Trouble w/dining ressies ??

[mtomlin66]

All of this is so sad to read, but there may be a bit of hope. We are there August 16-28, staying at a value with free dining. We got every one of our ADR's on the day and at the time requested, including: CM breakfast and dinner, CP breakfast and dinner, Tusker House breakfast, Coral Reef dinner, HDDR, WCC dinner, SciFi dinner, Boma dinner, and 1900 Park Fare dinner.

Yes, we called at 90 + 10 days out for most of them, but waited several days to make 2 of them since we were still trying to decide what our plans would be for those particulars dates.

Perhaps we got lucky. But at least it is good to know that there must be some ADRs available to us value staying, free dining Dis fans!

 

[PatriciaH]

Friends got Chef Mickey's Monday night for Tuesday morning this week. There can be hope last minute!

 

[mom2rtk]

I can understand your frustrations I don't believe they are doing anything legally wrong. I don't think a class action lawsuit would stand. I mean there are tons of businesses that cater to "classes". They can make the rules and they can give different levels of service as them desire.

For example, I have an entertainment book with Buy 1 get 1 free meal at a local Japanese restaurant but the restrictions are the that free meal be only chicken. If I chose to pay for the meal, I can get shrimp or lobster. They are not wrong to do this.

Except that the coupon SAYS that the deal has limitations! I don't remember anything in the Free Dining promotion that says I only get LEFTOVERS!

 

[mom2rtk]

Sounds great to me! Thanks for this news!

Nice........... I guess if it benefits you, the it's ok..............

 

[barbaraann]

After reading this entire thread, I am so glad that I passed on the free dining. First of all, on past vacations, I have eaten at most places that I wanted to. So there really aren't any restaurants that I wanted to try.

Secondly, my vacation starts on the 15th of August, and the last three nights of my trip, we are going to be in a non Disney hotel. My 6 nights at Pop Century would be available, for the dining plan, but would they make me change hotels after one day, because the free dining doesn't start until the 16th? If so, that would only give me free dining for 5 of my 9 nights of vacation. I would then need more cash for tips, that are not included. Also, we wanted to make this trip more spontaneous than past ones have been.

Anyway, we decided to pass. I used my AAA discount, for two rooms at Pop for 6 nights, and we are staying at Bonnet Creek for three nights.

There are many counter service restaurants that I have never eaten at, so that will be fun discovering the best ones on this trip.

I wish everyone luck getting there ADR's. We are eating at Ohana on the last night of our vacation with another family. That ADR was made by my friend Jennifer who is a DVC member. She did say that the time of 8:20 p.m., was the only time available. Of course we will be a party of 8.

 

[disneymath]

... is it possible with these new tiers that "repeat visitors" (e.g. 5+ trips) or those with multiple rooms (linked ressies) are given "higher priority" even if on a deal like free dining?

The reason I ask is that I called for Aug 16-22 about 2 weeks after my 90+10 date and got pretty much everything I wanted (with the exception of Teppan Edo) usually within 20 mins of the times I wanted. I was really surprised and I thought it would be a lot tougher. (It was actually more difficult to book the Backstage Magic Tour than it was my ADRs.) So was I just lucky or was it the system? We're staying at CSR (a mod) but do have two rooms and are repeat visitors.

 

[jana616]

I've just read the last few pages of this and was completely shocked to see the news about the caste system. I agree with most of the others, restrictions may be legal but it seems very unethical to not disclose them. We chose to stay in a value resort. Had we known it would affect our ability to get ADRs, maybe we would have chosen a deluxe. It would seem to me that Disney is doing themselves a disservice by not disclosing this, since some people would choose a much more expensive resort???

This may be a very dumb question, but is it possible to change an existing reservation to a deluxe resort, make your ADRs, and then change back? I wouldn't do this since the hassle isn't worth it to me personally, but I wondered if this is doable.

I just don't get how the system, when making the ADRs for me, will know to treat me like a second class citizen? Certain times will just be blocked out when the CM looks for me, but be open for the person staying in a DVC villa?

I was so nervous about making ADRs, and then people starting having so much more success that I felt a little less scared, but now this? I can't believe this one!

 

[mom2rtk]

I've just read the last few pages of this and was completely shocked to see the news about the caste system. I agree with most of the others, restrictions may be legal but it seems very unethical to not disclose them. We chose to stay in a value resort. Had we known it would affect our ability to get ADRs, maybe we would have chosen a deluxe. It would seem to me that Disney is doing themselves a disservice by not disclosing this, since some people would choose a much more expensive resort???

This may be a very dumb question, but is it possible to change an existing reservation to a deluxe resort, make your ADRs, and then change back? I wouldn't do this since the hassle isn't worth it to me personally, but I wondered if this is doable.

I just don't get how the system, when making the ADRs for me, will know to treat me like a second class citizen? Certain times will just be blocked out when the CM looks for me, but be open for the person staying in a DVC villa?

I was so nervous about making ADRs, and then people starting having so much more success that I felt a little less scared, but now this? I can't believe this one!

Well, your reservation number is linked to your adr's. So I'm sure that there could be some number in there that indicates to the computer which "pool" of adr's to give you access to. I still have a couple of weeks to mull this over.

If I had known about this, I probably would have chosen to stay at a higher "tier" locatin, but for fewer nights. Now that we own non-refundable airline tickets, that option is off the table.

Changing to a deluxe, then switching back is probably not adviseable as there is no guarantee our spot at a value resort would still be there.


I guess my husband could book something under this name then we could decide later to cancel it........ I'm just still not convinced that cancelling a package outright won't cancel the adr's........

I don't want to be unfair in how I approach this, but I feel (assuming this is all true) that Disney was TOTALLY unfair in how they set this up without disclosing it.........

 

[MrsToad]

How do the tiers work if you are DVC and you have TIW? We bought the TIW card before the hint of this new tiered system - if all this is true, and our TIW card puts us to the back of the pack even though we are DVC, I will not be happy. And, the biggest part of my upset will be because the "terms" of use of the TIW card, that I PAID for based on the terms in place at that time, did not say that I might have to accept ressies at less popular times or places, even if I call before someone else for the same ressie. I know the TIW terms can change as far as which restaurants participate, but this type of restriction on ressies for restaurants that DO participate does not seem to be in the advertised spirit of the program.

To our two informed CMs - can you tell me how DVC and TIW are tiered when both come into play together? And, are they really linking the names in the TIW system with the names in the room ressie system? If we don't tell them we are using TIW, will they know at time of the dining call?

Thank you!

 

[PatriciaH]

I don't remember there being any tiers for deluxe vs. moderate vs. value. Do you remember Rusty Scupper? I remember there being around 7 levels but VIP, DVC, concierge, TIW and Cast Member were the only ones I can remember. I was so shocked and they only mentioned it briefly!

 

[momx2]

How do the tiers work if you are DVC and you have TIW? We bought the TIW card before the hint of this new tiered system - if all this is true, and our TIW card puts us to the back of the pack even though we are DVC, I will not be happy. And, the biggest part of my upset will be because the "terms" of use of the TIW card, that I PAID for based on the terms in place at that time, did not say that I might have to accept ressies at less popular times or places, even if I call before someone else for the same ressie. I know the TIW terms can change as far as which restaurants participate, but this type of restriction on ressies for restaurants that DO participate does not seem to be in the advertised spirit of the program.

To our two informed CMs - can you tell me how DVC and TIW are tiered when both come into play together? And, are they really linking the names in the TIW system with the names in the room ressie system? If we don't tell them we are using TIW, will they know at time of the dining call?

Thank you!

I was thinking the same thing. It seems to me the people with TIW cards actually spend alot of money dining, that's why they buy it?? I guess I'll keep doing as I have been, TIW card in DH's name and DVC ressie in mine. That's how it is anyway since I do all the reservations. Maybe they won't notice because of this???

 

[MrsToad]

I was thinking the same thing. It seems to me the people with TIW cards actually spend alot of money dining, that's why they buy it?? I guess I'll keep doing as I have been, TIW card in DH's name and DVC ressie in mine. That's how it is anyway since I do all the reservations. Maybe they won't notice because of this???

I never thougth about mixing up the names - I'm so used to taking care of all the details and putting everything in my name !

I still hope we can get the rest of the details, though. If this is all true, it could be one more small step away from the commitment we've made to go to Disney twice a year. We were about to purchase more points a year or so ago to upgrade our room type but DH did not like the way dining and other things were heading (including the closing of VMK ). We'll see.

 

[mom2rtk]

if all this is true, and our TIW card puts us to the back of the pack even though we are DVC, I will not be happy. And, the biggest part of my upset will be because the "terms" of use of the TIW card, that I PAID for based on the terms in place at that time, did not say that I might have to accept ressies at less popular times or places, even if I call before someone else for the same ressie. I know the TIW terms can change as far as which restaurants participate, but this type of restriction on ressies for restaurants that DO participate does not seem to be in the advertised spirit of the program.

I feel the EXACT same way about the terms under which I booked my vacation!

If you're going to implement a caste system, at least MAN up an own that policy! Let people make their decisions about spending their hard earned money with their EYES OPEN!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I'm still really pizzed about this. I rarely take things to heart but dang I'm angry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DH and I are already talking about where we would go if WDW is a no go. He wants me to just wait until it's ADR time and see how it goes. He literally can not believe that Disney would so something like this. I have half a mind to book a trip to Jamaica instead...RIGHT NOW! He told me to take a chill pill.

My kids don't know about this trip and they won't find out until if and when we leave. I will surely keep it this way due to this new info and me possibly canceling the trip.

We are also planning on buying DVC but if that's the case I won't. I don't even care about being #1 by being DVC. I don't like the practice AT ALL!

 

[Anal Annie]

As far as our class was told DVC and concierge are at the top, then TIW, cast at the bottom. I am not sure how they would know what you were unless it is saved in your profile (saved with your name or linked to a reservation.) I don't see any reason to hide this either. Disney decided to build it into their system. Bad decision, bad new system. The old one was far superior.

Well, I am DVC and called on my 90+10 day for our trip in August which coincidently starts with the free dining, although of course we are not free dining. I was on hold for 1 hr. & 48 min. just like the rest of you. Once it was my turn I started with my Fantasmic request and of the 3 shows that will be offered while we are there, there was only 1 date available and ONLY at the Brown Derby at the absurd time of 3:40. This was NOT what I wanted. I TOOK it as it was my only option and I have been calling from time to time to see if there are any changes / openings for anything else but there are not. I have called the main dining number and the DVC MS dining. I DID book some other ressies with no problems but nothing that's in too much demand I guess (Tony's Town Square, San Angel Inn and Tusker House).

So I don't think there's any advantage what-so-ever in being DVC. Zip. Zero. Nada.

 

[luvmykids]

We are staying at POFQ 8/23 - 31 on Free Dining. I called at 7am on my 90+10 day and was able to get Chef Mickey for breakfast and dinner, Crystal Palace for breakfast and dinner, Yak and Yetti, California Grill, Yachtsman Steakhouse. I was not able to get Le Cellier for any day during my stay for dinner. I originally was not able to get Ohana for any time except 9:30 at night but called several times over next 2 days and was able to get Ohana. I was not able to get Mama Melrose for the 1 night I wanted. I also called back a week later and added Chef de France for lunch when I read about Remy. If all this is true about the dining reservations it leaves a very bad taste in my mouth no pun intended.

 

[Tara]

Has this new system actually been implemented? I'm confused - it doesn't sound like it has?

And if you are DVC and have TIW, then I can't imagine that DVC wouldn't trump TIW.

 

[deej696]

Ok so I havent read the entire thread, but FWIW I have used the online travel agent portal and when you go to input the guest information, there is an option to identify the guest as either DVC or Annual Passholder, but nothing in regards to TIW. In addition, when times are searched there is NOT anywhere to input what resort the guest is staying, etc. that could give any "class" of resort priority The only identifier used that could possibly give priority in the search is the DVC and Annual Passholder selection. Not sure if the general public system will be the same, or how it differs from what CMs are reporting, but thats what I've seen....

 

[M5ward]

I have a really hard time buying into this whole "caste system" thing. I have seen literally hundreds of posts from DVC members who could not get reservations when competing with the free dining frenzy. They have had long wait times and been unable to get reservations for places and times they want. Doesn't seem to be much advantage.

 

[acourtwdw]

I admit, I haven't read the entire thread, so pardon me if this has been asked.

I have DVC, TiW and will be on the DP when we go in Sept. How will I rate?