Theories abt ADR difficulties: dining plan vs. not

[jenjersnap]

I have never seen this aspect discussed before. Sorry, if I have just missed it.

Does Disney "reserve" only a certain number of openings for dining plan participants? (Sort of like airlines only offering a certain number of seats at the lowest fare). Just curious. We are not doing the dining plan and I have been switching things around. The CM always asks me if I am on a dining package and, when I state no, even with supposedly popular meals I have had my choice of times. Today it was the Akershus lunch - there was availability for 4 people at 5 different times during the first hour alone. I also got CRT with no problem a few weeks ago, first seating at Donald's Breakfastosaurus by calling just this past Saturday ... pretty much everything has been easy with the exception of FDP and ultimately I did get my later time.

It's made me wonder if there was some sort of capacity control system in place. (I thought I read that Disney doesn't even set aside space for walk ups - is that true?) Or maybe I've just been lucky or the princesses haven't added much to Akershus's popularity. Or maybe December isn't going to be the complete madhouse that it has seemed on the boards which I participate.

 

[WDWBetsy]

I personally think they're just checking for marketing purposes. We're on the dining plan and didn't have any trouble getting the ADRs we wanted. Most will be on the dining plan, and we're paying out of pocket (or gift certificate) for 3.

 

[honeymo78]

As far as I know there are no tables set aside for dining plan participants. I agree that it is probably related to marketing and knowing whether to charge your credit card or just use it to guarantee the ressie.

 

[jenjersnap]

Ok, then I guess option 3 might be right - perceived busyness might be a little off the mark for December.