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

[scouthawkk]

We leave for WDW in about 2 weeks, and I just got a phone call from a Disney rep. He called to say that he sees that we have the free dining plan and he wanted to know if we needed any help with any ADR's. He said he had some good seating times at some great restaurants, if we needed some help

Got my call yesterday. Not even 5 minutes after I asked DH if they had called. I told him that they had opened up some new seatings at different places, and were calling people to see if they needed any reservation. When the phone rang and he said it was a Florida call, I just started ! Had the lady on the other end laughing by the time he handed the phone over, too!

While I didn't need any new ones, she was kind enough to confirm the ones I had already made. Very fun conversation, and now I am looking even more forward to my arrival in 20 days

 

[noseybuddy]

I leave next Thursday, no phone call here.

 

[shyjade]

I've been trying daily for the last week to squeeze in a dinner reservation for 2 (1 adult, 1 child) on Wed. 9/27 at Boma since we will be staying at AKL. NO LUCK!! I really hope I get a call from Disney in the next few weeks and that they can squeeze us in somehow.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

I received a call yesterday on this. In fact I posted on the dining board to see if anyone else had received one. I liked receiving it, however, when I told the girl I had already made my reservations she seemed sorta dissappointed. My 1st reaction was maybe they are getting paid extra $$ for each ADR that is made. Then I thought maybe she was getting towards the end of her shift and starting to get tired. Either way I liked receiving the phone call and think it's a great way to intereact with the guests to see if they have any further questions and make or add any changes.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

I am sure there is a logistical reason behind it.
Not that I do not like Disney, but I cannot see them making all these calls and man hours if there was no logitsical reason. When I was there with the free dining which is the bomb by the way.
Bomb being a good thing.
I did notice a lot of confusion and people wandering trying to find a table service.
They propbably want to ease the strain of this, while making sure they do not upset some pepole on the plan.

 

[jenjen212]

Father of Four, I am so happy for you!!! It truly does differentiate disney from any other vacation destination. there are many companies who DON'T do this, and you may be paying more money to the other companies! Disney always stands out in my mind as one of the most magical places to vacation, even if you don't go to the parks and you just enjoy the resort. The employees and how they treat you is what adds to the magic of a vacation. Although, in every company you will have that one or two people who are in a bad mood, and will act in a way they shouldn't. Overall, Disney beats all other companies in the way they treat their guests.

I don't understand why some people have to look at the negative side of things. In the world of Business, Outstanding Customer service ALWAYS = More Return Customers, Referred Customers, etc. That is why a lot of businesses try to align disney's business mottos with their own.

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

 

[DiszyDeanette]

We got the call too. It would have been a little more magical if they hadn't called at 8am. (good thing we're only 1 time zone away instead of in CA!) Not that it would have bothered me, I was already at work. But DH has been working 2nd shift, and is so not amused with phone calls that early, since that's the middle of the night to him. I do wish they could somehow check their reservation system, it would save them a lot of time, since we have had our ADRs for months now. But they are trying to make sure everybody is happy, and that's A-OK with me!

 

[DiszyDeanette]

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

I so seriously doubt this. What are they going to say? "We have some OK restaurants with livable time slots open for you, grab them while you can"? No way they're calling and offering up LeCellier at 6:30 on Saturday night. Probably something more along the lines of Boatrights at 8:00 on Tuesday. (not that there's anything wrong with Boatrights!) Of course they are going to tell you whatever they have is "great!" I work in sales and customer service, I do it every day!

 

[melomouse]

LOL, Deanette - they gave me my courtesy call this AM and I DID book Boatwright's virtually any time I wanted!!! LOLOLOL

There were also openings at R&C available on that night I can't get into LC!!

 

[minniebeth]

I got the same call yesterday for our upcoming free dining trip. We are all set too (I think we made our ADRs before we even booked he hotel!) and we can't wait for August 31st to get here!!

Forgive my ignorance about ADR's and the DDP... can you book ADR's 180 days in advanced even if you don't have a WDW resort booked? Just asking! Thanks!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

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).

I called that very morning, also...even though it made me late for a movie I really wanted to see!