Disney Dining Buddy No More

[AngiTN]

Its clear from your multiple posts you have an issue with one place and not the others, but how do you know they all didn't receive warnings the same day? Maybe they don't check their mail/email/voicemail everyday? Maybe, if letters were sent snail mail, it takes longer to reach one destination than the other? I mean, seriously, you're acting like that one place is getting a free pass when its only been a few days. Its pretty safe to say they are all going to go, but you can't expect it to all happen at the same time. Who cares who goes first?

You are right. I do have great issue with the websites that sell ADR they make with fake names by selling the fake name. I find that wrong and no, I don't find the other type wrong. Funny thing, I don't use any of them. I've always gotten the ADR I want on my own

 

[Dean Marino]

bumbershoot - thanks for posting those terms & conditions. I guess I just didn't know until now that Disney Legal had REALLY done their homework. Just me, but it looks like they covered just about every base with regard to third party automated services. Given all this, I wonder why it took so long for Disney to react?

 

[Disneyliscious]

I do have great issue with the websites that sell ADR they make with fake names by selling the fake name. I find that wrong and no, I don't find the other type wrong.

Per the Disney TOS posted by another member above, Disney does not agree with you. Whether or not YOU find it wrong doesn't matter. It is wrong and illegal and thats why they were shut down.

Like you, I also have not used any of the services but I sure managed to "promote" them a lot here because I -wanted- people to take notice. Its only when people notice and complain, that anything is done about it.

Next up? The FP+ checker and the using of MB's with no tickets to get extra FP+.

 

[AngiTN]

Per the Disney TOS posted by another member above, Disney does not agree with you. Whether or not YOU find it wrong doesn't matter. It is wrong and illegal and thats why they were shut down.

Like you, I also have not used any of the services but I sure managed to "promote" them a lot here because I -wanted- people to take notice. Its only when people notice and complain, that anything is done about it.

Next up? The FP+ checker and the using of MB's with no tickets to get extra FP+.

If you think I am complaining that Disney Dining Buddy was shut down then you have missed the point of my posts

I never claimed what they did wasn't wrong in Disney's eyes or that Disney had no right to shut them down. Yes I said I didn't have a problem with it, still don't. Disney's site had major issues way before they came around and it will keep having major issues with them gone

Good luck with your other crusades

 

[Gillyrose779]

My question is- how are some of these sites any different from a Travel Agent? Disney Dining Buddy had software that would scan the system and notify you when to book via text message. It was then your responsibility to go on and book it. How is that any different from a travel agent who watches room sales, dining reservations, and Fast Passes and just books them for you?

I'm paying someone else to watch the site so I don't have to. I know what some are saying about the scanning tool they are using bringing down the system but I don't believe Disney has said anything against that tool so what is to stop a Travel Agent from doing the same thing?

 

[mrsjoannh13]

My question is- how are some of these sites any different from a Travel Agent? Disney Dining Buddy had software that would scan the system and notify you when to book via text message. It was then your responsibility to go on and book it. How is that any different from a travel agent who watches room sales, dining reservations, and Fast Passes and just books them for you?

I'm paying someone else to watch the site so I don't have to. I know what some are saying about the scanning tool they are using bringing down the system but I don't believe Disney has said anything against that tool so what is to stop a Travel Agent from doing the same thing?

The travel agents use the sites. They offer bulk pricing to travel agents. So I guess not entirely different.

 

[gonitts]

Sad to see it go. I got our reservation at Ohana's next month because of Disney Dining Buddy. To all of you who say book it like the rest of us 180 days out some of us don't even know we are going to Disney in that time frame. Be realistic people.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

160 days till my 180 days. Can't wait to play the ADR games without the dining buddies.

 

[demilu]

Sad to see it go. I got our reservation at Ohana's next month because of Disney Dining Buddy. To all of you who say book it like the rest of us 180 days out some of us don't even know we are going to Disney in that time frame. Be realistic people.

I was in exactly this situation- family member offered to take us all to Disney and we only had two months to plan. At that point, there was almost nothing available and for the person who said that the dining experience does not make the Disney experience I would beg to differ. I have been to Disney several times having lived nearby and even working there when I was young and the dining experiences can be very memorable for family trips in particular.
Therefore, I have zero problems with services that monitor openings for me while I work all day. I do however have a problem with ressie scalping and so should Disney.

 

[Gillyrose779]

I honestly don't think getting an ADR will be any easier without these sites. I guess time will tell.

It does stink though. My husband and I really wanted to eat at California Grill on Nov 27 for our 11th Wedding Anniversary. I have been checking often with no luck. I was considering using Dining Buddy to help.... but I guess I can just keep wasting time at work.

 

[mcd2745]

I honestly don't think getting an ADR will be any easier without these sites. I guess time will tell.

It does stink though. My husband and I really wanted to eat at California Grill on Nov 27 for our 11th Wedding Anniversary. I have been checking often with no luck. I was considering using Dining Buddy to help.... but I guess I can just keep wasting time at work.

It won't happen overnight. First, all the sites haven't been shut down yet even though they've all probably been hit with the C&D letters.

Once none of them are still operating, although that may never happen, as new ones (or the "old" ones with new names) can keeping popping up like it's a game of whac-a-mole, you then have to basically wait six months before you can really start to measure the impact. It's not going to help anyone with a trip in the next few months.

I also hope Disney doesn't think simply flexing their legal muscle is all they have to do here. I believe they need to make other changes to the system such as adding those annoying "Captcha" phrases and/or other measures to protect against bots. I would also like to see them add a non-refundable/non-transferable "deposit" at the time of booking.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sad to see it go. I got our reservation at Ohana's next month because of Disney Dining Buddy. To all of you who say book it like the rest of us 180 days out some of us don't even know we are going to Disney in that time frame. Be realistic people.

I didn't book my ADRs at 180 days out, yet I have been able to get every single one I wanted. Including Le Ceiller for dinner (twice!) The Crystal Palace, Be our Guest and Tutto Italia. Granted I didn't get them all right away, but neither was I checking every day for them.

 

[FargoBear]

You could consider Disney Dining Scout. I've been able to snag a handful of reservations with them. Very happy I signed up with them for my trip in November.

 

[AngiTN]

I honestly don't think getting an ADR will be any easier without these sites. I guess time will tell.

You are correct. Certain ADR were hard to get before any of these sites came up and the same ones will still be hard to get.

 

[PAcpl]

I didn't book my ADRs at 180 days out, yet I have been able to get every single one I wanted. Including Le Ceiller for dinner (twice!) The Crystal Palace, Be our Guest and Tutto Italia. Granted I didn't get them all right away, but neither was I checking every day for them.

In the 10+ years you have been going to Disney I assume there have been a time or two where you really wanted a certain ADR for a specific reason and you weren't able to get it. That's where these sites (at least for me) were a benefit. I wasn't using them to book all of my dining, but when the only ADR I couldn't get was a Wishes Dessert Party on the day of our Anniversary, DDB was a huge help. I don't think I would have gotten that on my own. A lot has to do with the time of season too. You have much better chances at getting a Le Ceiller ADR in the middle of F&W fest than you are in the middle of December.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My question is- how are some of these sites any different from a Travel Agent? Disney Dining Buddy had software that would scan the system and notify you when to book via text message. It was then your responsibility to go on and book it. How is that any different from a travel agent who watches room sales, dining reservations, and Fast Passes and just books them for you?

I'm paying someone else to watch the site so I don't have to. I know what some are saying about the scanning tool they are using bringing down the system but I don't believe Disney has said anything against that tool so what is to stop a Travel Agent from doing the same thing?

Because TA's aren't using scanning tools. They are individuals who are using the Disney sites the same way a consumer would, though they are doing it on behalf of a client. They are also not selling the reservations to their clients.

 

[bjb1124]

Disney Dining Buddy has begun sending out refund notices. Shows how long they searched for you and how many notices they sent for the open requests. Also give you the choice to choose how much you feel should be refunded. 0-100%.

 

[rlduvall]

You could consider Disney Dining Scout. I've been able to snag a handful of reservations with them. Very happy I signed up with them for my trip in November.

Don't you think Disney Dining Scout will be contacted by Disney also and "shut down" or asked to revamp the service? They aren't an official Disney division, correct?

 

[mcd2745]

Disney Dining Buddy has begun sending out refund notices. Shows how long they searched for you and how many notices they sent for the open requests. Also give you the choice to choose how much you feel should be refunded. 0-100%.

Does it give any indication how often they searched?

 

[FargoBear]

Rlduvall: Don't you think Disney Dining Scout will be contacted by Disney also and "shut down" or asked to revamp the service? They aren't an official Disney division, correct?

Yes, Disney will probably force them to close, too. But I spent $4, I think, and received at least five reservations. So money well spent. No telling when they will cave and call it a day.