Safari Steve
D23 Expo Here I Come!!!
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2000
- Messages
- 1,909
Having just completed 4 weeks of helping out on the dining line phones, I noticed a few commonalities among callers. I thought that this might be helpful.
1- The CM on the dining line is not in control of availability. They want you to dine as close to your prefferred time as possible.
2- Since the dining system is a "live" system, updated in real time, and cancellations are dependant on independent individuals changing their plans, you might call 60 days out to find no availability at a certain location, and then 50 days out call again and find something more to your liking. This does not mean that the CM lied to you, it means that things changed. That happens.
3- Lets say you have a party of 8. If the CM sees a table for 8 available at the location/meal period requested, they will give you that one. If they see a combination of smaller tables that will accomodate 8 during said period/location, they will suggest it. If they say "I don't have any availability for a party of 8" it means that there is no way to physically squeeze 8 human beings into any combination of the tables available at a given seating time. "How about for 2 parties of 4?" is a silly question, because at the same time, there are not 8 seats available in that location. There may be room for 4 at 2 tables for 2 at 5pm and 4 at a table for 4 at 7pm, but why would you want that?.
If there is any possible way to put your entire group at one seating, it will be suggested.
4- When the CM asks how many people are in your party, they are asking for the total number of living human beings. This number is needed for fire code reasons, and has nothing to do with the cost of the meal. Figuring out the date 90 days from today and squeezing large parties in at multiple tables on short notice are enough tricky math problems for the CM to have to contemplate. Do them (and yourself) a favor, and give one solid, accurate number when asked.
"eight, please." takes far less time than "Two... and a fifteen year old, and 2 kids... and 3 who are staying off property." and in the time that it takes for the CM to wrestle with that addition (sifting through the things that don't matter at all) the last table for 8 on the major holiday at the one restaurant you MUST dine at, could disappear from the screen, making it seem as if the CM "wants your children to starve" (yes, that's precisely it... I get a bonus if your children starve...)
5- Know when and where you want to eat. There are nearly 200 places to nosh at WDW, and there is no way for a CM to search for "Whatever you have open for a party of 6."
6- ALL characters at character dining locations are subject to change without notice.
6b- Cinderella is the only princess scheduled to appear at Cinderella's Royal table. While other characters might appear from time to time, that is an unscheduled, surprise bonus. (I know I may catch heat for that statement, but after much research and speaking with the individuals responsible, I can tell you that it's the God's honest truth.)
7- There are no same-day bookings for CRT or PSB. Both of those locations count on a handfull of same-day cancellations, and book accordingly. The screen might show an open table the morning of, but the system will not book. There is no need to call for either of those locations the day of.
8- if you're staying at a disney hotel, just press the "dining" button on your in-room phone. Don't call on your cell phone. Same goes for in-the-parks: hit *88 on any WDW pay-phone. It's free, and the CM will spend far less time asking you to repeat yourself because your cell phone is coming-and-going.
9- Another note on cell phones: Don't call WDW-Dine while driving. It's dangerous, the CM will have a hard time understanding you, you won't be able to write your confirmation number, distracted driving can get you a ticket, and technically, the CM isn't even allowed to talk with you if you're driving (again, it's dangerous. If you think you don't drive poorly while using a cell phone, you're lying to yourself.)
10- Don't stress. You won't go hungry while you're here. Have a plan B, be realistic, if you can't get a certain location/time, you're no worse off than you were before you called.
1- The CM on the dining line is not in control of availability. They want you to dine as close to your prefferred time as possible.
2- Since the dining system is a "live" system, updated in real time, and cancellations are dependant on independent individuals changing their plans, you might call 60 days out to find no availability at a certain location, and then 50 days out call again and find something more to your liking. This does not mean that the CM lied to you, it means that things changed. That happens.
3- Lets say you have a party of 8. If the CM sees a table for 8 available at the location/meal period requested, they will give you that one. If they see a combination of smaller tables that will accomodate 8 during said period/location, they will suggest it. If they say "I don't have any availability for a party of 8" it means that there is no way to physically squeeze 8 human beings into any combination of the tables available at a given seating time. "How about for 2 parties of 4?" is a silly question, because at the same time, there are not 8 seats available in that location. There may be room for 4 at 2 tables for 2 at 5pm and 4 at a table for 4 at 7pm, but why would you want that?.
If there is any possible way to put your entire group at one seating, it will be suggested.
4- When the CM asks how many people are in your party, they are asking for the total number of living human beings. This number is needed for fire code reasons, and has nothing to do with the cost of the meal. Figuring out the date 90 days from today and squeezing large parties in at multiple tables on short notice are enough tricky math problems for the CM to have to contemplate. Do them (and yourself) a favor, and give one solid, accurate number when asked.
"eight, please." takes far less time than "Two... and a fifteen year old, and 2 kids... and 3 who are staying off property." and in the time that it takes for the CM to wrestle with that addition (sifting through the things that don't matter at all) the last table for 8 on the major holiday at the one restaurant you MUST dine at, could disappear from the screen, making it seem as if the CM "wants your children to starve" (yes, that's precisely it... I get a bonus if your children starve...)
5- Know when and where you want to eat. There are nearly 200 places to nosh at WDW, and there is no way for a CM to search for "Whatever you have open for a party of 6."
6- ALL characters at character dining locations are subject to change without notice.
6b- Cinderella is the only princess scheduled to appear at Cinderella's Royal table. While other characters might appear from time to time, that is an unscheduled, surprise bonus. (I know I may catch heat for that statement, but after much research and speaking with the individuals responsible, I can tell you that it's the God's honest truth.)
7- There are no same-day bookings for CRT or PSB. Both of those locations count on a handfull of same-day cancellations, and book accordingly. The screen might show an open table the morning of, but the system will not book. There is no need to call for either of those locations the day of.
8- if you're staying at a disney hotel, just press the "dining" button on your in-room phone. Don't call on your cell phone. Same goes for in-the-parks: hit *88 on any WDW pay-phone. It's free, and the CM will spend far less time asking you to repeat yourself because your cell phone is coming-and-going.
9- Another note on cell phones: Don't call WDW-Dine while driving. It's dangerous, the CM will have a hard time understanding you, you won't be able to write your confirmation number, distracted driving can get you a ticket, and technically, the CM isn't even allowed to talk with you if you're driving (again, it's dangerous. If you think you don't drive poorly while using a cell phone, you're lying to yourself.)
10- Don't stress. You won't go hungry while you're here. Have a plan B, be realistic, if you can't get a certain location/time, you're no worse off than you were before you called.
!)
