Free Dining '10 Update: Disney Visa FD Released (See pages 1 & 57+ for details)

[canadianmommyof2]

And without a free dining reservation ... are you going anyway?

Honestly.. it's stuff like this that makes me miss the 90 day booking policy.

Seriously. All this booking, cancelling, changing, switching, phone calls to the CRO etc.. It's a lost of wasted time and resources all JUST TO ensure someone gets to eat lunch, six months from now, at a restaurant they GOTTA have.

The system is out of kilter. It has been for a long time. But the fact that people are making phantom bookings for hotels just so they can secure a dining reservation 10 days ahead of everyone else .. tells u just how far you out of balance the system is.

It also tells you exactly what kind of toll the F/D promotion has on all aspects of operations at the Disney World Resort. It's dreaded by staff at resorts, restaurants, call centers and even parks.. *truly* dreaded and it becomes obvious why.

This is why I don't make ADR's. As a result, I may never eat at Ohana. but I'm ok with that.. I can't plan my meals six months and ten days from now.

I know.. I'll never be a true "planner"

I agree with you, in a way...DH and I are planning a trip for August and we plan on going with or without free dining. We had the dining plan last November but didn't realize that you would need a reservation for ANY sit down restaurant on the property! We ended up using our table service tokens for quick service because we couldn't get into any other restaurant...and I'm not exaggerating, NONE! So this time when we booked I was thrilled that they said we could make our reservations now, it was really difficult because like you said...it's a long way away but what made it harder, we are still 4 months away and it was difficult to make reservations at the restaurants ALREADY! If it was just DH and I it would be ok but we can't expect our kids to wait until 8 - 8:30 to eat supper! So like you there are many places that we will not get to try but I'm sure if I try again after a promotion is offered and if it is not FD if I will have better luck with my reservations?? I like the idea of not being able to make your ressies till 90 days out...by then most people know their plans and wouldn't be waiting to see if FD is coming out or not. JMO

 

[CanadianGuy]

I get overheated on these issues too easily - I admit that..

But if we here on the DIS are such a minority -- why do we really need to book 10 days out from 6 months? We're the minority.. nobody else is booking that far out.. are they? Remember... the DIS used to have less than 75,000 members when I joined. It's over 250,000 members today.. just 4 years later.

These two arguments directly conflict..

1. I need to book all my ADRs way before everyone else and so I need to jump thru these hoops to do that pre-booking.

2. We are a minority.. most people don't prebook that far out so why does it matter that I'm doing it?

If #2 was true.. then #1 wouldn't be 'necessary' as many believe it is.

I don't even know if I'm making sense.. But those are two most frequent arguments for booking away ahead.. and they directly conflict with each other (the arguments)

It has become a monster that feeds itself. People book all this speculative stuff.. and it's wasteful. And if you think "So what it's Disney's problem" -- actually it will show up in the future in the form of higher hotel and ticket costs as all unforeseen expenses do.

If a given guest is going anyway.. of course that booking made whenever they make it.. makes perfect sense..

But lots of folks booking on hopes and wishes and I think that's interesting but not particularly efficient or useful.

And speculative bookings at the resort level.. hurts those seeking to secure the promo when it is eventually released.. (including the speculative booker!) ...

And at the restaurant level, these frequently block people show up hoping to eat without a reservation.. because others have these reservations and MANY times during F/D a lot of those reservations get blown off.. people are running behind, don't feel like eating, can't make it there in time.. take your pick.. resulting in the restaurant running at less than optimum etc.

Anyway.. My blood is all angried up so I'm gonna let this one go.

I guess I think that almost anyone could book the ADR's at 180 days and get 99 to 100% of what they want without all the rigmarole (how do you spell that?) of a phantom hotel reservation and the ten extra days that might afford.

Perhaps I am wrong.. but if I am.. that's only proof as to how far out of whack the whole arrangement has become.

People will do what will ppl will do. I need to learn to not let it get me overheated.

I'll survive I'm sure.

 

[DaniB]

For someone who has already decided to go regardless of a deal or not, why not make your reservation now and take advantage of the 180+10? Yes it is a shame that you need to plan so far out but for a couple of restaurants it is a fact of Disney life which I have found better to accept rather than complain about.

Our reservations were all made on our 180 day as we are going regardless. I'm really hoping for something like FD, but we're going.

However, I find I still have to change my reservations! I ended up switching 2meals around because I messed up and forgot about SpectroMagic.

Then this morning I wake up to discover Disney changed their September dates, and now SpectroMagic is not only NOT happening on that date, MK is closing at 7pm instead of 11pm!

So now I'm back to looking at our schedule and probably changing reservations around again.

I am so looking forward to our trip, but I am not impressed with making reservations...

 

[DaniB]

I, for one, am extremely grateful for this site and everyones knowledge on how to plan for a Disney trip. I would be lost, like I was the 1st time, without all this information.

Disney is not like a beach trip. You're spending thousands of dollars and you want to make sure you can make the most & have fun on your trip.
Thank you Disboards fans for helping me plan a trip I'm so excited for!!

Ditto!!! I'm so glad I stumbled across this site. I hate to think how ill-prepared our family would have been without everyone's knowledge and help!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Our reservations were all made on our 180 day as we are going regardless. I'm really hoping for something like FD, but we're going.

However, I find I still have to change my reservations! I ended up switching 2meals around because I messed up and forgot about SpectroMagic.

Then this morning I wake up to discover Disney changed their September dates, and now SpectroMagic is not only NOT happening on that date, MK is closing at 7pm instead of 11pm!

So now I'm back to looking at our schedule and probably changing reservations around again.

I am so looking forward to our trip, but I am not impressed with making reservations...

I'm not picking on you - I'm not. Honest..

But this is the stuff I'm talking about when you try to make the reservations too far out..

I used to know a guy (not a DISer) now this was a few years back but he was around for the first few years of F/D .. and he was pretty slick at all this stuff.. and he always made his ADR's at 120 days.. and I said "But don't you miss out on a lot of great places you really want to eat?"

And he said "No.. not really.. the park hours and everything else keeps changing till about the 4 month mark anyway. People book all this stuff and cancel and move it around.. I get what I want. And if I don't... I'll check at the lobby concierge and see if they can get me in to the one or two places I can't pre-arrange"..

He's not with us anymore.. but I have always thought he was a pretty smart cookie when it came to Disney stuff..


RIP Buddy

 

[B-Ride]

Then this morning I wake up to discover Disney changed their September dates, and now SpectroMagic is not only NOT happening on that date, MK is closing at 7pm instead of 11pm!

Must be an extra date for MNSSHP. There are some definite disadvantages to going when these hard ticket events are running unless you are willing to fork out some extra money for a ticket.

Good thing you noticed! I think I'll check back and make sure they haven't messed up my plans.

 

[emmabelle]

I wish you could only book ADR's 30 days in advance. I'm trying to get a dinner ressie for Le Cellier for July and it's all booked up. At least every other restaurant is available. It's hard knowing where you want to eat now, I'd rather do it closer to the travel dates.

 

[wildcatbride22]

Our reservations were all made on our 180 day as we are going regardless. I'm really hoping for something like FD, but we're going.

However, I find I still have to change my reservations! I ended up switching 2meals around because I messed up and forgot about SpectroMagic.

Then this morning I wake up to discover Disney changed their September dates, and now SpectroMagic is not only NOT happening on that date, MK is closing at 7pm instead of 11pm!

So now I'm back to looking at our schedule and probably changing reservations around again.

I am so looking forward to our trip, but I am not impressed with making reservations...

URGH!!! I had our schedule all figured out, finally, until I just read this and went and checked and same here..they were supposed to be open until 11pm one night that I'd planned to be there, now they close at 7pm!!! so annoying. how many more times between now and september will the park hours change??

 

[sdmom]

It has become a monster that feeds itself. People book all this speculative stuff.. and it's wasteful. And if you think "So what it's Disney's problem" -- actually it will show up in the future in the form of higher hotel and ticket costs as all unforeseen expenses do.

And speculative bookings at the resort level.. hurts those seeking to secure the promo when it is eventually released.. (including the speculative booker!) ...

I could not agree more. I would like to see the Epcot dining reservations made day of - like the good ol' days.

 

[doccoc2002]

I could not agree more. I would like to see the reservations made day of - like the good ol days.

I am not so sure...back when I was a kid we could never eat at CRT...because it was booked up months before and my DM didn't plan our trips until her tax return came back. Now...I am always able to book it 'cause of the 180. I do admit it is a little unfair for those who do not plan...but with Disney you should plan.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Hey Knox:

Are you calmed down now or do I need to drive the 100 or so miles, jump on the CAT and get some valium to you???

 

[Belle_princess]

URGH!!! I had our schedule all figured out, finally, until I just read this and went and checked and same here..they were supposed to be open until 11pm one night that I'd planned to be there, now they close at 7pm!!! so annoying. how many more times between now and september will the park hours change??

How do you find out when Spectro and Wishes, etc are?

 

[CanadianGuy]

Hey Knox:

Are you calmed down now or do I need to drive the 100 or so miles, jump on the CAT and get some valium to you???

Oh my.. just the thought seems to have relaxed me.. Or maybe that's the idea of the CAT Ferry ride.. I do love boats.

How's things in Augusta?

 

[CanadianGuy]

How do you find out when Spectro and Wishes, etc are?

Right here on the DIS

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/sep10.cfm?requesttimeout=1000

Hope that's been updated!

 

[Belle_princess]

Right here on the DIS

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/sep10.cfm?requesttimeout=1000

Hope that's been updated!

It hasn't been updated. Guess I'll wait.

 

[Huff]

If I CM were to say "I hate free dining" to a guest while onstage.. can you imagine?

If that's true - then booking meals shouldn't require you to pre-book a phantom reservation to get meal reservations..

As I said, it's out of whack and it has been for a few years now.

I've spoken with CM's off the clock mostly and on various forums. I have heard more say they like FD than those that do not. Their tips are higher when the restaurants are filled.

Our very first trip to Disneyworld was in winter before and there was no FD. They had a decent room only promo so we booked. We then added the DP. We booked in November for a Febuary trip. We had a VERY difficult time getting ADR's and this was in value season. The parks were nearly empty but the restaurants were filled. I still feel the problem is high demand for a limited supply.

Opening ADR's at say 90 days or even less will cause even worse problems for people trying to get ADR's for their upcoming trip. Is the correct solution the one that makes it easier for customers or easier for Disney? When demand outstrips supply there is no easy solution.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Oh my.. just the thought seems to have relaxed me.. Or maybe that's the idea of the CAT Ferry ride.. I do love boats.

How's things in Augusta?

Well, it's rainy and dreary.......

Oh, and did I mention I was waiting for Free Dining??....hahahaha!!!!

 

[DaniB]

I'm not picking on you - I'm not. Honest..

But this is the stuff I'm talking about when you try to make the reservations too far out..

I used to know a guy (not a DISer) now this was a few years back but he was around for the first few years of F/D .. and he was pretty slick at all this stuff.. and he always made his ADR's at 120 days.. and I said "But don't you miss out on a lot of great places you really want to eat?"

And he said "No.. not really.. the park hours and everything else keeps changing till about the 4 month mark anyway. People book all this stuff and cancel and move it around.. I get what I want. And if I don't... I'll check at the lobby concierge and see if they can get me in to the one or two places I can't pre-arrange"..

He's not with us anymore.. but I have always thought he was a pretty smart cookie when it came to Disney stuff..


RIP Buddy

Never considered you were picking on me, so no worries there

And I keep hearing all over DIS about Disney changing their calendar, and not to keep my plans etched in stone. So I figured my plans would change again. I just don't like it

I'm glad to hear that about the former DISer. It gives me hope that no matter how many times Disney might change the calendar, I'll hopefully still end up with the dinner reservations I want on the correct park days!

Hopefully once Disney finalizes and releases their MNSSHP dates and start selling the tickets, hopefully then I can count on the Sept dates being finalized! At least for MK... I can can't I?

 

[DaniB]

Good thing you noticed! I think I'll check back and make sure they haven't messed up my plans.

I can't take the credit for this. Someone else noticed and started a thread with the title mentioning the change, over in the theme parks section.

I should thank that person for mentioning it.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I've spoken with CM's off the clock mostly and on various forums. I have heard more say they like FD than those that do not. Their tips are higher when the restaurants are filled.

Our very first trip to Disneyworld was in winter before and there was no FD. They had a decent room only promo so we booked. We then added the DP. We booked in November for a Febuary trip. We had a VERY difficult time getting ADR's and this was in value season. The parks were nearly empty but the restaurants were filled. I still feel the problem is high demand for a limited supply.

Opening ADR's at say 90 days or even less will cause even worse problems for people trying to get ADR's for their upcoming trip. Is the correct solution the one that makes it easier for customers or easier for Disney? When demand outstrips supply there is no easy solution.

One solution - if the resources are that stretched at a non-peak travel time with the resorts nearly empty ... (and if they are - I say WOW)

Then don't offer free dining. That's my point in a nutshell. They're basically selling something they can't deliver on because SOMEONE is going to get disappointed.. a lot of someones in fact.

The person who didn't research the crap ... out of their VACATION is DEFINITELY in that group.

That's not fair in my book .. especially given the way they market the product.

Figure out another way to offer an equally compelling discount that gets people in the rooms but doesn't force EVERYONE in those rooms to eat a T/S meal every day or feel they're not getting their moneys worth if they don't.

Again - I blame Disney here.