DVC member advantage when making dining ADRs?

[bangzoom6877]

Vicki, take a look at this post. Presuming it is accurate, it certainly suggests that *something* like this was done *at some point*.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32189470&postcount=77

In the interests of full disclosure, I just don't care. I never have a problem getting in *somewhere*, even at the last minute, and I have yet to eat in any Disney restaurant that makes or breaks a trip.

You do have a valid point. While I am one of those people who gets carried away with the food on any vacation, there will always be something available at the time we normally go (mid-July). We don't go on busy holidays, just the busy summer season but last year I know we had no problem getting what we wanted. The only restaurants that truly make or break our trip at Disney are the character meals since the boys enjoy them (and so do we, but it is more important to them than to us). We find those to be unique to Disney and that's why we like to schedule a few of them for a trip. As far as others, if I can't get into one country at Epcot, for example, I am sure I can get into a different one and it will be great! I haven't heard anything bad about any WS restaurant from people I know (close friends and relatives, who...no offense...I trust more than people I do not know who write internet reviews), only good things!

 

[vicki_c]

Vicki, take a look at this post. Presuming it is accurate, it certainly suggests that *something* like this was done *at some point*.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32189470&postcount=77

In the interests of full disclosure, I just don't care. I never have a problem getting in *somewhere*, even at the last minute, and I have yet to eat in any Disney restaurant that makes or breaks a trip.

Thanks Brian - I will check that out (no time right now)!

 

[Chuck S]

How would they be able to tier fastpasses based on resort class? I bought my tickets from Undercover Tourist (not directly through Disney) so I don't think there would even be a way for the computer to tell I am staying DVC, if they were to ever implement such a tiering system. Many folks do things like this too, they don't buy their tickets through Disney but they are staying concierge at a deluxe resort, for example.

By havng the system scan your valid room key. There is no reason the card readers can't read a separate ticket or a valid room key (or both). The capability to tier is part of a patent filing by Disney. The FastPass system has lots of unused capabilities that are detailed in the patent. Presumably to protect the system from "copycats" so Disney can market the system to other parks and venues.

 

[vicki_c]

OK, I read the link Brian posted, which I had not seen before. So I will at least partially retract my "prove it to me" comment.

I was following the "tiers" thread at one point - the part where I didn't think anyone had proved anything - but must have missed that post while we were getting ready for our trip!

Interesting anyway, and since I have a TiW card at the moment, I don't really like it.

My plan at this point will be to book my own things on line, and not enter any TiW card info in if it asks for that somewhere, and/or not mention it to the CM if I booked on the phone. I highly doubt they are going to refuse you the discount somewhere because you didn't include the info when making ADRs -- what if I had decided to purchase the card after arriving at the parks and all my ADRs had already been made? That would never fly -- way too many angry TiW card holders, I think.

 

[Brian Noble]

The only restaurants that truly make or break our trip at Disney are the character meals since the boys enjoy them (and so do we, but it is more important to them than to us).

Even that's not impossible late. I'm going to the World in a bit more than a week. Here's what's available on Sunday 7/19, right now for a party of 4. Note that I'm searching without logging in, and have not attached a resort reservation during these searches, so I'm presumably being treated as a "regular guy." Granted, with the economy being what it is, people are probably cutting back on these meals, but still---tons of availability, just not at some of the "big name" places.

Breakfast (searching for 8AM):
Tusker House @ 8:30
Cape May @ 8:00
Akershus @ 8:15
1900 PF @ 8:10
'Ohana @ 7:40
Crystal Palace @ 8:15
H&V @ 8:00

No Chef M's, no CRT.

For lunch, searching for 12:00:

Akershus @ 12:05
H&V @ 12:05
Crystal Palace @ 11:35 or 12:40
No CRT.

For dinner, searching for 6:00 PM:

CRT @ 6:00 (some would argue that this isn't a character meal)
Garden Grill @ 5:55
Akershus @ 6:25
Crystal Palace @ 4:25 (may as well skip this one---too early for dinner)
No Chef M's, no 1900 PF.

To be honest, I'm pretty astounded by just how much availability is there.

Edited to add:

My plan at this point will be to book my own things on line, and not enter any TiW card info in if it asks for that somewhere

If there's a place where you are asked to declare TIW status online, I haven't seen it.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Interesting anyway, and since I have a TiW card at the moment, I don't really like it.

My plan at this point will be to book my own things on line, and not enter any TiW card info in if it asks for that somewhere, and/or not mention it to the CM if I booked on the phone. I highly doubt they are going to refuse you the discount somewhere because you didn't include the info when making ADRs -- what if I had decided to purchase the card after arriving at the parks and all my ADRs had already been made? That would never fly -- way too many angry TiW card holders, I think.

This is my exact thought process.
Has anyone reported them asking if they have a TIW card, either on the web site or on the phone?

I still highly doubt this is true.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Edited to say: Didn't read the post carefully enough, thus my post is not relevant.

MG

 

[bangzoom6877]

Even that's not impossible late. I'm going to the World in a bit more than a week. Here's what's available on Sunday 7/19, right now for a party of 4. Note that I'm searching without logging in, and have not attached a resort reservation during these searches, so I'm presumably being treated as a "regular guy." Granted, with the economy being what it is, people are probably cutting back on these meals, but still---tons of availability, just not at some of the "big name" places.

Breakfast (searching for 8AM):
Tusker House @ 8:30
Cape May @ 8:00
Akershus @ 8:15
1900 PF @ 8:10
'Ohana @ 7:40
Crystal Palace @ 8:15
H&V @ 8:00

No Chef M's, no CRT.

For lunch, searching for 12:00:

Akershus @ 12:05
H&V @ 12:05
Crystal Palace @ 11:35 or 12:40
No CRT.

For dinner, searching for 6:00 PM:

CRT @ 6:00 (some would argue that this isn't a character meal)
Garden Grill @ 5:55
Akershus @ 6:25
Crystal Palace @ 4:25 (may as well skip this one---too early for dinner)
No Chef M's, no 1900 PF.

To be honest, I'm pretty astounded by just how much availability is there.

Edited to add:

If there's a place where you are asked to declare TIW status online, I haven't seen it.

Interesting, and makes me feel better...Cape May breakfast, H & V breakfast, CRT dinner (I know the characters are only really in the lobby but my son really wants to eat in the castle but is not that into princesses) and Crystal Palace dinner are all on our character meals list for next July's trip (and we will be there July 13-23, 2010!). The only thing we are also trying to get is Chef Mickey's breakfast (or dinner if breakfast is not available, my kids just love that place and LOVE Mickey and friends) but this is not available a little over a week away, NOT 90+ days!

So like I said this makes me feel better. I know like you said, the economy is not so great right now and so maybe restaurants are not as filled up as they would normally be, but still...last summer we had originally had ADRs for Ohana and then DH and I decided that 1900 Park Fare would have better food for the kids, and I had heard that character dinner was very funny for the boys (plus I love Cinderella), and it was available about 2 months before our trip (I think it was that much in advance, guessing at this point, can't remember exact details). And that was back when you could make ADRs at the 180-day window plus 10 days into your trip. I had made all our ADRs in January then changed that one later on. Also, the only original time available for dinner at Biergarten within a good dinner time for the boys was 6:15. I tried to get 5:30 but not available 180 days before our trip started (Biergarten was the 3rd day of our trip). I called about a month before our trip and got 5:30. At Crystal Palace I was only able to secure a 6:15 ADR, we got there at 5:30 and were seated before our ADR time. So, somehow things seem to work out in the end.

 

[Sammie]

As to whether anyone believes it or not, matters not to me. but remember when I said Disney would make adjustments to free dining and DDP to eliminate some of the loopholes, they did it. I know what I was told and it was told to me from someone high up enough to know.

I don't post rumors, take that for what it is worth would not waste your time or mine to do so.

If anyone truly thinks Disney is not capable of changing anything after the fact, then you truly do not know the business Disney, not the magical one.

As to whether they would have to disclose that they are limiting tables to discounted customers how would you even know?

Why would they have to notify anyone, basically the TIW allows you discounts on your meal, it does not guarantee you a table.

As to how they will know, eventually when you book a reservation you will be asked for this information just as you are for the PINs associated with a room discount.

I mean when you buy a KIW they have your info, as you can't purchase it without an AP.

So while we all know that Disney tech at times seems to be archaic, they do a better job of tracking us than we know.

I have no problem with the limitations. It will not affect all restaurants and if it will being back fine dining at Disney, I am all for it.

The program is in its early stages but the software to support this change is there. As to when they will use it, that has not been determined.

But many restaurants are having a hard time keeping their standards up, when so many diners are using a discount. KIW will not be the only one affect, so will DDP and Free dining and possibly these changes will only be in effect during free dining.

I mean truly, they can limit tables and no one would actually know the reason they were not able to get a table unless as someone has already noted, that when the concierge team tried to book a table for them using the KIW they could not get one but were able to get one when they removed the discount.

And Yes I totally agree that if you get past reservations and get to the table they are not going to refuse the discount. The limiting will be done at the booking stage.

I would not be the least bit surprised to even see changes to the online system, where they ask when you book online if you plan to use a discount. That way you are forewarned.

Disney is slow but not stupid when they are losing money.

 

[crisi]

Sammie, I don't doubt you. What I doubt is that if they don't know you have a discount card until you pay the bill they will deny you the discount. There is a big loophole to close there.

If I make my ADRs 90 days out and they ask if I have a discount card, the honest answer is no. The other honest part of that answer is I probably haven't made up my mind yet if I'm going to get a TiW card - and if I get one, it will be a guest services on the first day of vacation. So lets say that I don't think I will - we will just use Hoppers - no APs this year. And then we decide to add a signature restaurant or two, and instead of using one of the hoppers I bought from a broker, we set it aside and one of us gets an AP and a TiW card - probably purchasing these at guest services the day we arrive - 90 days after we made our discountless reservations.

Disney is going to have to have a lot of backbone if they turn down my card when I go to pay my bill that I just paid for because I didn't make the reservation as a "discount" reservation.

That's going to leave a sizeable loophole - they can't track a decision I haven't made yet. Or they are going to have to put a large disclaimer on TiW purchases - that ADRs made prior to the purchase will not honor the discount.

Once the purchase of the TiW is made, then they can start tracking it - along with you - through the ADR system as they tie more information together.

 

[Sammie]

Crisi, if you get the reservation, you are not going to be turned down at the table using the discount, that would be bad PR and they are not going to do that.

They will at some time, during certain times of the year, just like room discounts, limit the number of table available to be discounted.

For one thing many are not going to read this discussion and will simply answer the question when booking, as to whether they plan to use the discount.

I also see this being very much like Seasonal passes for Florida Residents. I just feel at times they are going to limit at certain restaurants the number of tables available for a discount. It is very possible for them to go to a situation where in the future when you purchase the KIW, that there are blackout dates to use it, with the guest knowing this at the time of purchase, such as peak seasons.

I was also told this decision to limit was left up to each restaurant.

I don't think you will see these changes immediately but they will phase them and very possibly in the future see limitations placed on the KIW card and other discounts, even possibly DVC.

One of the very reasons the new online system is set up to offer guests an option to dine at other restaurants when the one they were looking for is not available was this limitation.