ROFL! Email from Disney

[Colleen27]

We will be checking into the Wilderness Lodge in 29 days. Today, I got what might be the funniest e-mail I've ever received. It came from Disney Vacations, with the subject line "Now is the time to plan your dining" and recommendations for uber-popular character meals like CRT and Chef Mickey's. It might have been a helpful reminder, had it not come 150 days *after* I made all my ADRs!

 

[sandym718]

That's funny! And we wonder why people who don't research on their own (books, the Dis) are clueless about ADR's!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Disney kind of made a boo boo. Long before I ever knew about this board, I knew about ADRs. The CMs used to always inform you about booking in advance...especially for the popular locations.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

That's funny! And we wonder why people who don't research on their own (books, the Dis) are clueless about ADR's!

Clueless? No.
Just able to travel to WDW several times a year (often spur of the moment).

Penalized? Yes...but those of us who are tired of what the DDP has done to TS are finally making strides with the letter & email writing.
Getting rid of adult appetizers for 2008 is hopefully just the start!!!!!

 

[sandym718]

OK, well that's totally not what I mean at all. I meant that many times on these boards you see "well everyone knows you need to make ADR's/knows about 180 days", etc. and this email made the point, that NO not Everyone knows about ADR's. That Disney itself does not make that abundantly clear and without outside research you very well Could be unaware! That obviously doesn't apply to you because you are here at the Dis and because you travel to Disney often. I'm not sure why you thought I meant it that way as I specifically said those who don't research/aren't aware which is the case for many people - not that they choose not to do ADR's.

The whole "penalized" thing is another discussion in itself that's been done several times and doesn't belong on this thread.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Clueless? No.
Just able to travel to WDW several times a year (often spur of the moment).

Penalized? Yes...but those of us who are tired of what the DDP has done to TS are finally making strides with the letter & email writing.
Getting rid of adult appetizers for 2008 is hopefully just the start!!!!!

Bitter are we??

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Bitter are we??

No more than your sarcastic.....

 

[hill6]

Must be a generic email they sent. I got one today. We arrive on Wednesday.

 

[dansamy]

No more than your sarcastic.....

you're

 

[raven69david]

Wanna hear something funnier? Two days after we got back from our trip last week, we received a postcard in the mail reminding us of our "upcoming" trip to Disney World. They sent a card that has packing/travel tips. That would have been great if we had received the card BEFORE we had already RETURNED from our trip.

 

[Allison]

I got the same thing a few weeks ago and we are going over Christmas week. I thought it was really funny. Can you imagine if I was trying to make ADR's for Christmas then?

 

[momof3girls6712]

I can say no not everyone knows about ADRs. This Jan will be my 3rd time planning Disney trips for our family and I just discovered (by these boards) how ADRs work. I knew to make ressies for character meals, but had no clue that you could at any TS. We should have a much better trip this time. We won't be hungry waiting 2 hours for a table to open.

 

[Puncek]

Penalized? Yes...but those of us who are tired of what the DDP has done to TS are finally making strides with the letter & email writing.

I agree - I am also tired of what the DDP has done to the TS locations around the parks. I miss the time (one 3-5 years ago) when I could make a reservation as I was walking TO the restaurant. It sucks that you call 179 days in advance and 10/12 places you want are already booked.

 

[Battousai]

This reminds me of one guest the other day who had a party of 18 and wanted Coral Reef, Chef Mickey's, Le Cellier and Cinderella's... and she was arriving 12/23 and staying until 12/28.

Needless to say, she was stunned when none were available.

Heck, she should be lucky I got her into Crystal Palace and WCC at reasonable times. Nevertheless, she certainly gave me an earful for not having anything available, but it's not my fault. Please don't chew out the CM! LOL

 

[dbk1029]

More & more people are now travelling to WDW. Disney is making it more affordable for families to come to WDW. The restaurants would still be booked even without the DDP. When will the "DDP Haters" realize that?

I use the DDP. Why? Because I like the fact that the majority of my meals are paid for before I get to WDW. It is one less thing I have to worry about. Would I still eat at the places I do (CRT, CM, LTT) without the DDP? I sure would. I have in the past as a matter of fact.

I get the impression when I hear people bashing the DDP it is always the people with no cash problems in their lives and resent that mere "peasants" are coming into "their" vacation spot and ruining it. That may not truly be the case but that is the impression I get.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

More & more people are now travelling to WDW. Disney is making it more affordable for families to come to WDW. The restaurants would still be booked even without the DDP. When will the "DDP Haters" realize that?

I use the DDP. Why? Because I like the fact that the majority of my meals are paid for before I get to WDW. It is one less thing I have to worry about. Would I still eat at the places I do (CRT, CM, LTT) without the DDP? I sure would. I have in the past as a matter of fact.

I get the impression when I hear people bashing the DDP it is always the people with no cash problems in their lives and resent that mere "peasants" are coming into "their" vacation spot and ruining it. That may not truly be the case but that is the impression I get.

First of all, Hi Neighbor - we're in Langhorne! I have to say I agree with your post. And the one particular poster who shall not be named is ALWAYS on a rant about the DDP. I'm sure most of you know who I'm talking about. Anyway, we peasants will be on the DDP as well and will be enjoying every minute of it.

 

[sandym718]

Yes, we will, LOL!!

But all these DDP haters/people who think it's ridiculous that you can't decide where you want to eat at the last minute - I have a question for you. Do you ever go to concerts- popular ones? If so, do you get PO'd that you can't just walk up and buy tickets that day or call earlier that morning for them? Sometimes those sell out months in advance - you either decide you want to go and buy them early (in this case, actually spend the $$ then too) or you wait to decide and then miss out on tickets. To me it's the same thing, and there are other things that work this way in the world. I don't see why people get so upset about it. You know that's the way Disney works right now, so if you Choose to plan a last-minute trip or not make ADR's or whatever, then you're choosing to deal with the consequences. I just don't get it! I also think some should feel grateful that they are IN the position to be able to make last-minute, multiple trips to Disney each year as others have posted. I'm grateful that we're able to go just once every couple years and if we would miss out on an ADR, well it sure wouldn't ruin my trip or even disappoint me for longer than a few minutes. I'm a planner though, and for my best chance, I call at 180 days.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

First of all, Hi Neighbor - we're in Langhorne! I have to say I agree with your post. And the one particular poster who shall not be named is ALWAYS on a rant about the DDP. I'm sure most of you know who I'm talking about. Anyway, we peasants will be on the DDP as well and will be enjoying every minute of it.

Your correct...I do wish it would just go way!

 

[TLSnell1981]

I think most people feel the food and service has declined since the DDP has become so popular and accessible. I think you still have to be above "peasant" status to afford Disney with all the trimmings. The cost has increased tremendously over the years. I have always felt fortunate that we were able to take our family often. Still, the dining has suffered and the prices continue to increase...and now we are told what "gratuity" we must give regardless of our dining experience. DDP will always be around in some form...it has been for years. I just wish the food, service and ambience was what it used to be...but I fear that is gone forever.

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

I think the DDP is a good deal . Especially if you are staying on site with no transportation. However, we tend to stay for longer periods of time and therefore need to have a budget in order to afford to stay that long. We have AP's and use DDE. I consider myself a member of the peasant masses. Two yrs ago I loved just about every restaurant we dined at. Last year, the food was mediocre at best. ( Ohana, Kona, WWC, Contemporary Steakhouse,) Was this because of the popularity of DDP? I dont know---its not for me to place blame. I'd like to try the signature restaurants but they are not in my budget. For this year, I have not made a single ADR. When we want a good table service meal it will be offsite.