vent about disney dining...

[beattyfamily]

I just have to vent!!!!!

I just got off the phone.

I wanted to change 2 PSs for Dec 1 and Dec 4 from 9 people (2 tables) to 5 people. Seems simple enough, right? December 1 was for H&V Fantasmic package so they have my CC.

I asked her and she said she couldn't change my current PS but had to check for a new one for 5 people. I suggested that I cancel mine and then 2 tables would become available. She said that it doesn't work that way and my tables won't be available to me now if I did that. I didn't understand but said fine for her to check availability. She said there's nothing. I said again well what if I cancel my 2 tables for 9, can't I get one of them? She again said, rudely, NO! It doesn't work that way. I could try later on or tomorrow for them but not on the phone with her. I said that made no sense and that I've gotten cancellations instantly before; she just said I was very lucky those times. I said to her that regardless, I need her to cancel it because I'm not going to be charged on my CC for 4 no shows. She canceled it and I hung up on her.

I then called right back and explained what happened and she gladly checked for me. There were SEVERAL openings!!!!! She ran off a few times and I took the latest one which was 4:30p THE TIME I HAD JUST CANCELLED!!!

Anyway, I'm all set with that PS and I am also all set for the other PS I needed to change from 9 people to 5 people on Dec 4 at Prime Time Cafe.

Thanks for hearing me out!

 

[patsal]

Sometimes I wonder about how undertrained some CM's are. Other times they can't do enough to help you out! Glad everything worked out for you.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Yikes! I am thankful that I've never had a bad experience with Disney Dining (knock on wood). Maybe this instance was one where the CM didn't know they could "scroll" to find other openings and they thought they could only book what they can see on their screen? It certainly doesn't sound like a magical phone call to me. Glad it turned out OK in the end. Too bad it took 2 calls to do it though.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
Glad it turned out OK in the end. Too bad it took 2 calls to do it though.

Thank you.

Thankfully, I extended my DC membership to the end of the year and used their 800 number!

I was just so worked up with that first CM and was then so relieved after my second call!

I can totally understand problems with trying to add a person(s), but I don't understand any problems trying to take away a person(s).

 

[tink2]

We had a similar instance with CRT res. We have a party of 15. Instead of asking for a res. for 15 and be transferred to group dining- and not get a PS- we had two people ask for tables of 11. That way, if we only got one PS, 11 people could go and only 4 not. Anyway, we got lucky and got two PS for 11. So when we called and tried to lessen the 11 to 4, the CM said she could not do it. We asked if either PS could be split- and she said no that they were both at big tables for 12. Well, I've been to CRT before with 12 and we had three separate tables. They may have one big table, but I can't imagine 2 that big in that little place! Anyway, she was wanting to cancel the PS altogether - and we all know how hard these are to get. I kept asking if we cancelled, would only a party of 11 be able to get in and not a party of 4 and she said yes. So why couldn't she just change it from 11 to 4? We finally hung up with her and called back to get someone knowledgable who took about 2 minutes to fix our problem!

 

[jann1033]

i wonder if it has something to do with the number of calls they must be processing on the phone at the same time since I notice in the time it takes me to make a second ps ( maybe 2 mins. tops?)sometimes 20 or so others have been made ( according to the number). I have hear reservations for flights online do something similar( every open seat does not come up on your screen) so it doesn't double book the same seat.

 

[Tigger Fans!]

Apparently there's a small box at the bottom of their PS ressie screen that they have to check for "special events." I called, and called, and called....(well, you get the idea) trying to get LTT ressie's for before MVMCP with no luck. Finally I reached a knowledgable CM who said "All I have to do is check the special events box" and I was finally able to book. Too bad they don't make it possible to do PS on their website!

 

[Disneyolic]

I had a real winner with Disney Dining during our vacation. We originally had a PS at Jiko but we decided to change it to Yachtsman Steakhouse just for the convenience (we were staying at the YC). I called Dining and asked for a PS at 5:30 on Wednesday, November 12. She said sure. Okay, she gives me my confirmation # and confirms our PS for Thursday, Nov 13. I said, no, I was the Wed the 12th. She said, "Oh. I'll have to redo it. What day do you want again?" I said Wed the 12th. She made it and gave me the confirmation # and the correct day. She said she had to cancel the other one. Then she confirmed my PS for the 13th again. I said NO! I wanted the 12th. She said she made a mistake and cancelled the wrong day. Then she said, now you want the 13th right? I said, very irritated, "What is wrong with you? I want WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12." She finally made the correct PS. I know at that point was alittle rude but it was extremely frustrating for me.

Then, I asked her to please cancel my PS for Jiko. She asked for my home # which I gave her again. She said there was no PS for us at Jiko. I said, I have a confirmation #, do you want it. She said no because it would have to be under my home phone #. I said fine and hung up. I then proceeded to go down to the front desk and asked for a printout of all my PSs. I noticed at that time that all my original PSs had a wrong telephone # on them. It was strange because I had called all different days for different PSs yet they all had the wrong phone #. Don't understand that. At least all the #'s and times were correct. And, if the CM at Dining would have taken the confirmation # for Jiko from me then it may have opened a spot for someone else who may have wanted a PS. Oh well...

~DawnMaree

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes - same problem with my reservations just a couple weeks ago. Originally made them for 3 and then dh rearranged work and was able to join us. I had such a hard time trying to change Ps' s evidently you can't do that!! I was told twice to just show up with 4 instead of 3 but I wasn't comfy doing that. Dh is a tense traveler including at wdw so I wanted to have at least a few meals arranged. It took me 4 phone calls (luckily I am also a DC member!) to get new PS's. I don't even think I am going to bother for my Feb trip, I will stick with fast food and try to get a few lunch seatings for the week on the first day at the resort. UGHHSS

One ps was supposed to be for 5:30 at 50's pt and when we arrived I was told we it was 2:30 and I missed it. Mind you I confirmed these before we left!! They were sooo great about squeeing us in. (phew)

TJ

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Wow... I feel really fortunate - I have had a few apathetic CMs when calling for PSs, but most have been wonderful.

I found myself thinking, while reading the early posts here about reducing head count, that they make it easier to just show up with fewer people for the larger PS you've booked.

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by Mrs. Snowgod
[while reading the early posts here about reducing head count, that they make it easier to just show up with fewer people for the larger PS you've booked. [/B]

I think the problem with that is they take a cc for the Fantasmic package and would charge you for the "no shows" since that is what they do if you don't cancel it and do not show up. for normal Ps that should be fine to just not show up (except for it someone else is trying to get a Ps and can't because of it being booked )

 

[Harambe]

I always remember that when you call in for hotel ressies or for dining, you're calling into a huge room full of CM's. If I feel I've got an uncooperative one, or one who doesn't seem to be checking everything out for me - I just politely say I'll call back and then I do! I won't spend time in the phone with a CM who is not working with me! I've always called back and hooked up with a great CM!

One time I called for a Disney Club discount at the Poly - first CM said none available. I hung up - hit redail and got my discount with the next CM!

Unfortunately it does cost you the extra phone calls!

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
Maybe this instance was one where the CM didn't know they could "scroll" to find other openings and they thought they could only book what they can see on their screen?

This just happened to me while making the PS's for our upcoming trip! lol I called back and got another, much more knowledgeable CM who was able to get exactly what I wanted! Maybe that is the trick...just call back and get someone else.