Just a little vent about making dining reservations

[tink'smom2B]

I didn't have enough points at the 11 month window to have all our days at the BCV in October. So, by the time I bought more points from a member, it was too late to get a room and I had to reserve at two more different resorts in order to get my long weekend. I was told by member services that because I have three different resorts, they cannot be linked. So, now I'm trying to get reservations for our October birthday celebration, but can only book dining one day at a time. Everything is gone (or will be I'm sure) for what we wanted. No Be Our Guest, Dessert Party, Cinderella's Table, etc. I thought if you had a room reservation you could book 10 days out. I have 5 days of reservations I want and probably won't get anything. Why can't the reservation system see that I will be on the property for 5 days and just let me make dining reservations starting with day one? Why do I have to make them one day at a time? Sorry, my little rant is over now

 

[nalajms]

Completely understand your pain! We went through this last Nov. We had 3 different reservations and they only let us book to the last night of each reservation!!! Even at +4 days BOG was gone.

From what I've read, the chances of getting BOG are very slim if you're going for only a few days. Most of the time people are getting them at+9 or 10 days into their vacation.

Keep checking for CRT, it might open up. Good luck!ixiedust:

 

[gmi3804]

It's also a fact that not all tables are put into the dining system at the 180 +10 mark. Tables get added all the time after that, so keep checking back.

 

[J and R's mom]

That is frustrating BUT, they will open up more tables.

One thing I do is subscribe to the dining cancelation threads (in the dining forum) for the months I'll be there. I made our December 2013 reservation in October 2013, but still was able to get BOG on one of our nights by watching the cancelation thread. It was through that thread where a poster posted that multiple bookings for BOG had opened up about 45 days before we arrived. So have faith.

 

[tink'smom2B]

FYI if you are having trouble and feel like something is wrong, call member services! I tried multiple times to book anything today. I called this morning and was told everything was already booked. That just didn't seem right and I kept seeing posts about 180+10, so I called again a little while ago. I wish I had called earlier as this person was able to get me a Chef Mickey reservation that I wanted. The dessert party was filled already, but I could have booked it if it was available. In fact, I could have any reservation I wanted during our trip if it was available. I am really surprised that member services people are not all the same! The same thig happened to me with the Star Wars dinner. First CM said nothing available. Called again and got Fantasmic /Jedi Dinner for 19 people. Sooooooooo Frustrating!

 

[kristenrice]

Here's something that will really rile you up...

My sister and her family are staying with us in a 2BR. We also have a split stay, 2 nights/3 nights, and we are all linked together in MDE. My sister's family is going to eat a couple of meals without us. She called the WDW-DINE number and she was able to book at 180+10 because they could see the second reservation. When I called via Member Services, I was not able to book beyond the first two days. I guess I don't understand how the guest of the member gets "better" treatment by calling the general public number while the member gets "second-class" service through member services. (*This is not a major issue for me because I was able to get the ADR's we wanted for this trip)

On another, slightly related note, I tried to book the Sunrise Safari (part of "Membership Magic") through Member Services and I was told I can't book it through them...I have to call the AKL IPO. Uh...what? So, of course, when I called the IPO, they told me I had to call MS. Wouldn't you know it, six hours later I call MS back...and I get the SAME CM! I told her that I called the IPO and they directed me back to MS. Fortunately, she wised up and called in assistance and was able to figure out how to do it.

 

[bethp1968]

Just keep trying for BOG (or any of the harder to obtain ADR's). I was able to get BOG 2 weeks ago for May 17 for 4 people.