Making ADRs online - why not?

[pinky4disney]

I'm sure that this question has been asked before, but I was wondering why Disney hasn't gotten around to allowing people to book their ADRs online? If we can check resort availability, why not dining as well?

 

[avic77]

Man that would be great cuase i have changed things about 5 times already!

 

[disneyag]

A couple of the Universal Orlando restaurants let you book online. It's such a convenience! I wish Disney would do that, too.

 

[Disney8704]

That would be awesome if we could make our ADRs online. No more having to wait forever to get to talk to someone to make the ADRs. Being able to book or change them anytime 24/7. Theres so many advantages that I dunno why Disney hasnt done this. Then again, who knows. Maybe they are in the process of doing that.

 

[sandybobandy]

I can think of quite a few DISadvantages unfortunatley. When the thought of making ADR's online crosses my mind, I think about the ease and convenience it would be for all of us, but I can only imagine the irresponsible and obnoxious people that would make tons and tons of ADR's, booking 10 times at one restaurant or doing double bookings. We all know there are people out there with nothing better to do than to create phony ADR's. lol

Sure, requiring a credit card to guarantee reservations would certainly eliminate some of the double bookings, but leaving it in the hands of the "public" (not including many diser's) makes me nervous.

Plus, I just don't mind calling Disney Dining

 

[MaxsDad]

I can think of quite a few DISadvantages unfortunatley. When the thought of making ADR's online crosses my mind, I think about the ease and convenience it would be for all of us, but I can only imagine the irresponsible and obnoxious people that would make tons and tons of ADR's, booking 10 times at one restaurant or doing double bookings. We all know there are people out there with nothing better to do than to create phony ADR's. lol

Sure, requiring a credit card to guarantee reservations would certainly eliminate some of the double bookings, but leaving it in the hands of the "public" (not including many diser's) makes me nervous.

Plus, I just don't mind calling Disney Dining

I think it would be a great idea to be able to book them online. I think it would be easier to be able to see when there are openings. I am sure there are ways to prevent what you describe above, but since Disney isn't paying me to come up with them, I don't have any.

 

[bdcp]

The reality is, the servers would be choked with people trying to get on the first couple of hours each day at the same time, especially for popular restaurants/shows. You think you have trouble getting the ADR's you want now? Try competing with everyone at the same time on the internet. I think it would crash servers especially during peak times. It's one of those things that sounds good on "paper" but wouldn't work as well in practice. That's my opinion why it hasn't happened yet.

 

[Disney8704]

To help with double bookings or more, maybe they could make it where you have to create an online account through Disney and you have to make your ADRs through that account. And if you were to book 2 or more places around the same time frame, it could come up saying something like (EXAMPLE) "You have CRT booked for November 15, 2007 @ 5pm. Do you wish to change this reservation to "Crystal Palce for November 15, 2007 @ 5:30pm." And if you click yes, then it would bascially delete your original ADR and the new one would take place. Also they could make it to where you have to provide a credit card number. And if you dont show up, then Disney have the right to charge your card a certain fee. And also to help with people creating multiple accounts, have it to where they can only create 1 account per household. There are ways Disney can make this happen. As for the servers, Im sure their servers can handle it. There are thousands, maybe even millions of people who access disneyworld.com everyday and 98% of the time the website IS up and running with no problems.

 

[LilyWDW]

The reality is, the servers would be choked with people trying to get on the first couple of hours each day at the same time, especially for popular restaurants/shows. You think you have trouble getting the ADR's you want now? Try competing with everyone at the same time on the internet. I think it would crash servers especially during peak times. It's one of those things that sounds good on "paper" but wouldn't work as well in practice. That's my opinion why it hasn't happened yet

Have you ever been online when tickets for a specific concert go on sale? The servers lag out for a period of time and only those with the best connections can get through in enough time to snag those seats. It would be the same issue with ADRs.

Already we have to wait on hold first thing in the morning to snag that all important ADR. Now picture all those people who were calling... and throw them all online to do it. *crash smash boom* bye bye servers and hello congestion!!!

Also, not everyone can yet get cable internet or even DSL. Even with a call center still available, they are at a disadvantage to start.

 

[Disney8704]

I know there are some sites, sorry cant think of them off the top of my head right now, but they only allow so many people on the site at one time so that the servers wont crash. I know they did this with one site last black friday. I kept getting a message stating that the site was to busy and to try again later. After 5 mins of trying, I was able to get on. Disney could input the same thing for the ADR site. Once it reaches so many people the site would bascially just come up saying that they are at the breaking point for the amount that can be on the site at the time and to try again later. If they want that ADR bad enough, then they can call. Regardless if they keep the calling in ADRs or do it online, everyone is still at fair game when it comes to the ADRs. All the times I've called Disney, Im always on hold for at least 30 mins. In that 30 min time frame those ADRs you wanted, you may not get even when you call. So making those ADRs is no different. Only difference is instead of dialing a number, your typing in the website address. For those who dont have a good connection yet, they can call to make their ADRs.

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

I would love to be able to make ADRs online!!

Not only would I be able to make them quickly, without having some poor CM listening to me drone on for an hour since I have to book 10 days worth of ADRs, and then call up again to make another 7 days worth for the rest of my vacation. But it would also mean that you could see which ADRs you have and print them out.

I guess they could do it, once you've booked your Disney hotel, then there's a link on your reservation page to book ADRs - so no multiple accounts could be created as it is linked to your reservation. This would mean that people who stay offsite couldn't book online, but they would still be able to call Disney Dining.

 

[bdcp]

I know there are some sites, sorry cant think of them off the top of my head right now, but they only allow so many people on the site at one time so that the servers wont crash. I know they did this with one site last black friday. I kept getting a message stating that the site was to busy and to try again later. After 5 mins of trying, I was able to get on. Disney could input the same thing for the ADR site. Once it reaches so many people the site would bascially just come up saying that they are at the breaking point for the amount that can be on the site at the time and to try again later. If they want that ADR bad enough, then they can call. Regardless if they keep the calling in ADRs or do it online, everyone is still at fair game when it comes to the ADRs. All the times I've called Disney, Im always on hold for at least 30 mins. In that 30 min time frame those ADRs you wanted, you may not get even when you call. So making those ADRs is no different. Only difference is instead of dialing a number, your typing in the website address. For those who dont have a good connection yet, they can call to make their ADRs.

Well, that could be a problem as some people would never be able to get through if they have slow connection speeds. I just think it would, as on other websites basically slow it down too much. As for being on hold on the phone, at least there you are in a queue and your phone calls are taken in order. That wouldnt' happen on a website as there is no "hold". It would be whoever happened to hit the site at the precise moment a "spot" opened up on the server. You would spend all your time refreshing your page. It wouldn't be first come, first serve, it would be whoever has the fastest connection with their page loading fastest.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

I also think making ADR's online would be very convenient - wish we could do this!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I would like a touch screen at the resort, or even in room, where you could plug in what park you want to go to each day, how many in your party and what attractions you most want to see as well as where you would like to eat and get a printout of Fast Passes, with liberal time spans, so that there would be better crowd control and it would make it easier for folks to see what they want to without all the rushing about. It sure would be of a help to folks who are not as savvy as we DISers. Even if you could not get everything you wanted at least you would be forewarned and could make other plans. JMO

Slightly Goofy

 

[Disney8704]

That wouldnt work, because theres people who use TA to book their Disney vacations. You cant look up your reservation online through the Disney website if you book somewhere else other then Disney. Disney would have to create a page or site where anyone can create an account online regardless where they are staying or if they are even staying anywhere. People who live right there by Disney, I doubt stay in hotels, they just go to the park for the day and then go home. So they to should be allowed to make ADRs online as well.

I would love to be able to make ADRs online!!

Not only would I be able to make them quickly, without having some poor CM listening to me drone on for an hour since I have to book 10 days worth of ADRs, and then call up again to make another 7 days worth for the rest of my vacation. But it would also mean that you could see which ADRs you have and print them out.

I guess they could do it, once you've booked your Disney hotel, then there's a link on your reservation page to book ADRs - so no multiple accounts could be created as it is linked to your reservation. This would mean that people who stay offsite couldn't book online, but they would still be able to call Disney Dining.

 

[Disney8704]

Which is why I said for those who dont have a fast connection, can just simply call to make their ADRs.

Well, that could be a problem as some people would never be able to get through if they have slow connection speeds. I just think it would, as on other websites basically slow it down too much. As for being on hold on the phone, at least there you are in a queue and your phone calls are taken in order. That wouldnt' happen on a website as there is no "hold". It would be whoever happened to hit the site at the precise moment a "spot" opened up on the server. You would spend all your time refreshing your page. It wouldn't be first come, first serve, it would be whoever has the fastest connection with their page loading fastest.

 

[bdcp]

Which is why I said for those who dont have a fast connection, can just simply call to make their ADRs.

I just don't see it happening anytime soon for several reasons. Computers have created a generation of impatience and immediate gratification. Everyone wants everything now.

 

[Disney8704]

Well, thats your opinion. Nothing wrong with it. We all have voiced our opinions. Weither or not Disney will eventually make it to where you can book ADRs online, who knows. Only Disney knows. Fars we know they could be working on it right now. With the world entering a whole new computer/digital age, I wouldnt be one bit surprised if they did create a website or page for ADRs. And im with others - we can only hope that they do!

Just wanna add, you wanna know why people wants things done immediately. Its because everyone lives a busy life. Weither your work or simply a stay home person, your life is busy. Why do you think they keep coming out with all these instant things - like cleaning supplies and even food. Its because companies know people have busy lives and they dont have time to clean the old fashion way, or make a hr dinner. Now days people are constantly busy with working, going out, spending time with their family. Which is why I think Disney will eventually make it to where you can book ADRs online. Disney knows that people would rather get something done quick and easy. They know that people dont like being on hold for a long periods of time. Disney has always been good keeping up with the times. Oh yeah, and with these days, you dont need a fast computer to book your ADRs. If you have a cell phone and can get online with it, thats all you need. People have game systems that can get online as well.

I just don't see it happening anytime soon for several reasons. Computers have created a generation of impatience and immediate gratification. Everyone wants everything now.

 

[haley123]

I can't see disney letting people book online any time soon. It would take to much server space. Their website is to slow as it is. I can't imagine what would happen if they had hundreds or thousands of people trying to use that one website.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I can think of quite a few DISadvantages unfortunatley . . .I can only imagine the irresponsible and obnoxious people that would make tons and tons of ADR's, booking 10 times at one restaurant or doing double bookings . . .

1) They used to have self-serve kiosks for restaurant ressies.
2) This is the main reason they pulled them out.