Treated badly by CM on phone

[cabanafrau]

I have two bookings for Fantasmic dinners, different nights. I planned to cancel one closer to our vacation, once I'm aware of the weather sitation.

Should I be feeling guilty?

Not to be nasty & I certainly hope you won't take it rudely, but would you be upset if you couldn't get one & realized it was because other guests were hedging their bets? The weather is something no one can control & we're all taking the same chance. Why should anyone's chances be improved over another's, simply by trying to stack the deck?

It's kind of the same idea all parents are stuck w/ trying to teach their kids, choices have consequences, all choices. Believe me, I feel your pain & totally understand where you're coming from & really don't mean to offend.

 

[Lives4Disney]

When do you go? Definitely not during free dining or during the summer. I went last August and I did have ADR's but a few times wanted to make a change, either change a restaurant because we were touring a different park or wanted to change the time. Nothing! especially in the park restaurants. Now we try to eat off hours. Late dinner ~7:00-7:30 pm. we have better luck then but our children are teenagers so it's a little easier.

I have gone during July 4th week, middle of August a few times, Thanksgiving MANY time, Spring break right around Easter years in a row, October during F&W and mega conferences, MLK week, Christmas......I have gone too many times to count. I have honestly NEVER had problems with ADRs and I have a family of 5. Maybe I don't get the EXACT time or day I want, but I am flexible. You consider 7 - 7:30 late dinner, but we usually eat at that time. I am not going to freak out and stress out about vacation. Too much in my real life to freak about about. That is why I have so much difficulty understanding all this fuss about ADRs. Obviously if you want a prime time at a princess restaurant you will have to book it early, or a holiday meal, but I have never been shut out of a restaurant. I even extended our stay a couple times and got 1900 PF, Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's....last minute (probably because some kind soul actually called and cancelled ) but I have not had problems (Knock on wood ) I don't do the dining plan so maybe they limit tables booked with the DDP? I have APs and the DDE card. When I call to book they always ask "Are you on the dining plan?".....NO!

To the poster that wants PSB, well keep trying. People are required to put a CC down on that one and there is a required cancellation for a refund so there is bound to be a slot for you if you're persistant. Keep the faith, lol. I just found out a few days ago we are going May 19 for a week and I got EVERY ADR I wanted! I must be luckier than I realize.

Most of our trips are pulled together a couple months out. For the ones I have planned longterm (Thanksgiving 07) I am not so into booking 6 months out - I think that is stupid and most people don't know what/where they will be that far from the date. The only thing I am going to book early is Tgiving day and tours. The rest will fall into place.

Just had to add that our Xmas and a couple Thanksgiving trips were even thrown together last minute (like in October!) and we are TS people and got TS ADRs everyday.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[boxer]

I'm not reading through 6 pages of this, but I'll admit that I do double-book.......I never know where I'm going to be on any given day, so I do (and always have) double booked 2 different resturants per night.

Although I DO call first thing every morning (when we figure out where we'll be) and cancel the one I'm not using. This gives ample time for someone else to step in and use it..........and please don't tell me that people don't call the 'day of' to get an ADR.......lol.

If you flame me for this, I won't even know...............cuz I'm on my way to DISNEY tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL.

 

[kltbump]

Does being FIRM always equal being RUDE? Apparently for some folks it does.

AMEN SCDisneyholics!

 

[cabanafrau]

I'm not reading through 6 pages of this, but I'll admit that I do double-book.......I never know where I'm going to be on any given day, so I do (and always have) double booked 2 different resturants per night.

Although I DO call first thing every morning (when we figure out where we'll be) and cancel the one I'm not using. This gives ample time for someone else to step in and use it..........and please don't tell me that people don't call the 'day of' to get an ADR.......lol.

If you flame me for this, I won't even know...............cuz I'm on my way to DISNEY tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL.

Although I disagree w/ you on this, I certainly don't want to flame you.

Although I would like to wish you a magical trip!!! Enjoy!

 

[stephensmum]

This happened to me. I booked 10 adr's 190 days out, then had to ring back for the other 4. When I called last week to re arrange some, I mentioned that I'd double booked Le cellier & Chef mickeys & would ring back to change one. He asked for my Res no's & then told me I had to cancel 1 right then. He would'nt let me ring back & said he would cancel 1 if I did'nt choose. He implied I had done this on purpose. I felt the 2nd cm should have checked & now the only time i could have Chef Mickeys for is 8.30 (much too late). Although he wasn't rude, he did appear to be reprimanding me for something I told him about!!

 

[ogreenlee]

We booked free dining, and I didn't get turned down for one ADR, and neither did my friend. We booked Le Cellier on a Saturday night, and CRT for 9:00am on Sunday morning. Those were two of the ADRs we figured would be hardest to get. I even got choices on the times.

Do you think Disney keeps little notes attached to people's names that go often and book over and over? Little notes that say something like "This guest is a nuisance. Don't let her have her ADRs."

 

[M2DD's]

When I started this thread I didn't know it was going to become such a debate.I wrote this thread because I felt I was treated bad. I didn't mean to start a debate on double booking.So with that said, I hope the people get what they want and have a good vacation. I talked over with my DH and he also agree that the way I was treated was not "Disney"like and was glad they appolagized.
If anybody was wondering the 2 TS were WCC or Garden Grill.I Picked GG because we are doing the HDDR and thought it was similar food. And yes,The CM have menues in the computer and can tell you what is on a menue(for me that is important because my DD has allergies).I'm wondering if you can feel the GG spinning?
Laura
Does anybody have a fire extinguisher(sp?) to lend me

 

[boxer]

Although I disagree w/ you on this, I certainly don't want to flame you.

Although I would like to wish you a magical trip!!! Enjoy!

Well thank you for the nice reply...........without going in much detail, I had a LONG discussion with the customer service manager, and she was nothing but nice, and actually said 'there is technically nothing wrong with double booking---its just that Disney frowns upon it".

She said all they ask is that I keep cancelling them the morning-of my decision.

 

[ogreenlee]

btw, when i made our reservations for the package, not ADRs, the CM was not very polite. he sounded annoyed with my call... which annoyed me. when i called back the next day to add a day, the CM was so very nice.

same with the ADR bookings. i called one day to someone who wasn't rude, but not pleasant, and the next day i spoke with a lady who couldn't have been nicer.

i'm sure they have been swamped the last few weeks with free dining coming out, and i'm sure some of them think less of folks wanting free dining.

 

[cabanafrau]

When I started this thread I didn't know it was going to become such a debate.I wrote this thread because I felt I was treated bad. I didn't mean to start a debate on double booking.So with that said, I hope the people get what they want and have a good vacation. I talked over with my DH and he also agree that the way I was treated was not "Disney"like and was glad they appolagized.
If anybody was wondering the 2 TS were WCC or Garden Grill.I Picked GG because we are doing the HDDR and thought it was similar food. And yes,The CM have menues in the computer and can tell you what is on a menue(for me that is important because my DD has allergies).I'm wondering if you can feel the GG spinning?
Laura
Does anybody have a fire extinguisher(sp?) to lend me

The rotation of GG is minimal, I can't imagine anyone but the most incredibly sensitive having even the slightest problem. Great choice for a relatively quiet meal @ Disney. Seating keeps you rather private from other diners & the food was good -- not spectactular, but enjoyable.

I believe quite a few of the menus are on the DIS also & I know they are on Allears, as well -- even CS, which I'm sure will be helpful for you also.

 

[cougartrace]

To me, Disney's Customer Service reps are getting more and more rude. For the money we are spending, they should be a little nicer and more understanding of situations.

Just because it's Disney gives them no rights to treat them this way. If they did this to me, it would be last time I spent money with them. That's the only way to teach a company like this.

 

[eebuckeye]

That's the only way to teach a company like this.

Or how about the people that see nothing wrong with double-booking? I guess Disney is just supposed to accept the fact people only look out for themselves not other guests.

 

[maxiesmom]

IMHO it is too bad that when someone double-books Disney doesn't automatically cancel both of them. Then the CMs wouldn't be stuck trying to get people to do the right thing and make a decision.

 

[stargrazer]

It's very ironic to me that people are surprised to be treated 'rudely' because they were caught doing something rude. Double booking ADR's and then being mad because you're forced to pick just one is like cutting in line and being mad because the CM makes you go to the end of the line.

If you double book accidentally, that's one thing, but on purpose is quite another. Disney has to purchase food and schedule staff depending on these reservations (not to mention all the people that can't GET an ADR).

Not flaming here to be clear, just giving an opinion.

 

[allyphoe]

To the poster that wants PSB, well keep trying. People are required to put a CC down on that one and there is a required cancellation for a refund so there is bound to be a slot for you if you're persistant.

You're thinking CRT, maybe. PSB doesn't have a CC deposit, and because it's breakfast, IMHO people are less likely to cancel (and I'm less likely to know they cancelled). If you decide not to go because you want to sleep in, are you likely to get out of bed to call and cancel, or just keep sleeping? Plus scheduling issues are less likely to be a problem in the morning than later in the day. My DD isn't an early riser, so getting up early on the off chance that there would be a cancellation then either rushing like mad to get there or having gotten up 'for nothing' wouldn't be a good way to start her day.

In any case, DD is happy with the Little Einsteins lunch. I'd love to surprise her with PSB, but she took the news that there were no tables with more equanimity than I'd expected for a 3yo.

 

[maxiesmom]

You're thinking CRT, maybe. PSB doesn't have a CC deposit, and because it's breakfast, IMHO people are less likely to cancel (and I'm less likely to know they cancelled). If you decide not to go because you want to sleep in, are you likely to get out of bed to call and cancel, or just keep sleeping? Plus scheduling issues are less likely to be a problem in the morning than later in the day. My DD isn't an early riser, so getting up early on the off chance that there would be a cancellation then either rushing like mad to get there or having gotten up 'for nothing' wouldn't be a good way to start her day.

In any case, DD is happy with the Little Einsteins lunch. I'd love to surprise her with PSB, but she took the news that there were no tables with more equanimity than I'd expected for a 3yo.

When we did the PSB this past October, I DID have to give them my cc#. Not sure why, but they asked for it. They didn't charge it either.

 

[Nom]

I have gone during July 4th week, middle of August a few times, Thanksgiving MANY time, Spring break right around Easter years in a row, October during F&W and mega conferences, MLK week, Christmas......I have gone too many times to count. I have honestly NEVER had problems with ADRs and I have a family of 5. Maybe I don't get the EXACT time or day I want, but I am flexible.

I think things have just changed dramatically since the DDP... I just called to make my oct trip ADRs, and I waited 3 days past the 180 day window. When I tried to get Le Cellier and Ohana, they told me, wow, it's almost all gone. That is crazy.

When I used to go off season, I could always walk up. Last year, tried to walk up one night- nothing. And it was just dh and I, so we would be willing to wait 60 min at the bar- nothing!

ITA that double booking should somehow be banned. People will find a workaround sadly, I'm sure, but hopefully it will at least be cut back. It's just not fair, as so many others have said on this thread.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

When we did the PSB this past October, I DID have to give them my cc#. Not sure why, but they asked for it. They didn't charge it either.

At PSB you do have to give a credit card in case you no show. If you cancel with less than 48hr notice they will bill your card $10 per person. They do not precharge your card like they do with a CRT ressie. The only time the credit card is billed is for noshows.

 

[SueM in MN]

The rotation of GG is minimal, I can't imagine anyone but the most incredibly sensitive having even the slightest problem. Great choice for a relatively quiet meal @ Disney. Seating keeps you rather private from other diners & the food was good -- not spectactular, but enjoyable.

I believe quite a few of the menus are on the DIS also & I know they are on Allears, as well -- even CS, which I'm sure will be helpful for you also.

The DIS site also has a page of menus, so between what's posted on allearsnet.com and the wdwinfo.com (DIS site), you should have a pretty good idea.