Frustrated with CM Inconsistency

[aljack33]

I just called this morning to inquire when I could make the CM and CRT reservations for our April 2009 trip - just to see what they would say. We are staying April 15 to April 25. She said I could make them October 18. 180 days is October 17. And I could only make the one for the April 15th day. That I would have to call back the following days to make another. I told her I was staying at a Disney Resort and that I made my reservations in the past in the 180 + 10 day window. She said No again - I had to call back each day I wanted the reservation for 180 days out. We wanted to do CM our first night, CRT the next day and CM breakfast the last day. It's just frustrating the inconsistency with the information CM's have and give.

 

[Starlight792000]

maybe this cm was training because when i called 180 days out I made all the ressie for my entire week.

sorry for the frustration
have a good trip

 

[aljack33]

I usually can too. It just goes to show that everyone should keep calling back if they don't get the answer they are looking for! I think I have learned far more from these boards than talking to any CM. I will probably call again tonight and see what kind of answer I get.

 

[TisBit]

I had to explain the 180+10 before to get my reservations in the past...I don't think it is real common, so maybe the CM's dont' run into it often.

What I don't understand is why you keep calling just to see what they say, when you know you can't make any reservations now anyway. Even if you find one that agrees with you, it doesn't help. I could understand if you were actually booking reservations now. Just seems to be a waste of the CM's time whey they could be helping a "real" guest make their reservations. Wait times can get bad enough without people just testing their knowledge!

 

[aljack33]

Oh, yeah, good question. Because someone on the boards said they were able to make their reservations 10 days prior to the 180 day rule. So, I thought I would try. But then when we talked, she said there is no 180 + 10 day rule at all and I would have to call every day back. So, now I am paranoid and wondering if they got rid of the 180 + day rule. I thought I would try another CM and see what their response is.

From experience, I have always come across the most knowledgeable CM's right at the 7:00 a.m. time and later in the evening time. Maybe during "off" times they have the new CM's. I called at like 10:30, which I would think would be an "offer" time to call.

I probably will just wait it out and openful get a knowledgeable CM on my 180 day mark.

 

[disnut8]

I wouldn't get upset with Cast Members on the dining reservation system. For one, the entire thing is in a flux right now. It was supposed to be up and available by October 21st and that ain't going to happen and was pushed back to November 21st. But who knows if that is going to happen. For two, for every call they receive from someone trying to make a reservation for dates they can't they have to explain the entire thing to them. And potentially have to deal with irate people about it. For three, I don't know of any business where every single employee gives the same answer to the same question. Even phone greetings differ most times. For four, I'm sure people would start to complain if Disney went to pat answers to all questions.

A Disney Cast Member is no different from anyone else answering phones in a company where a major computer system is not up and running at full capacity. They can only tell you what they know at that particular moment.

I always try and put myself into the other person's position and if I couldn't handle the job, then I don't really have a right to complain (which is why I hardly ever get that upset with restaurant servers).

 

[aljack33]

I agree with a lot of what you are saying. You make some great points. So, would you push the issue with the CM if you knew you were right or would you just call back and hope to get a different CM who is a little more knowledgeable? If I call back when it's time to make my ADR's and the CM again says no to the 180 + 10, should I push it or just let it go and call back??

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Right now the following items are from the official information published by Disney.

1. They currently expect the system to be up and running by November 21st. Once this is up they will go back to the normal 180+10 policy.

2. Until the system is up and running they are not making reservations past February 22nd.

3. The only exceptions to #2 are Victoria and Albert's, Chef Mickey's, and Cinderella's Royal Table.

4. As it is only 135 days from now to February 22, the 180 day and the 180+10 rules do not apply (other than as listed in #3).

5. And just for information purposes, the call centers are in Orlando, Tampa, Hourston, Salt Lake City and Wichita (at the very least) and some of the people at the call centers have never been to WDW.

 

[Tricia1972]

Just call back and get a different CM. On October 17 you should be able to book CRT and CM for anytime during your stay (provided you aren't staying more than 10 days)

 

[centurythree]

I wouldn't get upset with Cast Members on the dining reservation system. For one, the entire thing is in a flux right now. It was supposed to be up and available by October 21st and that ain't going to happen and was pushed back to November 21st. But who knows if that is going to happen. For two, for every call they receive from someone trying to make a reservation for dates they can't they have to explain the entire thing to them. And potentially have to deal with irate people about it. For three, I don't know of any business where every single employee gives the same answer to the same question. Even phone greetings differ most times. For four, I'm sure people would start to complain if Disney went to pat answers to all questions.

A Disney Cast Member is no different from anyone else answering phones in a company where a major computer system is not up and running at full capacity. They can only tell you what they know at that particular moment.

I always try and put myself into the other person's position and if I couldn't handle the job, then I don't really have a right to complain (which is why I hardly ever get that upset with restaurant servers).