phoning the hotels/resturants

[chaoscupcake]

Im sorry I feel like Im pestering people with questions and this is going to sound very 'english' but when phoning the hotels directly to request something before a visit or a resturant is it usually answered in english or should I be armed with 'parlez-vous anglais?'!

I ask because I am really bad on the phone (and with multi tasking, Im a rubbish girl ) so need to prep myself up before a phone call and Im worried about an email getting ignored.

also,what do you think the chances are of me being able to take food from breakfast back into the hotel room? we are staying at the santa fe and my son will not be able to cope with the hustle and bustle and smells of a buffet breakfast and I can imagine him not eating anything for most of the holiday..its bad enough with a packed lunch at school!!

thank you lovlies

 

[Isila]

I don't know if you can ask for a breakfast in your room in Santa Fe In HNY we had this option, but you have to pay extra for that.

 

[DLPdaft]

I don't speak French, I conduct all my telephone conversations with staff at DLP in English. I've phoned the Santa Fe before, and in my experience, if the staff member you are talking to has any problem understanding your English, they will pass you on to a good English speaker .

If you go to breakfast at the Santa Fe before 7.30am you won't have hustle and bustle, there will be plenty of available tables and room around the buffet items.

 

[chaoscupcake]

aaah thank you,phew, I really do panic on the phone!

Im hoping to still be asleep at 7.30 but I think Im going to be kidding myself I may just ask anyway, nothing ventured nothing gained and all that....my son has aspergers syndrome and will often literally gag when being around lots of people eating and if he has a meltdown about the noise its in everyones best interest for us to eat upstairs!!! Come to think about it there will be a lack of cooked food there Im guessing so it probably wont be that 'smelly' as opposed to trays of cooked food so we may get through it

 

[scottwb]

I phoned the Hotel New York last night. They answered in French, I answered with "Bonsoir, parlez-vous anglais s'il vows plait" and the receptionist immediately switched to English. I was then transferred to another person and that person answered in English. There have only ever been a few times when I spoken to a CM who doesn't speak English.

 

[tinks_1989]

We have taken/sneaked breakfast back to the room before I have sent DH to go get it and then we enjoy it in our room!

I guess it just depends how much food you are planning to try to take back to the room xxx

 

[jillrobinson]

I telephoned the Santa Fe this morning and although the CM initially answered in French, she switched to English when I replied.

I have at a previous stay at Santa Fe taken a few pain au chocolates back to the room, when I couldn't get the rest of the family up. We had been given a 7.00am slot and I didn't know that actually you could turn up later.

If you're planning on taking drinks or a lot more food out it wouldn't hurt to ask first.

Re: smells - the smell of garlic at the Cheyenne breakfast last visit made me want to gag and I like garlic! just not first thing in the morning.

 

[DLPDreams]

Are you ringing them solely about the breakfast situation? If yes then I would email them first - that way they hopefully are able to read it before you call them. I think you can explain better in an email about his aspergers perhaps.

I agree about you not going to breakfast if you think it will cause issues - for you more than anyone else. It sounds like he won't eat much anyway so a pain au chocolat or the likes isn't going to be a problem I'm sure! Gosh, people take food bags in and fill them for lunch from what I gather .

I too have phoned DLH before and also the dining reservations (which is in France) and I normally do start off 'parlez vous francais sil vous plait' but they immediately go over to English or pass you on to someone who is fairly fluent. Most CMs speak a few languages. In fact the only time I've had a problem with pigeon english speakers is at the restaurants - Auberge de Cendrillon and Cafe Mickey. I do speak a little french though so can get by

Hope you get sorted out - it will be one less thing for you to worry about

I have no idea about these things but have you been in touch to see if you can get a disability badge type thing for your DS while there? It might be a boon for you as I believe you don't have to queue as much for things - he might find queuing difficult if there are a lot of people in a fairly confined space? Just a thought - I'm sure there is a sticky about disabilities etc on the forum. Hope you don't take offence at the suggestion, but anything to make your trip a bit easier and magical for you all .

 

[greenkai3000]

I have a question regarding phone reservations. Is it really better to call, or should we book through the website instead. Do you get better deals either way?

Soon to be time DLP visitor here, as you can imagine

 

[chaoscupcake]

@DLPDreams... we have got a letter from our doctor explaining my sons condition, he is registered disabled and has a yellow card but thought it would be better to be on the safe side..the letter cost me £25 mind you He is very good at waiting but youre right, its the close proximity of other people in queues that gives him problems.

Somone told me that there are different coloured easy access cards depending on the disabilty but I don't know how true that is? Most people don't even realise my son has any issues until he is around other children or having a 'moment' so we always take reports and DLA letters with us!

@greenkai3000...I worry my email will be missed!

 

[DLPDreams]

Glad you are covering all angles. I would definitely email Guest Communications (I've always found them good) and outline the situation - you can often do it better when writing it down. You can always follow up with a phonecall a few days later.

I'm sure with a little planning in advance you will all have a fab time

Hope you get some peace of mind and some success with it all.

PS - did you a do a search on here for disabled access/passes etc? I'm sure there is a sticky on it