Is this all getting too much?

[Gabe]

I will get flamed, but here it goes:

2 things that I believe would help.

1st: Limit the number of tables available to free diners. For example, half of the tables for free diners, when those are filled with free diners, then the remaining tables are for guests that are not on the free dining plan, including guests of that particular hotel. This will spread out the free diners to other less popular restaurants.

2nd: Work on a tier basis. Those at the value resorts can use free dining at certain restaurants while those at moderate resorts can use it the others and so on. The more you pay for the hotel, the higher value assigned to your free dining.

I don't think this will reduce the popularity of free dining (free dining is after all free dining), which will still keep the hotels full.

Let the flames begin.

Gabe

 

[macraven]

I will get flamed, but here it goes:

2 things that I believe would help.

1st: Limit the number of tables available to free diners. For example, half of the tables for free diners, when those are filled with free diners, then the remaining tables are for guests that are not on the free dining plan, including guests of that particular hotel. This will spread out the free diners to other less popular restaurants.

2nd: Work on a tier basis. Those at the value resorts can use free dining at certain restaurants while those at moderate resorts can use it the others and so on. The more you pay for the hotel, the higher value assigned to your free dining.

I don't think this will reduce the popularity of free dining (free dining is after all free dining), which will still keep the hotels full.

Let the flames begin.

Gabe

if people book at 90 days out and don't have the free ddp, but then receive it when a promo comes out after the fact (like the new disney visa fd promo), how would that affect them?

what about the guests that book their adr's that don't have the dining but decide to add it the week before to their package?

you couldn't keep up with who is entitled to sit at which section of the restaurant...........hotel guests/ free dining

your other suggestion on tier dining booking, don't think that would fly.
you would be surprised that many save money by staying at a value resort and spend a bundle on dining.


i book my adr's at the 90 day period out.
if i don't get my choice, i move on to plan b.

i can eat anywhere as long as i don't have to shop for it, prepare it, cook it, or clean up after it.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I am trying to add one person to an adr for 1 , I know that the smallest tables that disney has is for 2 people so why is it so difficult to add 1 person to 1 adr? Cancelled that reservation as I was able to get one for 2 people at the same time (it was Le Cellier)

 

[Disneyliscious]

Maybe they should require all FD guests to make their ADR's when they book, and only allow half the seating to those folks.....so that way they aren't over booked for seating OR free dining.

It really is sad for those who don't know, and yes it has gotten out of hand. I have never made a reservation in my life until this trip coming up in October. We really could care less where we eat. I made one for T Rex simply because I know my kids will like it.

Other than that, we'll at where ever we end up and we'll enjoy our day just fine.

 

[mom2rtk]

I will get flamed, but here it goes:

2 things that I believe would help.

1st: Limit the number of tables available to free diners. For example, half of the tables for free diners, when those are filled with free diners, then the remaining tables are for guests that are not on the free dining plan, including guests of that particular hotel. This will spread out the free diners to other less popular restaurants.

2nd: Work on a tier basis. Those at the value resorts can use free dining at certain restaurants while those at moderate resorts can use it the others and so on. The more you pay for the hotel, the higher value assigned to your free dining.

I don't think this will reduce the popularity of free dining (free dining is after all free dining), which will still keep the hotels full.

Let the flames begin.

Gabe

I'm not sure why you think this would NOT reduce the popularity of free dining.

If you accept the premise that free dining is the root of all evil (or in this case, causing such turmoil in the ADR process), then cutting the tables available in HALF would DOUBLE that turmoil. Or maybe since the dining is free, those on free dining should just be happy with the crumbs that get thrown their way????

Remember, free dining is not "free". Patrons must pay full rack rate for their room to be eligiblel, during Disney's slowest months, including hurricane season, at a time when many others guest get as much as 40% off that same "rack rate".

Maybe those getting 40% off room codes should have to stay in the basement..... (OK, so maybe there's no basement, but you get my point.....)

 

[walkerford]

It is almost impossible for this not to descend into "flaming" other people. My original post was never ever intended to do that it is just obviously a very emotive issue. Of course free dining is not free its just part of a "purchased" package. The real issue is that if you don't commando it 90 days in advance - if that happens to be possible ,then you are out of look. Its all very well for people to say once bitten twice shy - but for many people the visit to WDW is their one and only visit, believe you me flights from the UK in August are not cheap, indeed when finally booking this year I did have to enquire that I only wanted to purchase a seat on the flight not shares in the airline!
I think there has to be some middle ground- personally I think the 120 day window for resort guest will just make a bigger problem, but it shouldn't be beyond the realms of Disney to come up with something. I know I am repeating myself but I don't think it is too much to ask to be able to eat in the hotel you are staying at. I have booked the days of my holiday at the polynesian via my DVC points and to stay there for 4 nights is costing almost as many points as to stay at OKW for a week. I cannot get an ADR for breakfast or dinner at Ohanas any of the 4 nights - now that is not going to ruin my holiday - its certainly not the end of the world but it is "annoying". I don't hold any grudges against the people on here who are holding those ADR's having booked them 90 days ago- good luck to you - but I still think I should be able to eat there, given that I would have to be very flexible as to times etc, given that I am staying there. And again I do feel very sorry for the "normal" people who have no idea at all that this is an issue. I can't see anywhere on the "official" disney site where there is any reference at all to the fact that if you don't book you are very unlikely to get in.. Keep it friendly people, at the end of the day I would love to eat the food from the fire pit at Ohanas but if not then you will catch me on a hammock on the poly beach in the arms of my beautiful wife, daughter and son with a burger and fries from captain cooks- and you know what for those few moments the cares of my otherwise stressful life will have disappeared - thats what really matters.....

 

[acourtwdw]

This is post is not to make things worse but to let others know that their is hope: I just booked on WDW web site Le Cellier for 9/9 at 620pm for 4 adults My parents want to eat there. I really don't care for it.

Also, in the first week of March (a kind of busy time) my parents did a walk up at Rose & Crown for lunch.

I believe that no one will go hungry at WDW. There are always open tables somewhere. It may not be the most popular place but the food is good. I think the boards have made getting an ADR harder than ever. Some places that are so hard to get now used to be empty before everyone jumped on the boards. I find that at the "popular" places, the food isn't even that great.

Just my two cents.....

 

[avahoneybee]

Free Dining is not FREE. I really wish Disney would stop calling it that, but then, they wouldn't be making money off people who do think it's free.

 

[oxhoward]

With much respect,

Crowds are always an issue at Disney, a fact of life. Any trip to Dis requires planning. Many folks (me included) use a touring plan (Mike) to minimize wait times and stress at the parks. Worked great in '06 during Spring Break (No waits!!).

You would not expect to walk right on to Expedition Everest in the middle of Spring Break week without a FASTPASS. Right?

Why would dining be any different? ADR's are the FASTPASSes of dining in the "World". You may either love or hate ADR's, but unfortunately, you have to work with the system you choose to be a part of. You are choosing to go on the vacation, and it's your job to be sure your money is spent well.

For me, we're heading for a week starting October 3, have all our ADR's, although we'll work on them to get exactly what we want. Example... just got LeCellier for Oct 3 today when nothing was available as of last week. Absolutely thrilled to take advantage of the dining promotion and save $$ over what it would be otherwise.

I understand people's frustration, but if you make the choice to take the trip, it's still better IMHO to use the ADR system to be sure you get something that suits you.

 

[walkerford]

With much respect,

Crowds are always an issue at Disney, a fact of life. Any trip to Dis requires planning. Many folks (me included) use a touring plan (Mike) to minimize wait times and stress at the parks. Worked great in '06 during Spring Break (No waits!!).

You would not expect to walk right on to Expedition Everest in the middle of Spring Break week without a FASTPASS. Right?

Why would dining be any different? ADR's are the FASTPASSes of dining in the "World". You may either love or hate ADR's, but unfortunately, you have to work with the system you choose to be a part of. You are choosing to go on the vacation, and it's your job to be sure your money is spent well.

For me, we're heading for a week starting October 3, have all our ADR's, although we'll work on them to get exactly what we want. Example... just got LeCellier for Oct 3 today when nothing was available as of last week. Absolutely thrilled to take advantage of the dining promotion and save $$ over what it would be otherwise.

I understand people's frustration, but if you make the choice to take the trip, it's still better IMHO to use the ADR system to be sure you get something that suits you.

But they are not the fast passes of dining in the world, because even if you haven't got a fass past you can still ride it just means you might have to wait longer! I think you have made my point better than I could. I have no problem with the fast passes going first I do have a "problem" if I haven't got a fast pass I can't go on splash mountain...

 

[oxhoward]

Sure, good point. If you want to ask/wait for hours on end to get into your favorite restaurant, go ahead, if they're taking walk-ins at all.

Again, I understand the frustration. I remember the days of deciding in the AM where dinner would be, and making same day ressies. Those days are gone, love it or hate it. Better or worse, advance planning is required if you want to get in where you want to eat. They didn't have discounted/free dining those days either.

The choices are still plan ahead and have a great vacation, or wing it and maybe be very disappointed. I'll choose the former.

Personally, I think the free/discounted dining plan is a wonderful thing, and I'll make my plans early. I'm happy to save the $1000 on my vacation and make some basic plans, seems a fine deal to me.