Dining & DVC

[dischick4778]

I am very unhappy and disappointed with the new 90 day rule for dining. This past week I called at 9am on my very first day (90 days out) and I could not getting Le Cellier for my whole trip! Also, I could not get the Spirit of Aloha in section 2 or 3 (which is what's allowed on the dining plan). All the ressies I did get are either very early or very late. Why is it so impossible to get dinner ressies? I called as soon as I was allowed to do so.

Being DVC, I think there should be some extra perk when booking ressies. Like 100 days instead of 90 or guaranteed tables at popular resorts for DVC only. I don't know, but it is very disappointing to call exactly 90 days out at 9am and get very little. Sorry, just needed to rant.

 

[PurpleTurtle]

Hi there - ADRs for the Free Dining promotion that begins in mid-August are being taken now. I think you got caught up in that. Sorry!!!!

 

[Tara]

Hi there - ADRs for the Free Dining promotion that begins in mid-August are being taken now. I think you got caught up in that. Sorry!!!!

I agree - it's unfortunate, but personally, I like 90 days much better than 180 - much easier to make plans when park hours and fireworks schedules are out, IMO.

 

[queenie82]

The thing I liked about the 180days is that is rewarded planners and to me the whole point of DVC is it is a planners club who know in advance when they are going to travel etc.

We plan ahead and are generally booking things (like flights) around 10-12 months in advance. 180 day ADR's fitted nicely with this.

I think they should decrease free dining amongst other things...

 

[hygienejean]

I totally understand. On our trip this past April, we tried to get the Hoop and levels 2 and 3 were totally booked for our entire stay. We called the first day we could as well.

 

[RobDoc]

Next time you might find more success by calling WDW-DINE at 7:00am instead of waiting until MS opens. You lost a couple of hours of reservation time right there in addition to those who could call the 3 days before you called using the 90 days +10 "program".

I agree that the DDP plan has altered the way we all need to plan for dining at WDW, but we also need to be aware of any shortcuts available and make sure we use those too. Online ADRs will also open new opportunities and new frustrations since that means is not goverened by phone reservationist hours.

I'd call back the week before your trip to see if there have been any cancellations for either Le Cellier or the Luau.

Good luck!

 

[jns]

Next time you might find more success by calling WDW-DINE at 7:00am instead of waiting until MS opens. You lost a couple of hours of reservation time right there in addition to those who could call the 3 days before you called using the 90 days +10 "program".

What is the code for calling WDW-DINE outside the US
and thanks never knew that they openned at 7am

we are at our 90 day window on Tue

 

[CarolMN]

What is the code for calling WDW-DINE outside the US
and thanks never knew that they openned at 7am

we are at our 90 day window on Tue

You should try posting this question on one of the UK Forums or on the Restaurant Forum. The posters there are much more likely to know the answer to your question.

 

[di19]

I completely agree with you dischick4778 and I posted one similar to yours on the restaurant thread and was really outnumbered and made to feel like I think I'm better than other customers. This is not even close to being the case but considering I have to plan 11 months out when my family will be going to Disney, it is impossible to know if free dining will coincide. That was not as much of an issue when you could still make ADRs at 180 days out. But now you're competing with everyone who is making TS ADRs with free dining. Unfortunately we will be at BCV the second day of free dining -- I called at 7am on my 90th day out (90 + 10 doesn't allow you to call any earlier than the 90th day out from the first day of your trip) and could not get Le Cellier for ANY time during our 4 day trip (we are realistic and since we're on the deluxe dining plan we know it's best to get Le Cellier for lunch - but nothing available from Mon. - Thurs. anytime between 11 and 4) we also could not get any Fantasmic dinner package (None at all!!- none of the 3 different restaurants) I realize between Fantasmic being cut back, free dining offered a little earlier than usual and the new 90 day ADR rules we have just hit a perfect storm for dining where and when you want to be more diffficult than it ever has been. That is why I do agree that they should offer DVC members who have to plan so far in advance an extra window (even if only 10 days) in which to book their ADRs. Don't get me wrong, I made fabulous ADRs and will not let anything ever "mess with my magic" but just wanted you to know that I agree with your idea -- wish Disney would

 

[Chuck S]

I doubt very seriously that Disney will ever give DVC Members the ability to book ADRs before all their other onsite guests. Disney needs those cash guests. And wouldn't you feel slighted if you were a cash guest and found out that DVC Members could book earlier, considering what a cash Disney room costs? What they could do, and I don't see it happening either, but they could give Deluxe and DVC guests a 100+10 day window, moderate guests a 95+10 day window and value guests the 90+10 with offsite having a firm 90. But Disney has always been careful not to distinguish between the classes of resort guests as far as treatment in the parks and access to dining. The difference has always been in the amenities offered at the specific resort. It just isn't "Disney-like" to discriminate further. And imagine the computer problems they may have if they implemented tiered dates based on your resort reservation. Disney has such a massive computer system, any "upgrade" in one program can cause programs for other programs that interact with the same data files.

 

[n2mm]

I did read that yesterday there were some computer glitches on the dining system. Many folks called back late yesterday afternoon and could then book the places they could not get into. OP, try again.

I agree with Doc, I too call the dining number at 7:00AM. I was luck enough to call for a split stay Aug. 13 and changing on Aug. 16 and was allowed to make ALL of my ADRs to include the week of Aug. 16. I'm glad I did. We are staying at the BCV during Aug. 16th and knew if we wanted to eat TS, I had to call and get ADRs. I did manage LeCellier for lunch, but my others were not hard to get places (50s PT and Cape May for a party of 9). We are not on the DDP that trip.

 

[allshookup]

I feel your pain! I called the first morning I could & I tried getting reservations for the week of 8/17 & it was slim pickings. I did manage to get a good California Grill time for the end of the week, but I only managed to get mama melrose mid week for a late lunch at 3:35 since I couldn't get dinner at all, and many of our first choices were booked for the other days. It was very disappointing, but I'm not sure how WDW could handle it. I agree that it's not very disney-like to give DVC members extra booking power or to distinguish between the resort classes in deciding who gets to call first. If I was non-DVC or if I was at POP (which we've done many times) I'd feel very put out by that. Not sure what the answer is or even if there is one.

I think part of the problem might be the way their computer system works since it's not very flexible as far as rearranging tables for different party sizes and I think it tends to show restaurants as being booked solid when they really aren't. We were told at BWVs concierge desk one summer week that Ohana was waaaay overbooked all week with no chance of getting a last minute reservation, but when we went there the tables were half empty & we were seated within a half hour. I know sometimes people don't show for their ADRs, but that many?

 

[crisi]

I doubt very seriously that Disney will ever give DVC Members the ability to book ADRs before all their other onsite guests. Disney needs those cash guests. And wouldn't you feel slighted if you were a cash guest and found out that DVC Members could book earlier, considering what a cash Disney room costs? What they could do, and I don't see it happening either, but they could give Deluxe and DVC guests a 100+10 day window, moderate guests a 95+10 day window and value guests the 90+10 with offsite having a firm 90. But Disney has always been careful not to distinguish between the classes of resort guests as far as treatment in the parks and access to dining. The difference has always been in the amenities offered at the specific resort. It just isn't "Disney-like" to discriminate further. And imagine the computer problems they may have if they implemented tiered dates based on your resort reservation. Disney has such a massive computer system, any "upgrade" in one program can cause programs for other programs that interact with the same data files.

And if they do tier, its likely that it will be Deluxe Concerige/Suite guests, then Deluxe guests, and DVC will fall somwhere later.

I never really understood this "I'm getting my room at something around $80 a night" (for DVCers who bought OKW fifteen years ago and stay in studios in low points seasons), but I should get priority over people who are paying $400 a night for a room at the Beach Club. We can't necessarily play the loyalty card - anyone who has spent any time on the resorts board knows there are people who spend $400 a night for the Poly year in and year out.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

posted one similar to yours on the restaurant thread and was really outnumbered and made to feel like I think I'm better than other customers. This is not even close to being the case

You might not think you are better than other customers. But you do feel you should be given a place in line ahead of them. And that's bound to rub some people the wrong way, don't you think?

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Great tip about calling WDW-Dine at 7am instead of MS. Thanks!

 

[wdrl]

If at first you don't succeed, try and try again with dining reservations. Example: We have thrown together a family gathering at the last minute and 7 adults and 4 kids are showing up on 6/7/09. On 5/17, one of my sisters made a dining res for 4 people at Whispering Canyon Cafe at 12:00 on 6/9/09. My wife and I called just minutes later, and were told there were no res available between 11:00- 2:00 for any party size at WCC. Four hours later, my wife called and got res for 3 people at the same time as my sister at WCC.

If you really want a particular dining res, don't give up hope. Just call every few days and something might open up.

 

[JimMIA]

Disney Dining already offers the +10 advantage for onsite guests. I doubt if they will go beyond that, and certainly not anything special for DVC-only...nor should they. The vast majority of their customers stay offsite.

"If at first you don't succeed..." is excellent advice. With anything Disney, if you don't get the answer you want the first time, call back.

Also, if you have a larger party, be creative.

We once had a party of 11, due to an accidental convergence of relatives at the same time. We wanted to do a character meal, but the info that everyone was coming at the same time was pretty late notice. Disney doesn't have any table settings for 11, the maximum seating (or so we were told) is ten. So I made a reservation at Akershaus for 10 for dinner. We showed up with 11 and they said "no problem" and seated us right on time.

This past trip (couple of weeks ago) I tried to get Crystal Palace for 6 with no luck, so I made two ADRs for parties of 3. When we arrived, we got seated together easily.

Disney Dining reservations are WAY too much trouble, but if you are dining onsite, you have to play the game. Maybe online ADR's will make the process easier, but I don't have much confidence in the Disney IT folks to do anything!

 

[d-r]

free dining is becoming another one of those things you just have to plan around if you go that time of year.

 

[M5ward]

free dining is becoming another one of those things you just have to plan around if you go that time of year.

Your could plan around it IF you knew when free dining was going to be. When you plan your vacation eleven or seven months in advance, you have no idea when Disney will offer the free dining promo. Yes, you can look at what has been offered historically, but that is no guarantee that you can avoid the promotion.
I'm an advance planner; I don't need park hours or parade/fireworks schedules to plan my meals. I really liked the 180 day window even if I didn't always take advantage of it.

 

[happyj]

I do understand Disney needs the cash customer but with the free dining time WE are the paying customer .
So today is my 90 days as I am phoning from the UK I was not sure what time member services opened so phoned to get the info and was told Memeber services is closed today and will re open tomorrow after the holiday
So now I will have to phone wdw dine like every one else probably be waiting for hours and I will have to pay for the call .
But as long as we can achieve a result and have some where in the world to eat . life will be good .
I do agree we also plan 11 months ahead and prferred the 180 day res .
Janet