ADR's NEWS!!! ADR's may only be available 90 days starting Aug 1.

[jenjersnap]

Oh boy. I don't mind 180 days, as a plan-holic. Expect hold times when making ADRs at the 90 day mark to get much longer than they ever were at 180 days. Most people, even D!isney newbies, will have their plans set at 90 days. *yawn* I will definitely be getting up at 5 a.m. Mountain time to make mine in October for our January trip.

 

[IMACM]

The current reservations you have will not be "transferred" to the new system, 2 systems will be used at the same time until the last guest checks in for their current reservation. So, all the reservations you have now are ok!!

With the new system you will have to give personal information at the beginning of the call which will allow for your current reservations to be seen and will keep those that like to book 3 dinner reservations per night from doing so in turn it allows other guests to actually be able to book an ADR and dine.

 

[KYMickey]

With the new system you will have to give personal information at the beginning of the call which will allow for your current reservations to be seen and will keep those that like to book 3 dinner reservations per night from doing so in turn it allows other guests to actually be able to book an ADR and dine.

No matter what information they ask for the people who make multiple ADR's will be able to find a way around it. They'll use work and home address, work and home phone number, spouses name or whenever but they'll certainly find a way to abuse the system like they do now! Unless Disney goes too sophisticated voice recognition software or something like that there's no way around it and even then a spouse or friend could call. I really don't think any technology exists that can prevent people from abusing the system.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

No matter what information they ask for the people who make multiple ADR's will be able to find a way around it. They'll use work and home address, work and home phone number, spouses name or whenever but they'll certainly find a way to abuse the system like they do now! Unless Disney goes too sophisticated voice recognition software or something like that there's no way around it and even then a spouse or friend could call. I really don't think any technology exists that can prevent people from abusing the system.

Actually, I think the easiest thing is to require a credit card to make any ADR...that really kinda cuts down on bogus info since the card won't go through with anything but the correct info. If a spouse calls, their address and such is still going to be the same, so I think that can be cross referenced. Of course some determined person will probably find a loop hole.

 

[dvc at last !]

I like the 90 days better than the 180 days.
I do not have to make up my mind so soon
or cancel and and try to rebook.

 

[IMACM]

No matter what information they ask for the people who make multiple ADR's will be able to find a way around it. They'll use work and home address, work and home phone number, spouses name or whenever but they'll certainly find a way to abuse the system like they do now! Unless Disney goes too sophisticated voice recognition software or something like that there's no way around it and even then a spouse or friend could call. I really don't think any technology exists that can prevent people from abusing the system.

You are correct!! And for those that want a reservation and plan to show up for it are the ones that suffer from those that abuse it. It is just going to make more work for the dining agents and more hold time for the guests!! Every morning there with be hundreds of calls on hold just to make 1 reservation!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KYMickey]

Actually, I think the easiest thing is to require a credit card to make any ADR...that really kinda cuts down on bogus info since the card won't go through with anything but the correct info. If a spouse calls, their address and such is still going to be the same, so I think that can be cross referenced. Of course some determined person will probably find a loop hole.

Actually a credit card will go through without any address information or incorrect address information with most credit card processors, only a few check the address information. Even then it's easy to get around, I've got credit cards with the home address, my work address and a PO Box as the address.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Actually a credit card will go through without any address information or incorrect address information with most credit card processors, only a few check the address information. Even then it's easy to get around, I've got credit cards with the home address, my work address and a PO Box as the address.

Like I said...if someone is determined they'll find a loop hole and you've just proven my point.

 

[Condorman]

There is only one sure-fire way to combat ADR abuse and double bookings:

1.) Anyone who wants to make an ADR must lay down a CC#.
2.) They must cancel no less than 24 hours prior to the ADR time or be charged $10 per the number of people on the ADR.
3.) This applies to all table service venues - and penalty may increase depending on type of venue, i.e. CRT, CG, HDDR, etc.

Does this mean someone couldn't use (2) CC#s and dupe the system? No. They would still have to cancel a day before (or make it 48 hours, even better) thereby releasing the table back into the system. And if they don't, then they are penalized. I also place my vote for online reservations akin to Opentable.com. The layout of that system and its ease of use is second to none. And considering Disney has less than 100 table service venues, it would be easy for them to implement. Also, they could release a majority of their CMs at the call center thereby saving revenue.

 

[IMACM]

Do you know how much more time it takes to get a CC for EVERY reservation? Most dining CM's get paid based on "points" the more time spent on the phone the less chance for an incentive check.

 

[Tricia1972]

I think that 90 days will help prevent so many double bookings. Not everyone is an uber-Disney planner and I think so many double bookings occur, partly, because you are committing to where you are going to be and what you'll be in the mood to eat 6 months out. Generally just a week or so after the park hours come out.

90 days, while not perfect, is easier. Most people don't mind planning out a little in advance.

 

[Condorman]

IMACM...

If all ressies are taken online, getting CC#s would be fluid; most people would register and have the info already in the system. Disney could also term most of the CMs at the call centers, saving that much per year on salaries and streamline the entire ADR system. As it stands now, we cannot print off our ADR lists - you have to wait until you get to WDW. You can't even call and cancel a double-booking without fear of a CM accidentally canceling the wrong one. This is my current situation: I have two restaurants booked at the same time. I do not want one of them and would very much like to cancel, but I've had problems in the past where they scratched the wrong one, or changed the time, or did something a laboratory monkey wouldn't think to do.

Whatever this new system is, I welcome it. If it allows for online booking, I would gladly give my CC#. 90 days out is no problem either, so long as it is the same for everyone across the board. I don't want to hear about certain people (i.e. staying at deluxe resorts or other) getting additional time.

 

[_queenie_]

I'm thrilled that Disney will start making people wait until 90 days!

I certainly hope that they find this to work much better and choose to not change back. Many people, like me every once in a while, don't even book their hotel six months ahead of time. The 180 day policy has really kept people from taking spur of the moment vacations (if you call three months spur of the moment, which I guess it is going by what it used to be).

When you think about it, Disney has really lost money because of the 180 window. Say, if someone is travelling with a large group and decide even five months ahead of time to go to WDW, they may decide to go somewhere else because they can't get dining reservations that allow them to eat together. By three months ahead of time, versus the six, I think many have have decided if they want to go to WDW and therefore they'll attract more customers due to knowing they can get good ADRs.

Just something to think about Disney.

 

[mickey2000]

With the poor economy, and future travel to Disney in question, this will help them as a company. Not only can they close a resort as in the past for refurb, they can now also close any of thier places to eat within a 90 day window!

 

[IMACM]

IMACM...

If all ressies are taken online, getting CC#s would be fluid; most people would register and have the info already in the system. Disney could also term most of the CMs at the call centers, saving that much per year on salaries and streamline the entire ADR system. As it stands now, we cannot print off our ADR lists - you have to wait until you get to WDW. You can't even call and cancel a double-booking without fear of a CM accidentally canceling the wrong one. This is my current situation: I have two restaurants booked at the same time. I do not want one of them and would very much like to cancel, but I've had problems in the past where they scratched the wrong one, or changed the time, or did something a laboratory monkey wouldn't think to do.

Whatever this new system is, I welcome it. If it allows for online booking, I would gladly give my CC#. 90 days out is no problem either, so long as it is the same for everyone across the board. I don't want to hear about certain people (i.e. staying at deluxe resorts or other) getting additional time.

I am sorry that you are scared to call and cancel a double booking! If guest services pulls them up there is a possibility you will lose both If you call and give only the res number the only reservation accessed is the one you gave. I actually think your excuse for not cancelling your double booking is pretty lame!! I hope there is no one on here that is needing that other table you are holding!!

 

[manning]

I've solved the problem years ago. DVC and off site eating. There are a lot of restaurants out there that are great and cheaper.

 

[KYMickey]

I am sorry that you are scared to call and cancel a double booking! If guest services pulls them up there is a possibility you will lose both If you call and give only the res number the only reservation accessed is the one you gave. I actually think your excuse for not cancelling your double booking is pretty lame!! I hope there is no one on here that is needing that other table you are holding!!

So you're the one! I knew someone out there was always taking multiple reservations with no intent on using them and now I know who it is!

 

[kiteri]

As far as I knew... the 180 day window will be back, right?

It is only being reduced to 90 days from July 15, 2008 to October 15, 2008 so that CM's aren't making any new reservations (other than CRT and Chef Mickey's) in the system while they are trying to upgrade, right?

 

[Tricia1972]

It'll be interesting to see how this works.

My understanding is that
*CRT, Chef Mickey's and Victoria and Albert's remain unchanged. (180 day window)
*CM's will be making reservations for the entire time, just nothing past the magical January 15th date until October 15/16 when they start making reservations for January 16th.
*This 90 day window will be in place until late 2009 (not just until October)

It would be an utter disaster if nobody could make or modify any reservations between July 15 and October 15.

 

[MJMcBride]

i am happy about this proposed change