Dining & DVC

[Chuck S]

I guess my point did not come across as I intended. I am not upset about not getting earlier booking times for ADRs, I just suggested that it would be a great perk. I think something like this would be a perk that many members would be interested in since many of us are obsessive planners.

As far a free dining for DVC, I don't think that would be a plausible perk because it would be very costly for Disney.

I wanted to add that we didn't always have the AP discount. I'm sure someone had suggested it and DVC did think that it would be a great benefit for many of us who go to Disney as often as we can. And, in the same way, I think that a perk of a 180+10 days (or whatever) would be something that many of us would be interested in.

It's just a thought!

But it isn't DVC that controls the perks. There is no advantage to Disney World Parks & Resorts to giving DVCers extended ADR windows, not even any potential for any return on changing the system. There has to be some sort of financial justification in today's economy.

But by giving us an AP discount, Disney Parks and Resorts basically increases park visits/days for many DVCers, and many members extend their stay using the AP room discounts, bringing in cash that may otherwise be spent odffsite. Having the AP means we can buy the TIW card, meaning we are more likely to dine at a WDW restaurant rather than dine offsite. There is a good potential to make more $$ than the discount cost the company.

 

[crisi]

But it isn't DVC that controls the perks. There is no advantage to Disney World Parks & Resorts to giving DVCers extended ADR windows, not even any potential for any return on changing the system. There has to be some sort of financial justification in today's economy.

But by giving us an AP discount, Disney Parks and Resorts basically increases park visits/days for many DVCers, and many members extend their stay using the AP room discounts, bringing in cash that may otherwise be spent odffsite. Having the AP means we can buy the TIW card, meaning we are more likely to dine at a WDW restaurant rather than dine offsite. There is a good potential to make more $$ than the discount cost the company.

Most importantly - having unlimited access to the Disney parks means DVCers are less likely to spend a few days at Universal or Sea World. From Disney's perspective, this isn't about giving us perks or increasing their revenue - its about taking revenue away from Universal.

 

[dvcdisney]

There is no advantage to Disney World Parks & Resorts to giving DVCers extended ADR windows, not even any potential for any return on changing the system. There has to be some sort of financial justification in today's economy.

But if DVC members are able to get the ADRs that they wanted, isn't it more likely that they will eat at the Disney restaurants rather than cooking in their villa or going offsite?

This was the first time I had thought about going offsite for dinner. I just couldn't believe the problems I had getting the ADRs I wanted. I like the convenience of eating onsite, but if I have to go through the same mess in my future plans as I did for this next vacation, it isn't worth it. I will be going offsite. Now, maybe it's just me and if that's the case, then Disney should not even consider offering this perk. We are only a family of 4, visiting only twice a year with a combined vacation days of 28 nights. So no, I wouldn't make a dent. But I can't see any DVC members who are upset about their experience in the past week or so doing that again. Dining for us is part of the vacation, so if we cannot get the ADRs that we want, we have no choice but to look elsewhere. We are not eating at a restaurant that we don't like just because that is the only ADRs available. Maybe I'm in the minority, but that's just how we feel. (Sorry, I just rambled on.

Back to my point, I think it would benefit Disney if they could persuade DVC guests to eat at onsite restaurants rather than cook or go offsite. I think many of us love the Disney feeling when we're onsite, but I personally, do not think that I will miss any if I go offsite once in awhile. Especially now that I may have a good reason.....I didn't get the ADRs that I wanted.

But, if this is not worth it to Disney, then so be it. I understand. This will not deter me from staying at my DVC resorts, or convince me to sell my membership. I didn't buy in for the Perks. IMO, it would just be a nice addition to the few good perks we already have.

 

[Chuck S]

But if DVC members are able to get the ADRs that they wanted, isn't it more likely that they will eat at the Disney restaurants rather than cooking in their villa or going offsite?

This was the first time I had thought about going offsite for dinner. I just couldn't believe the problems I had getting the ADRs I wanted. I like the convenience of eating onsite, but if I have to go through the same mess in my future plans as I did for this next vacation, it isn't worth it. I will be going offsite. Now, maybe it's just me and if that's the case, then Disney should not even consider offering this perk. We are only a family of 4, visiting only twice a year with a combined vacation days of 28 nights. So no, I wouldn't make a dent. But I can't see any DVC members who are upset about their experience in the past week or so doing that again. Dining for us is part of the vacation, so if we cannot get the ADRs that we want, we have no choice but to look elsewhere. We are not eating at a restaurant that we don't like just because that is the only ADRs available. Maybe I'm in the minority, but that's just how we feel. (Sorry, I just rambled on.

Back to my point, I think it would benefit Disney if they could persuade DVC guests to eat at onsite restaurants rather than cook or go offsite. I think many of us love the Disney feeling when we're onsite, but I personally, do not think that I will miss any if I go offsite once in awhile. Especially now that I may have a good reason.....I didn't get the ADRs that I wanted.

But, if this is not worth it to Disney, then so be it. I understand. This will not deter me from staying at my DVC resorts, or convince me to sell my membership. I didn't buy in for the Perks. IMO, it would just be a nice addition to the few good perks we already have.

I agree with you to a point...but if the restaurants are so busy that you are having trouble getting ADRs during that time frame, they obviously don't need to incease the number of diners...and they need to feed all of those with free dining...most of them are "Disney captives" with no alternative other than eating onsite, whereas many DVCers (us included) have a car for offsite travel.

 

[dvcdisney]

I agree with you to a point...but if the restaurants are so busy that you are having trouble getting ADRs during that time frame, they obviously don't need to incease the number of diners...and they need to feed all of those with free dining...most of them are "Disney captives" with no alternative other than eating onsite, whereas many DVCers (us included) have a car for offsite travel.

Yes, I completely agree. Obviously, they are not going to have trouble filling the restaurants. But it does give me a sense of disappointment.

This past March, we spent some time outside of the World. We spent 5 days at the Universal Parks. We stayed at a DVC resort and we even came back to eat dinner at Disney. But I am positive that if we had had such a difficult time getting those ADRs as we did this time, we would choose to eat at Universal. There are actually a few restaurants that I would like to try and some I'd like to go back to. It was tempting....we were already there and the prices are a bit less. But we had a few favourites Disney restaurants and so we wanted to eat at those. But if we couldn't get those ADRs, especially Le Cellier, my husband for one would have no problem eating offsite. As a matter of fact, he would insist on it.

 

[gkrykewy]

most of them are "Disney captives" with no alternative other than eating onsite, whereas many DVCers (us included) have a car for offsite travel.

I'd be curious to see numbers on this (I'm sure Disney has them). Aside from maybe OKW, I would guess that DVC members aren't any more likely to have a car available than other resort guests. I know that we don't (before and after DVC).

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

When I called last week for our 10-night split stay, the CM didn't *think* it would let me book for the entire stay, but she kept trying night by night "just in case", and the system let her make reservations for me for all 10 days (to her surprise). This was 90 days out from the first check-in day. Just FYI.

3 Cast Members and 2 Supervisors later, I was finally able to get them to make my 90+10, even though I am doing a split stay. This was a torturous day for me. I spent the entire day on the phone, but alas, I got Le Cellier and Princess Storybook Breakfast!

 

[dvcdisney]

3 Cast Members and 2 Supervisors later, I was finally able to get them to make my 90+10, even though I am doing a split stay. This was a torturous day for me. I spent the entire day on the phone, but alas, I got Le Cellier and Princess Storybook Breakfast!

Sounds like my experience a week ago. We too had a split stay, but that wasn't even the problem. I had to go through 4 CMs and 3 Guest services before I could get all my ADRs. It was very frustrating. And this was within 2 phone calls --- the first to book my 90+10 days and then I called to add the remaining days. By the way, when I completed, finally, the first set, I was told that I would not have any problems adding the rest. The second call was worst and I had to speak to two different Guest service agents.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

Sounds like my experience a week ago. We too had a split stay, but that wasn't even the problem. I had to go through 4 CMs and 3 Guest services before I could get all my ADRs. It was very frustrating. And this was within 2 phone calls --- the first to book my 90+10 days and then I called to add the remaining days. By the way, when I completed, finally, the first set, I was told that I would not have any problems adding the rest. The second call was worst and I had to speak to two different Guest service agents.

This is what I am afraid of. I still have to call again. Got the 90+10 today, but because we are staying 14 days, I have to call again!
I keep asking myself, is it all worth it? I mean what kind of vacation is it if I have to obsess over where I am going to eat 3 months from now???????
This is not vacation planning, this is a contact sport!!!

 

[yitbos96bb]

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!

I'd also recommend that you check the dining board here for ressie trades... I managed to get a Le Cellier ressie that way....


Question: Can DVC use the 90+10 system?

 

[yitbos96bb]

It's the stupid Plus 10 that is the problem, IMHO. I know its easier for Disney reservations people, but people get scooped because of this.

The other issue, IMHO is people double or triple booking. Until Disney puts a stop to that, or gets rid of DDP this will be an issue.

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.

 

[dischick4778]

So many great ideas and comments. I do believe that DVC could have some kind of additional perk related to booking adrs for members. As other posters have stated if it is simply one of the perks how can non dvc members get that upset. If it is a perk they want, they should become members. If it is something that valuable, perhaps there would be more DVC members and more guaranteed money for Disney.

I know to non DVC members this probably comes off as snobish which is why I posted this on the DVC boards. But that's not what it's about for me. I don't think I'm better than someone paying $500 a night for a deluxe resort or better than anyone for that matter. But I do think memberships come with perks. And an adr booking perk would be nice.

Good luck to all still booking.

 

[Chuck S]

I'd also recommend that you check the dining board here for ressie trades... I managed to get a Le Cellier ressie that way....


Question: Can DVC use the 90+10 system?

Yes DVC reservations can use 90+10, there has been a system "upgrade" so that Disney Dining can now see your DVC reservation and link the ADRs into that rather than your phone number.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

As other posters have stated if it is simply one of the perks how can non dvc members get that upset.

Because they are harmed by it. You aren't just asking for a perk that helps you. You are asking for something that harms others.

 

[yitbos96bb]

This is what I am afraid of. I still have to call again. Got the 90+10 today, but because we are staying 14 days, I have to call again!
I keep asking myself, is it all worth it? I mean what kind of vacation is it if I have to obsess over where I am going to eat 3 months from now???????
This is not vacation planning, this is a contact sport!!!

Off Topic: GREAT SCREEN NAME!!!

 

[DebbieB]

I'd be curious to see numbers on this (I'm sure Disney has them). Aside from maybe OKW, I would guess that DVC members aren't any more likely to have a car available than other resort guests. I know that we don't (before and after DVC).

I always get a rental car no matter where I stay. Not to eat offsite so much, I just want to be free to come and go as I please. Plus I can't stand crowded busses.

Regarding the 90+10 rule change for DVC members, I think there would be a big issue regarding reprogramming the dining system for it and who would pay for it. Disney seems to have big problems with programming, it would probably end up a mess.

 

[Chuck S]

I always get a rental car no matter where I stay. Not to eat offsite so much, I just want to be free to come and go as I please. Plus I can't stand crowded busses.

Even though we often use the busses, we also always have a car. We do some offsite grocery shopping...and having gotten caught in the post 9-11 airline shutdown, and driving back from California since we already had a rental car, I just can't be without one. When you think about it, airlines can be grounded for almost any reason, including bankruptcy in this economy....I just feel better having a car. We also often drive to WDW instead of flying.

 

[dischick4778]

Because they are harmed by it. You aren't just asking for a perk that helps you. You are asking for something that harms others.

Couldn't non members see some of our current perks that way? AP discounts, restaurant discounts, pool hopping, shopping discounts, etc. I didn't really mean to harm anyone. Just thinking it would have been nice.

 

[Chuck S]

Couldn't non members see some of our current perks that way? AP discounts, restaurant discounts, pool hopping, shopping discounts, etc. I didn't really mean to harm anyone. Just thinking it would have been nice.

A discount doesn't restrict/prevent another guest from shopping or dining at that location, or from purchasing an AP.

A different ADR date may prevent a cash guest from securing a desired reservation, rather than having equal opportunity.

 

[macmom3]

I think there should be seperate lines for people on the DDP vs. those paying out of pocket. We're not fans of the DDP because that is a lot of food for our family and I don't let the kids eat dessert everynight. Anyway because of the free dining it seems impossible to get any place to eat. I only want to make TS ressies for 3-4 meal on a 7 day vacation. I know because of the low number of meals I can be more flexible with where and when to eat, but I don't always what to. I've never eaten at Le'Celler and all past trips I've never been able to get in. I just wished paying customers had another option to make ressies. In the long run paying customers are going to pay more for their single meal that day then DDP.