It is almost time to make my ADR's and I have a question about MS

[patsal]

Does anyone know if the wait times to make ADR's through MS are as crazy as the reports on the dining board through CRS? I only have three to make--sorry WDW menus are just not what they used to be so there isn't much of a reason to eat on site anymore . I simply dont have hours to sit and wait on hold to make these and truth be told we wouldn't be worse for the wear without them.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I've never had a problem once I get through the main number.

 

[twinklebug]

I've always had good luck getting through to the main Disney Dining number in the evening... around 7pm ish est. Never had a wait.

I wouldn't call the member services number unless it was something only MS could handle.

 

[erionm]

The only reason to use MS for ADRs is toll free access. If you have unlimited long distance, call the regular dining line at 407 WDW-DINE. Regardless of who you call, there is only one reservation system for dining/tours. Also, the main dining line is open earlier and stays open later than MS.

 

[Chuck S]

The only reason to use MS for ADRs is toll free access. If you have unlimited long distance, call the regular dining line at 407 WDW-DINE. Regardless of who you call, there is only one reservation system for dining/tours. Also, the main dining line is open earlier and stays open later than MS.

That pretty much sums up my thoughts, too. I do have free long distance, and always use the dining line, and when I do need to call Member Services I use the 407 Number.

 

[patsal]

Thanks for your thoughts on this.
I am not making any "coveted" reservations and I usually just call the regular central number in the evening, but the posted wait times of being on hold for over an hour even late into the evening have me concerned. I do not have an hour to wait on hold while I am on break at work, or while I am running kids around to activities afterschool.

 

[Anal Annie]

That pretty much sums up my thoughts, too. I do have free long distance, and always use the dining line, and when I do need to call Member Services I use the 407 Number.

I think what the OP is referring to is that they JUST started a new dining reservation system on top of changing the ADR time from 180 days back to 90 days. Apparently they've made several changes to the reservation system in the past week or two that have the phones gunked up and is creating long hold times on the dining number and leaving people hanging without their confirmation numbers & stuff. They are now taking your reservation confirmation number to make a reservation to track & ensure that you can only make 1 ADR at a time etc. I don't remember them being so strict before with the reservation system. I think there are some kinks yet to be worked out but I haven't been over on the restaurant boards since I made my May reservations last week...

 

[Chuck S]

I think what the OP is referring to is that they JUST started a new dining reservation system on top of changing the ADR time from 180 days back to 90 days. Apparently they've made several changes to the reservation system in the past week or two that have the phones gunked up and is creating long hold times on the dining number and leaving people hanging without their confirmation numbers & stuff. They are now taking your reservation confirmation number to make a reservation to track & ensure that you can only make 1 ADR at a time etc. I don't remember them being so strict before with the reservation system. I think there are some kinks yet to be worked out but I haven't been over on the restaurant boards since I made my May reservations last week...

Yes, but MS would be using the same dining reservation system.

 

[mimmiepnp]

My first phone calls to the main dining number to make ADR's last week took 2.5 hours. Then at the end of the week my flights changed so I had to call MS to do that and when I hung up I realized I had more time to kill on our day of departure so I could make another ADR. Instead of calling the main dining number I called MS and held on for less than 5 minutes. So of course I had to comment on a 5 minute wait time vs a 2.5 hour wait time. The CM told me they all have same dining access for reservations with the new system and will always be faster to call MS to make dining since only members can call that number and not "the rest of the world".
Made sense to me.

Mimmiepnp

 

[BWV Dreamin]

My first phone calls to the main dining number to make ADR's last week took 2.5 hours. Then at the end of the week my flights changed so I had to call MS to do that and when I hung up I realized I had more time to kill on our day of departure so I could make another ADR. Instead of calling the main dining number I called MS and held on for less than 5 minutes. So of course I had to comment on a 5 minute wait time vs a 2.5 hour wait time. The CM told me they all have same dining access for reservations with the new system and will always be faster to call MS to make dining since only members can call that number and not "the rest of the world".
Made sense to me.

Mimmiepnp

I just called yesterday.....using some DIS info, tried calling the main "407" dining number around 8a......never did get thru after 40 minutes! At 9a, called MS (they have to transfer you again), but then got right thru, 5 mins. done my ADR's. Soooooo, not so sure calling the main dining number is the way to go!

 

[patsal]

My first phone calls to the main dining number to make ADR's last week took 2.5 hours. Then at the end of the week my flights changed so I had to call MS to do that and when I hung up I realized I had more time to kill on our day of departure so I could make another ADR. Instead of calling the main dining number I called MS and held on for less than 5 minutes. So of course I had to comment on a 5 minute wait time vs a 2.5 hour wait time. The CM told me they all have same dining access for reservations with the new system and will always be faster to call MS to make dining since only members can call that number and not "the rest of the world".
Made sense to me.

Mimmiepnp

This is exactly what I was concerned about. I will try the regular way first, then if I have to, I will call MS. I do not like to tie MS up with this stuff, but I also do not have time to wait--I just plan it, make them and keep them. I wonder if the changes in the system are designed to make those that are constantly changing ADR's give it a second thought since it is longer and more labor intensive?

 

[Uncle Remus]

I've called 3 times in the last 4 weeks, had no problems, no waiting and got every reservation I wanted.
Maybe I'm just lucky.


I didn't call at the crack of dawn, I called late morning.

 

[Chellymouse]

OP, here's my suggestion and this has worked for me since we've been members last year!
If you are up at the crack of dawn and have your ressie number, call CRO at 7am. If not, wait until 9am and call MS. I have used MS both times and did not have a problem with either. Ate at LeCellier both trips and got my CP package with the choice restaurant, no problem! I am anxious to see what happens with the 90 day instead of 180. I plan to get up early and call CRO for piece of mind but if I can't, then I will just call MS. Either way, if you call on the first day, you shouldn't have any trouble!