Rumor on Restaurant board: ADR priority for DVC members?

[JimMIA]

Just responding hypothetically -- I have no idea what is really going on.

2) How on earth would Disney handle people who fall into multiple categories? For instance, I'm a DVC member and AP holder. But I also have TIW. In October I'm considering a club level stay on cash at the BoardWalk Inn. So what on earth would the system do with me? I'm sure I can't be the only person that would fall into a bunch of different categories.

I think that would be very easy for the computer system to manage -- you would be placed in the highest category you qualified for. Where I think it would get sticky is when guests MOVE during a stay from one category to another.

3) Disney has filed patents that would enable different numbers of Fastpasses based on different levels of resort the guest is staying at. At this point they have chosen not to use that concept and have kept Fastpass as a free service to anyone regardless of what resort level you're staying at or if you're onsite or offsite. So it seems odd to me that they would implement a "caste" system for dining but not for Fastpass.

I don't think that's odd. Disney does that kind of targeted marketing all the time. For example, if you'll recall, we couldn't even BUY DDP when it first started because it was initially created as a lodging incentive and they knew we were coming to WDW regardless.

I'd love to see them implement some of those FP ideas. I'm sure they will never do away with the free public FP's, but they could implement some level of preference for onsite guests, or deluxe & DVC. They already do minimal FP preference with the B-day FPs. If they'd extend just that kind of limited FP preference for length-of-stay for DVC, that would be a huge perk for ALL of us.

 

[cobbler]

(PS: lest you think I'm a food snob, I'm also partial to The Varsity just outside of Georgia Tech's campus, in Atlanta.

GAG ME!!
Oh my gosh, ate there once and it was the most disgusting, undercooked, greasy crap ever. I threw over 50% of it away. I keep hearing everyone talk about it, especially on the travel chanel and whatnot and I don't understand. Maybe we went on a bad day but BLECH!!!

 

[Brian Noble]

Well, it wasn't undercooked. But, it was greasy and disgusting in a totally awesome way.

 

[Snookies]

Well, it wasn't undercooked. But, it was greasy and disgusting in a totally awesome way.

This brings back pleasant memories of my undergrad & grad student days at Ga Tech, particularly your comment about "greasy and disgusting in a totally awesome way." If I had a nickel for every time we ate at The Varsity...

BTW, they used to have a sign posted at one of the ordering lines that said "Have your order in mind and money in hand." I've often thought that sign would be useful at WDW.

 

[ead79]

Just responding hypothetically -- I have no idea what is really going on. I think that would be very easy for the computer system to manage -- you would be placed in the highest category you qualified for. Where I think it would get sticky is when guests MOVE during a stay from one category to another.

I don't think that's odd. Disney does that kind of targeted marketing all the time. For example, if you'll recall, we couldn't even BUY DDP when it first started because it was initially created as a lodging incentive and they knew we were coming to WDW regardless.

I'd love to see them implement some of those FP ideas. I'm sure they will never do away with the free public FP's, but they could implement some level of preference for onsite guests, or deluxe & DVC. They already do minimal FP preference with the B-day FPs. If they'd extend just that kind of limited FP preference for length-of-stay for DVC, that would be a huge perk for ALL of us.

I'd hope and like to think that each guest would be put in the highest category they qualified for, but it could theoretically just as easily default to the lowest category. I'm hoping they wouldn't do that. If they do, then I personally would try to keep my TIW card a secret (like putting the ADRs in DH's name since the TIW card is in my name). Seems silly to be that I could potentially have to engage in subterfuge just to get an ADR, LOL!

To me, targeted marketing is one thing, and essentially limiting which restaurants certain groups of folks will be able to eat at is different altogether. For example with the Fastpass scenario, as long as Disney kept the current system for everyone (including offsite guests) and just added more Fastpass perks for on-site guests (even different levels for different resort levels) then everyone would be happy. However, if only concierge or deluxe resort guests could ever get a table at Le Cellier or Chef Mickey's, then that's really disappointing. Although it sounds like DVC members would qualify for the highest tier, it would still make me sad for the folks that wouldn't.

Please excuse my vent: I HATE the dining plan and all the drama it has caused with getting a simple dining reservation!!!

 

[JimMIA]

I'd hope and like to think that each guest would be put in the highest category they qualified for, but it could theoretically just as easily default to the lowest category. I'm hoping they wouldn't do that. If they do, then I personally would try to keep my TIW card a secret (like putting the ADRs in DH's name since the TIW card is in my name). Seems silly to be that I could potentially have to engage in subterfuge just to get an ADR, LOL!

I'm sure they would default it to the highest; it would make no sense (even Mouse-sense) to do it any other way.

Also, on the TiW card, the CMs posted only very sketchy info. However, the way I read the info about the TiW, I assumed they were talking about guests who didn't qualify for any other preference. For example, someone who was staying offsite or lives in Orlando, but purchased a TiW card, would get preference over Free DDP folks.

I can't imagine them downgrading anyone because they purchased a TiW card with the intention of spending a bunch of money on Disney food! That would be nuts.

 

[SaratogaShan]

This brings back pleasant memories of my undergrad & grad student days at Ga Tech, particularly your comment about "greasy and disgusting in a totally awesome way." If I had a nickel for every time we ate at The Varsity...

BTW, they used to have a sign posted at one of the ordering lines that said "Have your order in mind and money in hand." I've often thought that sign would be useful at WDW.

Mmmmmm.......greasy onion rings. I have to limit myself to once per month or so. I work on Tech campus, so it would be way too easy to overindulge!

 

[dvcdisney]

BTW, they used to have a sign posted at one of the ordering lines that said "Have your order in mind and money in hand." I've often thought that sign would be useful at WDW.

OT but....I agree! They should have very large signs written in every language in BIG BOLD LETTERS in every CS or Snack Service area in WDW!

overkill?....maybe...necessary? DEFINITELY!

 

[pilferk]

An easier way to do this, and yes even from a programing perspective would be to give the people with these supposed "tiers" a larger ADR window. This would be sooooooooooo much easier than trying to block off certain times or whatever the "Disney black ops" backers think is going on.

I don't know, one way or the other, if it's occuring but....actually the programming behind what's being suggested is pretty simple stuff.

The table turnover calcuations are already done...that's part of the ADR system's back end. All that would remain would be to add ONE field "rating" each table as a type (say 1 -4). The programming to ensure that type 1 can see all table types while type 4 can only see type 4's is easy filter stuff, especially if they have your ressie/confirmation number. One crosswalk table would do the whole thing. You're talking MS Office Applications level logic here...something that's easily accomplished in 10 minutes in MS Access. Any relatively simple front end, SQL backend, or Oracle back end could handle this type of thing with no problem and any programmer with limited skills could design and code it.

It has the added advantage of not requiring any sort of public policy change or customer education. You'd simply see the outcome in increased availability to certain "types" of customers.

It'll be interesting to find out if it's true or not....

 

[pilferk]

Well, it wasn't undercooked. But, it was greasy and disgusting in a totally awesome way.

I'm right there with ya.

In my home town, there is a Diner...it was like the only 24 hr place that served food in our dinky 14k pop town.

They make something called a rockadoodle. It's sort of like a sausage mcmuffin, though it predates them by a good 20 years (my mom remembers eating them back in HS...and she's in her mid 50's). They are the greasiest, "nastiest" thing you'll ever see...they turn paper sacks into greased soaked shambles.

But they are the most awesome thing at 2AM when you've just closed down one of the local drinking establishments.

 

[Brian Noble]

I can't imagine them downgrading anyone because they purchased a TiW card with the intention of spending a bunch of money on Disney food! That would be nuts.

Actually, it makes perfect sense.

Take the primo example from this thread---Le Cellier. There are probably about 2-3x as many people who want to eat there as there is space. Let's suppose 20% of those people have TIW cards. If you just randomly assigned the guests who wanted to go to available slots, you'd have 20% of them getting a discount. But, if you gave preference to those without cards, many fewer would be getting a discount, and the restaurant's revenue would increase.

(Yes, it's likely that TIW holders order a nicer entree, or an after dinner drink, but they probably don't order enough extra to make up for the discount and their material costs go up, too.)

I can also guarantee you that the assignment isn't random. People who hold TIWs are more likely than the average guest to plan their ADRs farther in advance---they know how dining works---and so the real proportion of TIW holders is probably higher than 20% if you just rely on call times.

Edited to add: it's also interesting to ask what each category of guest would do if LC is full. The TIW guest is likely to reserve something else---after all, they're getting a discount. (Same with a DDP guest.) The cash guest might balk---"Marrakesh? Nah, we'll just grab something somewhere instead."

 

[Tara]

Actually, it makes perfect sense.

Take the primo example from this thread---Le Cellier. There are probably about 2-3x as many people who want to eat there as there is space. Let's suppose 20% of those people have TIW cards. If you just randomly assigned the guests who wanted to go to available slots, you'd have 20% of them getting a discount. But, if you gave preference to those without cards, many fewer would be getting a discount, and the restaurant's revenue would increase.

(Yes, it's likely that TIW holders order a nicer entree, or an after dinner drink, but they probably don't order enough extra to make up for the discount and their material costs go up, too.)

I can also guarantee you that the assignment isn't random. People who hold TIWs are more likely than the average guest to plan their ADRs farther in advance---they know how dining works---and so the real proportion of TIW holders is probably higher than 20% if you just rely on call times.

Edited to add: it's also interesting to ask what each category of guest would do if LC is full. The TIW guest is likely to reserve something else---after all, they're getting a discount. (Same with a DDP guest.) The cash guest might balk---"Marrakesh? Nah, we'll just grab something somewhere instead."

In reference to what you're responding to here, I thought the poster meant they couldn't imagine Disney downgrading someone with higher priority like a DVC member just because they also had a TIW card. Is that what you understood the poster to mean?

 

[JimMIA]

In reference to what you're responding to here, I thought the poster meant they couldn't imagine Disney downgrading someone with higher priority like a DVC member just because they also had a TIW card. Is that what you understood the poster to mean?

Actually, you're both right depending on which part of my post you read.

IMHO (assuming the system exists at all), the system would place a DVC member in the DVC category regardless of any other qualifications they might have because that's the higest category...according to the two CMs. Whether that's "fair" or not is another question, but according to the CMs the highest category was DVC/Concierge guests.

But with regard to the offsite guest, TiW holders would get preference including preference over Free DDP people.

I repeat this is all guesswork, but to me that would be a system that made sense by favoring those who are more likely to be repeat customers or are paying money for something over those who are attracted by the bargain promotions.

 

[JimMIA]

You're talking MS Office Applications level logic here...something that's easily accomplished in 10 minutes in MS Access.

...or in about four years for WDW!

 

[JimMIA]

It has the added advantage of not requiring any sort of public policy change or customer education. You'd simply see the outcome in increased availability to certain "types" of customers.

Yes, and that's a biggie. The same would be true if they created a preferential Fast Pass system, but kept the current "public" system. The difference would be invisible to the average visitor, but the benefit would be noticed by those it was directed toward.

It's not like this is anything new. I used to fly a lot and got great perks from being an elite level frequent flyer. But other passengers had no idea how I got the best seats and they didn't, or got on a flight they got bumped from, or magically made it home in rotten weather while they were stuck in an airport somewhere.

 

[paulh]

I'd love to see them implement some of those FP ideas.

Take time out from the park to do a tour anf you will get VIP FPs for which ever day you want.DSil got 10 when she did her tour.
I have said before that tiered FPs will come in related to level of resort
Paulh

 

[Cyndibear]

This explains the strange questions we were getting from the Concierge Staff at AK -Jambo House. We have a Sept 5-14 stay planned at AK-Jambo Concierge. When asking them to arrange our ADR's I was asked if we would be on a dining plan. I said no, that we were going to obtain the TIW card when we go in May. They asked me to let them know if we do obtain it and asked for the numbers on the card. I thought that was very strange because I was never asked that when I booked ADR's myself.

I did email them the TIW card number this is the response I received:

On Mon, 1 Jun 2009 14:38:43 -0700 (PDT), Animal Kingdom Lodge
Itinerary
Planning <animal.kingdom.lodge.itinerary.planning@disneyworld.com>
wrote:
Dumela! Cyndi,

Thank you for sending in the Tables in Wonderland information. If for some reason there is availability without the discount but not with
the discount do you want us to book anyway? We are finding in the new booking system that some restaurants limit the number of tables
offered with the Tables in Wonderland discount.


I questioned this as this was new to me and I could not believe that Disney would do this considering I was PAYING EXTRA for TIW. I received this response:

On Tue, 2 Jun 2009 16:25:42 -0700 (PDT), Animal Kingdom Lodge Itinerary
Planning <animal.kingdom.lodge.itinerary.planning@disneyworld.com>
wrote:
Dumela! Cyndi,

In the new booking system we have noticed that when we code
membership for Tables in Wonderland sometimes we do not get offers for restaurants when we can get them without the membership. This indicates to us that they are only offering limited numbers of tables available for discount bookings. We think it is similar to room bookings where the number of discount tables is controlled. We have been told that discounts have to be coded at the time of booking. As far as we know this affect
discounts at all restaurnts.

You might want to write to guest communications and ask them about it.

The address is wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com . They may be able to get an official answer. All we know is how the new booking system is behaving and the notice we got that discounts have to be coded at time of booking.


When I booked our ADR's for our May trip I did not mention the TIW card and we did receive the discount at our TS meals.

I have received a tentative itinerary with our ADR's listed and everything I wanted was there. I didn't need much, just Jiko, LeCellier Lunch, and a Cinderella's breakfast. I will email them now to see if the ADR's are final and if I can use my TIW card.

Cyndi

 

[JimMIA]

WOW! "Dumela" must mean "...to enhance the DVC Member guest experience as a result of member feedback!"

That's really nuts. It's like telling me, "We see you are a frequent flyer with us, so we've put you right next to the bathrooms in the back and bumped you off your connecting flight!" Looks like Brian Noble was right.

I'd sure withhold the number and just present the card at the table.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

When I booked our ADR's for our May trip I did not mention the TIW card and we did receive the discount at our TS meals.

I have received a tentative itinerary with our ADR's listed and everything I wanted was there. I didn't need much, just Jiko, LeCellier Lunch, and a Cinderella's breakfast. I will email them now to see if the ADR's are final and if I can use my TIW card.

Cyndi

I was wondering what they would do if you don't mention your TIW, but then present it at the meal. Surely they won't deny you the discount-at least I hope not.

 

[deej696]

Wow, thats incredible. Thanks for sharing that email Cyndi. I didnt put a lot of stock into this whole "tiered" thing (Jim can attest from another thread), but reading that email begins to give more validity to it, as its the first evidence of being denyed a reservation time when in fact they are available. I've never mentioned I'm TIW, and I'm certainly not gonna start now....