Dinner Reservations On-Line?

Online Dine Reservations is coming soon but is not available as of yet. This service is currently projected to launch in late spring / early summer 2009 but this is very subject to change. I'll be happy to post more when it has been officially announced. Stay Tooned! :sohappy:

Wow! That's great news!

I'm concerned about the potential for abuse, however. Two kinds I can think of right off hand: (1) booking a bazzillion reservations when you intend to go to only a small fraction of them (true, some people do that now, but this will just make it easier to abuse the system), and (2) schemes to somehow make money by scarfing up reservations and selling them, or providing some kind of "service". I know they're not transferable, etc., but I have never once been asked for ID when checking in at a restaurant. Maybe they will have to start doing that.

KingStefan said:

Wow! That's great news!

I'm concerned about the potential for abuse, however. Two kinds I can think of right off hand: (1) booking a bazzillion reservations when you intend to go to only a small fraction of them (true, some people do that now, but this will just make it easier to abuse the system), and (2) schemes to somehow make money by scarfing up reservations and selling them, or providing some kind of "service". I know they're not transferable, etc., but I have never once been asked for ID when checking in at a restaurant. Maybe they will have to start doing that.

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If I'm recalling correctly, someone mentioned that the system would not allow reservations to be made within a certain time frame of each other. So you wouldn't be able to make a reservation at 7:00pm in France and then a 7:30pm at Brown Derby. Or maybe that was just someone's wish?

fosse76 said:

If I'm recalling correctly, someone mentioned that the system would not allow reservations to be made within a certain time frame of each other. So you wouldn't be able to make a reservation at 7:00pm in France and then a 7:30pm at Brown Derby. Or maybe that was just someone's wish?

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I'm sure (at least I hope) they will try to put in some safeguards like that. But I was thinking more of making reservations for a TS for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day of your trip with the intention of picking and choosing later on what you really want to do on the spur of the moment, maybe on a 10-day trip for example planning on eating TS only 5-6 times (for 30 reservations).

Also there is always the problem of large groups wanting to eat at different places. Grandma and grandpa at Cali grill and DW, DH and the kids at 'Ohana, for example, with the same resort reservation number.

Of course it's pretty common knowledge that you can get around that by giving your reservation number for one, and your phone number for a second at the same time, your cell phone for a third, your travel mate's cell phone for a fourth, etc.

Maybe at first it will be available only to resort guests.

Maybe they will set aside X number of tables for each place to book online reservations to save the restaurants from being overcrowded quickly. If you can't book online you can always call and get in maybe? Who knows!! Hopefully this will work out for the better.

Im kind of excited to use this when its ready!

KingStefan said:

I'm sure (at least I hope) they will try to put in some safeguards like that. But I was thinking more of making reservations for a TS for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day of your trip with the intention of picking and choosing later on what you really want to do on the spur of the moment, maybe on a 10-day trip for example planning on eating TS only 5-6 times (for 30 reservations).

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Although Guests on the Deluxe Dining Plan could very easily do all those Table Service meals. And how would Disney know whether or not it's just someone with a lot of spare money who likes sit-down meals.

-Rob

Rob562 said:

Although Guests on the Deluxe Dining Plan could very easily do all those Table Service meals. And how would Disney know whether or not it's just someone with a lot of spare money who likes sit-down meals.

-Rob

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Exactly! Of course the potential for this kind of abuse exists now, but the on-line system will make it so much easier and more tempting.

KingStefan said:

Exactly! Of course the potential for this kind of abuse exists now, but the on-line system will make it so much easier and more tempting.

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With the technology available today it would be easy to control. Make reservations through a central location and require it to be for guests staying on property only and use the reservation number at your hotel. If no reservation number - no reservation for dinner may be made. Sure there are ways around everything - but make it tie into the name of only one individual associated with the hotel reservation. (not everyone associated with the particular reservation)
Some may complain that only guest 'A' wants to eat there and guest 'B' wants to eat someplace else. - But sorry - no can make on-line reservations then.

Appears harsh - but it would help to control abuse...... I do know that there is always some way to get around the system.........

requiring a credit card guarantee for reservations would solve most problems i would think.