You're Killing Me Disney...

[HopperFan]

Klayfish-- Breakfast at BOG is not the greatest. I made the reservation purely to get into the park earlier than opening. I never said it was going to ruin my daughter's birthday. When you are forced to make reservations 6 months in advance based on published park hours, I don't feel the hours should then change. Disney forces you to plan ahead, (which if we weren't inclined to do we wouldn't be looking at these forums! lol) so I feel they should not then change hours.

ADRs are dining, restaurant atmosphere and maybe entertainment (characters). They do not come with any other benefit.

Some roll the dice and gamble on PPO ADRs in hopes that they can get some indirect benefit over other guests. It is always a gamble. It is never an included benefit to an ADR.

Park hours have nothing to do with Restaurant hours. You book restaurants based on their operating hours, and you will be permitted in to those restaurants regardless of park hours.

Disney hours changing is very common and has been for many years. Disney predicts attendance six months out but as they get closer they adjust those hours based on hotel occupancy etc. They change the hours for the benefit of all guests or as in EMH resort guests. This is not a surprise occurrence or anything new. Disney should and does change park hours as needed.

Yes I get that it impacts your plan to use your ADR for a non-included benefit and it upset your plan. But that was the gamble you took when you booked. WE all call it a PPO reservation but to Disney it's just another ADR for dining.

I don't see any reason to get upset. It was a gamble - it didn't work out. If you only booked to get in the the park earlier as you stated, I would just cancel it.

 

[SaintsManiac]

OP I understand the frustration, especially because Disney makes you feel like you have to make every ADR 180 days in advance and then they change the hours on you. I was worried about our one PPO until literally the day before. Our backup plan was to cancel and enjoy the welcome show if they changed the hours.

It's a double-edged sword with Disney. Make plans 6 months in advance, but always be prepared for change. I hope you guys have a great time, regardless of this!

 

[luvsJack]

Some of you really need to get off the "protect Disney at all costs" bandwagon. The OP didn't say it would ruin her trip, didn't say it would ruin her dd's birthday, didn't say she would boycott Disney, didn't even say she would call and complain. She just made the reservation for a certain reason and now that reason is null and void. Doesn't matter why its null and void, just it is and its frustrating.

To say that getting in early is not a benefit is silly. It most certainly is and always has been. Disney themselves will say that. Its just gotten to where its the luck of the draw whether you get to keep that particular benefit. Its not like they sit back and wonder why all these people are making ADR's for before the park opens. Besides it well explains why a restaurant in the middle of MK would open an hour before MK does.

OP, I get your frustration and I agree that at some point the hours or at least the a.m. hours need to be set and stand so that everything else can be planned around those times. But, it is what it is, I guess.

 

[DisneyFive]

Personally, I would cancel the reservation and look for something else special to do at WDW on her birthday. With MK opening at 8:00 that morning, it would be a waste IMO.

Full disclosure though, I have never felt the desire for a pre park opening breakfast reservation. There are very limited perks. By the time breakfast is over, the park is opening. So you may get a jump on ONE ride. Being there when very limited guests are in the park is cool, but that's about it IMO.

Dan

 

[BurleyGirl]

To all those people who "don't see any reason to get upset," let's keep "upset" in context...I'm sure there are things that "upset" you in your normal course of the day...things that to others might be easy to roll with the flow...are they super important? Probably not...but they still "upset" you and make for a less-than-stellar day...do you get over them? Probably so...but you would prefer not having them to get over...
That's all the OP is trying to convey...she's not going off the deep end and cancelling her trip. And, she came to a place where she could have others who sympathize with her plight and give her encouragement...
But, we are all different and have different personalities...it's just hard to hear those who make you feel small for allowing yourself to "get upset." But, that dissenting voice can help you keep things in perspective, so it's all good!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Personally, I would cancel the reservation and look for something else special to do at WDW on her birthday. With MK opening at 8:00 that morning, it would be a waste IMO.

Full disclosure though, I have never felt the desire for a pre park opening breakfast reservation. There are very limited perks. By the time breakfast is over, the park is opening. So you may get a jump on ONE ride. Being there when very limited guests are in the park is cool, but that's about it IMO.

Dan

It depends on the RD crowd and where you head off to. We did Crystal Palace and then were able to head to Adventureland when it was completely empty. We rode several rides in FL, too because everyone was running to A&E and Mine Train.

 

[loves to dive]

Personally, I didn't enjoy my BOG breakfast so I'd cancel just because it's overpriced for what you get. However, I'll also say that I've been just after rope drop and especially on EMH days, it's still doable to get on rides pretty quick. That magic shot of the castle without people in the picture is pretty much a thing of the past any way, there are so many people booking the PPO breakfasts that it's rare to see the castle without people in front of it. Either way, she is sure to have a great birthday at WDW and it's all good.

Having said that, I would like to point out that Disney does not force you to do anything. You do not have to book your ADRs 6 months out and you do not have to stay up to midnight on the day of your 60 day FP booking window. It is possible to get ADRs, yes even for those "must do" restaurants in less time than 6 months out and it's possible to get FPs for those "must do" rides less than 60 days out. People cancel all the time and things come open constantly, heck, I've been known to cancel FPs while standing in line for the ride I have a FP for and book another one for another ride right then. I've also been known to go without a single FP and ride every ride I want to ride, including SDMT and not wait in line for a hour. I rarely do rope drop and rarely take advantage of EMH, it's all a matter of your prospective. Life is short, stop and smell the roses (just don't do it at Epcot, they are in bad shape and you might get stung).

 

[crazedprincess]

I'm sure she didn't mean "upset" as in yelling, throwing things around and punching pillows.... she probably meant "upset" as in "ohhhhh bummer!"

 

[DisneyMom111]

OP, I totally get where you are coming from. I think if I were you I would try to snag a lunch reservation so you can do rope drop, the lunch food is better anyway. I hope you have a great trip and your daughter has a magical 16th birthday!!

 

[xlsm]

This tends to happen quite a bit (the adding of morning hours), so we always try to remember to remain flexible, even when it's incredibly frustrating.

I have had a similar experience. When BOG breakfast was new, I was thrilled to get an 8am ADR. When they changed hours to open the park earlier, I was annoyed, but I just made an adjustment on our ADR time. We changed the time to 9:30ish, still did rope drop of Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, and then checked in for breakfast. We were actually able to check in a little earlier than our ADR time.

This ended up working out well for us, because we enjoyed the low morning crowds and did a lot of rides, took a break with our meal, and then our FP times started up after we finished.

A little adjustment could end up working out better than the original plan. Good luck, have fun, and happy birthday to your daughter! I hope she has a magical day

 

[HopperFan]

To say that getting in early is not a benefit is silly. It most certainly is and always has been. Disney themselves will say that. Its just gotten to where its the luck of the draw whether you get to keep that particular benefit.

Its not like they sit back and wonder why all these people are making ADR's for before the park opens. Besides it well explains why a restaurant in the middle of MK would open an hour before MK does.

OP, I get your frustration and I agree that at some point the hours or at least the a.m. hours need to be set and stand so that everything else can be planned around those times. But, it is what it is, I guess.

No, No and No.

It is NOT a benefit of your ADR. It does at times come as an indirect benefit of booking early. No, Disney does not tell you that getting in to an empty park ahead of all others is part of your ADR. If anything these boards should be leading people down the correct path .... that it is possible you may get this perk but equally possible you will not. It is a gamble.

No, they do not open this restaurant in the middle of the park so that you can get in the park ahead of all others. That is silly. The restaurants that tend to get PPO ADRs are the restaurants that are popular and often fully booked. They are restaurants that Disney knows they can make more revenue from if they expand RESTAURANT hours. They are willing to do this in the mornings because many families are up early and willing to spend money on breakfast. CP and CRT were doing this for years long before 7DMT became a factor. This is all about REVENUE and nothing about letting guests in early. They don't care why someone is willing to pay that much for breakfast, they are happy to take their money.

No, Disney should never say they won't change hours. So a hundred folks lost the gamble, the thousands that are now in the park earlier are very happy. Park hours are park hours - Dining hours are dining hours. Not connected. Not to revenue or operations.

The OP wants Disney to promise set hours so her ADR to get a benefit not included in her ADR is guaranteed................ it's not part of her ADR.

 

[boomgoesthemickey]

Are there any early morning magic days planned during your visit? They seem to be getting positive reviews and you would have a minimal people in the park plus its got the breakfast included.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Try getting a reservation for lunch look for a party of 1 and try to piece something close together. We had a reservation of 9 all singles but all within 45 minutes of each other and it wasn't a problem. Good Luck !

 

[tlmadden73]

It does stink, but this is why Disney created the Early Morning Magic .. because people PURPOSELY were getting pre-park opening reservations at restaurants for the "bonus" of getting into the park early.

If you want the early morning experience, they have an event for that. Our demand for this experience created that event.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the BOG reservation if there is EMH that morning .. just take advantage of the extra magic hour doing rides and such instead of eating an overpriced breakfast.

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

No, No and No.

It is NOT a benefit of your ADR. It does at times come as an indirect benefit of booking early. No, Disney does not tell you that getting in to an empty park ahead of all others is part of your ADR. If anything these boards should be leading people down the correct path .... that it is possible you may get this perk but equally possible you will not. It is a gamble.

No, they do not open this restaurant in the middle of the park so that you can get in the park ahead of all others. That is silly. The restaurants that tend to get PPO ADRs are the restaurants that are popular and often fully booked. They are restaurants that Disney knows they can make more revenue from if they expand RESTAURANT hours. They are will to do this in the mornings because many families are up early and willing to spend money on breakfast. CP and CRT were doing this for years long before 7DMT became a factor. This is all about REVENUE and nothing about letting guests in early. They don't care why someone is willing to pay that much for breakfast, they are happy to take their money.

No, Disney should never say they won't change hours. So a hundred folks lost the gamble, the thousands that are now in the park earlier are very happy. Park hours are park hours - Dining hours are dining hours. Not connected. Not to revenue or operations.

The OP wants Disney to promise set hours so her ADR to get a benefit not included in her ADR is guaranteed................ it's not part of her ADR.

I think you are more upset than the OP. She did not ask Disney to promise her anything. She is disappointed in the change. As I am sure others have been.

 

[Pua]

OP, try to get an early lunch time instead! If your daughter's dream is an empty main street on her birthday, maybe you could hang around until a while after closing time and get some pictures in a nearly empty Main street at night? This obviously wouldn't work if it's a halloween party night but it might be a good compromise.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Some of you really need to get off the "protect Disney at all costs" bandwagon. The OP didn't say it would ruin her trip, didn't say it would ruin her dd's birthday, didn't say she would boycott Disney, didn't even say she would call and complain. She just made the reservation for a certain reason and now that reason is null and void. Doesn't matter why its null and void, just it is and its frustrating.

To say that getting in early is not a benefit is silly. It most certainly is and always has been. Disney themselves will say that. Its just gotten to where its the luck of the draw whether you get to keep that particular benefit. Its not like they sit back and wonder why all these people are making ADR's for before the park opens. Besides it well explains why a restaurant in the middle of MK would open an hour before MK does.

OP, I get your frustration and I agree that at some point the hours or at least the a.m. hours need to be set and stand so that everything else can be planned around those times. But, it is what it is, I guess.

Well put. Disney is very aware that certain restaurants have higher demand at certain times of the day for reasons other than dining. They even advertise this fact themselves. Look at the page for California Grill. What do they mention? Wishes viewing, of course. What do they show outside the windows? Yup.

And for those that don't understand the "You're killing me (insert name)" it has been a popular meme for well over a decade and implies frustration. It's used a bit sardonically.

 

[HopperFan]

I think you are more upset than the OP. She did not ask Disney to promise her anything. She is disappointed in the change. As I am sure others have been.

No, not upset with OP.

And on the contrary, she (and others) stated that they wanted Disney to promise to not change hours. They are booking a DINING reservation (and maybe only ordering a Mickey straw as many have done) for the sole purpose to get into an empty MK. The ADR does not come with that benefit. Park hours have nothing to do with their ADRS. Never have. Always a gamble. Honestly, if I book one and hours change I adjust my schedule, and wouldn't cross my mind to come here and complain that I gambled and lost and want Disney to change their hour planning process for me.

What upsets me is something I have seen increasing greatly in the last 6 mos on this forum. New and old posters coming with questions to help plan ......... and other posters telling them stuff that is not true, just their opinion as if fact, not answering the question and even making up stuff. This is not helpful at all. It actually diminishes the value of the forum.

When posters, especially those with high counts (and implies knowledge) tell other posters that XXX is fact; like this is exactly why there are PPOs in the middle of the park, it is frustrating. I have noticed more and more opinion being presented as fact, more and more rumors posted as fact, more and more promises made that no one on here has access to (if they did they wouldn't be posting). When others counter, rather than say they might be mistaken, or maybe they got lucky, or engaging in a good discussion among a group - they argue. It's beginning to take away the "happy place" feeling here.

Well put. Disney is very aware that certain restaurants have higher demand at certain times of the day for reasons other than dining. They even advertise this fact themselves. Look at the page for California Grill. What do they mention? Wishes viewing, of course. What do they show outside the windows? Yup.

CG DOES have viewing of Wishes. Not only a wall of glass but huge observation decks so that everyone in the restaurant can have a front row view of the fireworks. I've been several times and the observation deck doesn't even fill up.

ADRS come with food, atmosphere and sometimes entertainment like characters. They do not come with promised early access to parks or attractions. Maybe I missed it but I can't find anything on BOG's page about an empty park. Nor any other restaurant I checked.

Disney does promise this for Early Morning Magic. If a guest wants to be guaranteed an empty park they need to book this breakfast. Fantasyland Fun Before the Park Opens Make your Magic Kingdom morning more magical than ever with this limited-entry, first-access experience in the park.

 

[MermaidMommy]

No, No and No.

It is NOT a benefit of your ADR. It does at times come as an indirect benefit of booking early. No, Disney does not tell you that getting in to an empty park ahead of all others is part of your ADR. If anything these boards should be leading people down the correct path .... that it is possible you may get this perk but equally possible you will not. It is a gamble.

No, they do not open this restaurant in the middle of the park so that you can get in the park ahead of all others. That is silly. The restaurants that tend to get PPO ADRs are the restaurants that are popular and often fully booked. They are restaurants that Disney knows they can make more revenue from if they expand RESTAURANT hours. They are willing to do this in the mornings because many families are up early and willing to spend money on breakfast. CP and CRT were doing this for years long before 7DMT became a factor. This is all about REVENUE and nothing about letting guests in early. They don't care why someone is willing to pay that much for breakfast, they are happy to take their money.

No, Disney should never say they won't change hours. So a hundred folks lost the gamble, the thousands that are now in the park earlier are very happy. Park hours are park hours - Dining hours are dining hours. Not connected. Not to revenue or operations.

The OP wants Disney to promise set hours so her ADR to get a benefit not included in her ADR is guaranteed................ it's not part of her ADR.

But, park hours obviously affect dining options, and, due to Disney's recent trend of very late updates, their changes are often detrimental to their guests. For example, I'm not a shutterbug, so we don't usually do PPO to get pictures. We do it because we like to be able to have breakfast before the park opens, so we don't lose valuable AM touring time. When Disney changes park hours late in be game, it definitely can mess up our plans.

In OP's case, they would now lose the first hour of the day - arguably the least crowded hour of the day to tour - if they kept their breakfast reservation. Conversely, if Disney had posted the actual hours in a timely fashion, OP might have elected to make an ADR for lunch or dinner. But now, because of Disney's (user-unfriendly) policy of last-minute updates, OP has to choose between losing rope-drop touring or possibly not eating at BOG at all.

The bottom line is that Disney doesn't need to make so many park hour changes so late. They even do the same thing every year at Christmas, when everyone knows they'll extend hours. Why not just release a calendar that's as accurate as possible the first time, and then make small adjustments to it as necessary? Disney is perfectly capable of doing that, but the fact that they don't just proves how indifferent they are to their guests' needs.

 

[Allison]

I would call what they do small adjustments. I don't see how adding hours is detrimental to guests. It gives them more time in the parks.