Do you ever feel bad?

[la79al]

Do you ever feel bad for the people that go to DW and not know to make ADRs? Not the ones that choose not to and think they can just walk right in, but the ones that really had no idea that 90 days was so important? I know in dealing with TA at AAA, I have not always been informed that I needed to call ahead to make ADRs, so I can only assume it happens a lot.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I do. I would hate to go to a resturant and be told you should have made them 90 days ago. ( Not that they would say that but that's the deal).
I panic at my 90 day mark. I like to know I will be eating at a nice place for dinner then if I didn't have an ADR I might be looking at a CS instead. I wouldn't be happy if that happened.

 

[lisalonglash]

Do you ever feel bad for the people that go to DW and not know to make ADRs? Not the ones that choose not to and think they can just walk right in, but the ones that really had no idea that 90 days was so important? I know in dealing with TA at AAA, I have not always been informed that I needed to call ahead to make ADRs, so I can only assume it happens a lot.

Well, yes and no. I do feel for them that they won't be able to eat where they'd like, certainly. However, not doing destination research pre-trip is just asking for disappointment IMO

We have never travelled anywhere we didn't research thoroughly first. The onus is on US, the travellers, to find the information we need beforehand kwim? Not taking the time to do this is a traveller's choice, of course, but not taking the time to do it means that the traveller can't whine afterwards about the things they didn't know IMO

 

[DWGal210]

I agree with the PP - I don't exactly feel bad because it's not as if I'm taking something from that person; I just knew beforehand to prepare.

I can understand being frustrated that you cannot walk into a TS restaurant get seated right away, all the time, but I think of it this way - Disney is the most popular family tourist destination in the world, and no way do they have enough restaurants so that any guest at any time can walk up and be seated; and this is at any time of year, we're not even talking about summer and holiday seasons. So I people should realize at least that going in, even if you do no research, you shouldn't be too surprised to not be able to get in certain places.

 

[bronny]

We went in 2007 - our first time! I didn't have a clue about ADRs, to be honest I didn't realise what that you need to plan anything for a trip to Orlando!
I have learnt this time and am now fanatically planning more than 12 months ahead. We had a great time but missed more than I realised - until I found the DIS.

 

[Danauk]

I feel bad for them because in any other vacation destination you would not need to plan nearly half as much as this. Even at other Disney resorts you do not need to call exactly 90 day ahead to make reservations. But on the other hand where ever I choose to go on vacation I do a lot of research as to what there is to do, look for websites such as the Dis to help with planning to get tips etc. In this day and age you need to research as much as possible to get the most for your money.

 

[tkitty]

I've felt sorry for people being turned away, when we've gone for our ADRs, but in this day and age, it's so easy to do a little research before you travel. Unless your using a TA for everything, you need to take a little responsibility for your trip.
Even my first WDW trip in 1999, thru TA, ressies were suggested. we figured we'd play it by ear- just 2 of us. We're going with a party of 6, with 2 kids, and want to be prepared.
Besides, there are so many CS places, no one will go hungry.

 

[eliza61]

Do you ever feel bad for the people that go to DW and not know to make ADRs? Not the ones that choose not to and think they can just walk right in, but the ones that really had no idea that 90 days was so important? I know in dealing with TA at AAA, I have not always been informed that I needed to call ahead to make ADRs, so I can only assume it happens a lot.

No. Not every one is obsessed with planning. I've had coworkers go a number of times and just roll with the punches. I've had people go and when they get there figure out they can still eat without 4 months of planning and have a great time.

I never do ADR's (well this year I did just to fool around with the on line reservation thingey but I doubt if we make it to them) and I manage to eat a TS ever day. I don;t feel obsessed to eat at Le Cellier or CRT.

My family is happily a non planning, stress free type of vacationer even at disney. I know quite a lot of people who go and manage to have a great time without ADR's, TGM, rope drops and the dis board.

 

[DisCopper]

I don't feel sorry for them because most of the time, they're going to find something to eat. I was there for a business trip a few months back. We were doing the "monorail pub crawl" and were looking for food. I called dining reservations, and they got me a table at the only place available... the Grand Floridian Cafe. Not near my first choice, but it was a decent meal at a nice restaurant.

So those poor, unfortunate souls who didn't know to book ADR's probably don't know what they're missing. They didn't research, so they don't know how cool Ohana is. I'm sure many of them are very satisfied with what they find.

 

[cranleys]

I tend to feel bad up to the point where the person goes on a rant at the CM because they didn't research their trip. I have seen this happen alot, and frankly, it disgusts me.
WDW is the biggest tourist trap in the US. Once they have you there, it is very difficult to get out to eat elsewhere...not impossible, but certainly difficult. With this in mind, people should realize that reservations might be a good idea. Would someone think that they were going to get a table on a Saturday night at the busiest restaurant in town with no reservation????
Thanks for letting me vent, this is a hot topic for me

 

[bangzoom6877]

I feel bad for them because in any other vacation destination you would not need to plan nearly half as much as this. Even at other Disney resorts you do not need to call exactly 90 day ahead to make reservations. But on the other hand where ever I choose to go on vacation I do a lot of research as to what there is to do, look for websites such as the Dis to help with planning to get tips etc. In this day and age you need to research as much as possible to get the most for your money.

I agree with you. I am definitely neurotic about the planning, but I love to do it, even if it is not a Disney trip. When we go on a cruise I am on Cruise Critic all the time (similar to the DIS, but for cruises). We just went to Lancaster County, PA and Hershey Park for our vacation and I did tons of research for that too, even though I was already familiar with the area. I got tons of coupons and we hardly paid full price for anything, including Hershey Park and Dutch Wonderland. I did my homework and I always do when it comes to vacations. We only go away once a year right now so I make sure to make the most of every vacation and do special and memorable things on each vacation. And the food is one thing that is extremely important to me on vacation. I normally follow Weight Watchers maintenance, but I do indulge when on vacation. So eating at good restaurants with good food is very important, as is variety so I am not always eating the same thing. It has to be worth the "cheat"! DH is not as picky as I am for restaurants...yes, he loves good food but he always leaves the dining choices up to me. Even last week in Lancaster, every evening he would say to me, "So where are we heading to for dinner tonight?" He almost always ends up enjoying the restaurant I choose so he trusts me. The one thing though he did pick at Disney was Boma last year because we had seen it on the Travel Channel and he said it looked great and unique and he wanted to try it. The one place he was not crazy about at Disney World was 1900 Park Fare dinner. He thought the food was fine, but nothing special. He liked Crystal Palace dinner much better.

 

[RMulieri]

Well, yes and no. I do feel for them that they won't be able to eat where they'd like, certainly. However, not doing destination research pre-trip is just asking for disappointment IMO

We have never travelled anywhere we didn't research thoroughly first. The onus is on US, the travellers, to find the information we need beforehand kwim? Not taking the time to do this is a traveller's choice, of course, but not taking the time to do it means that the traveller can't whine afterwards about the things they didn't know IMO

Totally agree...If you research which cell phone ,LCD TV or any other large purchase Why would you not research a vacation?..But I do feel bad for those people that promise the kids to eat with Mickey..Only to show up at Chef Mickeys and be sent packing...I did see it , and it was very very heartbreaking to watch

 

[BigMama]

Last year I was talking to a CM at the front desk at the beach club when a grandfather came up holding his granddaughter who was about 3 and asked if he could get reservations for breakfast at the castle for that day I have to say I felt so bad for them needless to say there was nothing available.

 

[toothfairy74]

My boss is taking his girls for their first trip in October, the same week that I am going. I asked him last week which ADR's he got because he had mentioned the girls wanted to do a princess meal. He said "oh I just figured we would just show up we don't really know what our schedule with parks will be." Imagine my horror as he had already passed the 90 day mark by over two weeks! I said " oh my, you are making me nervous! You have to call now or they won't get to eat with princesses!" He went ahead and called and got two ADR's set up. I told him he needed to make the other two but he just rolled his eyes and said "that can't really be necessary- we will just figure it out when we get there." What to do when you can't get through to someone??? I told him I was picturing two very tired and hungry girls getting dragged around looking for a place to eat and 2 TS credits that he paid for-( not free dining because they are staying in their camper at wilderness campsite)-going to waste! Oh well, some people have to learn their own lessons. At least I know they got their Princess meals!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I don't......I have been reminded at least once every time I call WDW about my resort reservation that I need to make dining reservations, they sent me an email the last time around my 90-day mark, and it's on the package info I get in the mail.

I do feel bad for the little kids that think they're going to have a character meal or whatever, and they get turned away.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Oops, double post. Sorry!

 

[Macduffy]

hmmmmmmm...... I do feel bad for some people. People who are working with a TA especially because they should be informed and depend on their guidance. The people I don't feel for are those who don't really care enough to make the reservations. Having my sons birthday supper was uber important to us so I made sure that I was on the phone promptly at 7 AM to get my spot. If your daughter wants to dine in the Castle and it's important to her then you should really look into what is necessary to give her that magic!

 

[suz_cute]

I do feel bad for them. During free dining last year, we saw so many bewildered families going from country to country in Epcot just trying to get a sit down meal, only to be turned away. They were mostly international travelers, or families who hadn't visited in quite some time. I heard a lot of "wow, we have been here many times and never needed reservations before." I truly felt sorry for those people. I will say, had my parents been traveling alone, and not with us this last time, they wouldn't have known either. We have been there over 20 times and normally made our ADRs once we got on property that morning, and always had luck. Now with so many promotions such as 4/3 deal, free dining that seems to draw more people, its an absolute necessity these days. I do miss the days of walking up and being able to eat wherever you want. Its a shame there is such a source of MIS information out there. Our cousins are going for xmas this year (arriving on the 26th of dec) and I asked them if they had their ADRs picked, and she said her travel agent told her that reservations were switched from 90 days to 60 days prior to arrival. Sooooo unfortunately she chose to believe the travel agent, and I don't think her kids are going to be able to attend the character meals they want because nothing will be left if she waits that long to book. Those people I DO feel bad for!

 

[Joshua_me]

Last year I was talking to a CM at the front desk at the beach club when a grandfather came up holding his granddaughter who was about 3 and asked if he could get reservations for breakfast at the castle for that day I have to say I felt so bad for them needless to say there was nothing available.

That would have broken my heart.

If I had heard that and happened to have an ADR for CRT I would have given it to him right then and there....

 

[cmdg]

I only feel bad if they hadn't been informed that advanced reservations were a possibility. I usually always make them, but my family is at WDW right now and didn't make any except for the hoop-dee-doo! They are fine just rolling with the punches and eating wherever space is available.