WDW just called me!--They are the best!

[MissMagnolia]

Wow! What a great call! Some people are too cynical. I think this is good business on Disney's part. People EXPECT magic at Disney and they are good at delivering it. That is why all of us continue to go back year after year. I personally am impressed that Disney would go to the extent to call their upcoming guests and help. I have to say that for this vacation we have received more postcards, packets, etc. to help us prepare for our upcoming visit than any in the past. This is our first time with a package and the first time at the Beach Club, so maybe it has something to do with that. Either way...bring it on!

 

[HayGan]

not really . . .you had to book a room at full rack rate with no discounts available under this plan. ..

I'm sorry but what does that have to do with your original comment about them trying to get the OP into more expensive restaurants.

I'm going in early Spetmeber with my mom and I guarantee that no discount would equal the $80 (at least) in free food that we will be enjoying each day!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

not so much help as trying to generate additional revenue by moving you to a more expensive/better restaurant. . . .

That is GREAT, wcduke. Disne ydoes go the extea mile to bring that magic. Enjoy your trip. What a great start!!!!!

 

[disneymama73]

Wow, that's amazing! I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[abeyst]

Hey! Send these CMs my way!! Noone called me, and I need to plan 7 meals! AND WE LEAVE ON THE 22nd!!

Please Mr./Ms. Cast Member, look for us folks who have booked dining plans that don't have ADRs listed yet, AND call us!!

Ya know, I used to be an obsessive planner. Now, I really could just not care. (My goal this weekend is to finish our trip planning so I can book the darn ADRs!) Oh, what happens when you get old and have been to WDW too many times to count............

 

[photonut]

I'm with you there. In our case, even if you don't like to think of the dining as "free" because of the rack rate, we're still going to eat for only $61 a day (based on the biggest discount I've heard of for moderates, whether or not we could have qualified for it). In my book, that's still a darn good deal!

Of course, now I'll be waiting by the phone for Disney to call and tell me I can get into Le Cellier for dinner instead of the lunch we currently have booked. Because free just isn't enough--I want more, more, more! JK.

Thunderbird, when are you going? We also are going in August and staying at POFQ and we have 2 ADRs made for dinner at Le Cellier (we are going for 10 nights) and now the kids want to switch one for something else. If it is a date that works for you we can try to transfer it to you? Send me a PM if interested.

 

[Lizzybee]

I got the call today too. It was on the answering machine when I got home from work. A very chipper, friendly CM saying they see we're gonna be there during free dining, that it's very popular and we should make ADRs. Maybe I'm a dork but I was so excited to get a call from DISNEY!
I will say though since I'm kind of a "planner" in the DIS way, I had to call to confirm my ADRs. Another cool thing about that phone call, they have a message telling you about when they will answer your call "your call should be answered in 4 mins or less according to our..."whatever it is that decides how long.

 

[vellamint]

I think it's great that they called! I also think that calling and telling people about ADR's means less irate people standing outside the restaurants screaming that they're on the dining plan and want to have a meal with Cinderella or another character and being told that there is no seating. I'm sure we've all seen people who had no idea that they'd need ADR's trying to get into places at the height of the lunch or dinner rush. It's very sad, especially when they have small kids who clearly were promised by their parents that they'd be eating there. So, it's worth it for Disney to call and tell people way in advance in case they don't know. I think some people just say to themselves, "I'm on the dining plan and can eat anywhere" and think that just because they CAN eat anywhere, that equates to they will be able to eat at any place they choose whenever they choose, and that is not the case.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

I agree with this statement. I think the Free Dining (and not Free Dining) has been such a "hit" that they are trying to get everyone to make reservations before they come in order to prevent confrontations with the CM's from people not being able to get a table service meal.

Not everyone reads these boards and understands how booked up all those restaurants are and if you combine these phone calls with the other thread about the restaurants possible adding hours....well, they obviously KNOW that there are going to be a lot of people disappointed in their meal arrangements.

The off-site people are the ones who are really, really not going to be able to get a seat anywhere!! I am SO happy that we are staying onsite and glad that Disney is being proactive about getting their DDP people into restaurants.

 

[Lizzybee]

I think it's great that they called! I also think that calling and telling people about ADR's means less irate people standing outside the restaurants screaming that they're on the dining plan and want to have a meal with Cinderella or another character and being told that there is no seating. I'm sure we've all seen people who had no idea that they'd need ADR's trying to get into places at the height of the lunch or dinner rush. It's very sad, especially when they have small kids who clearly were promised by their parents that they'd be eating there. So, it's worth it for Disney to call and tell people way in advance in case they don't know. I think some people just say to themselves, "I'm on the dining plan and can eat anywhere" and think that just because they CAN eat anywhere, that equates to they will be able to eat at any place they choose whenever they choose, and that is not the case.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

That's pretty much what the CM said when I called Dining. They want everyone to know that ADR's are (for the most part) needed. Plus can you imagine how many people said what we said on our first trip "eh we'll just play it by ear". We didn't have a dining plan though but if we had and we couldn't get into a restaurant without an ADR we would have been pretty bummed. We're pretty mellow, but can you IMAGINE the stink some people would raise with guest relations if they had the dining plan and couldn't use any TS credits? I think this is a very wise move. More than likely with DIS'ers it's just a nice call from WDW, but for some people it may make a huge difference in their trip.

 

[Step]

My suspicion, from the way the CM told the OP that he had "lots of great restaurants available" is that they are actually holding spots for the free dining plan people.

They likely put aside a number of slots based on how many free diners they expected, same as the resort rooms, and now they are calling to get them filled. They are also likely calling people in order of their arrival date, which would explain why some haven't been called yet.

No wonder that some people are finding it hard to book ADR's

 

[FatherofFour]

Now that is customer service!!! No matter the reason why, the call you received is a perfect example of the "Disney Detail".

As per an earlier post, the free dining may require the rack rate on your room, but comparing apples to apples, if the free dining were factored in our moderate hotel rate is only $37.00 per night. With myself, DW and three DC's this deal couldn't be beat.

 

[cruiserkaren]

That's great!

As per an earlier post, the free dining may require the rack rate on your room, but comparing apples to apples, if the free dining were factored in our moderate hotel rate is only $37.00 per night.

ITA. We didn't have the dining plan when we went in March and trust me, we are eating a WHOLE LOT better this trip!

 

[Disfan3]

I haven't received any phone calls about my trip or dining

I leave in a week! Maybe I have been at the pool too much???

 

[Daxx]

We got the same phone call yesterday (Fri)! DH told them we were good to go w/ressies and thanked them for their kindness!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I haven't gotten a phone call (yet??) for my trip in eleven days, but have been tying up the phone lines hanging out here on the DIS!

 

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

I wonder if Disney calling to try to fill the new hours for places that are rumored to expand. I just heard Chef Mickey's is now open during lunch during the the free dinning period (Aug 13th to Sept 30th) rumors have most of the park TS staying open an extra hour or two after closing time.

 

[Lizzybee]

I haven't gotten a phone call (yet??) for my trip in eleven days, but have been tying up the phone lines hanging out here on the DIS!

Maybe WDW has you ID'ed as a DIS'er and they figure you had all your ADR's set 180 days ago.

 

[miksad]

Hi, All!

Man, I NEVER leave the dining to chance! When 180 days before the last day of our trip comes around, I am on the phone, with a list of restaurants and days and times! It really is helpful and even if you need to cancel, you still have that option (recommend the same thing for tours also).

 

[tina&jefffromtoronto]

I am leaving in 2 weeks too and would also really like that phone call- particularly because I'm thinking of making one last switch...
I actually haven't heard anything from Disney- no e-mails, no mail, nothing- and it is making we kind of nervous....anyone else have that experience. The last time I called they assured me I'd be receiving something in the mail.
Ok enough whining....congrats on the magical phone call...it would make my whole week way better to get Disney VM.

 

[AdventureGuru]

I just shot a quick email to my TA to make sure disney has MY cell phone number and not the boys...or that they dont try to call the house (he works nites-sleeps during the day)

Not to mention...if they ask him if he has everything...he wouldnt know what that is in the first place!!! I make all of the plans...he just shows up for the pictures!!!