Anyone heard about "Adv. Dining Reservations" Change on 7/18???

[tammydel]

One nice perk seems to be that all your PS's (or AR's ) can be made in 1 phone call. For many this may not be a big deal - but if you're compulsive about Disney planning like me - this means not having to call 90 days from each PS you want to make. Less time on the phone, on hold, long distance, etc... Oh wait, less calls to Disney World...hmmm... I kinda like all those calls to Disney...I know, I'm a freak!

Tammy

 

[bicker]

Yes, but I am not sure that someone who comes on December 15 for ten nights should have preference for a Christmas day reservation over those who come on December 23 for ten nights.

Given that the 10 days prior to Christmas are in less demand, and therefore harder to sell, than the 10 days starting with Christmas, I'd say it's pretty much a wash for the restaurant either way.

Personally, it sounds like a good idea but in practice I think it is going to be an absolute nightmare with a lot of people rightfully upset.

Generally speaking, there are going to be some people who will be upset whenever they don't get what they want, no matter what you do. This change will benefit some people and be to the detriment of others. The objective, clearly, is to shift the available satisfaction around to provide an overall improvement. Given limited resources, it is highly unlikely that any change would result in every guest and the restaurant experiencing enhancement.

Beyond that, the upset this change will cause would only be "rightful" if people were promised by the restaurant that things would work some other way. I don't believe that is the case.

I think that people need to WAIT until the plan is in place before complaining about it.

I think that would violate one of the fundamental principles of the DIS.

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)....
Generally speaking, there are going to be some people who will be upset whenever they don't get what they want, no matter what you do. This change will benefit some people and be to the detriment of others. The objective, clearly, is to shift the available satisfaction around to provide an overall improvement. Given limited resources, it is highly unlikely that any change would result in every guest and the restaurant experiencing enhancement.........

IMHO,the main objective/driving force behind the change is to cut down on the number of calls to dining CMs and thus reduce Disney's costs.

It wouldn't surprise me if this advantage to on site guests is "temporary". In other words, it's a test. If it's successsful (reduces calls/costs), the ability to make all your ADRs with one call will be extended to all guests.

I agree with you about change upsetting some no matter what. I do not recall ever learning about a change here on the DIS that didn't upset lots of posters at first. Some people just cannot deal with change and assume all sorts of impacts/details that never materialize. I used to tell some of the people who worked for me that they'd find a way to be mad if I handed them each a check for $1M, LOL!

Best wishes -

 

[lenshanem]

I can see the problems with that Christmas scenario, but when I first saw this I was excited! I HATE having to call every day for a week to get all our PSs booked. This makes it much easier! I think this will help out Dining a great deal, too - less calls.
That 7:00 AM time hits right around the time I'm getting my oldest off to school and it was a pain to deal with this for a week. Now I'll only have to worry about it one day.
It will be interesting, though to see how this effects the princess meals...

 

[Doctor P]

Actually, there would be a simple solution to the problem I outlined. Designate a certain number of days as "holiday days" for which no reservations will be taken until 90 days before that particular date (and, if you wish, only from those with on-site reservations). Frankly, I think that would solve the issue that I have raised. I agree with Carol as to the motivation for the program. It will also save me time and effort in making our ADR's (or DW, LOL) and, as I said, I like the program in concept.

 

[crisi]

IMHO,the main objective/driving force behind the change is to cut down on the number of calls to dining CMs and thus reduce Disney's costs.

It wouldn't surprise me if this advantage to on site guests is "temporary". In other words, it's a test. If it's successsful (reduces calls/costs), the ability to make all your ADRs with one call will be extended to all guests.

I agree with you about change upsetting some no matter what. I do not recall ever learning about a change here on the DIS that didn't upset lots of posters at first. Some people just cannot deal with change and assume all sorts of impacts/details that never materialize. I used to tell some of the people who worked for me that they'd find a way to be mad if I handed them each a check for $1M, LOL!

Best wishes -

I think its the opposite. I think you'll see the offsite window reduced to 30 days except for AP holders. Disney needs to continue to differentiate their resorts stays. Staying onsite used to be full of perks - including priority with reservations, with budget cuts a lot of the perks have gone (but they did bring EMH back!) This adds no costs and gives onsite guests a definate advantage over offsite guests.

But yes, the ability to make reservations for ten days from the start of your stay will cut down a lot on the number of calls Disney gets.

 

[Dean]

Actually, there would be a simple solution to the problem I outlined. Designate a certain number of days as "holiday days" for which no reservations will be taken until 90 days before that particular date (and, if you wish, only from those with on-site reservations). Frankly, I think that would solve the issue that I have raised. I agree with Carol as to the motivation for the program. It will also save me time and effort in making our ADR's (or DW, LOL) and, as I said, I like the program in concept.

Why even worry about it. From Disney's perspective, they don't really care who gets the reservations. They do care if they increase their usage and occupancy percentages across their entire business, which this might do. And they care if they reduce their manpower costs, which this will most certainly do. I'm sure Disney would rather see those reservations go to someone who's staying 10 days than someone who's staying 5 or 7 or off site. Since someone is going to be happy and the rest sad, it won't make any difference in the numbers that will be so.

The thing with any change is you figure it out then how to use it to your advantage. In this case you stay 10 days if you want a certain thing that you can't get otherwise. And even then, there may be ways to manipulate it. IMO this is a gift to those like many of use who plan ahead well.

 

[CarolMN]

I think its the opposite. I think you'll see the offsite window reduced to 30 days except for AP holders. Disney needs to continue to differentiate their resorts stays. Staying onsite used to be full of perks - including priority with reservations, with budget cuts a lot of the perks have gone (but they did bring EMH back!) This adds no costs and gives onsite guests a definate advantage over offsite guests.

But yes, the ability to make reservations for ten days from the start of your stay will cut down a lot on the number of calls Disney gets.

That's certainly something to think about - time will tell.

I still don't think it is the main reason they came up with this - to me it looks and smells like a cost reduction initiative. If the main purpose was differentiation, I think Disney would have announced something simpler and easier to understand. For example, let on site guests and passholders make ADRs at 90 days and everybody else at 60 (or 30 or whatever).

IMHO, the ability to make all your PS arrangements with one call isn't that great of a perk - especially since Disney is reportedly only releasing a portion of the available seats at that time. Except for the princess meals, everyone can do it now - if they wait until the last day of their stay to call. Even the most popular restaurants do not book up in the first 10 days the window is open (except for the princess meals and the Chef's Table at V&A's, which is a 180 day ressie and not changing).

FWIW, I have a feeling that they will be announcing an exception for the princess meals. Whether you agree or not, there is a real perception that it isn't fair and many will complain. I still remember the "tempest in the teapot" that ended with the credit card deposit policy.

Best wishes -

 

[Doctor P]

Dean,

Perhaps you are missing my point, or I am missing yours. I don't argue with the premises of giving advantage to those who stay longer, nor do I argue with the premise of giving those who are staying onsite an advantage. I do not see the rationality, however, for Christmas and New Year's Eve reservations giving preference to those who ARRIVE first for their vacation. As someone who is arriving on December 23, I am very concerned about my ox being gored by not being able to get a desirable reservation for Christmas day, and, because I chose to change resorts on December 26, possibly being aced out of NYE reservations, too. The only possible silver lining is that it will only be the onsite resorts able to make reservations at my window, so maybe that will be a sufficient reduction in demand to give us a chance. We'll wait to see, and we'll see if maybe they DO make special provisions for Christmas and NYE (as they have even with the old PS system in the past--requiring deposits for those days to get a PS when such a deposit was not required on other days), but I'm not sure they have thought that aspect through well.

 

[chief's#9fan]

My information is this is only available to those staying on the dining plan. As DVC members can't take out the dining plan they can't make use of the extra window.
Please don't take this as any more than information received from a 2nd party so call and check with Disney if DVC or room only bookings are included. I'm certain there is going to be a lot of confusion about this until it settles down but I am confident of my source.

 

[Dean]

Doctor P, I'm sure we're pretty close overall on this. And I did hear you saying that for specific situations it wasn't fair. My point was that there is NO situation where it's truly unfair. Specifically I don't see it as unfair for the one who arrives 17 Dec for 10 days to get the coveted reservation over the one who arrives 24 Dec for 10 days. As to changing resorts, I don't know how they'll handle it, we shall see on that one. To be unfair they'd have to violate their own rules in place at the time such as one grocery store did by selling a number of copies of the new Harry Potter book a week early. Something like opening the window too early and everything being gone before they were even supposed to be available. Or the CM secretly getting reservations for friends and family on the sly.

And this spurs a general observation that I see with timeshare owners in general including Marriott, etc. That is that when something changes that might not work as well for them, they get mad and fuss and complain instead of looking for new ways to use it to their advantage. I already see a couple of ways to use this to your advantage for dining reservations. But in part it depends exactly how they implement it and especially how they treat changes in the reservations.

 

[Dean]

My information is this is only available to those staying on the dining plan. As DVC members can't take out the dining plan they can't make use of the extra window.
Please don't take this as any more than information received from a 2nd party so call and check with Disney if DVC or room only bookings are included. I'm certain there is going to be a lot of confusion about this until it settles down but I am confident of my source.

That is different than mine. Which is it's only available to onsite guests regardless of the method of reservation or package. But you never know, WDW could implement a program where you get say Cindy's reservation as part of the package, for a premium of course.

 

[sprite]

I'm on the ps calculator e-mail list and I just got this today:

"Here is the information I have obtained of a new Advanced
Reservations policy going into affect on July 18, 2005. This is all
unoffical and subject to change. Once the offical announcement is
made, I'll send out another update.

1. Walt Disney World Resort Guests can call 90 days from their check
in date and book all Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR) for up to 10
days beyond their check in date. The Swan, Dolphin and Shades of
Green are NOT included in this new policy as they are not owned and
operated by WDW.

This will include any events WDW Dining is reposible for like the
Grand Floridian Children programs (Pirate Cruise and Wonderland Tea
Party). Speciality cruises and other recreational events which are
booked using a different number are not included.

2. WDW Dining is not opening the entire restaurant to the early
booking. Only a percentage of the tables will be available. The
more popular the restaurant, the smaller amount of tables open for
early bookings. Resort guests will not be able to sell out popular
events like CRT.

3. A valid resort confirmation number MUST be given and will be put
in to the system to be checked. The confirmation allows the 90 + 10
perk. After that any changes to your resort reservation does not
affect your dining reservations. However, you should update WDW
Dining if you are given a new confirmation number.

Also, if you cancel your resort reservation, you should call WDW
Dining and cancel any ADRs which required a credit card for a
deposits and prepayments or cancellation penalties will apply.

4. This new policy goes into effect on Monday, July 18, 2005. Those
of you with WDW resort stays beginning on October 16, 2005 and later
will be eligible to make 90 + 10 ADRs.

Here's an example for you:

Say your next stay is at the Wilderness Lodge, a WDW resort,
arriving on November 21, 2005 and will be staying for 7 days.
According to the PS Calculator, your 90 day call date is Tuesday,
August 23rd. This means, you can call on that day and make ALL your
ADRs for the entire stay as long as tables are still available in
the restaurants and times you select.

Happy Planning!

Scottwdw
http://pscalculator.net"

 

[bicker]

Actually, there would be a simple solution to the problem I outlined. Designate a certain number of days as "holiday days" for which no reservations will be taken until 90 days before that particular date (and, if you wish, only from those with on-site reservations).

Even easier: Designate that meal a holiday hard-ticket event, charging 50% more for it. That should cut down on the demand for it, limiting it to only those who most want to have that special experience on that special day.

 

[Doctor P]

I've got no problem with that. I might add that it sounds like the policy may be more limited than initial reports made it sound.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

this new policy sounds good to me, providing our confirmation #`s as DVC members, are available to the people @ the Disney Dining #.

It means ,(after you`ve made your choices for dining, you only have to make ONE phone call )

Being the planner that I am , I think once I`ve made the initial call, I won`t have to go over & over the dining list, as I usually do, making the day to day calls : ... soooo... then, I can start obsessing over something else for our trip

 

[Dean]

this new policy sounds good to me, providing our confirmation #`s as DVC members, are available to the people @ the Disney Dining #.

More likely they won't be and they will take our word for it.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

My major issue with this new method is (hypothetical situation):

you book a trip say October 1st through October 10th. You make PS for those days. I call and book a trip October 2nd through 8th (maybe I can't go as long for whatever reasons) I can't get the major PS's that I wanted - ie: CRT because those people who may have only booked 1 day before me got all the PS's. With the 90 day out rule everyone started at the same spot and it was 1st come 1st serve. Now you in theory could be penalized and not get those "hot ticket" times, days, items."

 

[Dean]

My major issue with this new method is (hypothetical situation):

you book a trip say October 1st through October 10th. You make PS for those days. I call and book a trip October 2nd through 8th (maybe I can't go as long for whatever reasons) I can't get the major PS's that I wanted - ie: CRT because those people who may have only booked 1 day before me got all the PS's. With the 90 day out rule everyone started at the same spot and it was 1st come 1st serve. Now you in theory could be penalized and not get those "hot ticket" times, days, items."

You could look at it that way, or you could reserve 10 days minimum a full 9 days or so before you want CRT and actually significantly improve your chances.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

You could look at it that way, or you could reserve 10 days minimum a full 9 days or so before you want CRT and actually significantly improve your chances.

Sorry Dean that I'm not exactly sure what you mean by this. Are you saying you could try for each day of your stay more in advance now instead of having to try just on one day and possilbly not having any luck?