Cindy's Breakfast advice & encouragement

[PrincessParent]

Well, after reading all these posts I thought I was all set to handle my first opportunity for CRT. Started calling at 6:58, watching the atomic clock, redialing after I hear the "sorry we're closed message" got my 1,1 finger ready. Finally got the right message just after 7:00. Heard the 1st words, pressed 1, heard the start of the next prompt, hit 1 again......eerie silence......and then the dreaded phone number request...........arghhhh!!!!....then to top it off, I guess I punched in my phone # too fast because it kept telling me "I did get that, please enter again" message 3 times. Not until I punched it in fairly slowly did it finally take. And so here I sit, waiting, waiting, listening to "the wonderful thing about Tiggers, are Tiggers are wonderful things........" and now "can you feel the love tonight....it can be assumed, his carefree days with us are history, in short our pal is doomed" as I think my chance of getting CRT is today.

Well tomorrow is another day.

PP

 

[PrincessParent]

7:21 - finally got thru......as expected Cindy's was not available, but PSB was still available so I grabbed that for 8:30. At least I have a backup now. Grabbed a Chef Mickey's dinner for Sunday night when we get there as well, got the last table for 6pm.

And just to check I called the number back a couple of times and each time I did the 1,1 process I got put right on hold. I must have had some over excited fat fingers pressing the first time I called. Perhaps I hit a 2 instead of a 1 the second time.

I'll be ready tomorrow....same bat-time.....same bat-channel.....6 more chances.

PP

 

[iluvtink]

Originally posted by eblondie
Now im confused..reading the tips from the first page it says that you can no longer hit #1. I thought i had it all sorted out in my head as to what I had to do!!! Please help

eblondie, the 1 and 1 worked for me last night. I got straight through to an agent. I think it's in the timing of the 1 and 1. The first 1 is to get you to all restaurants except Victoria's and Albert's, and the second 1 is to say that you are in the Orlando area and/or need ressies in the next week. Apparently it's that second 1 that gets you straight through, and the CM's don't seem to notice or mind at all that it was a little "cheat" to get through. Practice this afternoon and listen to the messages and see what you get. You can always hang up when you get through to a CM, or tell them "oops, I'm too early" or just "have a magical day!"

 

[dollydimple]

Originally posted by PrincessParent
Well, after reading all these posts I thought I was all set to handle my first opportunity for CRT. Started calling at 6:58, watching the atomic clock, redialing after I hear the "sorry we're closed message" got my 1,1 finger ready. Finally got the right message just after 7:00. Heard the 1st words, pressed 1, heard the start of the next prompt, hit 1 again......eerie silence......and then the dreaded phone number request...........arghhhh!!!!....then to top it off, I guess I punched in my phone # too fast because it kept telling me "I did get that, please enter again" message 3 times. Not until I punched it in fairly slowly did it finally take. And so here I sit, waiting, waiting, listening to "the wonderful thing about Tiggers, are Tiggers are wonderful things........" and now "can you feel the love tonight....it can be assumed, his carefree days with us are history, in short our pal is doomed" as I think my chance of getting CRT is today.

Well tomorrow is another day.


THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I CALLED THE FIRST TIME!
That "eeirie silence" made me think I didn't get connected and then asking me for my phone number when I know I pressed 1.
Then the day I wanted it for Storybook when we are in EPCOT the same thing happened... and I was on hold for 45 min. I was able to do it the next day so I switched our MK day with our EPCOT day.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by PrincessParent
Well, after reading all these posts I thought I was all set to handle my first opportunity for CRT. Started calling at 6:58, watching the atomic clock, redialing after I hear the "sorry we're closed message" got my 1,1 finger ready. Finally got the right message just after 7:00. Heard the 1st words, pressed 1, heard the start of the next prompt, hit 1 again......eerie silence......and then the dreaded phone number request...........arghhhh!!!!....then to top it off, I guess I punched in my phone # too fast because it kept telling me "I did get that, please enter again" message 3 times. Not until I punched it in fairly slowly did it finally take. And so here I sit, waiting, waiting, listening to "the wonderful thing about Tiggers, are Tiggers are wonderful things........" and now "can you feel the love tonight....it can be assumed, his carefree days with us are history, in short our pal is doomed" as I think my chance of getting CRT is today.

Well tomorrow is another day.

PP

Same thing happened to me as well. Thankgoodness I was calling for PSB and not CRT. I was lucky enough to get a PS even though this problem caused me to be on hold for 45 minutes.

Not sure what's causing it. I hit #1 and waited for the next question and hit #1 again and then a LONG pause and then it asked for my number and then asked for it again!!! I was so frustrated. I did finally get through though.

So for those of you trying for CRT, PRACTICE!!!!

 

[PrincessParent]

I wonder if it's just an issue first thing in the morning. After I hung up I called back twice and was quickly put on hold after pressing 1 & 1. Each time I got the "all of our agents are busy....", no long pause or phone number request.

Hopefully I don't experience the same issues tomorrow. I'll get another update out letting you know how things went.
PP

 

[dollydimple]

I wondered the same thing... perhaps that high volume of calls coming in at the same exact time. Gee... I feel like I hit the lottery then getting my reservations. Good luck tomorrow.

 

[Luv Lion King]

I too have wondered about the 1-1. It worked great for me for my CRT PS on 8-7 but when I tried it Mon 8-9 I had to go through the phone number thing to, and I had to enter my phone number twice. I was so thankful I was trying for PSB but had to wait 45 mins.
Best Wishes to all those who are trying!!!!!

 

[donkeysleuth]

I had the same problem when I tried to get through for CRT the first 3 days -I thought I was just being klutzy-but I think it was the high volume of calls. I did finally get through this past Sunday for a Saturday resevation (11-6)- I think it mght be easier to get through on a Sunday- late sleepers! Good luck!

 

[princessgirls]

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the great advice about getting a ressie for CRT. I called at 6:57 and kept hitting redial until I got the appropriate greeting (didn't really listen to much, just glad 'they' weren't saying they weren't open). Then I hit the 1-1 combo and I heard the 'all of our agents are busy' and thought UGHHHH I blew it, but within 20 seconds I heard a 'real' voice and the CM got me 8:50 ressies for 11/6 for my DD's 5th birthday. I was thrilled to get something before 9......that way I can get some pictures of my girls in front of the castle before the park opens!!!!

Thanks again for all of this great info!!!!

 

[PrincessParent]

Well, there goes my theory about perhaps it was a regional issue. Princessgirls, I see you're from Billerica; I'm in Milford. Congrats on your success. I had the same problems this morning as I did yesterday. Kept hitting redial until I got the "welcome" message, waited for the V&A message to start, hit 1, waited for the "if you are calling from Florida....." message to start, hit 1, got that silence again . Then the dreaded "I didn't get that last request" message, pause, "if you are calling from FL" again, hit 1, more silence, then the phone number/reservations # message again. I knew I was sunk. I stayed on the line for 30 minutes before I had to give up and gather up the kids for preschool. Nothing.

Donkeysleuth, your situation still gives me hope. I can keep trying all the way til Sunday, and I will. The things we do for our kids. But I just know their expressions will be worth all this aggrevation.

Princessgirls, did you wait for the specific messages to start before you hit 1-1? Or did you just hit them in succession without waiting for the next message to start (the "calling from FL" one)?

We'll try again tomorrow (and probably check a few more times today; you never know).
PP

 

[cmonroe]

Originally posted by PrincessParent
Well, there goes my theory about perhaps it was a regional issue. Princessgirls, I see you're from Billerica; I'm in Milford. Congrats on your success. I had the same problems this morning as I did yesterday. Kept hitting redial until I got the "welcome" message, waited for the V&A message to start, hit 1, waited for the "if you are calling from Florida....." message to start, hit 1, got that silence again . Then the dreaded "I didn't get that last request" message, pause, "if you are calling from FL" again, hit 1, more silence, then the phone number/reservations # message again. I knew I was sunk. I stayed on the line for 30 minutes before I had to give up and gather up the kids for preschool. Nothing.

Donkeysleuth, your situation still gives me hope. I can keep trying all the way til Sunday, and I will. The things we do for our kids. But I just know their expressions will be worth all this aggrevation.

Princessgirls, did you wait for the specific messages to start before you hit 1-1? Or did you just hit them in succession without waiting for the next message to start (the "calling from FL" one)?

We'll try again tomorrow (and probably check a few more times today; you never know).
PP

This is strange... They must be changing the process. BTW I'm in Rowley, MA. Nice to see fellow Bostonians on here.

 

[princessgirls]

PrincessParent --- Have my fingers crossed for you!!! Definately keep trying! When I called once I heard 'thank you for calling disney dining' I hit 1 then I waited maybe a second and hit the next 1. I was suprised it worked for me. Maybe on the weekend you will have better luck.

Good luck.....and yes our little ones will thank us one day for all of this work we put into making all of their dreams come true!!

Keep us posted as to how you make out!!

 

[JoiseyMom]

I called this morning, was on hold for about 20 minutes and was able to get CRT for 11/09 at 9:45 AM. My DD is a very happy camper .

 

[pumpkinboy]

Another Mass voice registering in here, calling 8/13, 8/14 and 8/15, but with the added complication of trying for a party fo 6 on those last two days. PSB is actually more convenient since we're at BWV, plus we like the food better there. But then the A list Princesses are at CRT and we were planning to do MK on 11/12. So we're gonna try party of 6 on 11/12, with PSB any day as a backup.

Crossing my fingers both for ourselves and for Princess Parent.

So 1 and then 1 again is the thing, eh? I have practised but hoping DW and I can get thru on at least one of our 3 phones (2 cellphones one land line), dialling more or less simultaneously.

 

[PrincessParent]

YES!!!! Thank you! Thank You! Thank You! Oh, and did I mention....Thank you all!!! Without the tips here I know I would've never got CRT.

Princessgirls, I followed your advice....pressed 1 right after the "welcome to Disney dining" opening message; didn't even wait for the V&A message to start. Paused for a moment with the silence (got a bit nervous again). After about 3 seconds pressed 1 again......and then I got Pam!!!!!!!!!! Blurted out "Cindy's, party of 4, 1st available, Nov 10th". Then there was about 3 more seconds of silence, although it felt more like 3 minutes, until Pam came back on the line with "Thank you for calling Disney dining; this is Pam; can I help you". I guess she missed my first bout of gibberish. I tried to say it a bit more calmly the 2nd time. She said "I have 8:20, should I grab that one?" I don't think I could have said "Definately!!!" any faster than I did.

Thanks again for the crossed fingers Princessgirls and pumpkinboy and for everyone else who gave support. I'm sending out all my luck ten-fold to the rest of you who are trying.

And now I can breathe again. And my darling is going to be sooooooo surprised (as long as I can keep it a secret for 89 more days )

PP

 

[MinnieMe67]

Thank you to everyone for your terrific advice! We tried yesterday and were extremely frustrated that "press 1 and 1" didn't work for us! We were on hold for 45 minutes and gave up. I popped on the boards yesterday afternoon, read alot of this terrific thread and practiced. Then, low and behold, this morning, IT WORKED! I got through immediately and could hardly believe my ears that I was talking to a real person! (Harriet was a real sweetheart too)! We got 8:30 on 11/10 for 8 (2 tables of 4).

Harriet claims I was the first call through, but because I needed the two tables (because they unfortunately don't have any tables for 8?) it took her a few seconds to book that for me, and as she was trying to do so, the other times were flying off the screen. I was so happy to get the PS, I was literally shaking! I think I am the most excited of the whole family! Needless to say, our ALMOST Grand Gathering (We have 8 people, DD is 4 and DS is 2, so we are technically only 7) with the grandparents is truly going to be magical!

Again, thanks to all! And to those still attempting to get through, keep trying, it does work! Oh and we'll see you at Cindy's PrincessParent, I'll be the one with the huge smile on my face!

Deb

 

[storybookmum]

I can't try for PS till the end of September, but couldn't get it last time we went, so I'm trying not to build up my hopes, and making backup plans...Akershus sounds like a possibility if we can't get CRT...but Cindy's a must...I think the 1900 Park has her there for supper, doesn't it?

My little ones will lose their minds if I can get in this time. My older daughter was two last time, and it would have been so sweet. I'm not saying a word to them until we have the PS in hand; I already had to reneg on the Animal Kingdom resort because it was full - we were going to break up our trip with 4 days at the FW cabins and 2 at AK, but now we're the whole time at the cabins (though I'm checking for cancellations).

Cautiously excited,

Kris

 

[PrincessParent]

Originally posted by storybookmum
I can't try for PS till the end of September

Mum,
In case you didn't know, the ps for dining is now 90 days out. So for your starting date of 11/28, you can start calling on August 30th, not the end of Sep. Go to this link for a calculator to tell you the day you can call for a given date

http://pscalculator.net/pscalc.php

Good luck. It can and does happen. Just keep listening to all the Disers advice!

PP

 

[storybookmum]

OMG! I could have utterly blown it!!!

THANK YOU!

Kris