Dining Reservations, advantage for staying deluxe?

[drossjr]

My family and I go every couple of years.
We always stay at Poly Concierge and use the Premier Platinum Package.
We have never had an issue getting a table anywhere...even making reservations to eat same day, they always are able to find a way to fit us in.
The only time we have ever had an issue was this year and it was because the Chef's Table at Victoria and Alberts had been VIP booked...even then they offered us the Queen Victoria room.
However, I either use an itinerary planner or wake up VERY Early to set my ressies.

I say that to say this.

I feel it indeed matters. I know that they say it doesn't and I'm sure they try to live by that creed. However, reading the difficulty that some have getting ADR's and never having that same hardship...my only conclusion is that there must be some consideration for where you stay and how you visit.

I totally agree with you on this. this year we are staying at AKL Concerige level and had no problems at all at making any reservations or any times we wanted.

 

[CleveRocks]

I've always tried to get an ADR for LeCellier. The one and only time I was successful, I had a reservation at Coronado Springs Resort. A few weeks later, when a great promo came out, I changed my reservation to Polynesian.

So maybe they're psychic???

 

[CleveRocks]

Fully agree here. It's silly for anyone to think that purchasing certain levels of disney luxury doesn't impact your ability to eat where you want when you want. It's called capitalism.

Well, number one, I don't appreciate being called silly.

Number two, a guest staying at a Value resort or a guest staying off-site or a guest who is a central Florida local will spend the same amount of money at that meal than will a Delxue guest.

Number three, I often read similar comments from people who insist that bus slot position at the theme parks is determined by level of resort. At least that one can be debunked by simply looking at each park's bus area and seeing that such a pattern does not exist.

Plus, there's the consistent reports I've read from the former Poly concierge.

But then again, why let the facts stand in the way of a neato theory?

Besides, Disney has a demonstrated history of doing things differently than the rest of the hospitality and entertainment industries. For example, Disney is one of the only hoteliers in the country that doesn't require a credit card or cash deposit at check-in for "security" or "incidentals." And when a guest opens up a room charge account, Disney is one of the only hoteliers that doesn't pre-authorize an account or pre-charge the card or place a hold on the card for the purposes of securing the room charge. Doesn't it seem silly to think that Disney wouldn't protect itself against deadbeats, doesn't it seem silly to think that Disney would put itself in the position of extending credit to someone and then hoping they'll pay up? Yet that's precisely what they do. Silly Disney!

 

[drossjr]

I personally think that people that stay at Deluxe should get special treatment as far as bus stops and reservations for dinner as well as DVC members! :shrug:

If you pay more money for your stay then people at the All Stars why should you have to walk a longer distance from the bus stop to the park entrances?

 

[DisneyJoe]

as a concierge at Polynesian (Lobby Concierge desk, not club level). She consistently reported that even she had no way to get someone an ADR where no openings existed.

These 2 positions are not related at all...

"Lobby Concierge" is a name for someone who helps with tickets and all other items that the other front desk staff (check in and check out) don't handle.

"Club Level" is the true concierge or Itinerary Planning Office that is one of the major benefits of paying for a club level/concierge room.

IMHO, club level/IPO/Concierge have a bit more "pull" with restaurants than the Lobby Concierge.

 

[powlessfamily4]

I only quickly browsed everyone's posts, but I didn't see this anywhere...

Don't forget about the new online dining reservation system where you can check for openings in real-time just like the desk clerks do. Be sure to try each day for new openings. The only things you cannot do online are Fantasmic! dining. I think there was another one that you couldn't book online. Even the Royal Table can be booked online.

Valuable info!! Thanks! :sohappy:

 

[Mstr Gra-c]

Well, number one, I don't appreciate being called silly.

Number two, a guest staying at a Value resort or a guest staying off-site or a guest who is a central Florida local will spend the same amount of money at that meal than will a Delxue guest.

Number three, I often read similar comments from people who insist that bus slot position at the theme parks is determined by level of resort. At least that one can be debunked by simply looking at each park's bus area and seeing that such a pattern does not exist.

Plus, there's the consistent reports I've read from the former Poly concierge.

But then again, why let the facts stand in the way of a neato theory?

Besides, Disney has a demonstrated history of doing things differently than the rest of the hospitality and entertainment industries. For example, Disney is one of the only hoteliers in the country that doesn't require a credit card or cash deposit at check-in for "security" or "incidentals." And when a guest opens up a room charge account, Disney is one of the only hoteliers that doesn't pre-authorize an account or pre-charge the card or place a hold on the card for the purposes of securing the room charge. Doesn't it seem silly to think that Disney wouldn't protect itself against deadbeats, doesn't it seem silly to think that Disney would put itself in the position of extending credit to someone and then hoping they'll pay up? Yet that's precisely what they do. Silly Disney!

You may need to rethink this.
If someone is staying at a value resort then it would seem to make sense that they are trying to keep costs low. I'm sure there are some out there that simply prefer the Value Resorts, but that is not the purpose of those facilities...hence the title.
However, someone who stays at a Deluxe, and does so regularly, may be more willing to open the purse strings at a meal and get dessert, or an appitizer or even a few cocktails.
If nothing else, the maxim that everyone will spend the same regardless of where they stay is fundamentally flawed. It is far too broad and assumptive.
Furthermore, everytime I plan a new trip I give my name and my address. They know how many times I have been. Something that would make sense to me would be if those that frequent Disney World, and who spend more to do so, are granted the ability to more easily get the ADR's that they want...that just seems like good business to me.

 

[CleveRocks]

Furthermore, everytime I plan a new trip I give my name and my address. They know how many times I have been. Something that would make sense to me would be if those that frequent Disney World, and who spend more to do so, are granted the ability to more easily get the ADR's that they want...that just seems like good business to me.

I've read posts from former CRO CMs who explained why these questions are asked. Of course, they want to know who yyou are so that they can act like they know you and make you feel more welcome ("Oh, and I see you were last with us in February of last year. I'm sure you enjoyed your stay at ther Polynesian, right? That's my favorite resort, too!).

But the reason they ask how many times you've been to WDW is to route your call to the proper group of call center CMs. When traffic and staffing allow it, the "frequent fliers" get the most experienced CMs (they are stratified into at least 2 groups) ... they figure this improves efficiency, and also avoids having very experienced customers being frustrated by a CM who doesn't have a perfect command of the subject and procedures.

 

[CleveRocks]

These 2 positions are not related at all...

"Lobby Concierge" is a name for someone who helps with tickets and all other items that the other front desk staff (check in and check out) don't handle.

"Club Level" is the true concierge or Itinerary Planning Office that is one of the major benefits of paying for a club level/concierge room.

IMHO, club level/IPO/Concierge have a bit more "pull" with restaurants than the Lobby Concierge.

I know that what you're saying is correct, and that is why I differentiated between the two in my post. I pointed out that she wasn't a club level/IPO cast member; I know very well that there's a vast difference.

But it's important to realize that the Lobby Concierge CMs aren't just front desk staff standing behind a different desk. They are every bit the "concierge" as you'd find at any full-service hotel in any city, someone to advise you, make dining and entertainment reservations, and so on.

 

[CleveRocks]

I personally think that people that stay at Deluxe should get special treatment as far as bus stops and reservations for dinner as well as DVC members! :shrug:

If you pay more money for your stay then people at the All Stars why should you have to walk a longer distance from the bus stop to the park entrances?

I realize that this is a matter of opinion, and therefore I'm not saying that I'm right and youi're wrong, I'm just explaining why I disagree with you on this one.

I believe that paying more for my lodging gets me better amenities on the property of that lodging. Between a Value and a Deluxe, my "more money" is buying me at least a couple sit-down restaurants, a larger room, interior corridors, upgraded toiletries, often times a balcony, a ceiling fan, and with the sole exception of AKL I get upgraded transportation options (e.g., monorail, boat, walking distance to a park or DTD).

THAT is what I'm paying for. Other than that, I'm expecting to be treated like every other Disney guest.

For many years, Disney has held numerous U.S. patents on the operation of its FASTPASS system; some of them involve allowing for a differential amount/frequency of FASTPASSes depending on the tier of Disney resort the guest is staying at. For years, Disney has had the ability to put this into place, but they have not done so (not even for a differential between on-site guests and day guests). Just one more example of Disney demonstrating their egalitarian view of their theme park guests.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We stayed AKL club level in January this year. I started out having the IPO handle stuff for me but quickly figured out in more than one instance I had more knowledge of what was or was not available. It took some convincing & several calls by me to get them to score an ADR on a tricky location (pre-park opening at Liberty Tree while CP was closed for refurb). They were supposed to call me back w/some golf stuff. They didn't call back so I followed up & found they had messed up the golf tee times. Sooo, I called & straightened that out directly with the recreation folks. While there at least 3 times we tried to have the club concierge make ADRs for us so we could change plans a little on the fly. Not once were they able to help. IMO, their service is worthwhile if you don't plan the way we all do. I found absolutely no advantage to working with them on reservations of any kind...except the Sunrise Safari since it has to be booked thru the IPO or club concierge. If I had paid more than an additional $45/night from the savannah view bunk bed room to the club level I'd have probably been upset.

To the OP, the theory of limited numbers of 2-tops vs. 4+ makes good sense. Maybe when booking ADRs from now on say 3 adults then tell the podium cast members your 3rd person couldn't make it. It's not entirely a lie. The 3rd person never existed so how could they make it? Oooor, take me with you. I'll be your 3rd person!