ADRs- selling?

[Genie+]

I wouldn’t mind $10 down payment per guest. But now that people can cancel up to 2 hours prior, that might not be enough of a deterrent. On top of that people trying to plan same day around their G+ and ILLs. Both are enticements to hold more ADRs than needed and I think much of the problem lies there.

 

[Disturbia]

The ADRs that are held back will make deluxe resorts in high demand. Someone said they could see lots of Chef Mickeys available during a 2 hour prime time. They’re staying at the CR; it’s only fair that guest paying those ridiculous prices have first dibs. A room there costs 4-6 times as much as a room at POR. Personally I would love more access to Topolinos, but there are probably a lot of complaints by guests staying onsite for shorter stays that they can’t book anything.

Tying ADRs and resorts also makes sure that you don’t just book a package to get dining and then move your dates. There were reports of ADRs being cancelled if you cancelled your resort booking. I would definitely like that implemented more. I see this as Disney experimenting a little bit to make things a bit better for deluxe guests.

 

[HopperFan]

I wouldn’t mind $10 down payment per guest. But now that people can cancel up to 2 hours prior, that might not be enough of a deterrent. On top of that people trying to plan same day around their G+ and ILLs. Both are enticements to hold more ADRs than needed and I think much of the problem lies there.

THIS^

The entire structure about how Genie+ works def would encourage one to hold numerous ADRs and then cancel day of after you start rolling your Genie+. COULD this be one reason Disney has become lenient with the cancellation policy? I know I see them as conflicting with each other and feel Genie+ is more important than holding an ADR. We have gone from at least 1 per day to maybe 1 all week.

And is holding them back for resort guests, releasing some very late and perhaps holding back overall be Disney trying to create a supply issue, creating the demand and "must have" so guests grab them when they finally release? The fact that there is so much Wait List availability tells me that folks aren't booking ADRs like they used to. We could be looking at Disney creating a big fat false narrative that ADRs are hard to get by holding, knowing that at the last minute panic will scoop them up.

 

[Disturbia]

It's a 10 day trip but we booked Ohana at 60+1 and Space 220 at 60+2.

What people don't understand is that inventory doesn't always magically load exactly at 60+10. Sometimes when you're unable to make a reservation, it's not because every table has been booked, it's because not every table has yet been made available to be booked. This is still a problem, but it's not the problem everyone thinks it is, especially when labor is still an issue and Disney doesn't exactly know how many bodies they'll have two months ahead of time.

I think you are going during an off peak time. I couldn’t grab Ohana until 60+5 and only a few off peak times were left (staying at the Poly). Space 220 was 6+6 and Topolinos breakfast had no availability until 60+7

With the Bots, I don’t think they start looking for ADRs until 60+2, so they’re looking for cancellations or an ADR drop at that point.

 

[jimim]

I had a horrible time getting Jiko the past 2 weeks. I never ever ever had an issue with Jiko even on holiday's like thanksgiving. This trip I didn't get it till my last day of the trip. Everything else was fine. Topalino, Flying fish, Yatchsman, Citricos to name a few. But Jiko totally had me confused.

 

[HopperFan]

The problem is that if they are holding back. Then what is the point of staying onsite? Might aswell stay off site buy genie a few times to offset not having early magic hours and maybe do an after hours event to get on rise.

60+10 is completely pointless if they dont actually release the bookings at 60+10

Folks here on DIS are a tiny percentage of those staying on site. Most don't know any different - they will just assume they are hard to get and take something else. I still think other than a few character or special places most Disney guests just want to book something and are less picky than those in the know.

And if they are holding back for hotel guests at that hotel it may be something they share eventually if it becomes policy implying it's a great perk.

 

[MrWreckless]

If Disney can do it, they absolutely should give first dibs for restuarants to guests of that particular resort. It has to be extremely frustrating to book a room at the Polynesian or Contemporary and not be able to eat in the restaurants you walk past every day.

I say that as someone who has ZERO interest in staying at a deluxe property going forward.

 

[nevergrowup826]

i received 4 mouse dining alerts for 3 pm Space 220 reservations (4 separate reservations on 1/31 today all in a row. I just so happened to have my email and phone open when they came through. I clicked with in seconds. they were gone. There is no way this was not a bot catch. This paid bot program is a real problem that has to be shut down.

 

[MrWreckless]

i received 4 mouse dining alerts for 3 pm Space 220 reservations (4 separate reservations on 1/31 today all in a row. I just so happened to have my email and phone open when they came through. I clicked with in seconds. they were gone. There is no way this was not a bot catch. This paid bot program is a real problem that has to be shut down.

That has been happening to people well before the bot reservations showed up.

I would recommend text alerts over email as email often has a longer delay. Also the alert sites don’t always alert you as soon as the opening pops up. One trip I was using mouse dining and my wife used mouse watcher for the same alerts. In some instances I would be notified 5 minutes before her and in others she would receive the alert well before me.

Also it should be pointed out that you are just using the slower free email version of a paid bot service.

 

[J-Dog]

I had a horrible time getting Jiko the past 2 weeks. I never ever ever had an issue with Jiko even on holiday's like thanksgiving. This trip I didn't get it till my last day of the trip. Everything else was fine. Topalino, Flying fish, Yatchsman, Citricos to name a few. But Jiko totally had me confused.

Jiko is currently closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Maybe that's why there's no availability when you are looking?

 

[Smugpugmug]

Jiko is currently closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Maybe that's why there's no availability when you are looking?

I think Jiko is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, not Mondays. I currently have an ADR for the 26th, which is a Monday.

 

[J-Dog]

I think Jiko is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, not Mondays. I currently have an ADR for the 26th, which is a Monday.

Yeah, you're probably right. I knew that they were closed on Tuesday and an adjacent day - I must have guessed wrong.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

i received 4 mouse dining alerts for 3 pm Space 220 reservations (4 separate reservations on 1/31 today all in a row. I just so happened to have my email and phone open when they came through. I clicked with in seconds. they were gone. There is no way this was not a bot catch. This paid bot program is a real problem that has to be shut down.

Opposite story, I set up an alert today for a F! meal and grabbed a reservation from the first alert I received today
So they do work and bots aren't grabbing them all nor can you assume they got yours
Others do put in for the same searches. Never assume you are the only one looking

ETA - It took me quite a few alerts to finally get the CP reservation I wanted. I kept missing those. It worked eventually but wasn't the first, or 10th.

 

[lowlight]

Opposite story, I set up an alert today for a F! meal and grabbed a reservation from the first alert I received today
So they do work and bots aren't grabbing them all nor can you assume they got yours
Others do put in for the same searches. Never assume you are the only one looking

ETA - It took me quite a few alerts to finally get the CP reservation I wanted. I kept missing those. It worked eventually but wasn't the first, or 10th.

Let me know when you get a Topolino’s Terrace breakfast from an alert.

 

[Disturbia]

Opposite story, I set up an alert today for a F! meal and grabbed a reservation from the first alert I received today
So they do work and bots aren't grabbing them all nor can you assume they got yours
Others do put in for the same searches. Never assume you are the only one looking

ETA - It took me quite a few alerts to finally get the CP reservation I wanted. I kept missing those. It worked eventually but wasn't the first, or 10th.

What day was the Fantasmic alert?

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

This subject has been brought up many times before and hoarding reservations is real. I got into a huge argument on these boards with a hoarder last year lol. It really sucks when all you want is one stinking reservation and others book every hour at a hard to get restaurant. As far as Disney holding back for resort guests, that is real also. At our last stay at Riviera, I asked if there were any Topolino's breakfast available during our stay and they booked them for us at check in. We also got one comped due to other issues. And finally, I am part of a FB group that members actually do sell ADR's. I am more or less a troll there as I have to be careful about comments due to owning a small business. The things I really want to say stay in my head.

 

[nevergrowup826]

Opposite story, I set up an alert today for a F! meal and grabbed a reservation from the first alert I received today
So they do work and bots aren't grabbing them all nor can you assume they got yours
Others do put in for the same searches. Never assume you are the only one looking

ETA - It took me quite a few alerts to finally get the CP reservation I wanted. I kept missing those. It worked eventually but wasn't the first, or 10th.

Right, but I’m used to using the alerts for several years and many times get the res as long as I’ve seen quickly. I know others are looking as well, I’ve lost on many in the past too.
But this was absolutely ridiculous for all 4- all at the same time, and not an idea time for the regular dining room (3pm)- to be gone instantaneously. That’s why I think it’s a bot.

For what it’s worth Mouse dining always has notified for me before TP and sometimes TP doesn’t even catch it, like today.

 

[nevergrowup826]

That has been happening to people well before the bot reservations showed up.

I would recommend text alerts over email as email often has a longer delay. Also the alert sites don’t always alert you as soon as the opening pops up. One trip I was using mouse dining and my wife used mouse watcher for the same alerts. In some instances I would be notified 5 minutes before her and in others she would receive the alert well before me.

Also it should be pointed out that you are just using the slower free email version of a paid bot service.

mouse dining has always texted and emailed at the same time for some reason. I find MD easier to grab via email and TP easier via text- but they’re slower than MD. Crazy about one person being notified before the other though!

I get that reservation finders are bots too, but there’s a difference between a bot grabbing and a bot notifying a bunch of people giving them an actual chance. The bot grabbing them doesn’t give the others a chance and that’s what’s wrong.

 

[lockets]

I wouldn’t mind $10 down payment per guest. But now that people can cancel up to 2 hours prior, that might not be enough of a deterrent. On top of that people trying to plan same day around their G+ and ILLs. Both are enticements to hold more ADRs than needed and I think much of the problem lies there.

I know you probably know this already and your $10 reference is just an idea for Disney, but just to make sure it’s clear for everyone - the bot fees, in contrast, are not down payments on the meal. It’s a per person non-refundable booking fee.

 

[Disturbia]

I know you probably know this already and your $10 reference is just an idea for Disney, but just to make sure it’s clear for everyone - the bot fees, in contrast, are not down payments on the meal. It’s a per person non-refundable booking fee.

I didn’t know about this service.

I’ve never paid except for a TP membership in the past. They were prompt on park hour changes but MD (free) beat them by 15 mins for ADR notification. This was pre pandemic when a 7 day trip got you everything you wanted (and BOG was the hardest to book).