Is Disney at fault for disappointment?

[cruisingtwins]

We never make reservations at local restaurants, unless it is Mother's Day or a similar holiday. The only place I make dinner reservations is at Disney, and I still find it annoying. It should be first come, first served, like it used to be.

The demand is just too high I could see people spending 100$ on park tickets just to stand in line for CRT all day. What disney needs to do is build more crap to keep people busy.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

The demand is just too high I could see people spending 100$ on park tickets just to stand in line for CRT all day. What disney needs to do is build more crap to keep people busy.

I don't think it a good idea to do day of.. But 60 days out would be fine..
This way people can set FP+ with there ADR and not have to worry about needing to change them..

I think it would also slove the horriding problem, as people would know there schedule better.
All WDW would have to do is get the data from DL.. To see how it would affect WDW

 

[Alicatt]

I guess I'm surprised that so many people live in places that reservations aren't needed. We have a few places here that don't take them, but I try not to eat at them because the wait is upwards of an hour. My city has less than 100K people, so it's not like it's a huge place but I was in Chicago last week and I did not make any dinner reservations because it was a Monday night and I didn't think I'd need them. We just walk to the local pizza/pasta place and was told the wait was 45 min. It ended up being an hour and a half. My kids were miserable. I'd rather know I could get a seat in a timely manner when I'm at Disney, because time is at a premium. That being said, right now I can get ADRs for at least 3 dozen restaurants for tonight all over WDW.

 

[ThistleMae]

My daughter and I were recently discussing this very topic. We've been planning since last November for this November's trip. We both said, I don't know how people can think they don't need to plan. There will sure be a rude awakening for those folks! I agree with the folks in here that said, they always plan ahead for any vacation...whether it's Disney or not...especially when it's someplace you have never been. You look online, you see what there is to do in the area, you find out if you need reservations or tickets or a street map...whatever....any vacation takes planning. Now...if you are not a planner....then I hope you are a "roll with the punches" kind of folk....the ones who don't really care what they see or don't see...that any experience is an experience to enjoy. Those folks can go anywhere just for the sake of going. For me....planning the Disney vacation is half of the fun and anticipation of the upcoming trip. Even with a TA, you still have to check and double check everything. My sister and I have this expression that comes from our everyday life experience, whether it's a vacation or calling about a service or a mistake on a bill...."Trust no one, check everything!" The world of misinformation is quite large. You really have to double check everything....you really do. So...for all you uber planners out there....enjoy your vacation....because I know you will!

 

[eliza61]

I guess I'm surprised that so many people live in places that reservations aren't needed. We have a few places here that don't take them, but I try not to eat at them because the wait is upwards of an hour. My city has less than 100K people, so it's not like it's a huge place but I was in Chicago last week and I did not make any dinner reservations because it was a Monday night and I didn't think I'd need them. We just walk to the local pizza/pasta place and was told the wait was 45 min. It ended up being an hour and a half. My kids were miserable. I'd rather know I could get a seat in a timely manner when I'm at Disney, because time is at a premium. That being said, right now I can get ADRs for at least 3 dozen restaurants for tonight all over WDW.

It think it's a simple case of volume. I live in Philadelphia, now of course we have some "tourist" restaurants like Ruth Chris which is on Broad street next to our theater. sure if you want to eat there at a specific time reservations are definitely suggested but face in, there are a gazillion restaurants in Center City, so it is virtually impossible to NOT be able to sit down some where.

South Philadelphia is an Italian restaurant heaven, you darn near can't walk 2 blocks without passing 5 really good Italian restaurant. that's one reason whey people love living in big cities. I can walk out my door in Fairmount and have no issues finding good food with minimal wait.

If you are in Philadelphia or NYC and you wait 1 hour to get a pizza some thing is seriously wrong. there are simply too many pizza joints for you to ever have to wait.

Same thing with Paris, yes if you want to eat at the top of the Eiffel Tower you will need reservations. If you want an great meal chances are you can walk to one of the Bistros or Brassieres and get an excellent meal. My entire family went to Paris (8 people) in 2013 during May (high season) we did not make i reservation, we did not have any issue with finding a great place to have dinner.

so I do research a vacation destination but I have never, ever in my life have to make reservations to eat 6 months out.
London, no
Paris, no
Washington DC no
Vegas. if you stay on the strip every hotel has about 7 restaurants inside. you don't even have to go outside to get a meal at the last minute and all you have to do to get booze is sit down at a slot machine.

Paris about the only thing you have to do is buy a museum pass and check opening times. after that you will have no problem

 

[ophelia2002]

Had friends who booked through a TA last year for Christmas week. TA did not book any ADR or FP+, and it was their first trip so they were completely caught off guard. Hated the trip, and have sworn they will never go back. I blame the TA in that case. I hope she enjoyed her commission because she did nothing for it.

Jeez, what DID she do? Book a flight and that's it?!

 

[Angel Ariel]

It think it's a simple case of volume. I live in Philadelphia, now of course we have some "tourist" restaurants like Ruth Chris which is on Broad street next to our theater. sure if you want to eat there at a specific time reservations are definitely suggested but face in, there are a gazillion restaurants in Center City, so it is virtually impossible to NOT be able to sit down some where.

South Philadelphia is an Italian restaurant heaven, you darn near can't walk 2 blocks without passing 5 really good Italian restaurant. that's one reason whey people love living in big cities. I can walk out my door in Fairmount and have no issues finding good food with minimal wait.

If you are in Philadelphia or NYC and you wait 1 hour to get a pizza some thing is seriously wrong. there are simply too many pizza joints for you to ever have to wait.

Same thing with Paris, yes if you want to eat at the top of the Eiffel Tower you will need reservations. If you want an great meal chances are you can walk to one of the Bistros or Brassieres and get an excellent meal. My entire family went to Paris (8 people) in 2013 during May (high season) we did not make i reservation, we did not have any issue with finding a great place to have dinner.

so I do research a vacation destination but I have never, ever in my life have to make reservations to eat 6 months out.
London, no
Paris, no
Washington DC no
Vegas. if you stay on the strip every hotel has about 7 restaurants inside. you don't even have to go outside to get a meal at the last minute and all you have to do to get booze is sit down at a slot machine.

Paris about the only thing you have to do is buy a museum pass and check opening times. after that you will have no problem

This is pretty much our experience to a T. There's just far too many restaurants around here. Supply exceeds demand, and so reservations aren't necessary. Just like eliza, we've been to London, Paris, Vegas,D.C., Chicago....never made reservations for meals in any of them, and certainly not 6 months ahead of time.

We ate in wonderful local restaurants on our overseas trips, so it's not like we were settling for fast food or something. We didn't even decide to *go* to Vegas until a week before we went - we stopped on our way driving to DLR. We had no issues getting a beautiful hotel room at the Monte Carlo for a reasonable price, ate at the hotel with no reservations, enjoyed a dueling piano bar that night (no reservations), etc. Did we go to a show that required tickets that night? No, but only because we weren't interested in that on that trip, so we didn't bother to look. And that was during a "spring break" travel time too.

I can absolutely understand why people are surprised that booking dining reservations for WDW at 180 days is popular to the extent that there are restaurants that completely book up for people's entire trips before their booking window even opens (or not long afterwards).

 

[mickeyluv'r]

(I remember a time - not all that long ago- I was able to call and get SAME DAY reservations at CRT!)

People who don't like preplanning aren't stupid. These threads are always the same.

Guess what? I once went to Europe- toured all over- with little more than a guidebook, a train pass, and two credit cards. I had no trouble getting a hotel room and great food in any place I visited, often at a fantastic rate in the peak of summer tourist season!

Taking a trip with minimal planning is my idea of freedom.

Waiting an hour to eat, isn't my definition of a great meal.

Having to plan six months out, isn't my definition of a great place to eat. I HAVE pre-booked meals at WDW, but really never felt like that made the meal better. In my opinion, the further out I have to preplan, the less I'm going to enjoy the food.

Well maybe if they were giving away the food for free...but I don't see Cali Grill doing that any time soon.

 

[ajh88]

Could it be that disney is NOT expressing the importance of "NEEDING" ADR & FP+?
Many people who plan there WDW vacations still feel They can Walk right up the cinderella table and get a table, crowds will be minimal, and\Or will have limited wait for most rides.
One report on read on here made a good point,
- NO where on the site does it says "book your cinderella table ADR for 8 now, cause when you get to to the parks it will almost impossible to get a table"


So is disney at fault for not experssing the NEED for these or is the guest at fault for not doing there research or asking the right questions?

I've just spot-read the responses, but I am going to humbly disagree with this point. Directly on the Disney website, it clearly states "Many Disney table-service restaurants are quite popular and book quickly. Please make dining reservations up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463."

It is also mentioned on most (if not all) of the more popular planning websites. I don't understand not planning your vacation, no matter where you are going. I understand not wanting to make an ADR 6 months ahead of time, I really do, but there are a LOT of restaurants at WDW that have same day availability, just like there are a lot of FastPass+ options on the same day - might they be all that you wanted? Probably not, but it is disingenuous to argue that there was NOWHERE to eat and NOTHING to ride without a long line (I'm not saying that you were saying this at all - just hyperbole).

And the issue with CRT is not a new one - I remember from my first grown up trip in 2000 that people were walking up to CRT and were shocked that walk-ins were not being accommodated. I actually think Disney is doing a better job now of advertising the pre-planning options than they have in all the years I've been planning trips.

I'm always feel bad when I hear people did not enjoy their Disney vacations because it is something that my family and I enjoy very much. But, it's just different strokes for different folks - you could have all the best dining and FP+ reservations and still not enjoy your time if it just isn't your thing. On a personal, minimally related, note, we traveled to Branson during the holidays a few years back. I planned and planned - we had various reservations and were really going to do it up right. I ended up with strep throat, we stayed at Silver Dollar City for about 2 hours, it rained, it was cold, and we missed breakfast with Santa because I was sick (and we lost the money I paid for it). That long weekend trip set us back over $1500 and the only good memory we have of it is that we all laugh and swear we will never return. Was that Silver Dollar City's fault? My fault? Branson in general? Naw, it just wasn't really our thing, and that's OK - at least now we know.

 

[twodogs]

This is pretty much our experience to a T. There's just far too many restaurants around here. Supply exceeds demand, and so reservations aren't necessary. Just like eliza, we've been to London, Paris, Vegas,D.C., Chicago....never made reservations for meals in any of them, and certainly not 6 months ahead of time.

We ate in wonderful local restaurants on our overseas trips, so it's not like we were settling for fast food or something. We didn't even decide to *go* to Vegas until a week before we went - we stopped on our way driving to DLR. We had no issues getting a beautiful hotel room at the Monte Carlo for a reasonable price, ate at the hotel with no reservations, enjoyed a dueling piano bar that night (no reservations), etc. Did we go to a show that required tickets that night? No, but only because we weren't interested in that on that trip, so we didn't bother to look. And that was during a "spring break" travel time too.

I can absolutely understand why people are surprised that booking dining reservations for WDW at 180 days is popular to the extent that there are restaurants that completely book up for people's entire trips before their booking window even opens (or not long afterwards).

I think that is the difference at WDW. The demand outstrips the supply. For guests that want to stay in the park and eat at a TS restaurant, there are a limited number of tables/restaurants and many, many people. The guests are a captive audience, if they don't want to leave the park. So unlike NYC or other big cities where you can just walk on over to another Italian restaurant if one has a long wait or no tables, in WDW, you are limited to the restaurants on hand if you want to stay inside the park to eat. So like other circumstances when demand outpaces supply, those that move early will have the most selection/choice. I will say that 6 months in advance is unexpected for most people, including me on my first trip back in 2011. So, I can see why people get caught out on their dining reservations to some degree.

I think one issue is that a lot of people do not even figure out they are taking a vacation or decide where they are going 6 months out. So, if they decide 3 months out that they want to go to Disney, even if they Google, read forums, read guides etc, they will have missed the "window" for the top ADRs and restaurants. Some will react by deciding to go on a different vacation now and plan for Disney at another time when they can do it further in advance. Some will decide to go ahead now and wing it. They may be disappointed, but that is their choice. For those that simply show up and have done no research at all, regardless of when they decided to go on this vacation, well...

 

[ThistleMae]

(I remember a time - not all that long ago- I was able to call and get SAME DAY reservations at CRT!)

People who don't like preplanning aren't stupid. These threads are always the same.

Guess what? I once went to Europe- toured all over- with little more than a guidebook, a train pass, and two credit cards. I had no trouble getting a hotel room and great food in any place I visited, often at a fantastic rate in the peak of summer tourist season!

Taking a trip with minimal planning is my idea of freedom.

Waiting an hour to eat, isn't my definition of a great meal.

Having to plan six months out, isn't my definition of a great place to eat. I HAVE pre-booked meals at WDW, but really never felt like that made the meal better. In my opinion, the further out I have to preplan, the less I'm going to enjoy the food.

Well maybe if they were giving away the food for free...but I don't see Cali Grill doing that any time soon.

Sounds like Disney isn't the place for you then?

 

[Angel Ariel]

Sounds like Disney isn't the place for you then?

I guess I don't get why the mantra seems to be that huge amounts of planning are required for Disney just because it's Disney and should be expected. I'm heading to DLR next month, and ADRs don't even open there until 60 days out. ADRs at 180 is not a *necessary* thing...Disney did it for their own reasons at WDW...to better order food, staffing, etc, I'm sure...but DLR shows that it isn't *necessary* to have them so far in advance. It's something Disney wants the public to do, and the public obliges.

Heck, even just back in 2007, booking at 180 days wasn't necessary for nearly as many restaurants as it is today. I planned a trip then in less than 2 months, and got in to eat everywhere we wanted without difficulty at all, and without having to call back or check online continuously (and this included CA Grill and Le Cellier).

I guess I just feel it's very dismissive and borderline rude to tell someone that Disney just isn't for them if they don't like planning meals 180 days out. The poster that was quoted says she has prebooked ADRs, she just doesn't like doing so. I'm the same way. I do it because I know it's necessary at WDW, but that doesn't mean I like it. And yes, Disney is very much "for me" or I wouldn't be going.

 

[GPC0321]

I've just spot-read the responses, but I am going to humbly disagree with this point. Directly on the Disney website, it clearly states "Many Disney table-service restaurants are quite popular and book quickly. Please make dining reservations up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463."

Now we mustn't cloud the issue with facts! LOL!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The 180 day restaurant reservation thing is not about convenience for the guests. It's so WDW can set their restaurant staffing levels in advance.

DLR is a lot smaller and has a lot fewer restaurants. And, a lot more locals who go home for dinner. Plus plenty of third party restaurants just outside the park gates. If you want to get to a restaurant off property at WDW, you have to drive (or walk about a mile to the Crossroads from Disney Springs - you can't easily get there from the parks without a car)

and no, for the most part you do not have to make EVERY SINGLE ADR at 180 days out. If you want something very popular, that may be the difference between getting it and not getting it, and if you have a large party or are very particular about your dining times it is a very good idea to book as far in advance as possible.

 

[GPC0321]

I guess I don't get why the mantra seems to be that huge amounts of planning are required for Disney just because it's Disney and should be expected. I'm heading to DLR next month, and ADRs don't even open there until 60 days out. ADRs at 180 is not a *necessary* thing...Disney did it for their own reasons at WDW...to better order food, staffing, etc, I'm sure...but DLR shows that it isn't *necessary* to have them so far in advance. It's something Disney wants the public to do, and the public obliges.

Heck, even just back in 2007, booking at 180 days wasn't necessary for nearly as many restaurants as it is today. I planned a trip then in less than 2 months, and got in to eat everywhere we wanted without difficulty at all, and without having to call back or check online continuously (and this included CA Grill and Le Cellier).

I guess I just feel it's very dismissive and borderline rude to tell someone that Disney just isn't for them if they don't like planning meals 180 days out. The poster that was quoted says she has prebooked ADRs, she just doesn't like doing so. I'm the same way. I do it because I know it's necessary at WDW, but that doesn't mean I like it. And yes, Disney is very much "for me" or I wouldn't be going.

But there are people like me who like making ADRs 180 days out. Should those of us who are ready to book that far ahead be denied that opportunity just because some people won't have the same advantage? Why should I have to wait to fight it out at 60 days with a lot more people vying for the same slots when I'm ready at 180 days?

If I was planning a last minute (1-2 months out) trip, I'd just look for the best ADRs I could get. I wouldn't blame Disney for allowing early planners to have the advantage over me. The early bird gets the worm, I know that. No big deal.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

But there are people like me who like making ADRs 180 days out. Should those of us who are ready to book that far ahead be denied that opportunity just because some people won't have the same advantage? Why should I have to wait to fight it out at 60 days with a lot more people vying for the same slots when I'm ready at 180 days?

If I was planning a last minute (1-2 months out) trip, I'd just look for the best ADRs I could get. I wouldn't blame Disney for allowing early planners to have the advantage over me. The early bird gets the worm, I know that. No big deal.

Did you visit Disney before they implemented the 180 day policy? Did it make your trip less exciting to not be able to book 6 months out?

 

[Angel Ariel]

But there are people like me who like making ADRs 180 days out. Should those of us who are ready to book that far ahead be denied that opportunity just because some people won't have the same advantage? Why should I have to wait to fight it out at 60 days with a lot more people vying for the same slots when I'm ready at 180 days?

If I was planning a last minute (1-2 months out) trip, I'd just look for the best ADRs I could get. I wouldn't blame Disney for allowing early planners to have the advantage over me. The early bird gets the worm, I know that. No big deal.

What's the difference for the guest if the window opens at 60 days or 180 days? People who know where they want to go have no less of an advantage...they are still the ones who will.be online as soon as the window opens.

As a guest who went to wdw last year and dlr this year, there was not any significant difference between booking at 180 and booking at 60 (Except that 60 was just closer). It was not any more difficult to obtain adrs because we were closer to the dates, as is being implied above.

Eta: and ftr, I said nothing about blaming Disney for anything. All I've said regarding adrs is that I understand why people don't know or anticipate that they need to book adrs 6 months out.

 

[GPC0321]

It seems to me that 180 days out from the dates I want to book ADRs there will be less people since a lot of people don't even book their vacations until after that time. By 60 days out, a lot more people have decided to book vacations and are ready to book ADRs. So if I'm allowed to book at 180 days, it stands to reason there will be less people then who are eligible to make ADRs (because they haven't booked vacations yet) and therefore less competition for slots.
Until this upcoming trip, I've never made an ADR at all. I was a kid the first three trips, and 17 years ago we just went for three days and ate whatever we could (almost entirely CS).
I've enjoyed the planning this time.

 

[Mkrop]

But there are people like me who like making ADRs 180 days out. Should those of us who are ready to book that far ahead be denied that opportunity just because some people won't have the same advantage? Why should I have to wait to fight it out at 60 days with a lot more people vying for the same slots when I'm ready at 180 days?

If I was planning a last minute (1-2 months out) trip, I'd just look for the best ADRs I could get. I wouldn't blame Disney for allowing early planners to have the advantage over me. The early bird gets the worm, I know that. No big deal.

As a DVCer, I might be ready at 11 months or 7 months out, why isnt WDW accommodating me since I am ready. It doesnt matter when WDW opens the window someone is going to be shut out.

And yet when that argument was made for FPs, the early bird gets the worm...people were flipping out bc they could not get to the parks early. It is amazing how that mantra works when it is that person who is benefiting from it. But when it doesnt...oh man...not fair is the cry!

And as stated before there are people who have no idea that you have to plan a place like WDW so far in advance. You certainly dont have to in many tourist locations book that far out.

 

[Angel Ariel]

It seems to me that 180 days out from the dates I want to book ADRs there will be less people since a lot of people don't even book their vacations until after that time. By 60 days out, a lot more people have decided to book vacations and are ready to book ADRs. So if I'm allowed to book at 180 days, it stands to reason there will be less people then who are eligible to make ADRs (because they haven't booked vacations yet) and therefore less competition for slots.
Until this upcoming trip, I've never made an ADR at all. I was a kid the first three trips, and 17 years ago we just went for three days and ate whatever we could (almost entirely CS).
I've enjoyed the planning this time.

That all may be what it seems like it should be to you, and that's valid. That isn't what my actual experience with it has been. I got every restaurant I wanted at dlr, easily. At wdw, there were a couple I was shut out of even at 180 days when the window opened, and the only way I managed to get them was from.a cancellation thread here on the dis.

For my personal experience, the 60 day window at dlr was easier than the 180 at wdw. There are many reasons for that, and I'm not saying there arent. I'm just saying that the shortened booking window was not in any way a hindrance either.