Just cancelled our trip-Could not get any of the restaurants we wanted.UPDATE ON PG 4

[Caren]

I'm attending a convention in August and have no idea when I'll be taking my non-convention meals and with whom I'll be taking them. There was a time when I would have used the opportunity to do the California Grill and Boma, but this time I've pretty much resigned myself to eating counter service for a week. Sure hope the Pepper Market has improved since the last time I was there.

When we were there in February, I talked to a very frustrated man early one morning at Captain Cook's. He was leaving that day and his family had failed to use some of their sit-down meal credits on the meal plan because they hadn't realized that they wouldn't be able to eat without prior reservations. And the meals they did eat were at places they would not necessarily have chosen. He said he wasn't coming back--the Disney experience wasn't worth the Disney hassle to him and his family.

 

[FINFAN]

pkp...I would make some ADR's, more so because seating 4 is harder than 2...so that you have a place to eat...but stay true to your "wing it" plan....but maybe at least try the day before to book what you'd really like, therefore releasing the ADR's you may not use. With the free DDP promo stating 8/13...that is what a lot of the bookings you are seeing may be about. Also, I think dining is becomming more an more a part of the overall WDW experience....and if you are like my DH...a summer trip to Orlando pretty much requires an hour meal in A/C each day!
You sound pretty flexible, so I thnk you will be fine, but having a back up plan would make the trip all the more relaxing.


Pam

 

[wic0721]

Hi yearbook50. I'm just like you. I hold strong to my Worcester roots, even though I've been down here for some time now. I'm sure there is more out there like us.

Hi Jasminetigger....

I wanted to say HI, I live in Templeton....but work up by the Worcester Airport! We are flying out of Worcester to Sanford in September!!!!

 

[CarolB]

Just called in for our Aug 3-11 and got 4 ADRs for 7 people each no problem (where and when I wanted). Some were 2 tables, but that's not a problem because we have 3 adults going and my 3 daughters are the independent types.

That's good news. You will likely find that when you check in, you won't really be at separate tables. Something about the way the reservation system is set up. We have often had 6 or 7 and been told, you will be at separate tables, only to check in at the podium, give our party number and be seated together. They will try to put you together if at all possible, has been my experience. (In fact, we have never been split up). We enjoy Chef Mickey's for breakfast - does that work into your plans since they don't have lunch?

 

[pkp]

pkp...I would make some ADR's, more so because seating 4 is harder than 2...so that you have a place to eat...but stay true to your "wing it" plan....but maybe at least try the day before to book what you'd really like, therefore releasing the ADR's you may not use. With the free DDP promo stating 8/13...that is what a lot of the bookings you are seeing may be about. Also, I think dining is becomming more an more a part of the overall WDW experience....and if you are like my DH...a summer trip to Orlando pretty much requires an hour meal in A/C each day!
You sound pretty flexible, so I thnk you will be fine, but having a back up plan would make the trip all the more relaxing.


Pam

Thanks! Yes, although I don't think WDW food is the greatest in the world, I love the atmosphere and we eat TS meals usually for dinner and lunch (except for one dinner at Medieval Times ) I think I might wait until the day we get there to make reservations since it seems like the free dining is what is causing most of the comotion. I'm ready to go!!!

 

[Gregg]

That's good news. You will likely find that when you check in, you won't really be at separate tables. Something about the way the reservation system is set up. We have often had 6 or 7 and been told, you will be at separate tables, only to check in at the podium, give our party number and be seated together. They will try to put you together if at all possible, has been my experience. (In fact, we have never been split up). We enjoy Chef Mickey's for breakfast - does that work into your plans since they don't have lunch?

Thanks for the info, Carol. I think I may try an early dinner at CM if possible. We are going back to our strategy of early arrival, stay until 1pm, go back for swim/naps, early dinner and spend the night (hopefully EMH) at the parks

So an early dinner on the way to MK would be good for us.

Gregg

 

[Alicnwondrln]

you gotta just keep trying
i just got chef mickeys for my august trip and i had been checking weeks
good luck everyone

 

[ronunc]

My wife and I spend 20-25 days at WDW for the past 15 years. We always loved the flexability of making ADR's in the morning for that evening. This is impossible now, except during slow periods. We have stopped our trips to WDW and have no plans for the future. Maybe when the process changes, we'll go back.

For now, Disney is not missing the thousands of $$$ we would spend.

By the way, I am a fan of all things Disney and have been for nearly 60 years.

 

[Caren]

My wife and I spend 20-25 days at WDW for the past 15 years. We always loved the flexability of making ADR's in the morning for that evening. This is impossible now, except during slow periods. We have stopped our trips to WDW and have no plans for the future. Maybe when the process changes, we'll go back.

For now, Disney is not missing the thousands of $$$ we would spend.

By the way, I am a fan of all things Disney and have been for nearly 60 years.

I've been in the habit of many short, last-minute WDW trips--usually with DH or a friend. That habit has come to a screeching halt because we can no longer indulge in one of our favorite activities--meals at restaurants we love--because we didn't make reservations weeks ago for the trip we didn't know we were going to take this weekend.

I still want my Disney fix, though, so this year we're planning one longer trip to Tokyo Disney. It'll probably cost less than all those little WDW trips.

 

[UKDEB]

Forgive me, I haven't read all the posts - I looked in at this thread earlier today and have returned now - but I really wonder whether Disney needs to reconsider the Free Dining Plan. September has traditionally been one of the slowest times, so it doesn't take a huge leap to understand that's why it's been introduced, but if they're alienating repeat visitors and disillusioning newbies who aren't on the plan (and therefore might well be disinclined to come back), wouldn't a better option be to heavily discount the resort rates?

 

[UKDEB]

Alicnwondrln; love your signature and ticker! Do you think we were separated at birth?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

thanks !! I got the link to it from a kind diser who thought of me. I love alice and her little rabbit!!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Forgive me, I haven't read all the posts - I looked in at this thread earlier today and have returned now - but I really wonder whether Disney needs to reconsider the Free Dining Plan. September has traditionally been one of the slowest times, so it doesn't take a huge leap to understand that's why it's been introduced, but if they're alienating repeat visitors and disillusioning newbies who aren't on the plan (and therefore might well be disinclined to come back), wouldn't a better option be to heavily discount the resort rates?

It must be beneficial to Disney - there were the same concerns last year (restaurants being booked up full) and they still decided to run the free dining again. And, although I am not going this year (crossing fingers that they offer it again next) I think free dining is a great promotion. I have never seen a discount that would save me more than free dining does (a group of 3-4 adults)

 

[poohluv2u]

Some friends of ours just went to WDW in May and had trouble getting into restaurants. This was not during a 'free dining' time so I don't think it necessarily means that DDP is the culprit in less dining opportunities.

We will be on the free DDP when we go in Sept over labor day weekend. Made our ADRS yesterday... no problem, even got ADR's for CRT! This is our first time using the DDP and we are excited to try it, but in the past we have always enjoyed just being in the Parks regardless of where, and what we eat. This will be a new experience for us ... planning our meals ahead of time. We mostly fly by the seat of our pants

 

[Jasminetigger]

OUR TRIP IS BACK ON!!!! All because of a wonderful person here on the DISboards. I have to shout out a big thank you to ALICNWONDRLN aka Kelly for all her help. When she read about our problem she sent me a PM and offered to help. She is a TA with MOUSEFANTRAVEL. She graciously offered to call and try to get our ADR's for us. And she succeeded! So we now have our ADR's for our anniversary trip and I still get to keep the Christmas trip. Thanks again Kelly.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

Really magical news! I've seen so many nice people on the Dis!

 

[luv2nascar]

that's great news. So glad you are going. Dissers are such wonderful people.

 

[bluejasmine]

OUR TRIP IS BACK ON!!!! All because of a wonderful person here on the DISboards. I have to shout out a big thank you to ALICNWONDRLN aka Kelly for all her help. When she read about our problem she sent me a PM and offered to help. She is a TA with MOUSEFANTRAVEL. She graciously offered to call and try to get our ADR's for us. And she succeeded! So we now have our ADR's for our anniversary trip and I still get to keep the Christmas trip. Thanks again Kelly.

Oh my goodness that is so awesome! Great job Kelly!

 

[Jasminetigger]

Oh my goodness that is so awesome! Great job Kelly!

Just had to say Congratulations on winning the basket from FeralPeg!

 

[the Fidge]

gotta love pixie dust lots of it here on the boards!