Dining Reservations Center Vent - Long

[mepperson]

OK, I am new to this whole PS stuff, being this is my first trip. I've learned TONS of info from this board - I would never have known to make prior dining arrangements and where to eat. Anyway, we start planning our trip about a month ago and I start calling to make dining arrangements about 3 weeks ago. You can imagine my surprise when I was able to get several meals I wanted. But not always at the best times, and I could not get CRT, PSB, or 1900. No princesses. Anyway the CM helping me was fabulous and recommended that I try back because I may be able to get more of what I want - you never know.

So, that is just what I've been doing these last couple of weeks - and I have been able to get better PSs. I was even able to get PSB lunch for one day. Some of the CMs are GREAT about it, and some seem like I am bothering them. Well, 2 days ago I try again (after DH sees the menu for PSB lunch and says "maybe not") and the lady I get is borderline rude. I say that I'd like to cancel my lunch and would like to try for any OTHER princess meals (not PSB lunch or dinner) during my week. She begins to berate me for not liking the menu, tells me all other princess things are booked, etc. I say thanks, and I'll try again. She laughs (out loud) and says good luck - sarcastically. I say thanks, and she says I should go buy a lottery ticket instead of calling again to try! I say thanks - sarcastically. She then says "no, really, you're better off trying the lottery!" End of conversation.

Happy ending. I call again this morning and got PSB breakfast for one of my days - someone had just cancelled. See there you ol' cranky wicked witch! There, I feel better now.

BTW - we leave in 7 days, I will still try during this week to get better times for a couple of other meals!!!

Thank you DISers! Mary

 

[weluvpluto]

Wow, that is rude!
I'm glad it worked out for you though

 

[jenjen212]

wow!!

good thing you were nice and didn't say, "may i speak to your manager please?"

i have never had that happen... i even tried once to call and try to get breakfast at cindy's royal table around 30 days to the day, and i said before asking "i know that this may be wishful thinking, or a dream and probably shouldn't even ask at this point", but...

and the cm was very nice and said, "not at all a dream, you never know, it doesn't hurt to keep trying to look to see if someone has made a cancellation."

they say to try back within a few days of the time that you want, as that would be the time when some would be making the cancellations.

good luck and have fun!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Well that was snotty, wasn't it? I'm sometimes hesitant to make changes to my PS (or ADA, or whatever they're calling it now!), but then I think--Hey, it's the CM's job. It's not like I'm asking the CM to give me a PIN code or something unethical/impossible. And every CM I've talked to during my planning for my June trip (and I've talked to MANY) has been happy to help out. So don't let that one bad CM spoil the whole bunch, girl!

 

[jarestel]

That's one of the things I've learned from reading these boards... if one CM doesn't seem willing to help, politely hang up and call again. More often than not, people have reported success in subsequent calls. Good for you!

 

[iLoveEeyore2]

See there you ol' cranky wicked witch! There, I feel better now.

Congratulations! Have a great trip!

 

[danny1649]

Had been listening to that conversation you had with the rude CM I'm afraid that would be a x Disney CM.I'm glad things worked out for your PS arrangements.I'm so lucky so far I've never had to deal with a unpleasant Disney CM.Have a magical trip

 

[jenniskinni]

Way to overcome mepperson! I'm glad I read yours before I posted. We're going June 7 and I had to compromise on a couple of PSs today when I called. My boys have their hearts set on Sci-Fi and we could only get in at 4:30 on Friday which cuts in on Star Wars time. ugh.

 

[tinkerbell81284]

I promise once I start answering phone calls for WDW I'll try to be as nice as possible even if there isn't any openings for CRT, PSB or 1900PF. Luckily I know you all understand or I'll complain here !

Jessica

 

[mepperson]

Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm thrilled it turned out OK, and I'm even optimistic that I may still be able to get better times for a couple of meals. Had the first CM I talked to not been SO nice, I probably would have been too discouraged to call back.

The lady who was so rude to me didn't even sound like she was from sunny Florida. She had a very nasal tone - sounded like Jersey or such to me. I didn't mean that in a bad way - just that maybe she doesn't have that cheery disposition and is used to being rude and not realize it. When she first laughed and said to try the lottery, I was actually speechless - VERY rare thing for me. I almost asked her if she was aware that she said that out loud, but thought I'd better not 'cause she could erase ALL my PSs!!!

I'm just glad I can come here to vent.

Jenni - DON'T GIVE UP - you never know if someone will cancel and you can get something better. Hopefully you will not get "nasal girl". Actually, if you do, rip her a new one for me, will ya?

 

[Tiger Fan]

I've not had anyone be that out and out rude, but I've had many that were more helpful than others. I find that if we don't click right away, I minimize what I need and call back (that is if it's not at 7am trying for that CRT breakfast ). I've also been able to tell that they were not really checking (like I wanted to check each morning of our trip for cancellations), it would be like two seconds and she'd say that all mornings were full. I just don't think she really had time to check. I called back and the next CM took about 5 mins to go through each day checking. I help my parents with their travel plans too and last week I got a nasty associate when I called first thing and I simply ended the call and called back to get a very nice young girl who was more than willing to help make their plans work. I guess this just proves it happens everywhere. Sorry about her nastiness.
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[Uncleromulus]

I believe I read somewhere that at least some of the CM's you talk to re: PS aren't even IN Florida, but stationed elsewhere??
Can't recall where I heard that tho, so may just be me getting it wrong--.
And not that where they are stationed should make any difference---

 

[RedNeckChik13]

Please don't let one bad apple give the rest of us a bad name. Don't get discouraged just call back and get someone nicer. I love working there because I get to talk to so many people...the only bad part is when you get people that are so incredibly rude you just want to hang up on them.

 

[Forever42]

I believe I read somewhere that at least some of the CM's you talk to re: PS aren't even IN Florida, but stationed elsewhere??
Can't recall where I heard that tho, so may just be me getting it wrong--.
And not that where they are stationed should make any difference---

There's a call center in Tampa, but Tampa's definitely still part of Florida, that's where I grew up.

 

[paras4ri]

Please don't let one bad apple give the rest of us a bad name. Don't get discouraged just call back and get someone nicer. I love working there because I get to talk to so many people...the only bad part is when you get people that are so incredibly rude you just want to hang up on them.

That's so true!! I also work in a call center, but for another type of business. I try to treat my callers the way I want to be treated when I'm calling for help and when I do I'm just as polite. Unfortunately all callers aren't nice or polite or even civil.

Sorry to hear of your frustrating experience mepperson - glad you're PS all worked out!

 

[amejr999]

If the CM you get answers with both a first and last name, they're in Florida (either Orlando or Tampa) in a Walt Disney World operated call center. Otherwise, you very well could be getting pretty much anything. They've been sending some calls to the Disney Catalog center in Kansas, and I've even been hearing about them outsourcing some to airline reps. Just FYI.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

In all the years I have called to make RS ressies I have never had a rude CM. I am so lucky. I called last week to make PS for Le Cellier (DH's Favorite) I sort of just said it quickly because I had to leave for work. The CM laughed and said,"this is a first, you are my first call and you DON'T want CRT" He was so nice. I explained that I needed to go to work and was trying before I left. He said his first call of the day is ALWAYS for CRT.....I sort of felt like I should have made ressies there even though DS HATES IT!!!!!! I for one have never, ever had a rude CM I AM SO LUCKY!!!!!!!

 

[lmhall2000]

I, too, had the same experiences....about 5 of my 8 calls were by unbelieving CM's who scoffed at my attempts to snag a cancellation....3 of them were extremely accomodating and said it was no problem at all...I was so gun shy from some of the 5 bad ones that when I did try and call I started out with this apology on bothering them...Comments from some of my bad calls...

Me...."Hi! I'd like to check for any cancellations on Cindy's Royal Table for breakfast for dates xx-xxx"
CM..."Number in your party?"
CM.."What dates?"
Me...."The dates are xxx-xxx"
CM...."Nope, sorry nothing for those dates." (Note..she could determine this for 6 dates in 3 seconds...clarification..she didn't even look)
Me..."Do you hold out any hope on getting a cancellation?"
CM..."They almost NEVER have cancellations."

CM#2

Me..."Hi, I hate to bother you..but this is a very important trip for our family and I'm trying all I can do to make it special...could you please check on dates xxx-xxx for a Cindy's breakfast opening?"
CM....With a little scoff..."What are your dates?"
Me...repeating the dates nicely..."They are xxx-xxx and we'll take anytime, we can even take a 3 or a 5 table"
CM...after just 5 seconds..."Sorry, no dates available"

CM #3

Me..."Hi, I'm calling with my weekly attempt at getting Cindy's for breakfast"
CM..."Well, let's see what we can do to find one for you...what dates would you like to see Cindy?"
Me...almost stunned by the response..."Well, any of these dates would work xxx-xxx"
CM..."hmm...let's see..." Busily typing away and looking for the dates...
Me...I notice it takes her much longer to say "NO CX's" I comment, "Do you have to check each date individually? Or can you just put those 6 dates in and see nothing available?"
CM..."Oh...no..you must put in each date and individually look for cancellations...it takes awhile..I'm sorry for the delay."
Me..."Oh, I didn't mean it was taking long..I was just surprised because most the time when I call the CM's tell me there is nothing after 3 seconds.."
CM..."I'm so sorry they did that, there is no way we could check 6 dates that quickly. I would ask to speak to their manager next time. We are here to make this a pleasurable experience for you and we'd love to see you get what you want."
Me...WOW!!!

Unfortunately, there are more that won't indulge those Cindy's cx requests than are...I know I tried for 7 weeks and did get one...and it was one of the 2 nice ones that found it for me....he was genuinely happy for me.

But I've learned my lesson...I will ask for a manager next time and not feel like I'm intruding on their free time.

Tara

 

[Aimeedyan]

No, they're not all in Florida. Tampa and Orlando are two locations, but they are outsourcing some and also have call centers in Houston and Kansas, I think? Can't recall now. Many CMs have never even been to WDW.

I'm sorry you had such a REALLY rude CM, completely uncalled for. =( But so thrilled you got that PS anyways!!!!!!!!

 

[Aidensmom]

Wow! I have only ever called three times for PS, but on all occassions I had extremely friendly, helpful CM's.