Disney Dining just called me Sunday night at 7:00p to see...

[beattyfamily]

if I made all my ADRs for our August 25 trip. She said that because of the free dining, the restaurants are so busy so they are calling guests to be sure they know they should be making ADRs.

I thought it was strange. Nice, but strange.

I would assume everything's booked solid now anyway.

Oh well. I just wanted to share what happened to me tonight!

 

[n2mm]

I bet you were shocked, because I know I would be. I guess it's Disney's way to let you know "big brother" is checking on you to make sure you know what to expect. Can you imagine all of the guest who are not aware of what we know about the DDP and ADRs? I'll be leaving soon less than 2 weeks now, but "big brother" didn't call me, if they did, they didn't leave a message.

 

[beattyfamily]

I bet you were shocked, because I know I would be. I guess it's Disney's way to let you know "big brother" is checking on you to make sure you know what to expect. Can you imagine all of the guest who are not aware of what we know about the DDP and ADRs? I'll be leaving soon less than 2 weeks now, but "big brother" didn't call me, if they did, they didn't leave a message.

You'd think they'd know what my ADRs were so I was surprised. Maybe it wasn't Disney Dining calling then but some other department.

She did mention that they were worried about the new guests who don't know that you should book some ADRs ahead of time so that was why they were taking the time to call.

I told her I booked my ADRs months ago and I've been many times so no worries.

She was very nice though.

 

[hercamore]

Well, I'm in deep do-do then.

We arrive at Disney aton the 26th and we have no reservations.

This has been a last minute trip for us. I don't really care. We'll make do.


herc.

 

[beeayekay]

When I called them last week to make sure of a room request the CM asked me if I had made all my ADR's and if I wanted to change anything. I thought that was odd at the moment - now I see them calling people to confirm. hmmmmmmmmm...................

 

[janey99]

I'm so glad to see this thread - I just got this same call myself 5 minutes ago! It was sufficiently weird that I was going to post about it!

All the caller did was confirm my name, say that she saw I was scheduled to come in a couple of weeks during free dining, and she wanted to make sure I had made all my dining reservations because the free dining program has turned out to be very popular this year. I got a little concerned because she didn't confirm my reservation number or anything, but if others are getting the call, I guess it's legit!

 

[hercamore]

Well, Rhonda at DU made two reservations for us: Primetime and Plaza Restaurant w/o any trouble. Yay.

We don't have free dining. We're staying at Pop with a pin rate and I have DDE card.

herc.

 

[RedsoxMickey]

I am arriving on Aug 19th and made most of my ADRs just a few weeks ago.
I was amazed at how little trouble I had getting what I wanted.
I figured with free dining I would be in big trouble but no. I felt like pixie dust was sent my way.

I am not on the free dining as I got a signifcant room only discount and can not add dining.

 

[bctripp]

Last week evey time we went to eat, there was at least 2 people asking for tables at the host, and being turned away. We made our reservations in May. All the restaurants were packed with people! 1900 Park Fare was a zoo, not a free table anywhere. Most all of them were that way though.

 

[Disfan3]

might I suggest that it really has nothing to do with HUGE crowds? I get so many discounts for this time of year from SOG, SWAN, DISNEY, ETC that I have to still think it is a slow ER time to go....

having said that let me tell you: we were there last year at the free dining time...and the restaurants were PACKED AS PACKED CAN BE. YES THEY WERE.

There were resort guests at the Poly coming up to the hostess at Ohana and yelling at them saying WELL WE ARE STAYING HERE. AND WE STILL CANT GET IN

AT ALL YOU GUYS!!! NOT AT ALL. NO TABLES ANYWHERE. AT ALL.

several times I witnessed this. I felt terrible for those who had no idea what they were getting in to. I am not saying this will happen again but maybe there was severe complaints last year during free dining and Disney is trying to work on it. The parks were not bad but the TS were MAD HOUSES.


It was still fun, great food and magic


so no worries here but I got my ADR's 180 days ago!!

 

[noseybuddy]

No phone call here. I am leaving for WDW on the 17th of August. I did make all my ADR's as I always do free dining or not. I was there last Sept. (Labor Day Weekend) and had dinner at LeCellar. While we were waiting for our table, many people were coming in asking to be seated only to be turned away. Kinda felt bad for them, especially for first time disers who don't know any better.

 

[Michele]

I wish they were calling guests with ADR's to make sure they are going to use them. I feel like maybe the ADR system gets abused and people make reservations that they aren't going to use.

 

[Disfan3]

I wish they were calling guests with ADR's to make sure they are going to use them. I feel like maybe the ADR system gets abused and people make reservations that they aren't going to use.

maybe they are


I was double booked a couple times and when I called to confirm the CM kinda made me choose....which was fine since I was going to release those anyway....and I am talking I mde mine A LONG TIME AGO...but maybe they are doing this

sounds like either way they are trying to get everyone fed with their credits this time lets hope


It would be hard to be a newbie at this and just expect a 'normal' dining experience at WDW like the old days

 

[vellamint]

Well we got the phone call this morning (well a message on the answering machine anyway). Asking if we have made our dining arrangements and if we need anything please call the number (repeated twice) and to have a magical vacation.

We are not arriving at Disney until the 26th of this month. I wonder if they are calling in order of when you actually made your reservations?

 

[happyindisney]

It was announced today on another site that some resteraunts are adding times (opening an hour early, etc.) to help people with the dining plan.
This is my first post and we are leaving Friday!!!! (We called last Friday and got Ohanas on the 14th at 5:00) I can't wait. I've copied and posted from the other website, I hope this is ok!

Free dining plan causes dining location to extend seatings
Thanks to the popularity of the free dining plan promotion for stays between August 13 and September 30 (reservations for this plan closed back in June), many popular restaurants have long been booked solid for those dates. Responding to complaints of an inability to book favorite meals, Disney has extended mealtimes at several restaurants for the period from August 13 through September 4.

The Concourse Steakhouse, Grand Floridian Cafe and 'Ohana will begin seating 60 minutes earlier for dinner. Boma will open dinner 30 minutes early. The Liberty Tree Tavern, Crystal Palace and Tony's Town Square will have extended dinner hours that will vary by day.

The character breakfast at 'Ohana will seat guests for an additional 30 minutes, and Chef Mickey's will offer a lunch buffet from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.

All of those seatings are now available at the Disney Dine Line, 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

The Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station will be adding a dinner buffet for those same dates, but will be for walk-ups only and no reservations will be available.

Dinner shows will also be added during this period. The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show will add a second show on August 20, 27 and September 3. Mickey's Backyard BBQ is also adding shows on August 18, 25 and September 1.