NEW Dining Rules

[InstImpres]

I just spoke with Bambi at WDW travel who is aware of this change and was reading off of a paper she just received to me. She is unsure "why we are all upset"

50% of the restaurant capacity will be open to "package guests" at 180 days. 50% of capacity will be released at 90 days. Per Bambi, "our chances are still as good as ever to get a PS". I guess her math skills need some work, in my mind it is as if there is only half the chance.

I am waitig for the supervisor to express my displeasure and be routed to someone who may be able to take our calls and e-mails.

UPDATE>>>>>
I just spoke with Ricardo, one of the WDW Travel supervisors. Not surprisingly the info above is INCORRECT. He read me an except from his e-mail stating

"occassionally, when available some additional PS times will be released at 90 days to the general public"

I again expressed my displeasure as an AP holder, stock holder and DVC owner to be treated with so little courtesy,

I was given wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com as the address we should all write to voice our displeasure. He said he understood our concern and to definetly write as they have been know to over turn rules like this before.



I'll keep you posted
Sandy

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by DebbieB
It will be really sad if DVC members are treated the same as off-site guests.

Just to clarify if I read correctly, only people who pay the premium for a 'package' will get this perk. As mentioned through the various posts, anyone (including someone who books a GF room) outside of the package system is going to be stuck with 90 days assuming this whole thread proves to be true. In this case DVCers might be treated like everyone else who doesn't want to contribute to the Ei$ner executive bonus fund.

Fortunately for us, eating isn't a major feature of our trips to Disney...Cindy's Breakfast will still be next to impossible to reserve and Philly has much better restaurants anyway.

-Joe

 

[Scottwdw]

Originally posted by InstImpres
I just spoke with Bambi at WDW travel who is aware of this change and was reading off of a paper she just received to me. She is unsure "why we are all upset"

50% of the restaurant capacity will be open to "package guests" at 180 days. 50% of capacity will be released at 90 days. Per Bambi, "our chances are still as good as ever to get a PS". I guess her math skills need some work, in my mind it is as if there is only half the chance.

I am waitig for the supervisor to express my displeasure and be routed to someone who may be able to take our calls and e-mails.

I'll keep you posted
Sandy

Whoa! First time this has popped up. So, 50% of the restaurants will be available for a select group at 180 days and what ever is left over is held for FL residents, AP Passholders, DVC owners, non-packaged resort guests and all off-site guests. Hey, sounds fair to me!

 

[jennymouse]

I sent a letter to MS too:

Dear Membership Services,

I want to express my disappointment upon hearing the news that Disney will be starting this new dining policy where guests staying on site through a package deal will get first priority seating privilages. I feel that this is a slap in the face to those of us who have made such long term commitments to Disney. I hope that DVC will go to bat for us members. Dining at the nicer sit down restaurants in "the world" is a major part of my vacation experience and this new policy has the potential to make it impossible to get priority seating.

On the up side, I just took my first DVC vacation to Boardwalk Villas in June and the bus transportation from the Epcot resort area was so horrible that it's made me decide to rent a car when I go "home" again. So, at least I'll have transportation to off site restaurants as well. Heck, I might even check out Universal Studios & IOA while I'm out there. Not exactly how I imagined my DVC vacations a few short months ago when I joined.

Also, I just sold my Lexington, KY home (closing is today) and have the cash in my pocket for another DVC contract. I was seriously thinking about Saratoga Springs or maybe an add on at BCV, but with this news, I think I'll take my money and spend it elsewhere.


Not that it'll do any good, but hey!

 

[reneesam]

I wrote a letter too (my first ever complaint to WDW or DVC!)

We ALWAYS use PS. This is a big step in the wrong direction.

Renee

 

[disney4me4ever]

There should be a call to arms here! We are relatively new BCV owners (2002) with our first trip home in March. Since then, we've done 2 add ons and I will be taking the second trip home this year in Sept. From what I read on the boards, many DVCers make 2 or more trips home each year. Each time we vacation at the World, we are spending significant amounts of ca$h dining out. Because most DVC members are also Disney nuts, I would guess our average spending per trip is also significantly higher than the average vacationer.

It is really frustrating to realize how little Disney values the DVC membership. This lack of insight into their best customers is amazing! Such a stupid thing to exclude DVC from this PS change. This could have been a perk that costs Disney NOTHING, but a smart PR move. Hopefully this issue will be raised in any future Focus Group meetings.

Obviously I plan to follow up by sending an email.

Always amazed when people can't see the forest through the trees!
Nancy (shaking her head)

 

[timC]

So when am I supposed to book my Thanksgiving dinner at LTT? This is probably the only meal each year that I worry about.

I understand what WDW is trying to accomplish. I don't agree with it, but I understand it.

I hope they include us in the new terms. I think I'll wait for the official notice before I react.

 

[DemoBri1]

I just fired off an e-mail to the guest relations e-mail address expressing my extreme displeasure if DVC and/or AP holders will have to wait for PS until 90 days out.

We'll see what happens as I am certain they are getting bombarded from all angles on this one.

 

[PamOKW]

Wow. This rumor sure has taken on a life it's own!

If the change is as has been stated, I am also less than thrilled. However, I think we need to see the actual policy and know for sure whether or not DVC has been given any consideration before we get too upset.

There is a lot we are waiting to hear from DVC about -- SSR and now this. I sure hope they get some communication out quickly.

This goes to show why Disney/DVC has lost a lot of their flexibility in dealing with individual issues. Anything that they do, or are rumored to be doing, goes on the Web and is broadcast to the world. It ties their hands from deviating from policy.

 

[TNMomof3]

I just sent my e-mail. We've been to WDW 4 times in the past 13 months, and never been booked thru WDTC on a package, although we've stayed on-site each time.

We are also really big into planning our PS, and have started doing so at 120 days out for each trip.

This next trip is with a friend, and staying thru SoG. Doesn't look like they'll be eligible either. Darn, and we were at 127 days out. Just about ready to start booking.

I really feel like if everyone voices their displeasure with this policy, that it can make a difference.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I just spoke with Carol Anne at MS. She stated that they just (within the last 20 minutes or so) received a very vague e-mail stating that "Dining would be changing their reservation policies in the near future", and that details and information will follow on how this will affect DVC members, if at all. She said that she wouldn't get worried about it until we hear what the plain is and that "Disney knows how important and what a large group DVCers are, and wouldn't want to dissappoint us"

So... I'm off to write an e-mail to the "powers that be", so that I can add my feelings on this issue to the rest of yours. We were planning on adding on another 100 points this week, before SSR starts selling, but I think we're just going to wait and see how this unfolds first...

 

[JVL1018]

If they do not give DVC memebers the same 180 day window..I am just so disgusted, I can't even tell you!
I wrote to WDW and MS:

-----------------------------------------
I have just read the following:


"IMPORTANT CHANGES to the Priority Seating Policy!! Beginning August 4, the booking window for most WDW dining locations will be 180 days out for guests with a paid deposit on a Walt Disney Travel Company package and 90 days out for all other guests. The only exceptions to this will be specialized dining locations such as dinner shows, Lunch With a Disney Artist, Bistro de Paris, and Victoria & Alberts. A valid WDW Travel Company package booking number (with paid deposit) will be required when calling for a Priority Seating for more than 90 days out."


_______________________________________

Please tell me that people who buy packages are not going to get perks that are not afforded to DVC members. We have no opportunity to buy a package, as we have paid, in advance, for our vacations until 2042.
I would hate to think that Disney is using that to their advantage by disregarding the wishes of all of us who deserve better.
Please tell me that we as DVC members are not getting the short end of the stick because we have chosen to be the most loyal "guests" Walt Disney World has.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by PamOKW
Wow. This rumor sure has taken on a life it's own!

I too was concerned it was rumor. If you call 407-WDISNEY and ask for WDW Travel, they will give you the details (which do not include DVC). The supervisor I spoke to said they were just issued this morning and mny branches of Disney were not yet advised.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

THANKSGIVING PS ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TOMORROW 7/30!!!!!!!

For those of you concerned what this does to your Thanksgiving dinner, it should not affect it. The new policy does not go into effect until 8/4, and the 120th day for Thanksgiving is tomorrow. BUT, when I called last week for dinner on another night during my stay, the CM wasn't sure if they were going to ask that Thanksgiving PS be made closer to the date because of the special menu. She told me to call on 7/30 anyway. So I am calling tomorrow.

Others concerned about Cinderella, I am assuming that because she has her own special 60 day window, I don't think they will change that. So everyone will have the same fair shot at getting Cindy.

I am upset by this also, why would they all of a sudden decide to pull something like this? I thought Disney was suffering in this recession, I guess they are not too concerned about losing a few THOUSAND dinner guests.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Originally posted by Disney1fan2002
For those of you concerned what this does to your Thanksgiving dinner, it should not affect it. The new policy does not go into effect until 8/4, and the 120th day for Thanksgiving is tomorrow.

It won't make a difference for those that want reservations for a meal at a resort or at Epcot, but reservations for MK and MGM restaurants aren't made until 60 days out right now. If the policy changes, those who have booked a reservation through WTC will have an almost 60 day advantage for Thanksgiving reservations, and it will also affect Christmas reservations. I wouldn't be surprised if holiday meals were put in a different category though.

Originally posted by Disney1fan2002
I am upset by this also, why would they all of a sudden decide to pull something like this? I thought Disney was suffering in this recession, I guess they are not too concerned about losing a few THOUSAND dinner guests.

Didn't you hear? They took a survey, and their listening to what we want. They have the numbers to prove that we're excited about this... really!!

 

[Muushka]

I feel for all of you. I hope that Disney does recognize the loyalty of (most) DVC members and includes us in with the 'package people'. We eat very few meals while there, and rarely make reservations more than a few hours in advance.

Except for the Candelignt Processional. I wonder how they will handle that?

 

[bbowers]

Here's what I e-mailed in:

"I have to add my two cents to the roar I'm sure you're hearing over your new priority seating policy. We just purchased into the Disney Vacation Club this April, and like many others who have decided to make WDW our "home away from home", dining out at the wonderful Disney restaurants is a MAJOR part of our vacation plans.

I am also a very "advance planner" who luckily just made my 120 day reservations last week for our November trip. I had no problems at all, but several of our choices are rather popular places, and with the other events we have scheduled (Dolphin Experience, Keys to the Kingdom tour, Sunrise Safari), we are rather limited in our timing of our PS's, and I wonder if I had had to wait until 90 days out whether my experience would have been so pleasant.

I just have to wonder what the reasoning is behind this change. Why are the WDTC clients considered more "valuable" than those of us who own a piece of the magic? Or, anyone else who is forking over the extra dollars to stay on-site, for that matter? Anyone who stays on Disney property does so because we want to experience ALL of the magic - which, of course, include Cinderella's Royal Table, Ohana's, Le Cellier, etc, etc. Those of us who do not use the services of WDTC do not love Walt Disney World any less, and should not be treated as though we do.

Please reconsider your policy!"

 

[zulaya]

bblowers - that was a well put letter and I hope it is listened to.

 

[sgtpet]

Hey this would be unreal if they do not give us greatest priority. We are the ones that have made a huge upfront commitment to this company and tourist attraction. It is one thing to raise points outside the DVC locations but this one really gets me. I have sent several e-mails today to Disney management and MS. This might make me sell.

I would love to explain to my daughter and son as they get older that we can't get a character breakfast because we didn't book a package.

It is truly unbelievable if this is true.

 

[Bozza]

My two-penneth...

I am a Disney fanatic from England who, this very evening, has spent a considerable amount of time on a telephone call to the US discussing a DVC purchase.

The purchase would be a sizable commitment for my family, but with a baby daughter, the thought of buying our Disney holidays in advance, for many years to come, is most appealing.

However, I have just been stunned to read about proposed changes to the Priority Seating arrangements at Walt Disney World. If my understanding is correct, as a DVC member I would be ranked BEHIND those with a WDTC package reservation. Such people would be able to make Priority Seating arrangements a whole 90 days before DVC members who would have to join a scrum with many others seeking to secure a meal at one of the excellent Disney restaurants.

Can you please confirm or deny this for me, as it is pivotal in my decision to make a DVC purchase. I sincerely hope you are not treating DVC members as I have interpreted.