No longer able to make dining reservations over the phone?

3littlecuties

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
I'm guessing this has been discussed already but I couldn't find it. I usually make reservations online but I've heard people say to call when you can't find what you want online. They have said they were able to get reservations by calling that weren't available online. So I just tried to call to get a couple of reservations and the woman on the phone told me that as of Sunday, you can no longer call to make any dining reservations unless your party is bigger than 8.
 
Yikes! I always make my reservations over the phone because I have a hard time getting the "system" to recognize Im on the dining plan and it wants to charge me for all dinner shows and CRT.
 
Yikes! I always make my reservations over the phone because I have a hard time getting the "system" to recognize Im on the dining plan and it wants to charge me for all dinner shows and CRT.
I worry about that as well. When I booked CRT for our upcoming trip, it said it recognized my dining plan, and showed it wasn't going to charge me. Then when I hit submit, it charged me the full amount. I called and they fixed it, but how will you take care of that sort of thing now? Disney is just delusional about how well their tech systems work.
 


The article says its the "preferred method" but when I called, she wouldn't do it at all. Once I said I was a party of 5, she said that I had to use the website.
 
I don't know, unless you are having a specific issue with making the reservations such as mentioned above, I can see why they'd prefer you to use the online system.

When making straightforward reservations there's no need to clog up the phone lines (If that's the case) because someone doesn't "like" to make the reservation on MDE. I've read plenty of people saying they don't bother with MDE at all, only call to make uncomplicated ADRs.

In my personal experience, I've never had issues making dinner reservations from 2 to 13 people online.

Obviously if you are running into an issue, they should be able and willing to help you on the phone.
 


I've never used the phone to make ADRs. They have access to the same system and pool of reservations that we do. In 7 trips since 2012 I've never not been able to get ADRs online or encountered any issues that a CM would need to rectify. I also prefer doing things at my own speedy pace rather than relying on having to relay information to someone on the phone multiple times and waiting for them to perform the same action I can easily do myself.
 
And what if you have no internet?

For better or worse, the internet is essentially a necessity now, just like electricity and indoor plumbing. It's sad that America lags behind other developed nations as far as accessibility, speed, and affordability when it comes to high speed internet.

I can understand that some older generational people might not have the internet, but if you've got a household of kids doing school work, or are in the life phase where you are regularly job hunting, etc., you are just at a significant disadvantage if you don't have internet. It has become just another gap for marginalized populations to have to hurdle.
 
Boy, the last thing I want to do is talk on the phone to a CM. Who wants to do that. I will call only if I have a problem. Obviously if you don't have access to the internet or have difficulties booking online you should call but all others should be doing it online.
 
I was reading that parties of 8 or more can still call so I am safe. Do I like their online system. I do not its slow, its flakey once again its Iger cutting costs to generate another bonus. And why should Disney listen to what I want? I am a CUSTOMER. And I can say fairly that their system was badly designed. I am a Computer Specialist for the federal government and they got overly ambitious and its obvious that they cut design staff when working on it,
 
The article says its the "preferred method" but when I called, she wouldn't do it at all. Once I said I was a party of 5, she said that I had to use the website.


The other articles I read on the topic were a little more clear.

They stated you may only call for parties of 8 or more.
 
I'm guessing this has been discussed already but I couldn't find it. I usually make reservations online but I've heard people say to call when you can't find what you want online. They have said they were able to get reservations by calling that weren't available online. So I just tried to call to get a couple of reservations and the woman on the phone told me that as of Sunday, you can no longer call to make any dining reservations unless your party is bigger than 8.
That thread is here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...ill-change-effective-10-13-19-update.3774001/
 
I don't know, unless you are having a specific issue with making the reservations such as mentioned above, I can see why they'd prefer you to use the online system.

When making straightforward reservations there's no need to clog up the phone lines (If that's the case) because someone doesn't "like" to make the reservation on MDE. I've read plenty of people saying they don't bother with MDE at all, only call to make uncomplicated ADRs.

In my personal experience, I've never had issues making dinner reservations from 2 to 13 people online.

Obviously if you are running into an issue, they should be able and willing to help you on the phone.
When I was in charge of a group trip in March, I was unable to make reservations for 10 on MDE. In fact, making reservations for more than 9 people was a pain in the butt in all aspects.

Another way for Disney to save money while decreasing service for their guests. :sad2: :sad2: :sad2:
 
And what if you have no internet? I am not a fan of this new process. It takes all the warm and fuzzy of talking to guest services. And I bet saving them a boatload of money in salary and benefits and a huge reduction in force
Also, what happens when their servers are down which happens quite frequently? What if MDE doesn't recognize your resort reservation number and doesn't allow you to make ADR's for your entire stay (which has happened to me many times!)
 
When I was in charge of a group trip in March, I was unable to make reservations for 10 on MDE. In fact, making reservations for more than 9 people was a pain in the butt in all aspects.

Another way for Disney to save money while decreasing service for their guests. :sad2: :sad2: :sad2:

You can call if it's over 8, so there you go! :)

I think people calling to make ADRs just because they don't like to do it online is wasting other people's time who need to get through to the phone CMs (obviously the exception are people who are having difficulties).
 
Also, what happens when their servers are down which happens quite frequently? What if MDE doesn't recognize your resort reservation number and doesn't allow to make ADR's for your entire stay (which has happened to me many times!)

Then obviously if both those things are happening, you would call and they would recognize that. Although if servers are down, calling won't help.
 
The article says its the "preferred method" but when I called, she wouldn't do it at all. Once I said I was a party of 5, she said that I had to use the website.


Both of the articles referenced are poorly written and obscure the policy change with unrelated information and talking around the subject. Talking about what is 'more popular' or the 'preferred method' sounds like a way to avoid stating what is actually being changed.

The new policy is that making dinner reservations by phone will be limited to parties of 8 or more.
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!










Top