Very upset with ADR system

[goofy4tink]

I miss 180 + 10, those were the days . . . .LOL

I call tomorrow morning, lets hope I hit the jackpot!

This same thing happened when you could book 180 days out. I'm not sure why everyone keeps saying they wish they could go back to the 180 days out booking. If free dining was offered, then this exact same thing happened. In fact, there were a ton of people that hated having to call at 180 days out...they wanted to go back to the 90 days out plan. Obviously, you can't please everyone. I've been booking ADRs/PSs since it was 60 days out for CRT....it is the exact same thing...a feeding frenzy on that first day...especially if there is a special deal or free dining going on.

I'm not involved with free dining...just an interested bystander watching the whole phenomenon evolve.

I'm sure this has been covered before on this board...but, if I were booked with a package starting on the 2nd day of free dining...why would I not just start my reservation on the 1st day of free dining and then later change my reservation and remove that first day from my package?

In fact...why wouldn't I just book another room-only reservation for about 3-5 days before free dining and use that reservation to secure 90+10 reservations before the big rush?....then, cancel the room only reservation about a week later.

I just recently started visiting this board, but...I'm sure this must have been discussed in the past as a way to "cheat the system". I'm wondering if this is on the same level as mentioning pool hopping on the resort board or talking about bringing old mugs from home for free refills....or squeezing 6 people into a value room that only holds 4....

Speed

You're kidding right??? You are suggesting that peole book rooms with the intent to cancel them just so they can book ADRs a few days early??!! Incredible. Not only are you possibly taking away ADRs from those who may want them (because you are making some for the days you aren't really going to be there) but you are taking a room out of the inventory as well. Would it work? Sure. But I can just see it now....hundreds of people booking a resort for free dining, then canceling it down the road. Of course, in the meantime, some people have been shut out of the free dining rooms because there are only so many that are open for free dining booking.
While refilling mugs really doesn't impact anyone, and pool hopping impacts only those staying at a particular resort, your idea impacts a ton of people.

You could be me...I actually arrive on Aug 14, staying at the Dolphin until Aug 16, when I move over to BWV. Now, this trip was booked last fall...long before there was talk of free dining. I figured I was safe from that worry. So, I booked the Dolphin, with a great rate, and then I could just amble on over to BWV on the 16th...I've done that a ton of times. But, Disney comes along and gives out free dining. Not that I have a problem with that...but, since I'm at a resort that isn't open to booking 90+10, I have to wait until that feeding frenzy day..Aug 16. Talk about bummed.

 

[speedyf]

You're kidding right??? You are suggesting that peole book rooms with the intent to cancel them just so they can book ADRs a few days early??!! Incredible. Not only are you possibly taking away ADRs from those who may want them (because you are making some for the days you aren't really going to be there) but you are taking a room out of the inventory as well. Would it work? Sure. But I can just see it now....hundreds of people booking a resort for free dining, then canceling it down the road. Of course, in the meantime, some people have been shut out of the free dining rooms because there are only so many that are open for free dining booking.
While refilling mugs really doesn't impact anyone, and pool hopping impacts only those staying at a particular resort, your idea impacts a ton of people.

You could be me...I actually arrive on Aug 14, staying at the Dolphin until Aug 16, when I move over to BWV. Now, this trip was booked last fall...long before there was talk of free dining. I figured I was safe from that worry. So, I booked the Dolphin, with a great rate, and then I could just amble on over to BWV on the 16th...I've done that a ton of times. But, Disney comes along and gives out free dining. Not that I have a problem with that...but, since I'm at a resort that isn't open to booking 90+10, I have to wait until that feeding frenzy day..Aug 16. Talk about bummed.

I'm not suggesting that people do that....but, I'm sure there are people out there doing it. I'm actually very happy with the 90 day out rule. I think it was easier to book ADR's with the 180 day rule because most people didn't even book their room yet at 180 days (6 months)....so, you had less people to compete against. I like the 90 day rule because I don't want to try to figure out which park I'll be visiting on which day 6 months before I arrive.

I think the whole problem with the system is the "+10" part. Everyone that is booked from 9 days ahead of me to 1 day ahead of me gets to book ADR's during my vacation dates while I have to wait. At least without "+10", everyone was on a level playing field having to call every day. Of course, I'm sure people complained about this as well...but, at least they had a better shot.

Of course it's just like anything else. I'm sure people make multiple ADR's with the anticipation of cancelling some of them in the future when they figure out which restaurants they really want to visit. This would be the same thing as booking rooms and cancelling as you are "eating up" ADR's that would be available for others. If hundreds of people booked resort rooms and cancelled them just for the ADR advantage, maybe Disney would figure this out and abolish the "+10" rule. I would like to see it abolished when the online system goes live and is stable.

Speed

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I figure even if for some reason I don't use a TS I will use it at CS. After all it is free and there are very good CS locations and no tip.

I would never do a fake reservation or tack on days to beat the system.
This could backfire anyway especailly if someone forgot about the fake days.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm not sure why everyone keeps saying they wish they could go back to the 180 days out booking.

1) Easy.
2) With 90+10, other have your days already taken. *
3) With 90-only or 180-only, the fastest fingers got in.
4) More fair when everyone has a shot at the same ressie

* Example:
. . . let's say I am eligible to call on the 20th, then ADR's through the 30th
. . . Fred was able to call on the 11th
. . . with his 10 days, he already booked my 20th
. . . as each day passes, others can eat into my 90-days
. . . even before I can call, popular eateries are gone

 

[vicki_c]

1) Easy.
2) With 90+10, other have your days already taken. *
3) With 90-only or 180-only, the fastest fingers got in.
4) More fair when everyone has a shot at the same ressie

* Example:
. . . let's say I am eligible to call on the 20th, then ADR's through the 30th
. . . Fred was able to call on the 11th
. . . with his 10 days, he already booked my 20th
. . . as each day passes, others can eat into my 90-days
. . . even before I can call, popular eateries are gone

But it was 180+10 before, so what's the difference?

 

[05MM08MM]

I have learned after reading threads about ADR's during FD that I will have to be flexible with my times and have other options as well to give my TA for when she calls.

I really recommend using a Disney experienced TA to take care of everything for you. Since they deal with these people on a daily basis, they will also know how to handle just about anything that the CM throws at them and you don't have to use your cell minutes or pay long distance charges

As far as the 180 vs 90 days goes, when was FD first released the public? Early April? Lets say after much discussion with your family you decided you are going to make your reservation, and you're planning on departing September 25th. If it was still 180 days...you would already be past that time. At least with the 90 days you have time to look at the menus and think about where you want to eat. Also, not everyone makes vacation plans 180+ days in advance, but usually (not always) they should by 3-4 months....make sense?

 

[Joan1]

I really recommend using a Disney experienced TA to take care of everything for you. Since they deal with these people on a daily basis, they will also know how to handle just about anything that the CM throws at them and you don't have to use your cell minutes or pay long distance charges

This is exactly what we do and sit back and relax until we hear from her with our confirmation numbers.

 

[MelanieC]

I have learned after reading threads about ADR's during FD that I will have to be flexible with my times and have other options as well to give my TA for when she calls.

I really recommend using a Disney experienced TA to take care of everything for you. Since they deal with these people on a daily basis, they will also know how to handle just about anything that the CM throws at them and you don't have to use your cell minutes or pay long distance charges

The flaw with letting a TA handle your reservations is they don't really care if you get what you want. They aren't going to call at 7am they will call when they have time. If there are clients in the office or on the phone, they won't be able to call. They have to do it in thier spare time.

As for the 90 days plus - it all equals out in the end. When I calle don my 90 day mark - plenty of people were able to make ADR's 10 days prior to me. When I called I could make them 10 days out and then the cycle goes on and on. There will always be SOMEONE who can call prior. It's worked for many years like this - its nothing new. Even at 180 days prior it was still 180 days plus. The problem with 180 days is you didn't have the schedule out yet.
Really - it does all equal out.

I know that free dining makes it worse, but seriously keep trying back. People change things all the time.

 

[ga9497]

The flaw with letting a TA handle your reservations is they don't really care if you get what you want. They aren't going to call at 7am they will call when they have time. If there are clients in the office or on the phone, they won't be able to call. They have to do it in thier spare time.

I am sure SOME Ta's are like this but I can tell you that I am up way before 7am ready to call in or now do them online.

Just like there are TA's that don't care there ARE Ta's that DO care. You can't just generalize that all are one way or another.

I probably made over 50 ADR's since the online booking went live and was able to get everyone one of the ones I tried for.

 

[dvcdisney]

This same thing happened when you could book 180 days out. I'm not sure why everyone keeps saying they wish they could go back to the 180 days out booking. If free dining was offered, then this exact same thing happened. In fact, there were a ton of people that hated having to call at 180 days out...they wanted to go back to the 90 days out plan. Obviously, you can't please everyone. I've been booking ADRs/PSs since it was 60 days out for CRT....it is the exact same thing...a feeding frenzy on that first day...especially if there is a special deal or free dining going on.

I am one of those who say and wish that the 180 days are back. At 180 days, the Free Dining has not been announced. So for those of us who booked and are not planning on booking Free Dining, we are able to book at 180 days out. I have always booked my ADRs at 180 days +10 and had never had any problems. I was not competing with any Free Diners since the dates were not even announced yet.

When they did announce it, some of the guests can immediately book their ADRs as soon as they can since it's within the 180 days window. The influx of calls would not have concentrated within a few days (weeks). This year, ADRs for Free Dining began on May 18th. The system couldn't handle the volume and there were many reports of it crashing. I myself was in a middle of a call during that time. It was very frustrating.

Now if it was 180 days, guests can call anytime (within their 180 days window). I don't recall when Free Dining was announced but I'm sure it has been a couple of months now. And instead of Free Dining guest calling at any time (within their booking window), they had to wait until this week.

Bringing it back to 180 days, would mean that the calls would have been spread out over months, not just a few days or weeks creating such a mess. And don't forget all of us who made our ADRs far in advance, we would be taken out of the volume. And yes, the new system doesn't help (Disney should have thought this out a little more). JMO.

 

[Joan1]

The flaw with letting a TA handle your reservations is they don't really care if you get what you want. They aren't going to call at 7am they will call when they have time. If there are clients in the office or on the phone, they won't be able to call. They have to do it in thier spare time.

As for the 90 days plus - it all equals out in the end. When I calle don my 90 day mark - plenty of people were able to make ADR's 10 days prior to me. When I called I could make them 10 days out and then the cycle goes on and on. There will always be SOMEONE who can call prior. It's worked for many years like this - its nothing new. Even at 180 days prior it was still 180 days plus. The problem with 180 days is you didn't have the schedule out yet.
Really - it does all equal out.

I know that free dining makes it worse, but seriously keep trying back. People change things all the time.

I have never had a problem with my TA doing my ADR's and I have been letting her do them for the last 4 years sometimes going twice a year. I am sure there are good and bad TA's like everything else in life but I am comfortable and confident with mine. Plus my TA is someone that works for one of the internet based agencies so they don't have people going into the office so to speak.