Need *HELP* with Cindy's PS!!!!!!!

[invalid_char]

We had half our family follow the instructions for a Cindy's PS for May 5th and we did not succeed! We're really hoping we will succeed tomorrow but have a burning question.

When you get through, there is an option to immediately hit 1 to speak with someone OR you have the option of just waiting for a CM to pick up.

The instructions imply that there is no option 1. Are the instructions out of date? Can anyone who has recently succeeded tell us what they did-- hit 1 or just wait. We all hit 1 (but not immediately because we were not expecting that option). Should we hit 1 the second we know we've gotten through or should we just wait for someone to pick up.

I had heard that this was an extremely difficult ressie to get. I am trying to not get discouraged because this will be a life changing event for my 4 year old dd!!!!!

Thanks so much and wish us luck!

 

[MulanMom]

We called end of January for our CRT PS. At that time, there was an option to press 1. If you called this morning and heard that, then I think you need to press 1 tomorrow. Generally, what we have done is do a practice call at 6:30am EST or so to hear the spiel about being closed. When we begin the repeat calling at 6:55, we are able to recognize the closed message without listening to all of it. When we hear the message begin differently, then we know we are in.

BTW, when we called in January, we were not aware before our phone call that there was the 1 option. We pressed it as soon as we heard the option given. I think it went something like "if you are calling to make a PS other than at Victoria & Albert's, press 1".

Good luck! Hope you get the PS!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I had the exact same problem and posted the same question on the dining board last week! The first morning I just "stayed on the line" because I wasn't sure what to do and in my sleep fog rememberd reading "don't hit 1". I was on hold for about 10 minutes and of course didn't get a PS.

The next morning I hit 1 AS SOON as the I heard the voice to offer the choices (didn't even hear the 1st word, I had my finger on the 1 while listening to the introductory message). I was on hold for a few seconds and was answered at 7:00 on the dot. The CM told me I was the first call that was picked up. (DH says they tell that to everyone that gets through!) Of course alot depends on the luck of how your call gets placed in line but I definitely suggest hitting 1 immediately now that you know it is an option.

The funny thing is that when I interupted the CM and said Cindy's for 6 on XX date she started giving me time choices. I was thinking to myself "NO CHOICES!!! JUST GET ME A TABLE!!! I was really nervous and said "later is better" and she gave me MORE time choices! I quickly picked one and then she started "chatting" with me. I was going crazy, I was half asleep, trying to get an elusive PS and this lady wanted to socialize! I think she realized this because she finally said "Okay, I put a hold on that table as soon as you told me a time and so no one can take it so don't worry, you have a PS"! So I did relax and she was really sweet. And I have a PS for the day I want and a great time for us (I really did want a late morning time but wasn't going to ask!).

Good luck! Let us know if you get in.

 

[maciec]

You should ask this question on the Dining forum.....you'll get a ton of responses and there is a thread on tips.

 

[momx2]

I just did this all last week. Start calling 3 mins. til 7am eastern time. Because as I found out I was about 1 1/2 mins behind WDW. Hit 1 as soon as they pick up. After many attempts I finally got through on Sunday, after being on hold for about 3 mins. I knew once I was put on hold, I'd probably not gotten in, but the CM picked up quickly. Just blurt out "Cindy's breakfast, party of ____, date, and first available (time that is). Don't do chit chat until after you get the ressie. CM told me Sundays are your best bet on getting a ressie. This is my second and the first I actually got through on a Saturday. I've been told that's the 2nd best day to call. People don't like to get up at the crack of dawn on the weekends evidently. Good Luck!

 

[Ithastobe]

Started calling last week. I did not press 1, just after the Victoria and Alberts.... please hold, and went into the queue. Got up early Sat, had two phones going and after 5 minutes - sold out! I then asked her to check day before and BINGO, got party of 4. My husband got an op before I did, but they took my call first, so I think it is random. Blurt out Cindys, party of 4 on XX/XX/XX....Time is of NO importance.

Some people have multiple calling for some, get them, then end up cancelling - so it might pay to ask to check previous days,
Last year I had no success, so I called right before our plane took off and got them. People will be cancelling 24 hours before if for some reason the decide not to go too. Keep trying, it was the highlight of my 5 and 3 year old girls trip.

 

[nativetxn]

I'm going to move this thread to our restaurants board.

Good luck with getting that ressie.

 

[**Tinker*Bell*7**]

i wasted two mornings getting up before dawn to make the call for CRT ressies. phone was answered at 3 minutes till 7 (EST) & i was immediately put on hold for 10 minutes. of course no ressies. one CM was very rude too. she said that i needed to call earlier because they were booked by 7:02. i told her i called at 3 minutes till but anyway.....next day, same thing.....i was ready to give up but decided to try one more time. i got up and called on my cell phone & the regular phone. got through only to be told they were sold out. this CM was VERY NICE though. she asked me if there was a prior day that i would like for her to check. i told her may 4 & she said it was booked and i was just about to thank her when she said "WAIT! we just had a cancellation for a party of 2!!!" i got the ressie on the day i wanted! now my sis will have a great 29th birthday breakfast. she hasn't been to wdw since 1988 & has never been to CRT.

btw, i did the cell phone/house phone thing when i took my mom to wdw for christmas this year. it took 2 days to get the ressie & we didn't get the day we wanted but keep trying and take whatever you can get. it's definitely worth it. december was our first time to try CRT.

DON'T GIVE UP!! Here's some pixie dust...maybe your wish will come true!

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[jenanderson]

My DH and I read everything we could about getting the PS for Cindy's. The first day, we set out alarm clock early and did the following:

1. 6:45 am - dialed the number so all we would have to do is hit redial at the right time.

2. 6:55 am - begin to hit the redial button over and over. We agreed we would do this as long as it took to hear the message the lines were open.

3. 6:59 am - Heard the message and pressed "1" as soon as we heard the start of the message. DH was on the regular phone line and I was on the cell phone line (don't know if this made a difference but I had read on some sites that cell phones get through quicker).

4. 7:04 - Still on hold - beginning to feel very sad! A moment later, my line was picked up. I did interrupt the person and blurted out "Cindy's Table, April 14th, party of 4, any time". The guy who answered did not seem surprised at my rudeness. By the way, my husband still was holding on his line because our cell phone is known to cut out and he was afraid we would not complete the reservation. We were able to get a table for 4 at 8:20 am.

I have to say I was very amazed. This is peak season, spring break, and the first day we called. I am not sure what the key was to being successful. I want to say that it was because we did a lot of research, wrote out our request (so we would not forget what we had to say when they picked up), and had a plan of action. However, I do believe it is just luck and we were very fortunate to have a good experience. Don't give up. In all of my research, I read over and over again to keep calling back and asking for days that were previously booked. I do believe people end up changing their plans and a lot of people have booked extra PS's to be sure of getting one. Good luck!

 

[jfulcer]

I know it's not Cinderella's Castle, but our DD was just fine with having breakfast with the princesses in Norway with the breakfast they have there now. You could always try there.

 

[invalid_char]

... just wanted to let you guys know that we did get through the 2nd day we tried. We had 5 phones going at once! It certainly is imperative to hit 1 immediately; the instructions I had were definitely not right. I was so surprised we didn't get through the 1st day and I didn't get through the 2nd day; my dh did.

We are also going to try the princesses in Norway. Hopefully dd will thoroughly enjoy that experience... I'm not sure we're up for the castle every trip!

Thanks for your help and pixie dust.