Ot Need To Vent 1st Bump in the Road What Do I Do?

[Traveliz]

Here is what I would do - keep trying keep trying keep trying.

If you don't succeed have the child with you but the adults as well and try to add her at check in - it may very well be possible. The computer software the reservationists use does not take into account the way the restaurant actually seats people and they can often add one person. I have found the actual CMs at the restaurants to go with the flow as much as possible.

Don't let the little one know if possible what is up - that way if its a no go she can go on to do something with her family and if it will work out then what a great treat for her.

Good luck
Liz

 

[kwilliamsrn]

Thanks Liz

That is what we are planning to do thank god she is only 2 1/2. It was just a vent session and everyone had great Ideas if it is a nogo.

just keeping my fingers crossed and looking foward to a magical time.

 

[lisadr]

never said anything about my money being better then anyone elses just stating frustration. I did follow all the rules to the T and made my reservations exactly when I was supposed to I am not saying i want anyone else to suffer the point being no one knows where they are sitting. Point being is that right next to me may be a 5 top table with 4 people sitting there and I may be at a 4 top table just swith the table no one looses thier ressies because of me. Seriously who would even think about doing that to anyone.

The reason I got the ressie in the first place is because I was up at the crack of dawn in the morning watching the world clock and dialing the phone at 10 seconds to seven like I was supposed to. I am not trying to be play all high and mighty, but alittle understanding would be nice. More looking for some options without haveing to rearrnge the whole trip.

But what I am trying to tell you is the CMs at the ressie center can't see that. That see a screen with time and table size slots and they fill them-theycannot see who is at what table. They do not have table numbers-only size.

IE: For 7 pm we have (12) 4 tops, (8) 6 tops and (4) 10 tops available-NOT table #31 (4 tops) is open. Do you see what I am saying?

I understand you need to vent and are looking for suggestions. I understand you played by the rules and put a lot of work into planning. But all the PP have given you great suggestions. It is not Disney's fault and they will not help you on this. And again most of all-this is your SIL problem-not yours. You have you kids taken care of and if it comes down to it- that's who really the only people you need worry about.

I am not trying to flame you or fight-but you are so worked up you are not seeing the logic of what is being said to you.

 

[livndisney]

never said anything about my money being better then anyone elses just stating frustration. I did follow all the rules to the T and made my reservations exactly when I was supposed to I am not saying i want anyone else to suffer the point being no one knows where they are sitting. Point being is that right next to me may be a 5 top table with 4 people sitting there and I may be at a 4 top table just swith the table no one looses thier ressies because of me. Seriously who would even think about doing that to anyone.

The reason I got the ressie in the first place is because I was up at the crack of dawn in the morning watching the world clock and dialing the phone at 10 seconds to seven like I was supposed to. I am not trying to be play all high and mighty, but alittle understanding would be nice. More looking for some options without haveing to rearrnge the whole trip.

But so was everyone else. The majority of people who actually GET CRT are on the phone at 7. A lot of other people followed the rules and got a table. Even more people followed the rules and did not get a table. Your issue is not with Disney. They have the ressies you made. At this point you want the impossible and that is to add someone to an already full room. Your position is you don't want your party of 4 to be seated at a table for 5 after being told you could not add a person. But what you need to understand is the room configuration has little flexability. If there are 100 seats, there are ressies for 100 bodies. Someone "may" cancel. But they may not.

As far as suggestions, I think several wonderful ones have been given.

 

[zoemurr]

Here is what I would do - keep trying keep trying keep trying.

If you don't succeed have the child with you but the adults as well and try to add her at check in - it may very well be possible. The computer software the reservationists use does not take into account the way the restaurant actually seats people and they can often add one person. I have found the actual CMs at the restaurants to go with the flow as much as possible.

Don't let the little one know if possible what is up - that way if its a no go she can go on to do something with her family and if it will work out then what a great treat for her.

Definitely try this. 2x now my mom (who lives locally) has decided at the last minute to join us at CM for dinner. When we got to the podium I just explained, "my mom is local and was hoping she could join us?" Both times it was not a problem. If your DN stands aside (clueless..) and you ask nicely I think you may have a very good chance. Good luck!

 

[hoosiergirl7]

I'm sorry that you feel this way, but it is really not Disney's fault. These reservations, especially CRT, must be made as far in advance as possible. Why should they let your group in and not others?

I'm not trying to tick off the OP but this poster got it right. I could easily say that IMO Chef Mickey's and CRT are the 2 hardest restaurants to get ressies for. I've tried booking 90+ days out for Chef Mickey's for breakfast without luck. We usually are not the type that plans our vacations a yr in advance. Usually we decide 4-5 months before.

I agree with the other posters who have said that you need to just call them every day to see if either place gets a cancellation. You really can't blame Disney on this. They have so many people visiting at once and only so many tables in each restaurant. There are plenty of other great places to have character meals at if you really want to include the rest of the family. Do the CRT thing on your own and that will be a very magical treat with just mommy & daddy.

And yes I will pipe in as well that waiting on the phone with Disney can be rather annoying. We got a 40% off room code and I called today to get it applied and was on the phone for more than 20 minutes - most of it on hold and it didn't give me a big warm fuzzy feeling. But in the end it was all taken care of and I'm happy.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I know you cancelled Akershus because your friends didn't like it, but its definitely worth giving it a chance. Just because your friends didn't like it, doesn't mean you wont. My girls loved it and when we asked them which they wanted to do this time, they couldn't choose one over the over.

 

[jack hannah bananah]

Don't give up hope yet. I would keep calling. Many people booked CRT just because it was one of the only restaurants they could book 180 days out. I am sure people will be canceling as they fine tune their reservations.

If you don't get in over the phone, I would go to the meal with the extras - and at least hope you can bring your niece in. If she can't get in, I am sure she will be OK - she is only 2. Have them try to make reservations at Crystal Palace with WInnie the Pooh or tell them to go over to Cosmic Rays - as soon as she sees that big fuzzy alien singing she will forget about the castle.
And as soon as your girls sees the princesses, they will forget about their cousin

Good Luck!

I understand your frustration with WDW, we have all been there at one time or another. But they have their policies and -- they are what they are. The computer system really limits them. Sometimes things are better done in person. ---
And if you can't complain a little here - where can you complain. You can't complain to your friends - you're going to Disney for heavens sake

 

[crisi]

I'm not trying to tick of the OP but this poster got it right. I could easily say that IMO Chef Mickey's and CRT are the 2 hardest restaurants to get ressies for. I've tried booking 90+ days out for Chef Mickey's for breakfast without luck. We usually are not the type that plans our vacations a yr in advance. Usually we decide 4-5 months before.

And this happens constantly at Disney - you think its a rare thing, but the "extra guest(s)" is a constant problem. From threads here, it seems like Grandma and Grandpa who decide to surprise you by coming along is a terribly common occurrence, and a sister who listening to you talk about your vacation and decides to join you happens every day - and with the numbers of guests at Disney, it probably happens to the waitstaff more than every day.

If you show up at the podium (probably without telling the kids and with the kids somewhere else), the restaurant staff MIGHT be able to work something out. Or they might not, which is why you might want to make sure the kids that won't be joining you for dinner are in the gift shop when you ask. But Disney Dining cannot make extra seats appear in their system - Tinkerbelle's magic isn't that strong - only the restaurant itself has any flexibility in doing things like making chairs appear, or figuring out what the no-show rate is going to be for the night.

 

[tlens]

Everyone spends a small fortune at Disney, it's not a cheap trip. That doesn't entitle you to get whatever your heart desires. We dropped over 6K on oour last trip but that didn't guarantee me anything more than the guy staying 2 nights at ASM. That's the way it works at Disney. I'm ok with that. The guy at ASM should have a great trip too.

Now, regarding the CRT, if it's Cinderella that the girls want to see, make a new reservation including the additions and take them to 1900 Park Faire for the dinner. We saw the Step mother, Anastasia, Drizella, The godmother, Cinderella and Prince CHarming. It's much cheaper than the castle and the food is better.

 

[auntpoly]

I understand how frustrated you are. If the restaurant is full that is one thing but I am always annoyed when they make you cancel the reservation and make a new one if you want to add a person. This is NOT like other restaurants, none that I know of. If you want to add people at normal restaurants, you can call and your reservation can be adjusted if there is room to do that.

So you have a party of 3 (and this has happened to us), a normal restaurant would just see that another person could be added to that table. At WDW, you have to give up that reservation and make a brand new one. In the process, if you have a really high demand reservation you could lose everything in the process.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

I am so pissed off, and them on top of it when I finally gave up trying I said " just put me through to your survey system and let me off the phone" so the CM put me through to a supervisor ( on hold for 5 mins) and she had the nerve to ask me what is my issue. Well I lost it and Said" I have been on hold forever so don;t try and play dumb like you don't know my problem. I didn't ask for a supervisor, but I you can help me fine." She said no! I proceeded to rant and rave that this is supposed to be the year of what you will celabrate and I can't even celabrate my girls birthdays after spending close to ten thousand dollars total for all of this.

Please Help does anyone have any suggestions?

Are you for real? I doubt the supervisor knew your issue, she was probably in another location. Ranting and raving will get you nowhere.

Why can't you celebrate your girls birthdays? Go to CRT, enjoy. Let the other little girl go off with her parents in the park if it does not work out. She is only 2, she will never know. Her parents should plan ahead as you did. Perhaps they can get a table for 3 if it opens up. It surely is not Disney's fault that your plans changed. MANY people have birthdays at Disney every day, probably even more this year.

 

[dougsmom98]

Keep calling. There may be a cancellation. I am sorry that it isn't working out for you.

 

[RMulieri]

Ok so we have planned this nice family vacation for the four of us for our 2 DD's B-day, planned for a year and made all of our dinning ressies 6 mos in advance, never mind the fact tat we are spending a fortune even with the discount.
DMIL and DSIL with her DD 2 1/2 surprised us and will be coming for a few days when we will be celebrating. So I called to add the three of them on to the birthday dinner at CM's and was told it can't be done. And they won't let me bring my niece into CRT to sit on my lap on that same day. Now what do I do they are making this trip for my girls and I can not include them. I spent over an hour on the phone with Disney and all they would say was sorry.

I am so pissed off, and them on top of it when I finally gave up trying I said " just put me through to your survey system and let me off the phone" so the CM put me through to a supervisor ( on hold for 5 mins) and she had the nerve to ask me what is my issue. Well I lost it and Said" I have been on hold forever so don;t try and play dumb like you don't know my problem. I didn't ask for a supervisor, but I you can help me fine." She said no! I proceeded to rant and rave that this is supposed to be the year of what you will celabrate and I can't even celabrate my girls birthdays after spending close to ten thousand dollars total for all of this.

Please Help does anyone have any suggestions?

I am sorry you are so upset...But this is really nothing new.This is always the issue with the more popular dining venues.SOmetimes they have been able to accomodate ,sometimes not. At disney dining EVERY person including infants count toward table numbers/count.There are restairants that are so popular that if they accomodated everyone no one would ever get in.Everyone pays alot of money at disney,not just you ,it does not entitle you to anything, and yelling at a supervisor who probably had no idea what was going on isn't going to score you any points either.I understand it is a special day for your dd but everyday at disney somebody is celebrating a bday,wedding,new baby,anniversay or something.Disney does what it can, they can't make space if there is none.

 

[Principessa1284]

Well, I'm going to hold my tongue more than I'd like to right now as I understand that you're frustrated and venting. But I will warn you not to yell at the CMs over the phone. The angrier you get with them, the less they are going to be willing to help you. And yes, from what you've said, everything that they've told you sounds like the truth. Just to add, when you're transfered to a supervisor, they are always going to ask from your own lips what the problem is. They CM that transfers them is going to give a summation, but to save time they usually leave out any details and let you tell them yourself to save on time. Quite frankly if you were yelling at them, they may have tuned out at some point. It's difficult to help someone who won't let you help them.

That said, I would call back everyday, a few times a day. There are constant cancelations. Also get to the podium early, explain your issue and ask if it would be possible to acommodate. There have been times when I had a res for 4 and it ended up just being 2, so they seated us at a 2-top and then had another 4-top freed up for walk-ups or a larger than expected party. I've also had it happen where there honestly wasn't anything they could do to help us when I had only 1 or 2 extra people.

So really, please be patient with all CMs and MOST IMPORTANTLY yourself! You're not a miracle worker and you can't expect everything on this trip to go perfectly. Just try to relax and enjoy the trip with your family and I'll bet you have a fantastic time!

 

[wilderness01]

Well, I'm going to hold my tongue more than I'd like to right now as I understand that you're frustrated and venting. But I will warn you not to yell at the CMs over the phone. The angrier you get with them, the less they are going to be willing to help you. And yes, from what you've said, everything that they've told you sounds like the truth. Just to add, when you're transfered to a supervisor, they are always going to ask from your own lips what the problem is. They CM that transfers them is going to give a summation, but to save time they usually leave out any details and let you tell them yourself to save on time. Quite frankly if you were yelling at them, they may have tuned out at some point. It's difficult to help someone who won't let you help them.

That said, I would call back everyday, a few times a day. There are constant cancelations. Also get to the podium early, explain your issue and ask if it would be possible to acommodate. There have been times when I had a res for 4 and it ended up just being 2, so they seated us at a 2-top and then had another 4-top freed up for walk-ups or a larger than expected party. I've also had it happen where there honestly wasn't anything they could do to help us when I had only 1 or 2 extra people.

So really, please be patient with all CMs and MOST IMPORTANTLY yourself! You're not a miracle worker and you can't expect everything on this trip to go perfectly. Just try to relax and enjoy the trip with your family and I'll bet you have a fantastic time!

Nice post.

 

[arielmomma]

I am sorry that you had such a frustrating experience. You mentioned above that you were told that Akershus wasn't worth it, but by kids absolutely love it. And if they prefer Cinderella, why not 1900 park fare. Or else have the other family try to get into 1900 park fare while you dine in the castle and them meet up for the BBB. A 21/2 year old will only know that she is getting to meet with a princess. Or maybe try to plan a meal together at Akershus the next day and have the girls come still dressed as princesses. I imagine that the 21/2 year old would be happy with whatever princess she met, I know that my 2 year old is.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

For CM try getting a separate ARD for the remainder of the family (better yet let them do it!) around thesame time as yours. I think it is often easier to get smaller parties in than larger parties...and more likely for a smaller party to cancel than a larger one. Then they could just come to your table for a sec to blow out the candles and get a piece of cake. Not to get your hopes up, but MAYBE they could even put you to tables in the same section. The CMs were very nice when we were there...I noticed several resturants go out of their way to accommodate parties...and even some families willing to change tables (like from a 5 to 4 with only 4 people) when seated at the same time.

 

[dementia412]

Did you thought about leaving your dh out and letting the kid take his place?

 

[kwilliamsrn]

thank you that is why I decided to post here because my priends who did not like askerhouse were there during faye and had the whole park to themselves pretty much, so they really don't want to here my little problems plus we were able to stay at poly from CR so they really don't want to hear it they stayed at ASM, yet they loved it but they have always wanted to stay at poly. I am only looking for suggestions and got some great ones here I have had time to think and am getting over the mood, back to yippee we are going to disney and who cares what happens. Was just looking to vent yet got yelled at some more. It prob. would not have been so bad if I would have spoken to a nicer CM on the phone.

Don't give up hope yet. I would keep calling. Many people booked CRT just because it was one of the only restaurants they could book 180 days out. I am sure people will be canceling as they fine tune their reservations.

If you don't get in over the phone, I would go to the meal with the extras - and at least hope you can bring your niece in. If she can't get in, I am sure she will be OK - she is only 2. Have them try to make reservations at Crystal Palace with WInnie the Pooh or tell them to go over to Cosmic Rays - as soon as she sees that big fuzzy alien singing she will forget about the castle.
And as soon as your girls sees the princesses, they will forget about their cousin

Good Luck!

I understand your frustration with WDW, we have all been there at one time or another. But they have their policies and -- they are what they are. The computer system really limits them. Sometimes things are better done in person. ---
And if you can't complain a little here - where can you complain. You can't complain to your friends - you're going to Disney for heavens sake