Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #3!- HOLIDAYS BEGIN 11/12/13!!

[Cheshirecatty]

Sherry,

That was some amazing "compensation" you were given in regards to the PPH not using your gift cards appropriately(or advising you of the hold on your debit card)!

I totally understand you would rather have had them just do things as you'd asked, instead of having to be "compensated", not to mention the frustration caused by the whole incident!

Some nice Customer Service, after the fact though, that's nice to know!

 

[mom2rtk]

And has anyone made any dining reservations using the new online reservation system yet? I know DLR/DCA isn't the same as WDW because most places don't require the reservations but I like to make reservations.... I get so excited doing it! At WDW not all of the reservations require credit card guarantees but using the online reservation system at DLR/DCA does.....they don't charge you anything at the time of booking but they will charge you $10 per person if you are a no show (if you don't cancel 24 hours out).

I made one this morning for our arrival day or 12/4. It seemed to work well. I'm not sure how excited I was to find that they kept my CC number on file from prior WDW uses. But that one's done.

I was also surprised to find that even for a group of 2 they will be adding the 18% gratuity to be paid on our way IN to the restaurant. It's not a huge deal since that's what we generally pay anyway. But I'm not fond of having the ability to adjust if we have any issues (without having to talk to a manager).

Anyone know if all the restaurants are like this now?

 

[ksromack]

As for using multiple gift cards to pay off the room balance at the PPH - I have first-hand experience with that, but the last time I did it was December 2010 (I didn't have 54 cards, but I had a lot of cards!). I am hoping that they have managed to make it easier now, and that the CMs are clear at the front desk about exactly what will be charged, and when.

Here's how it worked when I did the gift card thing:

1. I had paid whatever was required ahead of time (the deposit and a bit extra) and given them a card number over the phone to hold the room.

2. I arrived at the PPH very early in the morning to check in, with many gift cards in hand. In the past when I checked in, if I had to pay off a balance of some sort I was able to do that upon check-in, with either cash or debit/credit card, so I assumed it would work the same way with gift cards. I was not told otherwise prior to arrival.

3. The CM who checked me in told me that he could not accept my gift cards at check-in, and that I'd have to come back at check-out, at which point they could take the gift cards and apply them to my room total. The thing was, I had no reason to go to the front desk at check out because I usually have nothing to take care of (no final bill that needs paying or anything). And I like to have everything paid off before I ever set foot in the room.

4. The CM and I went back and forth about the gift cards -- at one point he even said to me that the reason he couldn't apply the gift cards right then is because there was nothing/no balance to apply them to (???what about the total of the room that was still unpaid???) -- and finally he went to talk to someone in a back room about it (maybe a supervisor), but that other person never came out. The CM finally said that he could take the gift cards at that moment. So he grudgingly took them and one by one started applying them to my room account.

5. I thought everything was taken care of and that my room was paid off. Instead, what happened was that the reservations system latched onto my original debit card/credit card number (the one I used to hold the room and pay the deposit) and deducted the balance due on the room, plus the dreaded incidentals fee (phone deposit and all of that). I would have preferred to use a different card if I had known that was what was happening, but they didn't tell me that almost $300 had just been held/blocked on the card that they already had in their system. They didn't ask if it was okay to use that card. They didn't tell me that even though the gift cards had been applied, their system didn't accept the credit yet.

6. So I went on my merry way, thinking I was all paid up, unaware that almost $300 was unable to be used on my debit card as I began charging meals and things to it (and I did not learn that the money had been held on my card until I got home).

7. The actual value of the gift cards was apparently not applied until I checked out. Supposedly, from what I later learned, this sort of mess could have been avoided. There was a way for the CM who checked me in to at least stop their system from automatically blocking the money on my card, and even a way to get their system to apply the value of the gift cards to the room balance at check-in -- just as they would have applied cash or a credit card. I think it was a simple matter of a few keystrokes that could have stopped it.

8. I called the PPH when I got home and discovered what had gone awry, telling them that I was spending on a debit card that I did not tell them they could use for holding/blocking funds. I would have used a different one for the hotel mess. They agreed and acknowledged that they screwed up all across the board, either by not stopping the system from deducting from my card or by not communicating exactly what was happening -- as well as for making it sound as if it was impossible to accept gift cards at check-in.

Because of this hassle, I ended up with one free night at the PPH on my next December trip in 2011, as well as a $99 rate for each additional night, VIP seats for the Christmas parade, VIP viewing for other shows, etc. It was a great compensation for the hassle -- but I would not choose to go through that hassle again.



So, I think that the hotels are sticking to the policy of applying gift card payments upon check-out. They may take your gift cards at check-in just to save you the trouble of coming back later to check out, but the credit may not actually apply until you leave the PPH -- and your debit or credit card may have the remaining balance and incidentals charged to it/held/blocked until you leave. Hopefully, the whole process has gotten simpler and the CMs communicate better about it now, but just be prepared for what may happen and be sure to ask them exactly what is being charged and/or credited on which cards (gift cards or credit/debit) when you check in, so you know what you're dealing with!

Oh boy. I hope that doesn't happen that way. My balance is $2700 (including 2 APs)! It doesn't make sense that I couldn't use the cards to pay off the balance at the onset of the trip.....because if I was using a regular credit card or debit card, or even checks, I could be paying off a little at a time right now. That was mentioned by one of the CMs on the phone to me this morning, even! Maybe I'll give the front desk a call just to get it all spelled out ahead of time. I will definitely be going over to the PPH very early in the morning of our first day, Dec 1st and hopefully this will all be taken care of in a way that makes sense.

I made one this morning for our arrival day or 12/4. It seemed to work well. I'm not sure how excited I was to find that they kept my CC number on file from prior WDW uses. But that one's done.

I was also surprised to find that even for a group of 2 they will be adding the 18% gratuity to be paid on our way IN to the restaurant. It's not a huge deal since that's what we generally pay anyway. But I'm not fond of having the ability to adjust if we have any issues (without having to talk to a manager).

Anyone know if all the restaurants are like this now?

I didn't notice that about the gratuity....is that written somewhere? Shame because I tend to give 20%! Where did you make your reservation? My cc expires at the end of October so I used my new one.....but it did ask me if I wanted them to keep my card on file......

 

[czmom]

I have made 2 reservations online so far (Ariel's Grotto and Surf's Up). One I received an email confirmation for, and one I did not. But at least they both show up in my account.

I did not notice the 18% gratuity paid upfront either. But then again, I neglected to read the fine print.

SO glad DLR is doing online reservations now!!! This is fun.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have made 2 reservations online so far (Ariel's Grotto and Surf's Up). One I received an email confirmation for, and one I did not. But at least they both show up in my account.

I did not notice the 18% gratuity paid upfront either. But then again, I neglected to read the fine print.

SO glad DLR is doing online reservations now!!! This is fun.

The gratuity part was in the "guest policies" fine print that came up right after adding the CC to use, right before checking out.

It caught my attention because I don't think any of the WDW locations do this unless you are a large party.

ETA: I just went in and pretended to do an AG ADR and it only said 18% on parties of 8 or more. So I checked GK again and it says it will be added to all parties. Either they are having trouble with people tipping because it's a buffet, or they just got the policy typed in wrong on that one. I also checked PI breakfast since it's a buffet and no automatic gratuity there. I bet it's just a typo.

 

[piratenightmares]

I like this idea! I can't wait to book the Fantasmic Dessert Package. I just booked the WOC package today for our Dec trip but was told we could only book the Fantasmic Dessert Package 30 days out. I do wish Disney would post their calendars for this December trip! I'm a WDW veteran who likes to plan things

Me too. I keep looking every few days for the calendar to start showing up for December. I like to plan as well. Making a 7 day touring plan isn't easy when you don't have all the information.

Which WOC package did you book? I'm getting so exited for my trip. Arriving December 8th!

 

[piratenightmares]

I don't know if it's appropriate to ask such questions here. If not my apologies.

In 2014 I will be making a December trip to Disneyland November 30 - December 10. I am interested in any other December Disneyland goers who would like to share a VIP tour with me. I will have a total of 3 people. I thought if we could get a group together it might be affordable for some people who otherwise wouldn't be able to do it. For a 6 hour tour it would cost $213 per person. Maximum of 10 people total in the group. Anybody interested? Please feel free to send me a private message.

I think it would be fun to do especially for the holidays and also be fun to meet some other people who love Disneyland as much as I do!

 

[ksromack]

The gratuity part was in the "guest policies" fine print that came up right after adding the CC to use, right before checking out.

It caught my attention because I don't think any of the WDW locations do this unless you are a large party.

ETA: I just went in and pretended to do an AG ADR and it only said 18% on parties of 8 or more. So I checked GK again and it says it will be added to all parties. Either they are having trouble with people tipping because it's a buffet, or they just got the policy typed in wrong on that one. I also checked PI breakfast since it's a buffet and no automatic gratuity there. I bet it's just a typo.

it would be so funny to run into you at Surf's Up....but our first day in the park is Sun Dec 1 and we have early reservations at Minnie and Friends because I want to try and get in the park before peoples get in my picture.

Me too. I keep looking every few days for the calendar to start showing up for December. I like to plan as well. Making a 7 day touring plan isn't easy when you don't have all the information.

Which WOC package did you book? I'm getting so exited for my trip. Arriving December 8th!

I booked the Carthay Circle for lunch. WOC is at 8:15 that night according to the CM on the phone and #1 I didn't want to pay the dinner prices and #2 since there is only one show I want to make sure we get a ticket for the prefered viewing!

 

[mom2rtk]

I didn't notice that about the gratuity....is that written somewhere? Shame because I tend to give 20%! Where did you make your reservation? My cc expires at the end of October so I used my new one.....but it did ask me if I wanted them to keep my card on file......

I made it online and that verbage was in the details section right after putting in your CC number. I still think it's possible it might be a mistake. But they need to fix it. Some might now go in thinking the gratuity was included only to find out it wasn't and the wait staff would be the losers in that deal.

it would be so funny to run into you at Surf's Up....but our first day in the park is Sun Dec 1 and we have early reservations at Minnie and Friends because I want to try and get in the park before peoples get in my picture.


[/COLOR]

OK, help me out here. I'm SO CONFUSED on when Minnie's opens. I'd love to be able to get a photo before the park opens. I'd even give up one of our early open days at DCA to do it (well, maybe.....)

We decided to do the Surf's Up breakfast on the day we leave (the 11th). You know.... since we only have 5 day tickets and can't eek out a little more park time. I hate to give up park time any other day to do it. But I don't want to stay at PPH and NOT eat there. It involved some negotiation too. Last time we ate there Katie was 4 and just starting to get sick. She gets teased mercilessly by her brothers about the time she puked on Minnie. She didn't, but let's just say it was a near miss. She really didn't want to return to the scene of the crime (9 years later!) But basically I told her she has too!

 

[ksromack]

OK, help me out here. I'm SO CONFUSED on when Minnie's opens. I'd love to be able to get a photo before the park opens. I'd even give up one of our early open days at DCA to do it (well, maybe.....)

We decided to do the Surf's Up breakfast on the day we leave (the 11th). You know.... since we only have 5 day tickets and can't eek out a little more park time. I hate to give up park time any other day to do it. But I don't want to stay at PPH and NOT eat there. It involved some negotiation too. Last time we ate there Katie was 4 and just starting to get sick. She gets teased mercilessly by her brothers about the time she puked on Minnie. She didn't, but let's just say it was a near miss. She really didn't want to return to the scene of the crime (9 years later!) But basically I told her she has too!

It is an EMH at DCA on Dec 1st, I think.....I'm giving up that EMH to eat at Minnie and Friends at 8:10. Since they don't have the park hours listed I really have no way of knowing if that is before park opening.....but since it's an EMH at DCA then DLR should be regular hours. Even if they open at 8 I'm hoping I can get in a few minutes before that since you are supposed to be at your reservation 15 minutes before the time

 

[mom2rtk]

It is an EMH at DCA on Dec 1st, I think.....I'm giving up that EMH to eat at Minnie and Friends at 8:10. Since they don't have the park hours listed I really have no way of knowing if that is before park opening.....but since it's an EMH at DCA then DLR should be regular hours. Even if they open at 8 I'm hoping I can get in a few minutes before that since you are supposed to be at your reservation 15 minutes before the time

I've been wondering if something like that would work. I wonder if any of these DLR regulars have any idea?

I just hope they are more efficient at checking people in than they were last time we were there (a number of years ago). We had ADRs but had to get in a massive line down Main Street just to check in. Those with ADRs were in the same line to check in as those inquiring about being seated without ADRs. I'm thinking a first of the morning ADR might help with that. Maybe.....

 

[Sherry E]

Oh my. Oh my. This is on my radar for December!


I'm definitely doing the code word challenge....but during the Cornupopia week, may I post a picture or two and just not get credit for the posting for the other challenge?

Kathy --

Yes, of course! You're more than welcome to share photos in the Holiday Cornucopia week, without getting an entry into the contest. It will be fun to see some WDW holiday photos for that Theme Week!

Sherry, I went looking for the Dreyer's Grand in either the Pumpkin or the Peppermint
Sat night. Nothing in the Anchorage Safeway's except the Slow Churned in both. Boo. So, today I'm on a quest. I'll let you know if any of the other grocery stores in town have them. Wish me luck.

beckykarstetter --

Good luck, and yes -- let me know! So your store didn't even have the full-fat Pumpkin ice cream, let alone the Peppermint? Wow! This is very alarming news. Slow Churned is taking over the Dreyer's section, except for in Arizona, where they are apparently still carrying the non-Slow Churned stuff. I wouldn't mind it if Dreyer's would improve the Slow Churned flavor so that the Peppermint bits are not so sharp against the bland ice cream. Maybe they have improved it? The actual ice cream part of it needs more flavor to balance the sharpness of the crushed peppermint bits.

Yes! What about hiring a decent band to play christmas music live.....like last year at Universal Studios Orlando we saw Mannheim Steamroller live. They very well may have contracts to play there exclusively, though.....and Disney would need to tie in the Disney theme with any christmas type party at Downtown Disney


So I LOVE the look of the decorated Candy Apples...but I do not care for the taste of them....cupcakes, however, are another story! I LOVE cupcakes! Last year we had to use up several of our "snack credits" at WDW and we went to Goofy's Confections to stock up. I will tell you that those decorated marshmallows last a good long time! I think I ate one of them a good 6 months after our trip. lol!

Kathy --

I think that the idea of a Christmas party in Downtown Disney is a great one because -- as you will see -- we need an extra dose of merriment in DTD at Disneyland. There used to be a giant tree on the border between the Disneyland Hotel and Downtown Disney (the Disneyland Hotel, of course, has a tree in each one of its towers, as well as trees in the restaurants), but that was replaced last year by an ice rink that sort of seemed detached from the rest of DTD. They need some sort of tree in DTD because otherwise it seems to lack a bit of holiday cheer.

I am assuming the ice rink will make a return this year in conjunction with Frozen (there is already an Olaf pumpkin at the Halloween Carnival this year!), but I would not mind a giant tree in its place!

As for the apples -- I totally agree. I absolutely love the look of them, and I love seeing them made. I love the creative, inventive designs that the Disney folks use for the apples during all seasons (they even have some cute apples for Easter, etc.). However, I don't need to eat them.

I feel the same about a lot of different seasonal things -- I like to either smell or see them but I don't necessarily need to eat them. Pumpkin pie is one such thing for me -- I love the smell of it and I love that it is a part of Fall, but I don't really love eating it. Candy corn, too -- I love the look of it, and it adds a very bright pop of color to a room if you pour a bunch of it in a glass jar or bowl of some kind, but...I don't need to eat candy corn. Some things I just like for the colors and shapes, but I don't have a taste for them.

I love cupcakes, however! But...I have heard from assorted folks who have eaten DLR cupcakes that they are not that great. They are good to look at, but apparently not that yummy. It's hard to imagine a cupcake going wrong, but I guess it can. People say that about the Disneyland brownies, too.

If the gingerbread zombie cookies are being sold during the holidays -- and if you like gingerbread -- I highly recommend those. They are nice and soft.

OMG!!!! I don't think I have ever seen this at Disneyland!! This is a must have!!!!! Where did you get this? I am totally excited!

pudinhd --

I don't know if deej will come back here to see your post, but I think she got the funnel cake in Frontierland, if I am remembering correctly.

Sherry,

That was some amazing "compensation" you were given in regards to the PPH not using your gift cards appropriately(or advising you of the hold on your debit card)!

I totally understand you would rather have had them just do things as you'd asked, instead of having to be "compensated", not to mention the frustration caused by the whole incident!

Some nice Customer Service, after the fact though, that's nice to know!

Cheshirecatty -

It was nice compensation, indeed!

It's not even a matter of wanting them to do things as I'd asked -- I am perfectly happy to abide by whatever rules they set forth, as long as they are clear and definite. I didn't ask for anything.

The problem was that they had first told me one thing on the phone (that it was okay to give the gift cards at check-in), and then the CM who checked me in disagreed with that. He also didn't tell me that they were using a card that they had on file for me to apply the balance due on the room (they are supposed to ask the guests which card they want to use before telling their system what to do), as well as the incidentals fee, and that all could have been prevented with a simple code that the CM could have added in to their system.

Also, when the CM finally took the gift cards from me to apply to the room, he didn't clarify that the value of the cards was not going to be applied at that moment. It appeared that after he disappeared into a back room and asked someone (presumably a supervisor) about it, that the plan was to apply the value of the gift cards to my room rate right at that moment, not after the fact.

So it was all a matter of Disney not being clear about what exactly was being charged or credited and when, and not asking me if it was okay to use a card already on file to 'hold funds' (which were not released until several days after I returned home). But they admitted later on that they screwed up and didn't handle the whole situation the right way, didn't enter in whatever code, etc.

I made one this morning for our arrival day or 12/4. It seemed to work well. I'm not sure how excited I was to find that they kept my CC number on file from prior WDW uses. But that one's done.

I was also surprised to find that even for a group of 2 they will be adding the 18% gratuity to be paid on our way IN to the restaurant. It's not a huge deal since that's what we generally pay anyway. But I'm not fond of having the ability to adjust if we have any issues (without having to talk to a manager).

Anyone know if all the restaurants are like this now?

Janet --

Which restaurant did you book, with the 18%?

I have a feeling that pesky 18& might be working its way onto more restaurant bills. In the past, at Goofy's Kitchen the added gratuity was 15%. You'd pay the whole bill before entering Goofy's, including the gratuity. They would charge an 18% gratuity only if the group was larger than a certain number.

Then, Goofy's Kitchen switched to 18% for all guests, no matter how small or large the party was.

I don't know how many other restaurants are doing the forced 18% thing. The last I checked, at places like Storytellers, Wine Country Trattoria and Carnation Cafe (table service restaurants that were non-character meals) you could leave whatever tip you wanted to leave -- but that may have changed. The last time I was at DLR I ate at Earl of Sandwich -- and that has its own problems, but not an 18% gratuity!

Oh boy. I hope that doesn't happen that way. My balance is $2700 (including 2 APs)! It doesn't make sense that I couldn't use the cards to pay off the balance at the onset of the trip.....because if I was using a regular credit card or debit card, or even checks, I could be paying off a little at a time right now. That was mentioned by one of the CMs on the phone to me this morning, even! Maybe I'll give the front desk a call just to get it all spelled out ahead of time. I will definitely be going over to the PPH very early in the morning of our first day, Dec 1st and hopefully this will all be taken care of in a way that makes sense.

Kathy -

I know what you mean. I really hope the hotel folks have made it easier to deal with gift cards from people who are checking in. You're absolutely right -- if you were using credit or debit cards, you could have the whole hotel bill paid off in advance, before ever even arriving in California. Why they can't accept gift cards as payment before arrival is baffling, especially since they already have a credit or debit card # on file for you in case anything should go wrong with the gift cards. In my opinion, money is money and if you have perfectly good gift cards to spend you should be able to use them to pay off a room before you arrive (or when you check in).

Call before hand and make sure the person on the other end of the phone is clear on what their exact procedure is, and then as soon as you set foot in the PPH and walk up to the front desk, before allowing the CM to check you in, make sure to ask him/her exactly what they are charging you and on which card, when will the total of the gift cards be applied, are they blocking/holding any amount of money on your credit card that you don't know about, etc.

 

[mom2rtk]

Janet --

Which restaurant did you book, with the 18%?

I have a feeling that pesky 18& might be working its way onto more restaurant bills. In the past, at Goofy's Kitchen the added gratuity was 15%. You'd pay the whole bill before entering Goofy's, including the gratuity. They would charge an 18% gratuity only if the group was larger than a certain number.

Then, Goofy's Kitchen switched to 18% for all guests, no matter how small or large the party was.

I don't know how many other restaurants are doing the forced 18% thing. The last I checked, at places like Storytellers, Wine Country Trattoria and Carnation Cafe (table service restaurants that were non-character meals) you could leave whatever tip you wanted to leave -- but that may have changed. The last time I was at DLR I ate at Earl of Sandwich -- and that has its own problems, but not an 18% gratuity!

It was Goofy's Kitchen. But it was 18%. As I said, it's not a huge deal as that's what I'd probably leave anyway. I just found that unusual since none at WDW do that except Cinderella's Royal Table, which is completely prepaid at time of booking, and then for parties of 8 or more elsewhere.

I'm curious though what your issues were at EOS. We're looking forward to eating there a couple times on our trip. I bought a sandwich on our way home from WDW this summer (to eat while waiting on the plane) and left it in the rental car. And I'm still not over it.

 

[ksromack]

The problem was that they had first told me one thing on the phone (that it was okay to give the gift cards at check-in), and then the CM who checked me in disagreed with that. He also didn't tell me that they were using a card that they had on file for me to apply the balance due on the room (they are supposed to ask the guests which card they want to use before telling their system what to do), as well as the incidentals fee, and that all could have been prevented with a simple code that the CM could have added in to their system.

Also, when the CM finally took the gift cards from me to apply to the room, he didn't clarify that the value of the cards was not going to be applied at that moment. It appeared that after he disappeared into a back room and asked someone (presumably a supervisor) about it, that the plan was to apply the value of the gift cards to my room rate right at that moment, not after the fact.

So it was all a matter of Disney not being clear about what exactly was being charged or credited and when, and not asking me if it was okay to use a card already on file to 'hold funds' (which were not released until several days after I returned home). But they admitted later on that they screwed up and didn't handle the whole situation the right way, didn't enter in whatever code, etc.

I have an app on my phone where I can input the Disney Gift Card number along with the security code on the back. I have all of mine listed in that app. I even purposefully messed up a number on one of the cards to see if it would give me an error, which it did. As funds are used off of the cards, the app updates the balances for me. It's very useful and I'll be able to tell right away whether or not the funds have been applied to my room fee or whether they are holding them. I hope they apply them right away, but then I'll know, too.....and I'll be sure to get the 411 from the CM who checks us in at PPH. I have called the front desk a few times, I even mentioned to the last gal that she may want to make sure she's off work on Dec 1st so she won't have to scan all of my cards.

 

[pudinhd]

pudinhd --

I don't know if deej will come back here to see your post, but I think she got the funnel cake in Frontierland, if I am remembering correctly.

Thank you very much!!!! It will be my goal to find that funnel cake!!

 

[Sherry E]

It was Goofy's Kitchen. But it was 18%. As I said, it's not a huge deal as that's what I'd probably leave anyway. I just found that unusual since none at WDW do that except Cinderella's Royal Table, which is completely prepaid at time of booking, and then for parties of 8 or more elsewhere.

I'm curious though what your issues were at EOS. We're looking forward to eating there a couple times on our trip. I bought a sandwich on our way home from WDW this summer (to eat while waiting on the plane) and left it in the rental car. And I'm still not over it.

Janet --

I think it was sometime in late 2011 that the Goofy's gratuity suddenly went up to 18% for everyone. I remember being startled by that, as I was so used to 15% for so long.

Interestingly -- and maybe all too conveniently for Disney -- for a while the tax on the meals at DLR had gone up a bit. Then...the tax was lowered (which usually doesn't happen), at which time the gratuity went up. Hmmm? A coincidence, perhaps?

Just as you said, the same goes for me -- I'd probably be leaving 18% or 20% as a tip anyway, but having to pay it up front before ever being served, and without having the option to choose what I pay, is a little unusual. As many times as I've eaten at Goofy's I've never been 100% okay with paying before ever being seated. I've done it, of course, but I've never felt totally right about it!

Let's see...Earl of Sandwich... I'll start with the positive! When I ate there last year (in December, at which point they had only been open for one month at DLR), I liked them. I went there 3 separate times, 3 nights in a row, and I tried 2 different types of sandwiches -- the Cannonballs! and the Holiday sandwich. I found them to be a refreshing addition to DLR, offering food that was reasonably priced, generously sized and portable -- meaning I could easily transport it back to my PPH hotel room via the little plastic bags they provided. The sandwiches were wrapped snugly too.

But...there were mistakes made on two out of my 3 visits. On the first night my friend ordered a Chinese Chicken wrap and she was actually given a Mediterranean wrap. She didn't realize it was wrong until she started eating it. She ended up liking the flavor so she didn't bother complaining -- but they still gave her the completely wrong sandwich. On one of my other visits over the next couple of nights, they didn't put any cheese on the Cannonballs! sandwich, and it is supposed to come with parmesan and mozzarella cheese. I didn't notice this until I was already back in my PPH room, and I didn't have the energy at that point to go all the way back to EOS in DTD, so I dealt with it.

I figured that maybe this was all due to being new at DLR in 2012, and maybe things would be ironed out over time. When I wrote to EOS on their website and explained that they were making mistakes, they were responsive and apologetic.

Fast forward to last month, when Liza/funatdisney and I ate at EOS on the first day of Halloween Time -- 9 months after my last meal from EOS. Once again, I ordered the Cannonballs!...and there was no cheese of any kind. Also, there was very little sauce -- it was as if they had pulled the meatballs out of the sauce they were in and drained off any excess. So it was kind of a dry sandwich except for the sauce residue that had stuck to the meatballs.

I took the sandwich up to the counter and pointed out the mistake. They brought a new sandwich to the table and it had cheese -- honestly, it looked like they had taken my existing sandwich, opened it up, stuck a piece of mozzarella in there and microwaved it for a minute -- but still almost no sauce.

Fellow DIS'er PHXscuba ate at EOS earlier this year, and I know they made a mistake on one item, putting tomatoes on it/in it when it had been requested that the tomatoes be left off!

So I guess my advice is to check all orders before leaving the EOS property, as it seems they are still making mistakes -- and in some cases, it could be a major mistake. I still think they are a good value relative to other places on DLR property, and I still love the fact that this is food I can easily take back to my hotel room because it's all wrapped and stuffed into a plastic tote bag, but out of my 4 visits to EOS, 3 of those visits involved mistakes of some sort so they cannot fully be trusted yet!

I have an app on my phone where I can input the Disney Gift Card number along with the security code on the back. I have all of mine listed in that app. I even purposefully messed up a number on one of the cards to see if it would give me an error, which it did. As funds are used off of the cards, the app updates the balances for me. It's very useful and I'll be able to tell right away whether or not the funds have been applied to my room fee or whether they are holding them. I hope they apply them right away, but then I'll know, too.....and I'll be sure to get the 411 from the CM who checks us in at PPH. I have called the front desk a few times, I even mentioned to the last gal that she may want to make sure she's off work on Dec 1st so she won't have to scan all of my cards.

Kathy --

Yes, definitely get the scoop on exactly what you're being charged and on which card, and if the gift cards will be applied up front or upon check-out. Hopefully they have figured out how to actually apply the gift card amounts at check-in without holding/blocking any amount on your credit/debit card too, but I don't trust them!

A lot of people stash gift cards away in preparation for trips these days. It seems like it would be a wise idea for Disney to get with the program and let guests pay for hotels in advance with the gift cards.

Thank you very much!!!! It will be my goal to find that funnel cake!!

pudinhd --

You're welcome! I think deej got that funnel cake at Hungry Bear, but I could be wrong. It could have been the Stage Door or Golden Horseshoe. I know she mentioned it in her TR but it's been a while since I read that TR.

 

[mom2rtk]

Janet --



Let's see...Earl of Sandwich... I'll start with the positive! When I ate there last year (in December, at which point they had only been open for one month at DLR), I liked them. I went there 3 separate times, 3 nights in a row, and I tried 2 different types of sandwiches -- the Cannonballs! and the Holiday sandwich. I found them to be a refreshing addition to DLR, offering food that was reasonably priced, generously sized and portable -- meaning I could easily transport it back to my PPH hotel room via the little plastic bags they provided. The sandwiches were wrapped snugly too.

But...there were mistakes made on two out of my 3 visits. On the first night my friend ordered a Chinese Chicken wrap and she was actually given a Mediterranean wrap. She didn't realize it was wrong until she started eating it. She ended up liking the flavor so she didn't bother complaining -- but they still gave her the completely wrong sandwich. On one of my other visits over the next couple of nights, they didn't put any cheese on the Cannonballs! sandwich, and it is supposed to come with parmesan and mozzarella cheese. I didn't notice this until I was already back in my PPH room, and I didn't have the energy at that point to go all the way back to EOS in DTD, so I dealt with it.

I figured that maybe this was all due to being new at DLR in 2012, and maybe things would be ironed out over time. When I wrote to EOS on their website and explained that they were making mistakes, they were responsive and apologetic.

Fast forward to last month, when Liza/funatdisney and I ate at EOS on the first day of Halloween Time -- 9 months after my last meal from EOS. Once again, I ordered the Cannonballs!...and there was no cheese of any kind. Also, there was very little sauce -- it was as if they had pulled the meatballs out of the sauce they were in and drained off any excess. So it was kind of a dry sandwich except for the sauce residue that had stuck to the meatballs.

I took the sandwich up to the counter and pointed out the mistake. They brought a new sandwich to the table and it had cheese -- honestly, it looked like they had taken my existing sandwich, opened it up, stuck a piece of mozzarella in there and microwaved it for a minute -- but still almost no sauce.

Fellow DIS'er PHXscuba ate at EOS earlier this year, and I know they made a mistake on one item, putting tomatoes on it/in it when it had been requested that the tomatoes be left off!

So I guess my advice is to check all orders before leaving the EOS property, as it seems they are still making mistakes -- and in some cases, it could be a major mistake. I still think they are a good value relative to other places on DLR property, and I still love the fact that this is food I can easily take back to my hotel room because it's all wrapped and stuffed into a plastic tote bag, but out my my 4 visits to EOS, 3 of those visits involved mistakes of some sort so they cannot fully be trusted yet!

SHERRY! What on earth did you to tick off the people at EOS so bad! Sorry, but it almost seems that way, don't you think? What awful luck you have had!

I appreciate you sharing your experience though. I can totally see us bringing sandwiches back to PPH as well. So I now know to open them up and check them out before hoofing it back to the room. And thanks for reminding me of that awesome holiday sandwich. I think I'm going to have to give it a try this time.

When we go to WDW, we don't make it to DTD all that often. We usually have park tickets every day, and don't take time to get to DTD. We seldom have a car, and bus service to DTD is slow sometimes. So we normally just do all of our shopping in the parks. Well, we decided to see La Nouba last December so were there one night and ate at EOS. For whatever reason, Katie fell in love with the place. I'm thinking it made her top 5 list from the entire 10 day trip...... and that wasn't even a top 5 foot item list..... it was just a top 5 favorites from the entire trip! So, she's very excited to get to go back. They might get to know us pretty well by the end of our trip. But I'll definitely check our order!

 

[Sherry E]

SHERRY! What on earth did you to tick off the people at EOS so bad! Sorry, but it almost seems that way, don't you think? What awful luck you have had!

I appreciate you sharing your experience though. I can totally see us bringing sandwiches back to PPH as well. So I now know to open them up and check them out before hoofing it back to the room. And thanks for reminding me of that awesome holiday sandwich. I think I'm going to have to give it a try this time.

When we go to WDW, we don't make it to DTD all that often. We usually have park tickets every day, and don't take time to get to DTD. We seldom have a car, and bus service to DTD is slow sometimes. So we normally just do all of our shopping in the parks. Well, we decided to see La Nouba last December so were there one night and ate at EOS. For whatever reason, Katie fell in love with the place. I'm thinking it made her top 5 list from the entire 10 day trip...... and that wasn't even a top 5 foot item list..... it was just a top 5 favorites from the entire trip! So, she's very excited to get to go back. They might get to know us pretty well by the end of our trip. But I'll definitely check our order!

Janet --

I know! It does seem that the EOS folks are just mad at me. I would have thought I was the only one noticing mistakes if not for the fact that PHXscuba mentioned the tomatoes issue from her EOS meal earlier this year. I have to imagine there are a lot of other people whose orders are getting botched up too.

In a setting like DLR, because everything is walkable and easy to get to (unlike the layout at WDW, where you have to drive or take buses or boats or whatever), I am assuming that a lot of people are going to transport their food to nearby hotels at the end of a long, tiring day. If people want to eat a nice sandwich and maybe not sit at the benches outside EOS, they can just head straight to their hotels after picking up the order. I'm sure a lot of people will not check their orders to see if they are correct.

Since the PPH is across the street from GCH, and EOS is at one end of DTD, I just didn't have the energy to go all the way back to DTD when I opened up the wrapper and saw that the sandwich was wrong last year. At least, at that point, there was actual sauce on the sandwich in the absence of any cheese. This year, though, the sandwich was lacking in cheese and in sauce!

I'm sure that the majority of people get orders that are prepared correctly, though! I might have just had a dark cloud over my head for my EOS visits. Surely they have to be doing something right or we would hear about their mistakes more often...but they shouldn't be making so many mistakes after being in this location for the better part of a year.

I think the Holiday sandwich is made year-round now? Is it that way at WDW's EOS too?

 

[mom2rtk]

Janet --

I
I think the Holiday sandwich is made year-round now? Is it that way at WDW's EOS too?

You know, I have no idea. We've only been to EOS a couple times at WDW and Katie got me hooked on the Italian. I really need to branch out. I'm thinking this trip will be a great chance to do just that, including a holiday sandwich.

 

[piratenightmares]

A comment about Goofy's Kitchen and other such things (like Storytellers Breakfast, & Minnie's Breakfast)...When you go to a buffet meal in many places you have to pay first. I've only been to a few buffets where that wasn't the case. I don't mind having to pay prior to the meal with a buffet at DL as that seems to be the 'buffet norm'.

My problem with is I've been paying my tips with a gift card (and the rest of the meals with the dining plan) and now that appears to have been complicated. Hmmm.