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

[wcduke]

I just wanted to share an example about how Disney goes the extra mile and why we love going to WDW so much....

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 (we are already booked, tho, because I am a MASSIVE planner ) He said he wanted to make sure we are all set up with reservations because he wanted us to have the most magical trip possible!

Now keep in mind that we are eating for FREE, so Disney gets no extra money, no matter WHERE or WHEN we eat. It's already free! Whether we use ALL or NONE of our free meals, Disney gets no extra money.

So here is Disney making these phone calls, just to make sure we aren't disappointed when we get there, because we can't find a place to eat. Like the rep said, he just wanted to make sure our vacation was magical.

Little does he know, the magic has now just started..........

 

[2x_dis_dad]

That seems odd to me. Can't they dig a little deeper and see that you have ADR's already?

 

[Kimberly815]

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!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

That's why Disney is tops. No-one can beat them!

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[David R]

Maybe if people experience great meals at good restaurants (instead of winging it and ending up eating CS meals wherever you can find some room) will make for a better WDW vacation and you will be more likely to return and even eat at some of those resutarants when there is no free dining. Looking at future revenue makes business sense.

 

[seven dwarfs]

Kimberly 815, are you staying at movies too or a different resort?

 

[Dznefreek]

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.

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

 

[Mecha Figment]

how does one get teh free dining plan.

 

[44disney]

What a wonderful reminder of your upcoming trip! It is definitely the details which distinguishes Disney from other vacation spots. Hope you enjoy your free meals (I'll be paying for mine in Nov/Dec)!

 

[jbdreamer]

how does one get teh free dining plan.

You had to book before June 25th to get Free Dinning for August-September. Sorry you missed it, hopefuly they'll do it again next year.

 

[Nbtstatic]

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

Not sure I understand what you're saying, the OP has Free Dining...

 

[wcduke]

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

If that were true and they were directing us towards a more expensive restaurant, since we are dining for free, Disney would actually be LOSING money, since its free no matter WHERE we eat (as long as it is included in the Dining Plan).

I understand that Disney is in the business of making money, but I can't think of any other vacation destination where they call you two weeks before you leave to help you take advantage of free things that they offer.

THAT is what differentiates Disney from everyone else.

 

[vsimeone]

What a great phone call!!!

I got a similar one today also but from V&A's confirming our reservation and checking to see if we have any dietary restrictions and the spelling of our names. They were VERY kind on the phone and asked if they could help with anything else. I'm sure it is probably a regular thing for them to do but what a nice surprise just as I am still agonizing over the last couple of things to pack!

Have a great time on your trip!!!

 

[mking624]

That's really cool!!

That seems odd to me. Can't they dig a little deeper and see that you have ADR's already?

They could have, but that doesn't mean the OP was done making ADRs (they have no way of knowing that) or that the OP was content with the ADRs (since many people are trying to get ADRs at certain places that are completely booked). I think this is an awesome way to go the extra mile.

 

[toocooltobeMom]

WoW! Disney is certainly going out of its way to please its guests. Eventhough I didn't get a call from them, it is still nice to hear that some of you did.

 

[Dznefreek]

If that were true and they were directing us towards a more expensive restaurant, since we are dining for free

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

 

[Nbtstatic]

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

Do you just like to pee on people's parades or what?

I promise you, there would be no room discount for CSR in the universe that would give me more discount than a free 700 dollar dining plan.

 

[thunderbird1]

I promise you, there would be no room discount for CSR in the universe that would give me more discount than a free 700 dollar dining plan.

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.

 

[peachgirl]

I'm glad to see them doing this!

We didn't choose to have the dining plan, but every time I walked by the concierge desk at the BWV's, there was a mile long line of people trying to figure out their adr's. Apparently not everyone in the world plans like some of us do and wait until they arrive to set up their entire dining selections.

It made for a terribly long wait anytime I needed to talk to someone at the resort!

 

[LadyZolt]

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)