Disney Dining Stinks!!!!

[MaryKatesMom]

I still do not understand what the plan has to do with this. You need to make reservations with or without the plan.

If you paid for TS and can'tget an ADR, it makes the plan much more of a headache. If I was in MK for the day and had to use my TS at the Cape May I'm not going to be happy to spend an hour of my precious park time on the bus.

The DDP plan has been promoted by Disney and been successful at filling the TS restaurants making it even more necessary to make ADR's, with some places filling much more quickly and walk ups harder.

Also, some of my favorite meals have been shrinking at WDW and I blame the pressure of DDP to keep the costs under $38.

 

[Tink3Belle]

You should try the hotel restaurants - its better than nothing.

 

[Ishy]

We are here now. Arrived 5-24 leaving out 5-31. The weather is great people are nice but the dining plan is a drag. Everything is BOOKED! This is our 2nd trip. Went last October maybe we got spolied only missed The spirit meal thing. This time I think we are going to have a few sit down meals left. Maybe it's my fault for not making ADR's months in advance. I just can't do that. We do have a small stradegy to attack the parks but I can't plan my meals months in advance. It's a great deal money wise but having to plan your day around a meal doesn't make since to me. We even tried to go at odd times. It seems the other 200,000 people did the same. The counter service in the parks is a 2hr ordeal. Will come back becuase we like it here but will never use the plan again. Sorry to send so many negatives waves but I had to vent. Thanks, for letting me.

Planet Hollywood is always our backup - do you have access to a printer? If so you can search - find the VIP coupon - 15 minute seating.. Even so - the walk up isnt so bad if you go for an late lunch/early dinner - they limit ADR's - same thing with some of the other DTD resturants.
Another backup is Pepper Market - I have never seen that place crowded - Table Service food - but only a counter service -- they let you use table services there and they will give you stuff in the gift shop to make up for the trade in.
Maya Grill had openings DURING free dining last year if you called that day. YUMMY FOOD!
I love the food court at POFQ too... They had a chicken and rib platter that fed three of us.. and the ice cream sundaes were amazing.
Boma's is also a place that you can usually get into at the last minute too.
Again - amazing place to eat.

Good Luck - you have my sympathy - it is very hard to plan where to eat 180 days out.

 

[hansel1]

Wow, you know it really pays off to research your vacation before you go.

Every family that I know that gripes about disney did little or no research into vacationing there.

I'm not saying the OP didn't do any research but even spending a few weeks reading the threads here at the disboard could warn people of potential pitfalls to their vacation happiness.

 

[Shannone1]

I can see why the OP would be frustrated. I bet there are LOTS of other people on and off the DDP that get frustrated too !! We went to WDW over Easter and used the DDP. I was told when we booked to make our ADR's at least a few months ahead of time so I did and we didn't have any problems.

However, had I NOT be someone who is lucky enough to be online all the time and found these message boards, I probably would not have made the ADR's. How many people would think that you would need dining reservations for ALL of the sit down restaurants in the parks ?? When we were there just five years ago the only ADR's we had to have were for the character breakfasts. People coming in off the street probably wouldn't think of making ADR's, know what I mean ??

I think the DDP is wonderful and it worked well for us. But I can also see how easily people could get frustrated. None of the restaurants we went to in the parks were accepting walk ins and many people were upset and letting the CM's know this was a really bad situation. I am SURE there are people who were so upset about it that they won't be back.

I wonder if it would be possible to have 1-2 sit down restaurants that did not accept ADR's in each park. You would just have to wait it out like at most other busy restaurants anywhere else. At least then everyone would have a place to eat. It may be hard for all of us on the Disney Boards to remember, but there are still MANY, many people who are not on the computer and aware of all the tips and stradegy's that we have come to rely on.

 

[Nancyg56]

However, had I NOT be someone who is lucky enough to be online all the time and found these message boards, I probably would not have made the ADR's. How many people would think that you would need dining reservations for ALL of the sit down restaurants in the parks ?? When we were there just five years ago the only ADR's we had to have were for the character breakfasts. People coming in off the street probably wouldn't think of making ADR's, know what I mean ??

I understand the frustration as well, but I must tell you that I have booked four trips and the last three times I booked and each time I spoke to someone at the CRO the CM has asked me if I have booked my dinner ADR's and has offered to transfer me to Disney Dining. Each time I have been advised to make those ADR's.

I wonder if the people who are surprised are those who book through a TA who has not advised properly or those who have booked online. I am anxios to hear how my DGD's friends family made out this weekend as they had not booked one ADR and did not know that they were needed. I am going to ask her how they booked their trip.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I understand the frustration as well, but I must tell you that I have booked four trips and the last three times I booked and each time I spoke to someone at the CRO the CM has asked me if I have booked my dinner ADR's and has offered to transfer me to Disney Dining. Each time I have been advised to make those ADR's.

I wonder if the people who are surprised are those who book through a TA who has not advised properly or those who have booked online. I am anxios to hear how my DGD's friends family made out this weekend as they had not booked one ADR and did not know that they were needed. I am going to ask her how they booked their trip.

Or those who just prefer to stay offsite and really have no reason to call WDW, other than to maybe find out about discounts on park tickets or the like.

We've traveled with newbies or folks who haven't been to WDW since the '80s, and they're blown away when I suggest we make some dining ressies months in advance if there's anything that they must try onsite, or just plan on our big meals being offsite. These have never been folks who stay onsite or have reason to call WDW in advance. They trade their timeshare for something off 535 or I-Drive and show up to the parks.

And there's an awful lot of WDW lovers who don't know about the DIS. I've been going to WDW since it opened anywhere from four to six times a year, and I only just found out about the DIS a year or so ago (as well as Mousesavers ). So it's not like only the real passionate WDW lovers know to come here.

And I must admit that in my 35 years of living and vacationing all over, I've never seen meal planning so far in advance and so detailed as I do here. I've vacationed in NY, Las Vegas, Utah, TX, Atlanta, Chicago, Philly, and I was raised in Fort Lauderdale -- big vacation destination. Sure, you might book a ressie a few weeks out for a special night or for one of the "hot spots" in any given town, but we've always arrived at our hotel, unpacked and talked to the check-in folks or concierge about what they recommend for dining in the time we're there. I don't go to one centralized menu website for all of NYC or Zion, Utah, go over all the menus, figure out where we're going to be in six months, what we're going to be doing that day, what time we'll be done, showered and cleaned up and still have enough time to get to a ressie. Like I said, *maybe* for an extra special occasion one night during our trip.

And nothing against those who enjoy planning their meals out so far in advance. I just think we're in that transition spot where WDW used to be a spot for planners, as well as non-planners. Nowadays, for whatever reason, you really need to plan.

I think a lot of people who haven't been to WDW in the last few years think WDW is just like most other vacation spots. And if you don't have a need to call them in advance, no one is going to stress to you to make ADRs.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think a lot of people who haven't been to WDW in the last few years think WDW is just like most other vacation spots. And if you don't have a need to call them in advance, no one is going to stress to you to make ADRs.

It was like that for me when I planned our first trip. We had not been back for a real WDW vacation for about 18 years and back then it was not like it is today. I stumbled onto the DIS when I started researching for our trip so I was fortunate. My DH thought I was nuts until he saw people being turned away from TS restaurants, and my family, who had been merciless in their teasing, got on board the planning train. Our mantra is "You can always cancel them. At least you know that you will have a place that you chose to eat."

 

[Colleen27]

However, had I NOT be someone who is lucky enough to be online all the time and found these message boards, I probably would not have made the ADR's. How many people would think that you would need dining reservations for ALL of the sit down restaurants in the parks ?? When we were there just five years ago the only ADR's we had to have were for the character breakfasts. People coming in off the street probably wouldn't think of making ADR's, know what I mean ??

Aren't the CRO CMs advising people to make ADRs? I know when we called to book our trip, back when we were planning on going in Oct with the dining plan, the CM I talked to made a point to mention that ADRs can be made 180 days before arrival. When I called to ask about rates & availability for August (without the DDP), the CM warned me that we were within that 180 day window and that we should make ADRs as soon as possible. I got no such notice when I changed my plans from Oct to Dec, but I attribute that to the fact that we switched to the Dolphin, booked through Starwood rather than Disney.

 

[scottny]

sorry to hear that but better to have the ressie and not go than to have no ressie and not be able to go anywhere.

We are going in July and the CM we talked to said to make them and if we cnanot make it just call or let them go so that is what we did for breakfast and dinner.

We did pay for CRT breakfast so will be there definitely.

Sorry again

 

[ha1264]

Update on DDP. We got into Boma, Whispiring Canyon Cafe, Hoop dee doo, Hollywood n Vine, Planet Hollywood(only place to take walk ins) we have one more day and will use our last TS at Planet Hollywood. Thanks for all the advice. We had to stay on the phone checking at different times hoping someone canceled. While at Hollywood n Vine tonight I saw them turn walkins away. During our meal (7:40pm) there were numerous tables that were empty. I just didn't understand that. If I were to call for resses next year can I make more than one a day? The reason I ask is this. I think there are lots of people who make resses and don't bother to cancel. I feel most of you on this board would cancel but from the empty tables I saw tonight and about 4 on the bottom floor during the Hoop Dee it makes me wander about others. I think they should set penalties for those that don't cancel like the Hoop Dee and I think they do it at the Spirit thing. DO NOT USE THE DDP IF YOU ARE NOT A PLANNER! YOU WILL BE FRUSTRAITED! No attack on Disney just a warning.

 

[auntie]

I'm so glad you were able to secure some ADR's that you were happy with.
As far as booking more than one ADR...I think you are absolutely correct. There are people who make them..and then don't show up or cancel. I will also admit to being one who has made more than one for a day. When it was early out..and I wasn't sure if we would want say a lunch or a dinner. When the time for the trip grew closer and our plans more defined I cancelled the ones I knew we weren't going to keep. I went through the entire week with a cast member days before the trip, suring up what I had..and cancelling what I didn't want. They didn' seem surprised by it. I do remember reading that during the free dining promo last year they were cancelling out duplicate reservations. Although there are ways around that anyway. In any case..I'm glad you got some TS meals.

 

[kath1210]

You should try the hotel restaurants - its better than nothing.

Actually, for us, the hotel restaurants are WAY better than nothing - we prefer most of them.

When we plan a trip with (or without) DDP (June will be our 5th time using the DDP) we make late-ish dinner ADRs mostly at the hotel restaurants. Many of them are our favorites, like Ohana, Chef Mickeys, Kona Cafe, Spoodles, and Whispering Canyon Cafe. This way it doesn't matter which park we are at that day.

A few of our ADRs are in the parks, and if we don't make it to the park on that day or leave early, we simply cancel and book somewhere else. We have been to WDW during Christmas, Spring Break and free dining and have always been able to get an ADR somewhere. Maybe we're just not as picky about where we eat as others, but we enjoy almost all of the restaurants.

 

[lou7401]

This is becoming a problem for us too, since we can't book our trip really far in advance. We usually book our vacations 3-4 months in advance and the next one when we go to Disney in June was only booked about 10 days ago! It was hard to get ADRs. Due to my husband's work, I can't see being able to book so far in advance so taking last-minute trips to Disney just isn't going to work anymore due to DDP.

 

[ha1264]

Actually, for us, the hotel restaurants are WAY better than nothing - we prefer most of them.

When we plan a trip with (or without) DDP (June will be our 5th time using the DDP) we make late-ish dinner ADRs mostly at the hotel restaurants. Many of them are our favorites, like Ohana, Chef Mickeys, Kona Cafe, Spoodles, and Whispering Canyon Cafe. This way it doesn't matter which park we are at that day.

A few of our ADRs are in the parks, and if we don't make it to the park on that day or leave early, we simply cancel and book somewhere else. We have been to WDW during Christmas, Spring Break and free dining and have always been able to get an ADR somewhere. Maybe we're just not as picky about where we eat as others, but we enjoy almost all of the restaurants.

You may be able to cancel and get something late really late. Last night we tried the Sci-Fi at 5:15 they told us they could take us 9:50. I guess if your willing to wing it like we did (will never do it again) you can find places to eat but it really messes with your trip. Thanks for the info I will try that one next time.

 

[Katiebell]

This is becoming a problem for us too, since we can't book our trip really far in advance. We usually book our vacations 3-4 months in advance and the next one when we go to Disney in June was only booked about 10 days ago! It was hard to get ADRs. Due to my husband's work, I can't see being able to book so far in advance so taking last-minute trips to Disney just isn't going to work anymore due to DDP.

Last minute trips should be fine if you like the CS restaurants, eat offsite, or are flexible about which TS restaurants you eat at and when. If I knew I could go to WDW in a month, I'd call right now and ask, "OK, we will be there June 24 - 30...what do you have for ADR's on those dates?" I'd take what I could get, maybe some TS lunches or late-seating character breakfasts, find some new places to try, and if the times/places were inconvenient, I'd try to see if there was something better when I got there, or would cancel them individually if they just wouldn't work.

 

[Ishy]

Update on DDP. We got into Boma, Whispiring Canyon Cafe, Hoop dee doo, Hollywood n Vine, Planet Hollywood(only place to take walk ins) we have one more day and will use our last TS at Planet Hollywood. Thanks for all the advice. We had to stay on the phone checking at different times hoping someone canceled. While at Hollywood n Vine tonight I saw them turn walkins away. During our meal (7:40pm) there were numerous tables that were empty. I just didn't understand that. If I were to call for resses next year can I make more than one a day? The reason I ask is this. I think there are lots of people who make resses and don't bother to cancel. I feel most of you on this board would cancel but from the empty tables I saw tonight and about 4 on the bottom floor during the Hoop Dee it makes me wander about others. I think they should set penalties for those that don't cancel like the Hoop Dee and I think they do it at the Spirit thing. DO NOT USE THE DDP IF YOU ARE NOT A PLANNER! YOU WILL BE FRUSTRAITED! No attack on Disney just a warning.

If you don't show up or cancel 48 hours out for hoopdeedoo, Your credit card is charged for the full amount per person. I think they have VIP seating down there, we shadowed(or he shadowed us) one of the private-tour-guides last year and they sat next to us - front and center at hoopdeedoo. We did good in our planning because we ran into the VIP family and sat next to them on and off at different shows and rides and resturants for 3 days. When you have enough money to VIP your way thru disney - I guess the empty tables don't matter - whats 200$ to a gazillionaire?

Sounds like you had some nice TS's at the last minute - Not so bad. If there is somewhere you WANT to eat - its like any other premium resturant - make reservations. Winging it is do-able though. Can't wait to hear what you thought of Planet Hollywood and Boma's. Two of my favorites.

 

[just another guy]

I think there are lots of people who make resses and don't bother to cancel. I think they should set penalties for those that don't cancel.

BINGO!!!

Disney does have people who look into this, but even then, people can book ressies under fake names. Its a messed up system, and disney is to scared to charge people for not showing up, because people would probably complain. When someone makes a ressie and doesn't show, they have to hold that table for 15 minutes in case they are running late. That also causes the server to lose out on tips. Disney SHOULD require a credit card to book tables, and do a $10 charge if they don't show up. Disney could pcoket $5, and give $5 to the server. Everyone wins.

 

[ha1264]

Ended the night with a trip to Boatwrights. We were going to Planet Hollywood but wanted to try something else. All in all it went ok. We were able to use all our TS and CS. We had good service at all places some were really great. I guess I'll have to use the plan next time. If you don't you will bring your own food or spend a lot more than the plan. I just hope they do something about the people who make multiple resses and don't cancel. I like the idea the above commentor has. I will just have to plan a little as bad as I hate it. Thanks for all the help. Heading back to Louisiana in the morning.

 

[thunderbird1]

To the OP: I'm sorry for your frustration. It's no fun feeling that way, especially on vacation.

I never understood the I don't know where I want to eat logic. Make the ADRs and if you change your mind fine or if you can get in somewhere else fine. No punishment from disney just cancel if you can. BUT if nothing is available and counter service is 2 hrs wow hey I have this ADR with practically no wait. Its a no brainer really.

Well put. This is our theory, too--make the ADR's, and adjust if you want to (and can). We always make more than one ADR for our favorites (sometimes using both, sometimes cancelling one), and more than one ADR for several of the days (lunch and dinner). And we still end up scheduling new ones while we're there--either same day or a day ahead. It's nice to have the flexibility to be spontaneous, while still having the security of a plan.

And although I wouldn't purchase the DDP (or use it during free dining) unless I was willing to make ADR's, for those that really want to, I'd recommend showing up right at opening time for each meal period to maximize your odds as a walk up. Last August, during free DDP, even Le Cellier was taking a couple of walk-ups every morning when they opened for lunch (11 or 11:30).