Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp Our attempt to dine started about 12:50, which we know is a bit late to get a table right away normally (we've never had a problem getting into Brown Derby at 11:30 or Mama's at noon). But this was the first time we couldn't get in anywhere in the park after a short wait. We ended up with an alternative - the Gallery at Yacht Club, which has a very nice menu. Maybe it is the "free" dining option, but we just found it surprising. We typically eat two meals a weekend all around the world, and for the most part won't even wait 15 minutes to get in to a restaurant, since there are so many alternate choices. But this threw us for a loop. We also noticed on Saturday as we were leaving the MK that there was a sign outside of City Hall, apologizing for the fact that all the sitdown restaurants in the park were full, and suggesting Casey's Corner and a couple of other fast food places as places to get something to eat.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I have never seen a sign like that so I am going to guess it is the 'free dining' thing -- not the 90 days out for visitors that are paying their way without the package..... ( Ok-- I do use the DDE - so I pay 80% ) ---
Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider >>Toad -- have you eaten at Todd English's Bonfire -- or Jody Adams' Rialto ? Are those reservations reallyonly a week out ? If so , great but I have been to Boston twice in the last 18 months and couldn't get into either....<< I have eaten at neither, although I've eaten at two other Todd English restaurants in Boston and neither required that advanced of a reservation. You also point out everyday at WDW is a holiday which is sort of true. However to say there are less people in Boston/Chicago than WDW is a bit extreme considering both are densely populated cities (Boston lesser but still a big city by most standards) The difference is Boston (I don't know Chicago so I won't speculate) has more restaurants than WDW and on January 10th probably less ready-to-spend inhabitants as WDW almost all on vacation whereas in Boston that wouldn't be the case. Even in my example of the 4th that is an exception - people want to be up there for one of the best views of the fireworks in town - there are still MANY good sitdown restaurants available on Holidays.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <You also point out everyday at WDW is a holiday which is sort of true. However to say there are less people in Boston/Chicago than WDW is a bit extreme considering both are densely populated cities < yes, but most people there are not on vacation / holiday -- it is a normal day for them and most eat at home - or pick somethingup to bring home-- not eating out. That is why it is not extreme -- sure 8 million is a lot more than 250,000 -- but you have that number at WDW staying in 33 square mile area -- not the whole of northeastern Illinois as in my case -- and again the issue is there are not enough sit down restaurants to meet the demand. My suburb of 150,000 has far more restaurants that WDW for sit down meals -- and most of the people here ( 99% +) are not on vacation and have a home to go home to eat at. We have as many high end restaurants ( Vic & Al's / Cali Grill / BlueZoo etc for far less people -- and they are not on vacation -- see my point ? All travelers at WDW ( not locals) do not have the option of eating at home-- they have to find food elsewhere - either sit down restaurant / cart - fast food etc.) Chicago may be the eating capital of the world ( people like to eat here- probably the cold in winter-- at least that's my excuse) -- there are over 8 million people in the major metro area-- so yes- there are restaurants out the wazoo-- but the really special ones are brutal to get into...
Originally Posted By SJHYM The problem is going to be that guest with add on meals to their visit will learn quickly that you cant get the most out of your meal tickets without calling 90 days in advance. My guess is as guests learn this realty you will see most restaraunts booked out 85-90 days out. Then the fun will really begin. I find it amazing that Disney things Casey's Corner (which is ok if you want hot dogs) is a viable alternative to a sit down restaraunt. Secondly, can someone remind Disney that they have a vacnt restaraunt in Adventureland? Third, if it continues to be a problem and complaint mount up, dont be surprised if Disney shuts down the meal option. Fourth, I hear Miceage is going to be doing an article about this soon. Fifth, The Orlando Sentinel is looking at this too
Originally Posted By SJHYM My mind goes faster than my fingers. Should read. I find it amazing that Disney thinks Casey's Corner
Originally Posted By RoadTrip OK... I'm in the dark here. What is the free dining package? I've heard about a package where you pay $50 per person (I think) and get a 20% discount on all meals and booze at Disney sit-down restaurants. Is that plan still available?
Originally Posted By SJHYM Its the Magic Your Way plus Dining <a href="http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/tickets/packageDetail?id=PackageDetailMYWDiningPkg05Page" target="_blank">http://disneyworld.disney.go.c om/wdw/tickets/packageDetail?id=PackageDetailMYWDiningPkg05Page</a>
Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider >>Growth and success not always a convenient thing -- think of every day there as Friday night in the big city -- I can tell you the waits in most places in Chicago and suburbs are 2 hours if no reservations-- and many nicer places you couldn't possibly get in at all...............same thing. Even Olive Garden / Chili's etc well over an hour -- so I just don't see the difference.<< Getting back to your original post regarding the comparison between WDW and a big city you even mention that there is a WAIT -if what is being said by the original poster is true there aren't even waits at WDW it's simply "Sorry you can't eat here today" - that is much different...
Originally Posted By hopemax Normally, the dining add-on is $35 a day per person, but for trips in Sept, and part of October, the price was $0.
Originally Posted By Crazy4WDW I have always made my dining reservations for every trip to WDW at 90 days. I don't like waiting around to eat, so I've always taken advantage of making priority seating/reservations. Maybe people have finally realized that to get a table at a sit-down restaurant that have to call ahead. I even call the DTD Rainforest Cafe to get reservations. I refuse to wait three hours for a table.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Normally, the dining add-on is $35 a day per person, but for trips in Sept, and part of October, the price was $0.<< Well, that explains a lot! Talk about discounting. vbdad55 is right, the economy is weak if they (WDW) are doing this. Dining habits are indeed strange. The economy is in the toilet in my neck of the woods (the layoff tsunami just keeps rollng). Houses are neither selling nor appreciating. Yet the chain restaurants (Olive Garden, Chili's, Lone Star, etc.) are packed every day. Go figure.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Maybe people have finally realized that to get a table at a sit-down restaurant that have to call ahead.<< I remember not too long ago when same day ressies at the Blue Bayou were still possible. I even remember getting away with a no ressies walkup or two. I wonder if the Tahitain Terrace might have a chance at returning someday (my apologies, this is a WDW thread).
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I've heard about a package where you pay $50 per person (I think) and get a 20% discount on all meals and booze at Disney sit-down restaurants. Is that plan still available? < this is the Disney Dining Experience and only available to AP's -- ( before this year was residents only) --- the one causing the issue I believe is the Disney Dining package-- where they level the restaurants and you get so many points included in your vacation package-- they gave this awayfor free for a short period of time with a booking package ( think like 7 days for 4 thing) -and I believe many of those people are there now
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney There's little doubt the extra dining add-on has pushed attendence levels higher than they would have been. Since 1971, September has always been the slowest month of the year at WDW. October used to be pretty slow to, but that's all changed in the last 10-15 years. But the hurricanes surely played a factor in Disney tossing the bone out to entice folks to book trips in the very slow period. And walk-up dining would never have been a problem in years past at this time of year. Christmas or Easter or July 4, sure. But not September any day. SJHYM has a great point about the Adventureland Veranda, one of the largest MK dining facilities, sitting empty too. Disney really needs to address this issue. Savvy guests may book 90 days in advance, but plenty more don't. I don't know what I want to eat tomorrow, so how can I decide that far in advance except for a special occassion type of meal. I have never, ever seen a sign like the one described above so taken that with the new buffet at The Pirate and The Parrot, it tells me Disney knows it has a big problem on its hands. The whole switch to PS (still the same though now they have changed the name) from formal reservations was a big mistake as well. And reserving every table in advance is a recipe for some very unmagical experiences for many guests. Sorry, but the comparison to a big city just doesn't carry weight. WDW is a resort destination and needs to cater (pardon the pun) to all guests, not those who have calandars marking days off who get up at 4-5-6 a.m. to phone CRO when their magical window opens.
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp Responding to post #29, the CM did indeed say no room at the inn, not that it would be a long wait. Can't get in, period. Didn't know about the free dining add-on - that could explain a lot. As to calling in for PS 90 days in advance, heck, we don't even know where we're going to feel like eating usually until we're getting onto World Drive - which at that point is a necessity, since we typically decide which part to go to based on where we want to eat. (And yes, it's with the DDE card - a true perk, probably pays for itself in the first month.) The only times recently when we've gotten PS is a Vic and Als for our anniversay, and at CA Grill for our nephew's anniversary. But none of this explains why the huge crowds at MGM.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Sorry, but the comparison to a big city just doesn't carry weight. WDW is a resort destination and needs to cater (pardon the pun) to all guests, not those who have calandars marking days off who get up at 4-5-6 a.m. to phone CRO when their magical window opens. < sorry but restaurants in both places are businesses and why should they allow special treatment for those who 'may' decide to eat there ? Not a very solid business plan -- you have equal opportunity to place the same calls. How does it not hold water-- because it doesn't fit your needs? A business model for either is to turn a profit at the establishments, and whichever way is most successful will be the way they go with. I would not feel this way except your response seems very condescending and negative, like those of us who book ahead are some people with time on their hands. I can probably guarantee you my calendar time is tighter than yours at work -- as I work 60 + hour weeks and travel extensively...so if I happen to be responsible enough to call ahead for table times that does not mean I have nothing to do but arise at those times. btw -- very rarely have I ever called at any God foresaken hour to get a PS -- only once for a special birthday at Cindy's table. Not one other time-- and calling 60 days out ( not 90 ) still lands me all the times and places I want.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Didn't know about the free dining add-on - that could explain a lot. < whole article on Mouseplanet regarding the fact that there are 2 weeks worth of the free dining add on's left to work around-- and that it is what's causing a major problem......you had to use the trip by a certain date so things should be much better by mid-October.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>sorry but restaurants in both places are businesses and why should they allow special treatment for those who 'may' decide to eat there ? << The way I look at this is that as a WDW customer I am spending a big chunk of change for an "experience". If I can't get into a decent restaurant in Epcot or anywhere else on property it will detract from the total experience, and I might not come back again so soon. It is worth noting that a negative experience is very powerful, and customers remember them and tell all their friends about them, much more so than a postive experience. Now if WDW were just a restaurant chain, I could see them not caring that they are always booked.
Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider >>I would not feel this way except your response seems very condescending and negative, like those of us who book ahead are some people with time on their hands. I can probably guarantee you my calendar time is tighter than yours at work -- as I work 60 + hour weeks and travel extensively...so if I happen to be responsible enough to call ahead for table times that does not mean I have nothing to do but arise at those times.<< I agree with you here. I feel that way about the people who say FPs aren't fair to people who go to parks late in the day. I still disagree with the city thing though simply because again in a city you can go to restaurants and at most there'll usually be a long wait - LadyandtheTramp mentioned twice that restaurants - ALL sitdowns - wouldn't even take walk ins period. That's not like a city at all - I don't think I've ever been turned away by a restaurant as a walk in - even popular ones of Friday nights - just met with a huge wait time. >>The way I look at this is that as a WDW customer I am spending a big chunk of change for an "experience". If I can't get into a decent restaurant in Epcot or anywhere else on property it will detract from the total experience, and I might not come back again so soon. << I disagree here in a way because you still CAN get into the restauarant you just have to plan accordingly. However I think if the 60 day advance or no sit-down assessment is accurate (I don't think we've ever called earlier than a week max for PS at sit downs in the parks without a problem in August NOT September) then yea there's definately a real problem. However, I think this is an exagerration.
