Rotten service from Disney Dining

[JimMIA]

We just spent over an hour on hold with Disney Dining, trying to make Cindy's ressies. They never did pick up. Fine, fine customer service!

 

[Chuck S]

I would suspect that the phone reps are overwhelmed with folks caling about upcomming trips and how the aftermath of Katrina may impact those plans. Especially if they are driving, they have no idea if gas will be available. I have no idea the condition of I-10 or I-12 and what the availabilty of gas and lodging may be along the route for our trip in December. Fortunately I have plenty of time to get info on the situation, but if my trip were next week and I had to cancel or loose a deposit, I'd probably be on the phone.

 

[wilderness01]

Actually maybe you got stuck in "never never land". That is how one CM explained it to me when I was onhold for 45 minutes and while onhold called on my cell. The cell picked up within 15 minutes but the landline never did. Sorry for your experience.

 

[webray]

There definately is a never never land with disney dining. We have been in it many times.

 

[winniedapooh]

There definately is a never never land with disney dining. We have been in it many times.

I have beent here...and it is not a pretty place.

 

[JimMIA]

We actually called twice, both times on cell. Both calls went through - one at 6:59, after several calls getting the "Our office is closed" message. We waited over an hour on both calls and never did get a CM.

 

[kymberwolf]

We just spent over an hour on hold with Disney Dining, trying to make Cindy's ressies. They never did pick up. Fine, fine customer service!

...a VERY busy time, if as you said in your post, you "just spent..."

If you're not trying to get an ADR for CRT (you MUST call starting at 6:57 a.m. EST and keep hitting redial until you don't hear the "we're closed msg.), try using this number: 1-800-828-0228 (followed by pushing 3 and then 1)

Good luck!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

it's happened to us here too! we actually call on all our phones (3 in total) just to make sure we get through on one! it's like a game for us! haha...which one of us will get through first.....

 

[Matt'sMom]

There is not much they can do if the number of people flooding the phone lines exceeds the number of available CMs at 7 - 8 AM. Try calling off peak time and you'll probably have no trouble at all getting through quickly. If you are staying on-site, you may still be able to get CRT(if you are willing to exercise a little bit of flexability), using the 90+10 perk.

Best way to avoid all of the hassle and frustration regarding getting your ARs is to use a TA. Ours easily got us everything we requested. Also, when I decided to make a few adjustments to our itinerary, and called DD myself, I had no trouble at all getting through... because I called during the early afternoon hours rather than at AM opening. And I used the 800 number that was recommended in a prior post.

 

[vatmark]

When I called for my ADR's I got on the phone promptly at 7am, was on hold and then a message came on that said that if you are hearing this message it means that CRT is booked and you could stay on the line to make other ressies. I was pretty shocked that by 7:15 CRT was booked. I didn't care because I didn't want CRT. I waited on hold for 20 mins and then made all my ADR's no problem.

Annie

 

[dcgrumpy]

I called at 7:00 a few days ago and was on hold for over an hour. I didn't hang up though and someone did answer.

 

[shellybaxter]

When I called for my ADR's I got on the phone promptly at 7am, was on hold and then a message came on that said that if you are hearing this message it means that CRT is booked and you could stay on the line to make other ressies. I was pretty shocked that by 7:15 CRT was booked. I didn't care because I didn't want CRT. I waited on hold for 20 mins and then made all my ADR's no problem.

Annie

Does anyone know if that message is acutally tied to the computer and comes on when CRT is actually booked. I appears that it comes on at the same time each morning. I think its just based on the average time CRT is booked. I've read more than once on these boards that people waited anyway and got CRT.

Shelly

 

[Snurk71]

I was pretty shocked that by 7:15 CRT was booked.

Annie

CRT would regularly to be fully booked by 7:03 before the credit card deposit and lunch (and PSB lunch and dinner) started. Not sure how long it takes nowadays with all of those changes.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Does anyone know if that message is acutally tied to the computer and comes on when CRT is actually booked. I appears that it comes on at the same time each morning. I think its just based on the average time CRT is booked. I've read more than once on these boards that people waited anyway and got CRT.

Shelly

To answer your question, I do not think the message is actually tied to the computer system.

When I called for my CRT reservations, I got that message about 15 minutes in. I stayed on the line for another 15 min and got a CM (about 7:30am Eastern). I had my pick of times for both b-fast and lunch. Really wanted b-fast, and got an 8:25 ADR. So in 25 days my DDs will be surprised with b-fast in the castle with Cinderella!!!

 

[MaryannF]

Been there, I've got the phone bills to prove it!!

 

[Cindy B]

Does anyone know if that message is acutally tied to the computer and comes on when CRT is actually booked. I appears that it comes on at the same time each morning. I think its just based on the average time CRT is booked. I've read more than once on these boards that people waited anyway and got CRT.

Shelly

Yes, that happened with us. We got the "Cindy is booked" message, and kept holding anyway. My DH after making other reservations, asked in an offhand way if Cindy's was available for 2 and it was! So, I wouldn't hesitate to ask.

 

[whacked]

I called today at 4:00 am my time. It took 1 1/2 hours on the phone to make my reservations, but I did get them all, including Cindy's for lunch.

You were really on hold, and your call would have been answered.

If you call early and don't get lucky you WILL spend over an hour on hold.

It's worth holding though.

 

[DisneyMom5]

If you are not calling for Cindy's and don't need to be the first one answered, make sure you are using the toll free number: 1800 828-0228
Just push the option for dining as opposed to reservations.

 

[aubriee]

I called at 6:55am the morning the Candlelight Processional pkgs opened up and once I finally got through was on hold one hour and twenty five minutes. I was not hearing the Disney music and had almost decided I wasn't on hold and should hang up. Thank goodness I didn't and also thank goodness I had used the 1-800 number.

 

[erikthewise]

JimMIA,

It's probably no consolation but believe me the CMs don't enjoy the 7:00-8:00AM hour either. Ask one about it sometime...