Multiple Ar Rant!

[soccerchick]

One way to resolve some of this would be if Disney would decide on EMH days and a minimum guide for park hours at the 90 day mark as well. People want to get their ADRs at the 90 mark, but don't know park hours yet. They probably make a few reservations so that they can eat at whatever park they decide to be at on that date. I would certainly hope they would decide and release some of their ADRs at the 60 day mark when park hours/ EMH days are released.

 

[NMW]

I agree this is very rude. So, the poor family that really wants to eat at a certain restaurant can't get in because a rude person made three ressies for 3 different restaurants for 3 different times-just to keep their options open?

I really wish Disney could track this somehow. Like if you got a dining card that you had to use every time you made a reservation. The card could be for adults only and tied to your ticket and room # in your Disney resort. That way a husband and wife would have the same dining number because they are in the same room. I realize this might not work so well for offsite guests (a husband and wife would have 2 different tickets and no room number), but it would be something. I'm sure someone at Disney could figure this out better than me!

I bet that if a lot of people that pay for or get the free dining can't get AR's even when calling pretty early, Disney is going to hear about it! Maybe things will change then. It's one thing not to get a TS restaurant as a walk in, it's another to call 70 days ahead and get nothing.

 

[calie_j]

That is very selfish in my opinion. Maybe they should only allow one per day??? Actually when I called to make Lecellier AR and I already had LTT AR for the same day, she asked if I wanted to cancel LTT and I said yes.

Most my days I'm going to have 2AR's, one for breakfast or early lunch and one for dinner. I can get counter service anywhere, when I'm on vacation I want nice meals and to try different things.

I do think it's selfish to have multiple AR's at different parks to secure you have someplace to eat depending where you are (and especially the same park). When my 90 days is here I do plan to book a few "back-up" AR's if I don't get CRT but at the end of my week when I know if I got CRT and which day I will cancel the ones not needed. If I need to make adjustments when the hours come out I will try then to change AR's and cancel the old one if I get it.

Flame-proof suit is on, Calie

 

[OhioTony]

For those of you who suggested more than one table for our party of6---do they try to put the tables near one another? I wouldn't mind if the kids were in eyeshot but not if I couldn't see them.
I would never let something like this ruin our trip--it's just food. But we are taking our neices ages 15 & 12 who have never been ANYWHERE, let alone someplace like WDW. I'm sure they will be flabbergasted no matter where we eat or what we do but there were some restaurants I really wanted them to try.It's not like we can afford to go often( although Disney sure tries) and they will probably never get to go again.

 

[gigi1313]

Gigi,
I am a pretty good planner and will be planning our TS choices for our upcoming vacation in order to plan AR's, HOWEVER if I was not "in the know" about AR's and was not able to "walk-in" (with a wait if that was the case) to have dinner somewhere in WDW in order to be able to use a paid-for TS, you can bet that the "two would meet" and I would be speaking to someone in order to be able to change a TS to a CS! No rules are written in stone and I believe if there was a issue securing a table in several WDW sit down restaurants, a TS could be used for a CS place. It would not nearly be the same as trying to use a CS credit for a TS meal - now I can certainly understand why that would be frowned upon (hint, common sense)! I guess that is my rant du jour.



That being said...
I do not care to micromanage my vacation time, however I refuse to monopolize more AR's than my family will use in a given day = if we will eat at one TS establishment a day, I will schedule 1 AR a day for a sit down meal. IMO, this is fair to everyone - whether another guest trying to secure an AR or a family desiring walk-in service.

good luck w/that tactic 'cause i have read reports here of different scenarios, one was a family member got sick and the family spent a lot of time at the resort (a value) w/only CS to choose from and were unable to convert a TS credit to a CS meal...

the key phrase in your post is "SOMEWHERE IN WDW!"

just because some restaurants are at capacity w/no availability for the day, does not mean that *every* TS restaurant is unavailable and your credits could not be used... just not necessarily when/where you want them to be... so, instead of LeCellier you end up at Marakesh or Boatwrights... similar to how as an on-site guest at Christmas time you are guaranteed entry into *a* park, just not necessarily the park you would prefer!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

For those of you who suggested more than one table for our party of6---do they try to put the tables near one another? I wouldn't mind if the kids were in eyeshot but not if I couldn't see them.
I would never let something like this ruin our trip--it's just food. But we are taking our neices ages 15 & 12 who have never been ANYWHERE, let alone someplace like WDW. I'm sure they will be flabbergasted no matter where we eat or what we do but there were some restaurants I really wanted them to try.It's not like we can afford to go often( although Disney sure tries) and they will probably never get to go again.

They will try, but they aren't reserving specific tables for specific guests at specific times. If tables open up nearby, then yes, if they don't you could be stuck fairly far away from each other. I'm sure they'll do what they can for you.

 

[ceecee]

We had to book 2 tables of three at LeCellier (two families) she said we only needed one AR # for both tables. So if we don't get to sit with the in-laws....I did my best!

 

[DawnCt1]

For those of you who suggested more than one table for our party of6---do they try to put the tables near one another? I wouldn't mind if the kids were in eyeshot but not if I couldn't see them.
.

We actually had two separate tables at Ohana's on one trip but they were able to seat us all at one. I am sure that they will look for two tables in close proximity. You may have to wait a few more minutes but that's not so bad.

 

[Pedler]

How about issueing everyone a collar with a shocker in it like used with the invisible fence? If you don't show up for your ADR it goes off until you show up! Sure there are some logistical issues but I bet it would discourage no shows.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

During our May visit, we heard a lot of complaints from CM's about people making multiple ADR's for the same meal/day.

 

[aubriee]

Usually about a month out, they release later times at the MGM restaurants. This has happened to us many times. 6 weeks ago the latest I was able to get at MM was 4:50. Last week I was able to get my original request for 6:00. They also seem to do this at the MK too. Same thing happpened with dinner at the castle. Had to book 5:30. Just got this changed to 7:00. We will be off in 19 days. Just keep trying. Later times do open up.

Hey I called and did all my ADRs 89 days out from our checkout day and got Hollywood & Vine for two nights before (in other words 87 days out) for 6:00pm. At the time I thought it was kind of strange because both this past January and this past May when I called about 85 days out the latest I could get was 4:30pm at any of the MGM TS.

 

[Luv2Roam]

As a local, I would not have any issues with on-site guests only being allowed to make PS'. SoG and S/D guests would be left out of the loop. But ADRs for on-site guests only could always become a perk.
As a local, I can eat there most anytime, anywhere, or even off site or at home. No biggie to me.
BUT, IF they would ever even consider this route, I think it should be on-site guests and those with DDE memberships (ao AP holders as someone else mentioned). That could just be thrown in as another free perk for the DDE/AP.
Disney WANTS and almost always DOES everything they can to make a visit magical. They don't want unhappy guests who will not return. They want HAPPY guests who become addicted and never want to leave, and tell all their friends and family what a great time they had!
It is all about customer service.
But if the duplicate ADR situation gets carried away, and they get too many complaints, it will change.
And it is not unusual any longer for walk up guests to be turned away. Le Cellier is a great example.
I would like to see only about 75% max as booked ADR's. It would be nice to have SOME walk ups accepted.
I think those on the dining plan should have top priority because of the limited nights credit situation.

Of course a NICE change that would help would be more frequent and better counter service in all of WDW. If the counter service was more plentiful and GOOD food, then too many sit down would not be an issue.
Heck, Disney won't even keep the taco CS by pirates open.

Put in a Cheesecake Factory in a little soda shop setting (like at USO) or other just as good eats, and table service would open up.

 

[OhioTony]

FYI..just got of the ressie line & was able to get a 4:30 table for 6 at "50's Prime Time" that wasn't available last time we checked!
Mama Melrose still booked! We are happy with this, we just wanted to try somplace we haven't been before.

OH! and we DID cancel our other ressie @ Whispering Canyon..

Better grab it before some RESSIE HOG puts another notch in his belt


Keep the thread going to promote RESSIE HOG GUILT
maybe they will read this & cancel extra's so us "poor unfortunate souls" can EAT!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

FYI..just got of the ressie line & was able to get a 4:30 table for 6 at "50's Prime Time" that wasn't available last time we checked!
Mama Melrose still booked! We are happy with this, we just wanted to try somplace we haven't been before.

OH! and we DID cancel our other ressie @ Whispering Canyon..

Better grab it before some RESSIE HOG puts another notch in his belt


Keep the thread going to promote RESSIE HOG GUILT
maybe they will read this & cancel extra's so us "poor unfortunate souls" can EAT!

Yay!
Congrats!

P.S. I think you'll actually like 50's PT better! I do! Recommendations: PB&J Shake, Smores dessert, Onion Rings and Fried Chicken. Yummy!

In addition, someone mentioned they were listening to "poor unfortunate souls" while waiting to make ADR's on another thread. Funny stuff.

 

[InnerStrength]

good luck w/that tactic 'cause i have read reports here of different scenarios, one was a family member got sick and the family spent a lot of time at the resort (a value) w/only CS to choose from and were unable to convert a TS credit to a CS meal...

the key phrase in your post is "SOMEWHERE IN WDW!"

just because some restaurants are at capacity w/no availability for the day, does not mean that *every* TS restaurant is unavailable and your credits could not be used... just not necessarily when/where you want them to be... so, instead of LeCellier you end up at Marakesh or Boatwrights... similar to how as an on-site guest at Christmas time you are guaranteed entry into *a* park, just not necessarily the park you would prefer!

I really will not need any "good luck" with any tactic since I have no intention of having to use a TS credit for a CS meal. As I said, I will make a plan and make appropriate ADR's, and if I am not able to make one for a specific restaurant for a specific time, big deal. We are very flexible and believe me, it would not be the end of the world if we were unable to eat at CRT or any other place for that matter. I have never had a problem in the past with making PS's, so I do not forsee a problem now that they are called ADR's. WDW is supposed to be customer oriented, and if a person became ill while there, I cannot imagine all of the CM's telling that family that it is simply too bad that they are not able to use a service (meal plan) that was paid for. Besides, others have stated that they were able to use a CS for a TS meal, so I suppose it may be granted on a case-by-case basis - it certainly wouldn't be a loss of money for WDW as the meal plan is paid in advance and a CS meal is less expensive than a TS meal. Enough said.

 

[gigi1313]

I really will not need any "good luck" with any tactic since I have no intention of having to use a TS credit for a CS meal. As I said, I will make a plan and make appropriate ADR's, and if I am not able to make one for a specific restaurant for a specific time, big deal. We are very flexible and believe me, it would not be the end of the world if we were unable to eat at CRT or any other place for that matter. I have never had a problem in the past with making PS's, so I do not forsee a problem now that they are called ADR's. WDW is supposed to be customer oriented, and if a person became ill while there, I cannot imagine all of the CM's telling that family that it is simply too bad that they are not able to use a service (meal plan) that was paid for. Besides, others have stated that they were able to use a CS for a TS meal, so I suppose it may be granted on a case-by-case basis - it certainly wouldn't be a loss of money for WDW as the meal plan is paid in advance and a CS meal is less expensive than a TS meal. Enough said.

if possible, could you provide a link as i would love to read a thread where a family was able to use a CS for a TS meal or vice versa... tia!

 

[Lewisc]

if possible, could you provide a link as i would love to read a thread where a family was able to use a CS for a TS meal or vice versa... tia!

You'd have to do a search. It was at least several weeks ago. It was the last day of their trip and they only had TS credit left and only had time to grab something from their resorts food court.

You might have trouble doing it earlier in your trip, Disney might not want to have guest complaining that a mistake was made and having to reverse it.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

I don't think it is hurting the servers, as those tables will ALWAYS be filled with walk-ins. The problem is people trying to make actual PS (oop, I mean AR's.) I think Disney should only allow two AR's a day at different times. I have found that they don't even care what else you reserved. I called and put a AR for LTT and only got 6:30pm. I called a week later and received 4:30, which is what I wanted. They didn't even question I had a 6:30pm and I had to tell them to cancel it. Really, if I wanted, I could have left both open for my advantage. I know they can pull the screens up with the ressies.

Anyway, I think you should have a credit card on file for every AR you make, if you don't cancel within 4hrs, you lose $5 a person - sorta like CRT's.

I just read up to your post and thought that I would add this, I know someone probably has said it already but... When you call for an AR, they don't pull up your information and see what you're already doing. At least the worldphiles don't. Simply, unless the CM searches for you specificaly before they do their booking of your AR, they have No clue that you have multiple ressies for dining. UNLIKE their hotel system, and that too has it's flaws. Your idea of limiting folks would be good, IF disney would put it into the archetecture of the AR computer syste, but I don't see that being done any time soon.

 

[samsmom05]

One other thing to consider is that sometimes families split up for dinners. This is happening to us for one night. My husband, mom and dad all LOVE seafood. Ever since I had the happy hormones of pregnancy I cannot even look at a can of tuna without turning green and needing the nearest air sick bag. So the three of them are going to a nice seafood restaurant while my daughter and I will spend some time just us at another place.

 

[strmtroopr96]

One other thing to consider is that sometimes families split up for dinners. This is happening to us for one night. My husband, mom and dad all LOVE seafood. Ever since I had the happy hormones of pregnancy I cannot even look at a can of tuna without turning green and needing the nearest air sick bag. So the three of them are going to a nice seafood restaurant while my daughter and I will spend some time just us at another place.

This is exactly what we are doing. LOL I am just hoping that none our ressies are canceled on us. That is my big concern because there are 5 of us going but on only one night are all 5 of us eating at the same TS (Hoop Dee Doo). Every other TS ressie, we are split up into 2 different configurations. Some nights, it's me + DH + DD and then Mom + Dad, other nights it will be me and DH and then Mom, Dad, + DD. My ressies are in my name and others are in my Mom's name but as far as I know they are all connected to the same WDW Reservation #.

9/24
--Our First Day Back!!

9/25
--Boma's (2 of us)
--Chef Mickey's (3 of us)

9/26
--Cape May Buffet (3 of us)
--50's Primetime (2 of us)

9/27
--LTT (2 of us)
--190 Park Fare (3 of us)

9/28
--Le Cellier (3 of us)
--PSB Dinner (2 of us)

9/29
--Hoop Dee Doo (5 of us)

9/30
--San Angel Inn (2 of us)
--LTT/MNSSHP (3 of us)

10/01
--Heading Home