Have you all heard about the new dining rules? Get aload of this:

[jennymouse]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=413164

As an AP holder & DVC member, I ain't happy.

 

[MelissathePooh]

As DVC is not specifically mentioned - is there a chance it will be handled differently?

I truly hope that this isn't the case - if so its a HUGE mistake. I foresee a DVC revolt in the near future.

 

[beattyfamily]

As another AP holder and DVC member I'm very disappointed and angry about this new policy!

It's like a slap in the face.

How am I now even going to have a chance at either Princess breakfast or the Fantasmic package for my little girls?? I was supposed to be booking the Princess Storybook next Tuesday, August 5 but based on this new policy, I'm out of luck.

I've already emailed WDW and now I'm on the hunt for Member's Services at DVC's email address.

 

[d-r]

Maybe they will set up the member services computers to make our PS's through them at the same time frame as the packages - that seems like it would be possible.

I understand that they are trying to beef up the package sales, but if they keep up with the ideas like unlimited fast passes, airport check-in, etc., they are going to end up shooting themselves in the foot Re: dvc word of mouth and saratoga springs sales / member add-ons. My hope is that the package perks will be extended to dvc members, at least those that don't cost anything (Priority seating).

 

[HB2K]

Watch out for that falling Straw!!!!! It really hurts when it hits your back!

As an AP holder & DVC member, I ain't happy.

Hey I'll use the logic employeed in the "I just joined car 4" thread.

It's not that big a deal. It's not like they're closing the restaurant or anything....I mean hey they're still letting you make reservations....so it's not like they don't give you options....

And if you don't like it, then don't go.

((NOTE: That statement was meant to be dripping with sarcasm. Anyone affected by this has every right to be upset...I'm just trying to show how absurd some of the thinking around here goes...))

 

[DisneyKidds]

It's not that big a deal. It's not like they're closing the restaurant or anything....

Hey, as an AP holding DVC member I think this would suck should it prove to be true and I'd not be happy about it at all. However................you are right!!! Thems the breaks and you deal with it and move on. If moving on means you move beyond Disney (in other words - if this is your straw) that will truely be unfortunate for all parties concerned.

 

[HB2K]

However................you are right!!!

While I'm still holding my heart hearing you write that I'm going to tell you no, I'm not right.

In effect Disney is "closing" some of the restaurants by giving priority, priority seatings to some (Princess Diners spring to mind).

And while you say it's tragic for all parties, isn't it blatantly dangerous for a publicly traded company to turn it's back on it's loyal, repeat (and pre-paid) customers to try and woo a one time visitor?

Shouldn't the perks be the other way around in a sound business model?

 

[MelissathePooh]

On one good point - for some ps that used to have a 60 requirement you get an extra 30 days. So if you aren't talking about a hard to get character meal or a holiday meal, its not so bad. I don't think enough package people are out there to take up everything that isn't the high demand meals.

BUT and a big BUT is that for high demand character meals and holiday meals - if REALLLLLLY sucks!

 

[trampslady]

AP holder, DVC Member, and "six visits this year" profit contributer weighing in here.......I believe some folks have pointed out some key things to consider. 1. How many package people are really going to be booking 180 days out considering park hours aren't up? Really, it more of us seasoned folks that simply know what we want and eat at our same favorite places time and again. 2. The 60-day restaurants are available at 90 days.

That said..................IT'S THE PRINCIPLE OF THE MATTER!!! Perception is reality folks, and I perceive by Disney doing this they are showing little respect and concern for my interest as a loyal and consistent "guest." Seriously, I am usually a huge defender of all things Disney, but as someone who enjoys our dining ventures just about as much as the parks, this has me fuming mad (and a little hurt if that makes sense!). It doesn't really matter to me if, in the grand scheme of things, this has little affect on my PS arrangements. What does matter is how I perceive Disney's regard for me as one of the many who they can count on to spend money with them....not just at the parks either (as I sit here in my Swiss Army Mickey watch and sterling silver mickey earrings making plans to stop by the Disney Store on the way home to spend $600.00 on Disney Dollars, buy two 7-day park hopper passes for my dad and brother for our December trip, and pre-purchase the Sleeping Beauty DVD to add to my collections...all of this with my Disney VISA of course.) Not to mention the lengthy conversation I just had with my DVC Guide yesterday about potentially adding on another 100 points.

 

[HB2K]

That said..................IT'S THE PRINCIPLE OF THE MATTER!!! Perception is reality folks, and I perceive by Disney doing this they are showing little respect and concern for my interest as a loyal and consistent "guest." Seriously, I am usually a huge defender of all things Disney, but as someone who enjoys our dining ventures just about as much as the parks, this has me fuming mad (and a little hurt if that makes sense!). It doesn't really matter to me if, in the grand scheme of things, this has little affect on my PS arrangements. What does matter is how I perceive Disney's regard for me as one of the many who they can count on to spend money with them....not just at the parks either (as I sit here in my Swiss Army Mickey watch and sterling silver mickey earrings making plans to stop by the Disney Store on the way home to spend $600.00 on Disney Dollars, buy two 7-day park hopper passes for my dad and brother for our December trip, and pre-purchase the Sleeping Beauty DVD to add to my collections...all of this with my Disney VISA of course.) Not to mention the lengthy conversation I just had with my DVC Guide yesterday about potentially adding on another 100 points.

You're hardly alone....if there's any solace in that.

People have been having their eyes opened by the various cutbacks. While this may not be the straw that broke your back, I guarantee it will be the one that opens your eyes and makes you less likely to ignore the other straws dropping.

As much as I harp about how the "Disney Defense Team" makes their arguements based only on personal observations, I guess they can't see the forest for the trees until a straw hits something that's personal to them.

So once again I pity the day a straw falls on some of you, as it apparently has here. It sucks.

P.S. Where are the cutbacks going to end?

 

[Cricket2]

I think we are going to need to change "car 3" to "bus 3".

JC

 

[MelissathePooh]

I'm not sure why things have to be so black and white. I certainly don't like this new policy and do find it to be pretty insulting to several groups of Disney guests, but its not a straw necessarily. There's lots of things that really upset me, but there are lots of things that are wonderful too.

It doesn't have to be one way or the other. How frustrating life would be if everything were black and white with no middle ground!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Originally posted by HB2K
In effect Disney is "closing" some of the restaurants by giving priority, priority seatings to some (Princess Diners spring to mind).

And while you say it's tragic for all parties, isn't it blatantly dangerous for a publicly traded company to turn it's back on it's loyal, repeat (and pre-paid) customers to try and woo a one time visitor?

Shouldn't the perks be the other way around in a sound business model?

HB - to respond to your points I agree, yes, and yes! Disney has it all wrong on this one if it is true and it would be a terrible, terrible move. I hope that if it is true that the new windows don't apply to the usual hard to get priority seatings. Here is the info from Deb's site.................

IMPORTANT CHANGES to the Priority Seating Policy!! Beginning August 4, the booking window for most WDW dining locations will be 180 days out for guests with a paid deposit on a Walt Disney Travel Company package and 90 days out for all other guests. The only exceptions to this will be specialized dining locations such as dinner shows, Lunch With a Disney Artist, Bistro de Paris, and Victoria & Alberts. A valid WDW Travel Company package booking number (with paid deposit) will be required when calling for a Priority Seating for more than 90 days out.

"Most restaurants............with the exception of specialized dining locations" leaves them a lot of room to institute this change without having any real effect on anybody. I hope that ends up being the case. However, in the end you are still right - if this happens you take advantage of whatever window and PS's are available to you (not that you have to like it) or you move on and take your green down the street. Bad thing for Disney to force on people in the name of selling a few more packages I agree.

 

[HB2K]

Melissa-

There is a middle ground. It's cars 2+3.

White is Car 1. You see nothing but the good, and nothing bad affects how you see WDW.

Cars 2 + 3 are your middle ground, or shades of gray. You still go to WDW, but you're more cognisant of the cutbacks, take aways and negative things.

Car 4 is your black. You're not going back. Disney has lost you as a customer.

Also imagine this as a forest. Every tree around you represents something good about WDW, and Disney in general. You don't agree that this forest keeps getting thinner and thinner due to the lumberjacks cutting away?

While it appears we're in disagreement over this being an actual "straw", do you agree that this is something that can (and apparently is) applying downward pressure to people's car placements?

 

[HB2K]

HB - to respond to your points I agree, yes, and yes!

YIKES! It looks like we're in agreement...

 

[MelissathePooh]

I guess for every tree I've seen cut down I also see alot of new plantings starting to grow.

Look y'all can have your cars and buses - I'll walk!

 

[DisneyKidds]

YIKES! It looks like we're in agreement...

Completely.......................if this turns out to be all the things you mention. Then again this could be a false rumor, or something that when implemented will give Disney something to print in a brochure that doesn't impact any of us. Time will tell.

As for agreement, I even agree with the likes of Baron, WFH and AV sometimes. Surely you and I can find some common ground. Nothing wrong with that .

 

[Planogirl]

With PS being limited to before 5:00 PM at MK and MGM, this is possibly going to make it a challenge to get PS for us non-package types. Hey, maybe we'll go back to renting a car and just go down the street to eat at that OTHER place.

 

[meiandrew]

Well, this could be the end of my Thanksgiving dinner at
"Crystal Palace" if there is not a Thanksgiving exception to this ridiculous rule !!!

 

[Eeyore2U]

I was reading on one of these threads that Thanksgiving PSs can be made tomorrow or the next day and not fall under this new rule.