DVC Perks: Don't forget to utilize priority restaurant seating

[Wes]

We were really frustrated at Rain Forest at DAK. I had forgotten that as DVC members we can call ahead a day or so and set up priority seating for a specific time.

So when we planned to go to MGM and wanted to return to the Sci-Fi Theater Restaurant, I just punched the "Disney Information" button on the phone in the room and followed the prompts, and we were set.

There are so many things to remember that we get from being DVC members. Each time we have gone, I have realized more. But we just can not go often enough to keep aware of all the perks.

 

[Regina]

Actually, making priority seating reservations is an option for everyone , whether you're staying onsite or off.

Member Services used to be able to make these arrangements for us. Unfortunately, they needed to end this practice. I believe the main reason was not being able to communicate quickly with the members when they were unable to get the time/restaurant that the member requested.

The Restaurant Board is a great place to get advice. On our Home Page you can find the PS Calculator which is an excellent guide as to when you can start booking certain restaurants relative to your travel dates.

It's always smart to make these well in advance, particularly if you're visiting during a busy time of year.

 

[fwm]

Member services still does make ps reservations. They just don't do it by email.

 

[Regina]

Thanks fwm. Is that recent experience? According to the Member Guidebook:

To make dining reservations at any of the Disney Vacation Club Resort restaurants, call (407) WDW-DINE. Or, if you prefer, contact the front desk of the resort whree you wish to dine once you arrive.


I thought that they ended making them through MS, but I could be mistaken.

 

[Dean]

And Rain Forest now accepts "reservations" as well but you can't do it through Disney. I don't know if I have the number any more but will have to look around when I get a chance.

 

[RobDoc]

The AK Rainforest Cafe does accept PS made thru (407) WDW-DINE. I don't think the DD RFC allows PS made thru Disney, but that could have changed recently.

Many PS may be made 120 days in advance (by anyone- even offsite guests) and all may be made 60 days ahead. This is not unique to DVC members.

 

[Wes]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
The AK Rainforest Cafe does accept PS made thru (407) WDW-DINE. I don't think the DD RFC allows PS made thru Disney, but that could have changed recently.

Many PS may be made 120 days in advance (by anyone- even offsite guests) and all may be made 60 days ahead. This is not unique to DVC members.

All of these details -- on just this one pair of restaurants -- are exactly why I wish there were some kind of magical DVC trip-planning computer where I could put in my likely activities / route for the day (at the Parks or at Downtown Disney or on the Boardwalk or at Fantasia Golf or ... or ... or ...) and it would tell me what perks to do before I go and while I am there, not just the perks at exactly the route where I am going within a Park but at places that might be worth a small side-track too. A handheld version of the this wonderful computer could be taken along as we actually went through the Park, so that it could be right up to date with the latest details on the latest perks.

I have started a separate thread on the subject of keeping track of all the perks -- DVC perks, resort guest perks, perks for people who know to do it ahead of time -- because we just have not figured out a way to keep track of it all effectively when we are only able to be there every other year.

 

[DebbieB]

When we checked into BWV last Saturday, they gave us a little pocketsize pamplet called "portable perks". It lists all the DVC perks, it was dated November/December 2002. I thought it was a great idea, it fits easy into your purse or wallet. They also had a fullsize newsletter for DVC members with perks listed.

 

[Chadm]

Originally posted by dvcreg
Thanks fwm. Is that recent experience? According to the Member Guidebook:

To make dining reservations at any of the Disney Vacation Club Resort restaurants, call (407) WDW-DINE. Or, if you prefer, contact the front desk of the resort whree you wish to dine once you arrive.


I thought that they ended making them through MS, but I could be mistaken.

I called Member Services yesterday to make a change to our April reservations (cancelled a 1BR and reserved 2 studios at BWV) and they gladly made a couple of priority seatings for me. They told me to call anytime and they would handle my PS's.

 

[JulesMom]

I called MS yesterday and heard the option for dining reservations. I have to remember to use them

 

[Wes]

Originally posted by DebbieB
When we checked into BWV last Saturday, they gave us a little pocketsize pamplet called "portable perks". It lists all the DVC perks, it was dated November/December 2002. I thought it was a great idea, it fits easy into your purse or wallet. They also had a fullsize newsletter for DVC members with perks listed.

I'm glad you mentioned that. I guess our packet somehow did not have the small sized one. I read about "Pocket Perks" in the large newsletter, but I saw nothing else, so that I thought they must want you to carry the newsletter along. I'm glad to know there really is a pocket-size "Pocket Perks".

 

[TiggerFreak]

We where at VWL in Oct and our packets did not have the "Portable Perks" in them. I noticed this before we left the front desk and asked. The CM looked confused for a minute and then the light bulb lit up. She smiled and asked how many would I need? I think because its new, it hasn't yet made it into every CM's routine when checking in DVC members. We see if it is remebered on our trip next month.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
The AK Rainforest Cafe does accept PS made thru (407) WDW-DINE. I don't think the DD RFC allows PS made thru Disney, but that could have changed recently.

Many PS may be made 120 days in advance (by anyone- even offsite guests) and all may be made 60 days ahead. This is not unique to DVC members.

When we were there November, 2001; you had to call a separate non Disney number for the Rainforest at DD. That number was 407-827-8500, maybe things have changed. I was just happy they had started taking reservations.

 

[CarolAnnC]

While at WDW a few days ago, I actually called MS twice for same day PS's. They did a great job and were very accomodating to me.

 

[MikeScott8]

Originally posted by Wes
All of these details -- on just this one pair of restaurants -- are exactly why I wish there were some kind of magical DVC trip-planning computer where I could put in my likely activities / route for the day (at the Parks or at Downtown Disney or on the Boardwalk or at Fantasia Golf or ... or ... or ...) and it would tell me what perks to do before I go and while I am there, not just the perks at exactly the route where I am going within a Park but at places that might be worth a small side-track too. A handheld version of the this wonderful computer could be taken along as we actually went through the Park, so that it could be right up to date with the latest details on the latest perks.

What I have been very happy with is the Passporter www.passporter.com It lists each and every restaurant and thier priority seating policy. It cover all the parks and activities, it is very convient and easy to carry. it also provides planning pages and pages to keep tickets, and receipts in and record what you want to do each day.

with the passporter you could go thorugh the perks listed at the member site ONCE and write them next to each places description/review. Then you have them all in once place.

Mike

 

[Melrosgirl]

Originally posted by Wes
All of these details -- on just this one pair of restaurants -- are exactly why I wish there were some kind of magical DVC trip-planning computer where I could put in my likely activities / route for the day (at the Parks or at Downtown Disney or on the Boardwalk or at Fantasia Golf or ... or ... or ...) and it would tell me what perks to do before I go and while I am there, not just the perks at exactly the route where I am going within a Park but at places that might be worth a small side-track too. A handheld version of the this wonderful computer could be taken along as we actually went through the Park, so that it could be right up to date with the latest details on the latest perks.
.

I have been using a new site www.tourguidemike.com for a few weeks. It does email you when certain dates open up, etc. for priority seatings, etc. The site is nice and there is a fee for it. (My one complaint about the site is that it's been open for over a month and there are still several articles that have not been written/uploaded yet though.) Maybe something like this would help? (not help with DVC, per se, but with dinner reservations, etc.)