online reservations please read!

allentownguy · #1 07-27-2009, 01:59 AM

hello all

i beg all the people that are the ones guilty of making "fantasy" reservations or making multiple reservations for the same night.

i spoke to Disney tonight and asked why we were having so much trouble making dining reservations for the popular and not popular restaurants on the dining plan (9pm was the earliest for a buffet) i was told that since the online system went online they have had nothing but problems. i was told the problem was the people making multiple and fantasy reservations and the system does not require a credit card except for a few restraunts. she said they are trying to fix this problem and she could not offer much help other them to keep trying to make your reservations and Disney it staff are trying figure something out.

so if your guilty please stop so others can enjoy the great food!

Marceline · #2 07-27-2009, 02:33 AM

I was worried this sort of thing might happen. The system is so open that even folks with no intention or plans to visit Disney could clog the system for kicks or fantasy as you put it.

Perhaps requiring your resort reservation number would solve some problems.....or some sort of ticket identifier that proved you were indeed planning on being at WDW would help for those staying off-property.

There HAS to be a check and cancel policy for double-booking dining. Hording ADRs just so you can "keep your options open", that's just rude and shady.

I had no problems with calling to get ADR's. Online booking is obviously making it TOO easy and allows for lots of abuse.

I would hope it's not the conscientious, research minded folks that come to Intercot that are making the "fantasy" bookings. I have a feeling it would be uninformed people who don't understand that playing with the online booking system is taking opportunity away from others.

DisneyPrincess21 · #3 07-27-2009, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marceline

I have a feeling it would be uninformed people who don't understand that playing with the online booking system is taking opportunity away from others.

It very well could be people not realizing they are taking up the ADR's other people need.

Think of when you want to book tickets at a concert or play and you look around to see what good seats are left, then it only holds the seats for you for about 7 minutes and then puts them back in the available section. People might think that when they are looking around at available ADR's that if they aren't actually going to use them, they never go back into a available section like tickets do.

Puppy Mom · #4 07-27-2009, 03:46 AM

I think Disney REALLY blew it if they don't require at least a $20 deposit for each reservation. Come on, who couldn't see this problem coming a mile away?

That said, the bottom line is most likely the same as many problems. Selfish, inconsiderate people.

I find it hard to believe that people don't realize that making two reservations for the same time is hurting other people. I will bet dollars to donuts that most of the problem is people saying "Lets reserve both places and see what we feel like eating when we get there".

Gregandmel · #5 07-27-2009, 06:47 AM

I'm sure it won't take too long before Disney starts implementing some sort of "guarantee" (like a deposit or something) so this doesn't get out of hand. We aren't going until next year, but I have wondered the same thing about how easy it is to get in there and click on what you want. Does it seriously not ask for a reservation #???? When you book over the phone I know you are asked for one. I played around in the dining section on the disneyworld website to see how it worked, but didn't go too deeply into it for fear I would do exactly what the poster said - making "fantasy reservations" without realizing it. I hope they work out the bugs soon. Making the ADR's is half the fun of planning a Disney trip!!

DisneyFr33k · #6 07-27-2009, 06:58 AM

Read my post on a thread below. I accidentally made my reservations twice as my computer had a problem as I tried to confirm my first ADR's. I did them a second time and then at 7am called Disney. I'm glad I did and the first ADR's (which I thought didn't go through) had indeed went through. She canceled the ones I didn't need. I asked her why it allowed me to book Ohana (such a popular restaurant) for 5:25 and 5:30 and what would happen if I hadn't called. She thought maybe someone would call me, but she didn't sound certain.

I just hope others will do the right thing and book only when you know you'll be there.

Itchy · #7 07-27-2009, 07:58 AM

I am not sure if you are required to log on the Disney site with your confirmation number or not to get into the ADR site, but if you are not you should be. This would help to limit the " I wish " people.

Also if were tied to the confirmation number it could limit the number of ADR's to the nights of your stay.

That way with the old pick up and call system you would need to do some research before you started your selections.

18 days and counting to the happiest place in the world.

Mickey'sGirl · #8 07-27-2009, 08:39 AM

Not everyone making an ADR is staying at Disney, so not everyone will have a reservation number.

People who want to work the system will. Some of the guidebooks even recommend multiple ADR's as a vacation STRATEGY!

Thankfully, most people have some social responsibility and will limit their reservations to those they will actually use.

WDWCrazyKaren · #9 07-27-2009, 08:49 AM

Thank you for starting this thread. Maybe a few folks out there who weren't aware that maybe they were holding a space they might not use will call and cancel. Being one of those folks who did not get the ADR's we wanted, it is frustrating to think that the places we did want to go might not have those seats filled due to this. I personally would rather go back to the 90 or even 180 (and not add the +10). Heck, I'll call every day and wait on hold for that hour if it evens the playing field out a bit!

Dsnygirl · #10 07-27-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itchy

I am not sure if you are required to log on the Disney site with your confirmation number or not to get into the ADR site, but if you are not you should be.

You are required to enter your reservation number to get into the system, at least from what I experienced... I didn't try to get in w/o one. Makes me wonder, b/c local folk won't always have a ressie, so maybe you don't have to -- maybe it's just Disney's way of linking you and your ADR's together.

I did notice that, when I put two reservations in for the same day that were within 20 minutes of each other (picked the wrong day on the calendar by accident) a notice popped up that asked me to be sure these were for two different groups of people, as the system had noted the close booking time. So, you are reminded not to do double bookings -- but are also allowed to, in case you were reserving a second place for other members of your party.

Not sure how Disney can rectify this, but I do hope that most people are honest about their ADR's, esp. if they are made aware by Disney and by othrs that to double book blocks other folks out of the system.

Mfarquar · #11 07-27-2009, 09:20 AM

Just wondering...

I have always assumed with both the telephone reservation system and now the new online system that Disney accounts for a certain % of multiple bookings and cancellations.

I account for this in the event business, and I know that many hot restaurants in NYC do this as well.

I think multiple bookings have been an issue since the phone only reservation system was in place. Disney has never regulated this with the phone only system.

Does anyone know if this is indeed something they take into account for?

If they do take this into account, it may just be a matter of them adjusting their "no show" scales/percentage due to the convenience and anonymity of the Internet.

I'm not saying that it makes multiple reservations by a single party for a single meal ok. I'm just saying that I think we would see a lot more disjointed podium check-ins and a lot more empty seats if they did not take this into account.

Disney always hails the almighty dollar, I would imagine they would like maximum restaurant attendance, and calculating a "no show"/"multiple reservation" percentage (ultimately taking a few more reservations than they could accommodate) would partially help them reach this goal...

WDWCrazyKaren · #12 07-27-2009, 09:28 AM

One more note:
I did make one ADR online and was not required to give my reservation #. The rest were made over the phone and I did give my number on the phone ressies.

Mickey'sGirl · #13 07-27-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsnygirl

You are required to enter your reservation number to get into the system, at least from what I experienced... I didn't try to get in w/o one.

We did not use a reservation number to make our on-line ADR's. It was a combination of our e-mail and our phone number. I even cancelled reservations using this method (cuz I change my mind...A LOT!).

MidnTPK · #14 07-27-2009, 09:45 AM

While people making phantom ADRs and multiple bookings might be a problem...it's a very minor one. I can say this conclusively because of my ADR experience.

I called to make my ADRs at 7 PM (yes, I called too late), 90 days from my check in day. My trip in September is 8 nights/9 days. I wanted something between 5:00 and 6:15 at Ohana, any weekday of my trip. Nothing available the whole week. I wanted a Chef Mickey's ANY day at 8 AM. Only on my check-out day was this available.

What does this prove? The only people who could have booked ADRs before me for my trip dates are WDW resort guests with a valid resort reservation. And the day I made these reservations the online ADR system was still only recognizing Disney Travel Company reservation numbers, not DVC or travel agent reservations. So most people had to make ADRs via a phone agent who would have seen that the double booking. While this is allowed, having an agent involved cuts down on the phantom ADRs.

So the only entity to blame for our experience is Disney, for not having enough high quality dining capacity. Especially during free dining.

And there's a foolproof way to check if I'm wrong: see if you can walk up to any popular places and get a table.

Marceline · #15 07-27-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDWCrazyKaren

One more note:
I did make one ADR online and was not required to give my reservation #. The rest were made over the phone and I did give my number on the phone ressies.

I experienced the same thing last week when I tacked on another ADR for a lunch spot that was open for us. The only thing I was asked for was phone number and email address to send the confirmation to.

I would not like having to pay a hold fee for ADRs at all. Although it might rectify some of the problem it seems excessive.

I know not everyone is staying at a Disney resort, that is why I thought perhaps some sort of park ticket identifier code would ensure attendance. I have no clue if they even track park tix like this however.

Limiting your ADRs to the number of your nights of stay might work for people who are on the basic DDP, but what about those on the Deluxe DDP? Or families like mine who prefer to pay OOP? We have multiple ADRs a day sometimes. For example....Tusker house for Breakfast, Gardenview Tea Room at the GF mid-day and then a late evening ressie for Cali Grill.

I would think simply having the booking system software look for and cancel ADRs made under the same phone number or email within a few hour window would suffice as a deterrent to hording dining slots. But unfortunately those who really wanted to cheat the system could just use different phone numbers and email addys. Very frustrating stuff.

NJGIRL · #16 07-27-2009, 10:17 AM

I think that they should start taking credit card numbers when making ADR's. This will cut back on the people who cheat the system and really won't be harmful to the people who are honest and show up for their ADR at all.

kathiep · #17 07-27-2009, 10:50 AM

In addition to taking credit cards for making reservations, they should modify the system so that you can only make one TS reservations within a 4 or 5 hour period. It would help eliminate those that make duplicate bookings for dinner until they decide which they really want. But this would also still allow for making both a lunch and dinner TS on the same date.

DizneyRox · #18 07-27-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathiep

In addition to taking credit cards for making reservations, they should modify the system so that you can only make one TS reservations within a 4 or 5 hour period. It would help eliminate those that make duplicate bookings for dinner until they decide which they really want. But this would also still allow for making both a lunch and dinner TS on the same date.

And would totally blow out the possibility of groups of people seperating to two different restaurants for meals. It does happen, I wanted a nice quiet meal with the better 1/2 and the grandparents took the rugrats to someplace more kid friendly.

People will game the system to their advantage. The only way to fix this is to require some sort of deposit, HOWEVER you're then going to penalize people who really do need to cancel, etc.

I have a couple of phone lines and too many e-mail addresses to list. That won't work.

If they take credit cards for holds, Disney will have to pay the transaction fees regardless. If they have non refundable holds, then you're surely going to a number of people mad, OR people will stop using the system and Disney's planning will go kablooey!

Walk-ups are not good for planning, they need to staff and purchase food based on demand.

I do think maybe they need to plan better for the Internet effect and see how that goes. Trying to find dupes is an exercise in futility. Wait until they cancel the wrong ressie for some dying kids first and only trip to see Cinderella! You thought the monorail crash got some bad press!

BMan62 · #19 07-27-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathiep

In addition to taking credit cards for making reservations, they should modify the system so that you can only make one TS reservations within a 4 or 5 hour period. It would help eliminate those that make duplicate bookings for dinner until they decide which they really want. But this would also still allow for making both a lunch and dinner TS on the same date.

As much as I might agree with this thought pattern, I am loathe to implement a plan like this due to things like big groups under one reservation number or family reunion type trips that are not under Grand Gatherings.

What happens when your group wants to split up for one (or more) meals? How would you be able to book them?

As flawed as the current system is, it is hard to devise a better one.

My only thought would be to have a counter on the number of visitors on a reservation vs. number of seats booked on an ADR. This could be handled in the software easily enough, but could be a pain for CMs and online booking.

LibertyTreeGal · #20 07-27-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathiep

In addition to taking credit cards for making reservations, they should modify the system so that you can only make one TS reservations within a 4 or 5 hour period. It would help eliminate those that make duplicate bookings for dinner until they decide which they really want. But this would also still allow for making both a lunch and dinner TS on the same date.

ooh, this would totally wreck my Afternoon Tea addiction -- it doesn't open until 2pm and then i wouldn't be able to do dinner until really late! I would hate having to walk up and hope it wasn't booked solid.