Help! I just got off the phone with Disney Dining and I can cry!

[sasha]

Hi Everyone,

I need advice from the Pros. I just hung up with Disney Dining and they were less than accomodating. I can just cry, but I'm hoping someone out there can help with my dilemma.

So DD is turning 3 in October. We've been trying to decide for a while now what we're going to do about giving her a birthday party. She's really into the Disney Princesses so we were going to use that as our theme. We were just going to have something smallish at our house with family only, but everyone's dates aren't seeming to work out. So I had an epiphany yesterday. Friday, October 19th is the first time ever our whole family is going to DL together. There will be 17 of us. Since it's only 3 days before DD's birthday we thought instead of having a party at our house we would take the whole family to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner to celebrate her birthday. I know it would be expensive, but it would work out perfectly...... or so I thought. I just tried to make reservations and they said they can't book a party that large on that day. I asked if we could be split up 9/8, but they said we wouldn't be able to sit together (which is depressing, but fine I guess), but they also said we wouldn't be able to sit at the same time. They can only fit us hours apart. That won't work. I guess since it's off-season I didn't think we would have a problem with reservations.

Does anyone have any idea on what we could do??? I'm desperate! Is there another place where we could eat? I really wanted to do character dining since there will be 7 small children. DCA isn't an option since I don't think everyone will have park hopper tickets. Is there anywhere that kids would love where we can celebrate DD's birthday? I really wanted to do a dinner.

The CM was actually rude. I asked if she had any suggestions on what we could do and she said "don't wait till the last minute next time". I thought that was rude. I mean it's 21 days from now, but I didn't even get the idea until yesterday. I just felt she could have been a little nicer .

Any advice???

 

[lisadoll93]

Does it have to be dinner? Does it have to a character breakfast? Yeah,that does kinda of suck. I would try again and maybe you'll get lucky.

 

[JDel]

You can try some of the other character dining. There is pch grill at paradise pier (I think only breakfast?); Plaza Inn at DL; Ariel's Grotto at California adventure; and, storytellers at the grand californian. I'm surprised they were so rude to you!!! I know goofy's kitchen does book up quick- they say for large parties like that, you have to reserve it 2 months in advance. Good luck.

 

[XTinabell]

I'm sorry that I can't help you as I know nothing about character meals but I really wanted to symphathize with you. That cm was totally rude and in the wrong to make you feel like crap with her comment, it was completely uncalled for. Like the PP said, try calling again you'll get a different cm. MOST of them are great and should be able to help you out, if you remember her name and she answers again you could hang up and try again until you get someone new

I think I've heard a few times that they actually have birthday parties at the Plaza Inn with characters, maybe you should look into that

 

[nickapoohiluvu]

Been lurking here for a while and I just had to register for this one. You can try some of the other character breakfasts instead of the Character Dinner - Goofy's (likely to be filled), Storytellers, Ariel's Grotto now has a breakfast and is not well known, Lilo and Stitch and Breakfast with Minnie. You might also want to try the Birthday Party at the Plaza Inn. We did that when my son turned three and it was lots of fun. If you can play around with dates surrounding the 19th, you might find some better availability too. I called shortly before 60 days out for PS at Goofy's for my daughter's second birthday (October 14) and the large tables were nearly filled already and we had to go with a noon seating on the 13th in order to accomodate our party's size. You might also want to contact Vacation Planning if you're staying at one of the resort hotels. You might get a bit further with them than with the Priority Seating line. I apologize for not being able to get you the phone numbers but we are in the process of moving halfway across the country (with a trip to Disneyland right before!) and do not have access to my phone book. I wish you the best of luck!

 

[DangerMouse]

I believe the OP mentioned that not all of the 17 guests will have hoppers to enter DCA. So that limits her to Storyteller's at the GCH, Lilo & Stitch at the PPH and Goofy's at the DLH or just breakfast at the Plaza Inn in DL.

OP, I'm sorry the CM was rude. I would try to call back and see if there is a more accommodating CM. Obivously, they should be willing to work with you to see if there is anyway they can make this work for your family. I would have them check breakfast, lunch and dinner times on that date for all three of the above-mentioned locations.

Good luck!

 

[scanmom]

but you may want to try the Rainforest Cafe in downtown disney. I bet the kids and adults would like it, and no park passes required!

 

[DizneyMommy]

This is a tough one. Parties this large are rarely accommodated at character meals because of the way they are scheduled and the way the restaurants are laid out. I would say, why not try for Minnie and Friends breakfast in DL, because there is a huge patio there and they should be able to make something work for you. Ariel's has a large patio also, but is in DCA so that may not work for you. They do have all 3 meals there though. Or Rainforest is a great option, too, no Disney characters, but really neat nonetheless (and way easier on the wallet!!). Your daughter will LOVE it.

Or, here's another thought for you... do the Very Merry Unbirthday Party in DL. They have a few sittings each day around mid-day, and each person gets a little cake to decorate and there are charaters there and they sing happy birthday and play games and it is just too cute. That would be less stressful than a character meal because you wouldn't be worried about getting food and making sure kids are eating and stuff, and you can just enjoy the little party! They do this at Plaza Inn after Minnie and Friends brekafast ends and you can get it through Disney Dining also.

 

[sasha]

First of all, thanks for your quick replies! We do have to do dinner because some of us aren't even getting to DL until close to 2pm. And unfortunately we won't be able to go to DCA because several people will only have tickets to DL.

So, I did call back and the second time I got a female CM who was just about as rude as the first female CM. Then I called back a third time and spoke with a male CM who was sooooo nice. I explained my situation and he told me what I could do. He said we could break up into 3 different parties of 6 people and they could accomodate us all at the same time, 6pm, which is what we wanted. He told me that they weren't allowed to all be under the same name & number, so he told me to call back 2 more times with a different name & number. While I was thankful that he was so willing to help me, I was upset the original CM told me this couldn't be done. So I booked my Group #1 reservations through him. Then I called back and spoke with the rude girl and booked the same time for Group #2, but this time I used my mom's name & #. My mom knew the situation and was willing to call herself, but I was saving her the trouble. So then I called again to book for Group #3. I spoke with someone else and asked for the same time, but the rude CM must've overheard this CM talking so she grabbed the phone and said "Didn't you just call?" I said "no" because I was going to put it under my aunt's name and number as the nice male CM told me to do. She said, "We don't have any availability at that time." Remember, the nice male CM told me they can sit all 3 groups as the same time. She was just being rude. So a few minutes later my DH called and booked for Group #3 for the SAME TIME. No problem. Which proves this CM was just being plain mean! I don't know why. I understand they have policies they need to follow, but there's a nice way she could've handled it. We've been AP holders for years, we've stayed at the DLH many times and we've NEVER not shown up for a reservation we've made. We're going to be spending over $500 for this meal so I just feel like they should've been more accomodating, or just a little nicer.

While I'm sad we won't all be sitting together, I'm glad that we were all able to get the same time. Plus it will work out well because there are "3 little families" within our family so each little family will be sitting with each other. Does that make sense?

Thanks again for your replies. It will work out one way or another, and I'm sure DD will have the best birthday ever!

 

[munchkinsmom]

While I'm sad we won't all be sitting together, I'm glad that we were all able to get the same time. Plus it will work out well because there are "3 little families" within our family so each little family will be sitting with each other. Does that make sense?

That's too bad about your experience with some CMs, but I'm glad you talked to the one that gave you the suggestion that worked out.

You might want to talk to the host/hostesses when your family checks in to see if you can all sit together, or at least be in very close proximity to each other. You might even try to stop by early in the day to talk to the host/hostess to give them a "heads up" about your family wanting to sit together. They just might accomodate you if you give them the info early.

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[sasha]

Great idea Munchkinsmom! I will do that! I'll go straight to Goofy's as soon as we get to DL to see if they can sit us all together or at least close to each other. Hopefully that will give them enough time to try to work something out.

 

[Mr.Monk]

Glad you were able to get the ressies!

Sorry to hear about CM Crankie Pants. Unless she has caller ID... she was taking quite the chance at chewing you out!

Again, congrats on the ressie! Have a great time !

 

[joseph821]

First of all, thanks for your quick replies! We do have to do dinner because some of us aren't even getting to DL until close to 2pm. And unfortunately we won't be able to go to DCA because several people will only have tickets to DL.

So, I did call back and the second time I got a female CM who was just about as rude as the first female CM. Then I called back a third time and spoke with a male CM who was sooooo nice. I explained my situation and he told me what I could do. He said we could break up into 3 different parties of 6 people and they could accomodate us all at the same time, 6pm, which is what we wanted. He told me that they weren't allowed to all be under the same name & number, so he told me to call back 2 more times with a different name & number. While I was thankful that he was so willing to help me, I was upset the original CM told me this couldn't be done. So I booked my Group #1 reservations through him. Then I called back and spoke with the rude girl and booked the same time for Group #2, but this time I used my mom's name & #. My mom knew the situation and was willing to call herself, but I was saving her the trouble. So then I called again to book for Group #3. I spoke with someone else and asked for the same time, but the rude CM must've overheard this CM talking so she grabbed the phone and said "Didn't you just call?" I said "no" because I was going to put it under my aunt's name and number as the nice male CM told me to do. She said, "We don't have any availability at that time." Remember, the nice male CM told me they can sit all 3 groups as the same time. She was just being rude. So a few minutes later my DH called and booked for Group #3 for the SAME TIME. No problem. Which proves this CM was just being plain mean! I don't know why. I understand they have policies they need to follow, but there's a nice way she could've handled it. We've been AP holders for years, we've stayed at the DLH many times and we've NEVER not shown up for a reservation we've made. We're going to be spending over $500 for this meal so I just feel like they should've been more accomodating, or just a little nicer.

While I'm sad we won't all be sitting together, I'm glad that we were all able to get the same time. Plus it will work out well because there are "3 little families" within our family so each little family will be sitting with each other. Does that make sense?

Thanks again for your replies. It will work out one way or another, and I'm sure DD will have the best birthday ever!

I hope that you have a great dinner. Now we know that for a large group...break it up into smaller groups and smaller reservations. Those CMs that are rude...they get off on their power trips.

 

[wadelle2]

I am SO glad it finally worked out for you. Disney Dining has brought me to tears in the past as well. On our last trip (first time taking our kids!), we booked Goofy's Kitchen two months in advance. When we arrived at our scheduled time, the place was closed. I called DD to find out what was going on. Turns out after we made our reservations DL revised the hours at Goofy's and rescheduled us 1.5 hours earlier. Only problem...they failed to let us know!!! I was PO'd!!!! My kids were crying. I was crying, and we'd wasted over an hour and a half of prime park time over the incident. And the Disney Dining agent was SO rude...just a weak, totally unsympathetic apology. We're going to try for Goofy's again when we go back this Dec. And I'll be CONFIRMING before we go.

Have a great birthday party!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

omg i sware some ppl need to be fired thats just mean and rude and i woulda said let me talk to the manger NOW.
and I woulda got all 17 in same time and free becouse that %#@!& now sorry for you'll troubel and I hope i dont have troubel when i call but wow some rude ppl. sorry glade it all; worked out

 

[heatherleigh]

I am glad everything worked out in the end! The CMs I spoke with at Disney Dining yesterday were very unhelpful. It was weird, because the people at Vacation were all very courteous. I noticed the foreign ones who work at ticketing and most CM at Disney Dining are rude.

 

[XTinabell]

Dh made our dining reservations and he said they were all very nice to him, but if this many people are saying they're rude and unhelpful I would suggest you call back and ask to speak with a manager. Management should know how their employees are doing their job

 

[Alex2kMommy]

First of all, I just wanted to say THANK GOODNESS you finally got a reservation for everyone in your party! That's quite a coup this late in the game! And it was all due to the very helpful male CM you spoke with, so I'm glad he made a satisfied customer.

When I was making PSes last year, I was told that Goofy's and Ariel's were the two most popular character meals, so they book up faster than the others. If you ever wanted to do something like this again (with that large a party) I would definitely make PSes as close to the 60-day mark as possible.

As for the rude CM, I suspect they are told NOT to book large parties like that, or some similar rule. It sounds to me like she was being a stickler for the rule, and rude besides! She definitely could have handled the situation better.

And while the helpful CM got you what you wanted, my guess is he was breaking the rules to make a customer happy. Definitely not a bad thing in my book, but perhaps not how his boss might view the situation.

 

[jemilah]

I always ask to speak to Chad Adams , he is the best , so friendly , sends me e-mail confirmtions with menus and his suggestions have never been bad! You may need to hold if he is on another line but he is really worth it. He trully has the Disney spirt and sounds like he really cares about your stay!

 

[heatherfeather24]

It's funny, I've never had a CM at dining be outright rude the way the OP did, but they never seem to be particularly happy. But, then again, it's not like stafff at non-Disney restaurants ever seem particularly "happy" to take my reservation either. I wonder if my impression of "unhappy" Disney CMs is just because I've come to expect a higher level of service.

Again, I don't mean to take anything away from the OP -- she was definitely treated badly. Just laughing at my own higher expectations for Disney.