.99; Dinner $ 49.99 / $ 15.99
San Angel Inn: Lunch $ 38.99 / $ 12.99; Dinner $ 49.99 / $ 15.99
Teppan Edo: Lunch $ 51.99 / $ 13.99; Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99
Tokyo Dining: Lunch $ 51.99 / $ 13.99; Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99
Tutto Italia: Lunch $ 51.99 / $ 13.99; Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria: Lunch $ 38.99 / $ 12.99; Dinner $ 49.99 / $ 15.99

 

[Tistal]

Still can't make ADRs for the week of 12/10 in EPCOT for several restaurants (ones listed in the first post). DH is sorely disappointed; he loves Coral Reef. Usually, I have no problem making 11:30 AM reservations for Coral Reef 180 days out (done it 3 times in the past for this same week), and I was shocked this morning when it showed no available times. I'm glad I stumbled upon this thread.

I may be the odd one out, but I don't care about the Candle Light Processionals, so I'm pretty irked that it's overtaking everyone's plans.

(edit: not a dig at those of you who are planning on going; a dig at Disney for the inconvenience to those of us who don't plan on going. If you love the processional, go for it.)

 

[RaySharpton]

Me, too.

I love the Candlelight Processional, but the past couple of years the prices seemed so high.

I would usually just stand in the standby line without purchasing a Candlelight Processional package.

I do wish that I could make a favorite Epcot restaurant choice for at least one of the restaurants.

This is the very first year that I couldn't make a lunch or dinner reservation at the same 180 day mark for Le Cellier Steakhouse and Rose and Crown Pub and Dining and Coral Reef restaurants. Or for dinner at the Garden Grill restaurant.

These are regular 180 day dining reservations that I am talking about.

Oh, well, I am going to try again online now.

Thank you everyone for your comments and posting on the poll.

 

[RaySharpton]

You want to hear something funny.

I just put in my first request and got no availability for none of the Epcot restaurants.

Then I looked closer and I put in the wrong time or forgot to put in the time and it said I asked for 630am in the very early in the morning.

My first thought was oh my goodness...now what?

Oh well back to the online 180 day...or is it the 172 day advance dining reservation attempts?

 

[RaySharpton]

No luck for Wednesday, June, 13th, morning or afternoon.

I did make a dinner reservation for one Sunday at the Wilderness Lodge Whispering Cafe, since I couldn't get any reservations at Wilderness Campground Trail's End Buffet for any of the evenings.

I wonder why?

Maybe it is on the CP package.

Just kidding.

After dining, I wanted to tour the evening and night Fort Wilderness Campground individual Christmas camp site Christmas decorations.

Last year, it was a woot. Cool decorations along the road.

 

[RaySharpton]

I can't believe that I did this.

I confirmed my dining reservation and then realized that I quickly had to put made a credit card payment for a Le Cellier Steakhouse restaurant for 1255 pm for Thursday.

But after confirming my resort reservation, and then going back to hit the search button, I forgot to reset the date.

Yes...I made the reservation for today, Thursday, June 14, 2012 instead of December.

Now, I have to call and make a cancellation or lose my credit card payment.

I was getting so excited as I typed in my information online that I didn't see the date until I was writing it down.

No...not June the 14th.

And I was ready to post here that the reservations had opened up.

Dumb me.

I will be very careful this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

Good luck everyone making their dining reservations.

 

[bedogged]

I was able to book Les Chefs Le France 12/10/12 and Tokyo Dining 12/13/12 yesterday. Both were for noon.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm with you Ray. I'm done with paying for the CP pkg...way too expensive. I don't order that much food to begin with, so don't need an appetizer, entree and dessert. And I sure as heck don't care about the 'preferred viewing' for IllumiNations. So, looks like this will be my first year in almost 10 years, that I won't be sitting in the theater, watching CP. I'll catch it as I walk by, maybe staying for a bit if the crowds aren't too big.
I know that last year, during Deb's Dessert Party, the crowd for NPH was nuts, even with the rain!!!
I just want to eat lunch at LeCellier one time during my stay...that's the only ADR Karen and I really want to make. Is that too much to ask??

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I'm patiently waiting to be able to book a Coral Reef lunch and Le Cellier dinner for 12/14. I don't want a CP package (I've done CP enough times), I just would like a meal. I want to be done booking ADR's! I have enough things to plan .

 

[Masonmj84]

Sounds like there are going to be a lot of us up at 6 am on the 26th trying to make regular ADRs for one of the 4 currently non-bookable restaurants.

I hope everyone gets what they want.

 

[erinscreen]

I originally had an ADR at San Angel Inn on December 3 for 7 but needed to change it to 5 and had no problem booking either one. I am hoping for Restaurant Marrakesh for my CP!

 

[MeRSiamese]

I have a question...

We are not interested in the CP at all - but I just saw that it also included "preferred seating" for Illuminations? Is this correct?
What is that area like - or is it the same place you would be sitting while watching the music and narration?

...Still waiting for my favorite EPCOT dining... sigh...

And I agree - they REALLY should have set aside *some* reservations for those of us up at the crack of not-yet-dawn on our 180 day marks! Grrr... LOL

 

[RaySharpton]

I have a question...

We are not interested in the CP at all - but I just saw that it also included "preferred seating" for Illuminations? Is this correct?
What is that area like - or is it the same place you would be sitting while watching the music and narration?

...Still waiting for my favorite EPCOT dining... sigh...

And I agree - they REALLY should have set aside *some* reservations for those of us up at the crack of not-yet-dawn on our 180 day marks! Grrr... LOL

I love the Epcot Candlelight Processional, but I am continually disliking the increasing prices and decisions like this where Disney management holds all reservations.

Have you ever seen the outside American pavillion before?

If you haven't yet, it located on the lake with the covered stage against the lake with several rows of bleacher type seats also located uncover, too.

This is where you will be seating usually.

In past years, after dining at your designated Epcot restaurant they will give you a sticky to put on your shirt or jacket that shows the time to enter the event.

People still line up very early or certain shows to get in so it is first come, first served type of line.

There is also a standby line for everyone else on the opposite side that people can wait in and are allowed to enter after the paid CP package guests are allowed.

I have enjoyed the paid package preferred seating and the standby line seating and even the outside the fence standing only view.

It is so awesome and powerful.

I am about to go to work now or I would give you a better explanation. Maybe someone else can answer your question better than I have.

I always enjoy the show, but not the price and and now not being able to make 180+ 10 day dining reservations.

Good luck everyone.

I keep going online and calling everyday, too.

Now I have found that Fort Wilderness Campground Trail's End restaurant has no reservations either for any days that I have been trying.

But, no one has had an explanation for me by phone.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Hi Ray! I'm going to be at WDW December 7th-15th, and was unable to get any reservations at LeCellier, The Rose & Crown, Garden Grill & the Coral Reef, at any time, for any number of people I entered. I also called the DVC line, as well as the regular Disney dining line, and none of the castmembers were able to make my reservations at those particular restaurants. All they would tell me is that the times weren't loaded into the system yet.

I was able to make reservations at the Biergarten & La Hacienda. I've been trying every day since my 180th day out, which was June 10th, I think.

 

[maxiesmom]

I hit my 180+10 today, and I was unable to get Le Ceiller at all, for lunch or dinner. I really just want lunch, so hopefully I won't have too much trouble when they finally release those tables.

I did book Biergarten as a back-up. We really like it there too, so I won't be horribly disappointed if we can never get Le Ceiller. Though I really want that mushroom fillet!

 

[goofy4tink]

Well...and so it continues!!! This is craziness. All I want is one lunch, at LeCellier!! That's all I ask for my Dec trip...not a CP pkg..just plain ole lunch. And, of course, the 25/26th I'll be away at dd's college orientation. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to be able to book just plain ole lunch online before we have to leave at 6:30am!!!

It's almos as if Disney is trying to fill the spots with CP pkg guests..making it impossible to book a non-pkg meal. And that's not so good!!!

 

[RaySharpton]

Hi Ray! I'm going to be at WDW December 7th-15th, and was unable to get any reservations at LeCellier, The Rose & Crown, Garden Grill & the Coral Reef, at any time, for any number of people I entered. I also called the DVC line, as well as the regular Disney dining line, and none of the castmembers were able to make my reservations at those particular restaurants. All they would tell me is that the times weren't loaded into the system yet.

I was able to make reservations at the Biergarten & La Hacienda. I've been trying every day since my 180th day out, which was June 10th, I think.

Hi! That is great that you got your other dining reservations. Maybe we can see each other in December.

 

[RaySharpton]

I hit my 180+10 today, and I was unable to get Le Ceiller at all, for lunch or dinner. I really just want lunch, so hopefully I won't have too much trouble when they finally release those tables.

I did book Biergarten as a back-up. We really like it there too, so I won't be horribly disappointed if we can never get Le Ceiller. Though I really want that mushroom fillet!

I like the filet and pretzel bread, too.

 

[RaySharpton]

Well...and so it continues!!! This is craziness. All I want is one lunch, at LeCellier!! That's all I ask for my Dec trip...not a CP pkg..just plain ole lunch. And, of course, the 25/26th I'll be away at dd's college orientation. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to be able to book just plain ole lunch online before we have to leave at 6:30am!!!

It's almos as if Disney is trying to fill the spots with CP pkg guests..making it impossible to book a non-pkg meal. And that's not so good!!!

Well, I just finished trying online and by phone using the DVC 800 number to make dining reservations.

Absolutely no dining reservations for any days, nor any times, all day from December 2nd through December 12th at all of the following restaurants at:

Fort Wilderness Campground Trail's End Restaurant and
Polynesian Resort 'Ohana restaurant and
Epcot's Le Celler Steakhouse restaurant and
Epcot's Rose and Crown Pub and Dining restaurant and
Epcot's The Garden Grill restaurant and
Epcot's Coral Reef Restaurant.

Maybe tomorrow I might get lucky since it will be my Happy Birthday.

I can't believe that I will be 62.

I have reached the age when I could take the 62 year old Social Security early retirement if I wanted to or could.

But I still have over two more years on my mortgage and I just can't afford to retire yet.

I am getting old physicially to work in the critical care areas.

It is getting very difficult for me to stand, much less, walk briskly to emergencies to AICU or NICU or E/R or L/D and back to the department or where ever I am assigned to work.

But, I am so very fortunate to be working with the greatest folks in the world that define the word "teamwork" and "kindness".

I love what I do and I feel so fortunate to have a job.

I did hear back for some one at Disney about my calls and emails and she said that the four Epcot restaurants are holding back all reservations all day because of the Candlelight Processional Packages.

Maybe tomorrow, I will be lucky.

I hope that you all get your reservations that you are hoping for too.

You, know I was thinking that I should only take off work one week this year in December, because I haven't really seen any Pop Century Resort Annual Pass discounts, yet.

And last year, I was lucky and got my very first pin discount by email for some reason with a great discount.

I think that since I will be 62, and that I am still working, that I should take another week and stay at Pop Century Resort.

I can't believe that I am going to believe 62 already.