Anyone else get frustrated by this??
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bradbeckyk · 03-06-2009, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caldercup

There have been many personal reports of members of this board who have *temporarily* had two meals booked at the same time until they could solidify their plans. When they showed common courtesy to call back and cancel one, they were shocked to discover that both ADRs had been canceled.

This was later confirmed to be policy with the dining CMs.Eileen

You absolutely right this happened to us. We made two reservations and when the family members (not immediate family) finally decided we called back to cancel one and was surprised to find both canceled. We asked why and where told that they were starting to stop people from making multiple reservations at the same time and day. The computer would go through and cancel bookings of this sort. Apparently it doesn't happen to everybody, but I would be safe than sorry. We were able to reschedule with no problems but would have been shocked if we waited.

I prefer the 180 day out rule myself. We have several restaurants in all of the parks we love so I plan what park we'll be in first then the meal. The hard part is choosing which outstanding restaurant to choose from. However, once we have a reservation made we stick to it. I let everybody know we can go where ever we want i.e. all the way to AK or DTD but at 7:00 pm we'll be seated at Artist point if that’s where we had our reservations for the day. I do not believe in just blowing off a reservation and I think my family would agree. This has caused trouble with other friends and family members who don't bat an eye about blowing off a dinner reservation because they decided they want to set around and drink somewhere.

Brad

CinderAbby · 03-06-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

This practice is done soley to lock up ressies so there is maximum flexability as to where to eat.

But on the other hand it locks people out also. It's a double edged sword. What you feel is fine and dandy others will construe as totally selfish.

Quote:

The restaurants are full and thats all Disney is concerned about, PLUS, when we dont use one we reserved.....a "stand by" gets in. Thats a good thing.

A stand by might get in, but it's never at the time you wanted - it's probably 45 minutes after you were suppose to be there. Last August, every restaurant that had walk-ups, those people were either being turned away or told to come back in a few hours time. And I did not go during the free dining when it's really hard.

KLBV · 03-06-2009, 08:22 AM

I don't mind the 90 days ADR's just wish the park hours were out sooner so those of us who do not want to park hop can decide restaurants based on EMH more ahead of time. Just an FYI for those of you waiting for park hours. I pulled up historical park hours from two different websites for the past two years and compared them and figured out what they would match up to for our trip this year to plan tentative restaurants until the park hours came out. Now the June hours are out and the EMH's are exactly the same days of the week as the last two years...can't guarantee every month will be the same but at least it will give you an idea. The hours seemed a lttle shorter but the days were exactly the same. Of couse show scheedules vary as with Fantasmic only three days. Hope this helps...good luck.

Kynna · 03-06-2009, 09:36 AM

I hated the change at first but now I've accepted it as another date to get excited for. 11 month Booking date, 7 month booking date, Double Digit Dance, ADRs, ME tags, and the 7 day bubble.

edwardsfire · 03-06-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheatenwalker

Come on, you're kidding right?

absolutely not. The CM's will advise one to do this to ensure a table. (if you simply ASK)
Actually, thats how we learned about it to begin with.
It is within the rules. We are simply booking many ddr's knowing we will only be able to use some of them. The restaurants always have folks hoping for an opening and when we cancel that day or dont show up, someone else gets the table.
Actually, if you ask around (cm's) at the restaurants..it is done alot.

edwardsfire · 03-06-2009, 09:53 AM

[quote=CinderAbby;2617738]But on the other hand it locks people out also. It's a double edged sword. What you feel is fine and dandy others will construe as totally selfish.

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I respectfully disagree.
When people plan and go on a vacation, THEY must ensure that it is planned and scheduled to give that family maximum benefit.
Look out for number one...thats how we plan and thats how i believe everyone should plan.
There IS a way to make sure you get your ressies, its up to you to do it.
But in the end, we can plan our own ways. Both are abiding by the rules.

IdahoDisneyMom · 03-06-2009, 10:09 AM

I believe I remember hearing that some seasonal hours had changed due to the economy, but what I've always done is look at last year's hours for the days we're going. I know it's not a sure thing, but these days what is? It helps me make a rough draft, which we all know gets changed along the way once we get to WDW anyway. Just my 2 cents.

ChristyLeni · 03-06-2009, 10:09 AM

Ok, so I just called Disney cause I was in a bit of a panic. The CM I spoke to said they do in fact cancel reservations that are made with the same reservation number for the same date and time. The computer system does this automatically. Occasionally they are not caught because the difference may be just the right distance apart that it gets missed. For instance, a 11:55 and a 1:00 would be allowed, but a 11:55 and 12:15 would not. I was worried about my reservations because I made them for my entire group under my reservation number alone and was afraid they would be cancelled. She said I should be ok because while I used one number I had given different names for the different people going to that restaurant. Anyway, she said to be on the safe side we should just change the reservation number attached, which we did. So, we should be good. So glad I called. I can just imagine my families faces when they are standing at the podium in 3 different countries being told they have no reservations. It would have been ugly!!

**Caldercup** · 03-06-2009, 10:16 AM

Oh, you can certainly make two different reservations for different members of your family -- like if the group wants to split up, with one group going to Akershus while another group goes to Le Cellier at the same time. What I do in that case is to book it under two different telephone numbers. (I tend not to use my resort reservation number because I'm more likely to remember my cell phone number!)

I did this for one of my Grand Gatherings -- my sister and husband went to Morocco, my brother and his wife went to Mexico and my dad, stepmom, the cousins and my family went to Teppan Edo, all at the same reservation time, just under each of our respective telephone numbers.

The clear idea here is that we weren't booking three reservations for 13 people each and then deciding which one we wanted to keep. We were different groupings within our 13-person GG going to three different "date nights." Not only was it great, but we weren't inconveniencing anyone else -- something my conscience wouldn't allow me to do.
Eileen

Mares75 · 03-06-2009, 10:39 AM

I don't mind the 90 day ADR window, but I wish the park hours were up sooner. I feel like we're just stuck in trying to plan anything until those come out.

jimmymac · 03-06-2009, 10:49 AM

I don't mind the 90 day ADR window, but I wish the park hours were up sooner[/color]

And I too think that booking multiple ADRs when you know you won't be using them is rude

bradbeckyk · 03-06-2009, 02:53 PM

[quote=ChristyLeni;2617904]Ok, so I just called Disney cause I was in a bit of a panic. The CM I spoke to said they do in fact cancel reservations that are made with the same reservation number for the same date and time. The computer system does this automatically. [quote]

I'm glad you called back and made sure; because we did have ours canceled.

My hat goes off to everybody who goes with big parties other than their immediate family. We have made different reservations for others to eat at different restaurants and it hardly ever worked out right. We would be walking around and our friends or family members we made reservations for all of a suddenly decide they want to eat with us instead of where we made the reservations for. Now this causes two problems it messes up our reservation and makes our name look bad because we appear to be unable to keep our word. We now make it clear if they want us to include them in our reservation they will make it unless there’s an emergency, and if they want to eat somewhere else they make their own reservations. If they do and change their mind and want to eat with us I will be happy to see if we can add them to our reservation. However, if we can't I won't change our reservation due to them.

I look at reservations like I look at a handshake. In my mind I look at making reservations as shaking the persons hand and say I give you my word we will be there.

Brad

CinderAbby · 03-06-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Look out for number one...thats how we plan and thats how i believe everyone should plan.

There's a difference between looking out for number one and doing it to the point that you're totally inconsiderate and disrepectful to those around you.

I can see making 2 and only 2 reservations in a single day at the same time for different restaurants but anymore than that IMO is just downright inconsiderate,rude, disrespectful (or any similar word you want to insert)to everyone else trying to make ADR's.

Please don't take this personally as it's not directed just at you but anyone else who does things like that. Disney is a place where you can normally talk to strangers like they're friends and where special things can happen. Where the everyday doesn't occur and real life doesn't intrude (too much that is). But when there are people who have extremely selfish attitudes and act like their entitled to things more than other people (just like in everyday life) and are just downright rude, it ruins the magic of Disney IMO. How can you be happy in the "Happiest place on Earth" when other people there are just bound and determined to be "it's my way or the highway" or "I rate better than you because this has or has not happened to me. "