MK to get SIX new FP attractions? UGH?!?!

[COProgressFan]

My opinion, it happens no place else on Earth because there is only one WDW. If you wait to make ressies at 60 days out than you won't be staying at BLT, BCV, AKV, BWV, WLV and probably a few other places. I guess All Stars for a room and SSR for a villa is all your going to get. Just like if you try and make dining ressies at 60 days, you are not going to get Sci-Fi or Le Cellier but you can settle for Kona Cafe. I don't believe that would be justification however to not allow Villa and Hotel bookings until 60 days out. The difference in where you are staying isn't much different than what you will be wanting to eat. Is there a bigger difference between Italian or Chinese for dinner versus say wanting to be within an African Themed environment at AKL/AKV or watching Wishes from your balcony at an MK view from the Contemporary?

I think there is an enormous difference between booking a hotel room, where you will be sleeping and staying all week, and likely spending thousands of dollars to do so, and planning a lunch at maybe $20 a person.

Do you know what you want for dinner on March 1st next year? Just wondering....

 

[awilliams4]

I think there is an enormous difference between booking a hotel room, where you will be sleeping and staying all week, and likely spending thousands of dollars to do so, and planning a lunch at maybe $20 a person.

Do you know what you want for dinner on March 1st next year? Just wondering....

If I was going to WDW on March 1st I would know where I would be and therefore know where to make my dining reservation.


Checking the Calendar, March 1st is on a Friday. We like to vacation Saturday to Saturday and we leave the resort early for the drive home so we know that we will not be staying out late Friday night. The resort we stay at has some leverage in that as well. If we are staying at BLT, we would probably hit MK on the last night, BCV would probably put us at Epcot the last night.


Toward the end of our vacation, we are also tightening up on the wallet so that eliminates all buffets and a few other high priced places that if we were eating there, would do so earlier in the trip.

So that leaves Tony's or the Plaza.

If we were staying at BCV instead, than we already know we are eating at Epcot a lot. In a one week stay it is probably 4 dinners at the World Showcase. Sitting down for 3 minutes talking with your spouse about which (4) places you want to eat at Epcot in March really isn't much of a stretch. There may be 5 or 6 choices total. You just need to weed out two....so the place we would be eating March 1st would probably be the last of the 4 meals we decided to eat at while staying at BCV.

Not a big deal.

 

[flynnibus]

If you haven't made your resevations for your vacation at all at 180s out, yes, I can see how this negatively affects you. But where do you draw the line? 120 days?

You do realize Disney didn't always have ADRs right? They used to have same day reservations only - and you could get by without reservations as well too a degree.

180 vs XYZ is not a definitive answer - it's a nebulous target. There is no precise cut-off on what is too much or too little. But look at it this way... what does extending it from 120 days to 180 do? Who does it benefit? It benefits only those who are planning out greater than 120 days.. everyone else.. loses some for it. It helps spread out the demand on the reservation line. That's about it. So it only benefits a portion of customers.. a portion that grows smaller and smaller as you extend the limit out. So there is a graph that says the more you extend the reservation limit, the smaller the audience that benefits. Moving the reservation limit shorter, only reduces conjestion on trying to get a reservation and in theory gives people more time to shuffle things. But if it's as popular as you say.. that secondary benefit is not significant because things reach capacity quickly.

The only one who really benefits from long lead-in ADRs is Disney. They can model demand, staff and inventory accordingly. By creating a requirement to reserve up front, Disney also creates customer commitment. Customers know they can't put off the 'purchase' and must sign up now and commit early if they have any chance of eating there. It's a classic sales tactic of creating pressure to buy now and not delay.

As for what is a reasonable limit.. you must look at human behavior for that. People have different levels of commitment for say.. travel.. vs what ride or meal they will take. While someone may feel comfortable 'locking in' when their vacation is next year... they are less comfortable trying to micromanage the details of it so far out.

I don't think 'same day' reservations is possible anymore given the volume Disney does now.. but a reasonable 30 days wouldn't be so aweful.

 

[devoy1701]

My opinion, it happens no place else on Earth because there is only one WDW. If you wait to make ressies at 60 days out than you won't be staying at BLT, BCV, AKV, BWV, WLV and probably a few other places. I guess All Stars for a room and SSR for a villa is all your going to get. Just like if you try and make dining ressies at 60 days, you are not going to get Sci-Fi or Le Cellier but you can settle for Kona Cafe. I don't believe that would be justification however to not allow Villa and Hotel bookings until 60 days out. The difference in where you are staying isn't much different than what you will be wanting to eat. Is there a bigger difference between Italian or Chinese for dinner versus say wanting to be within an African Themed environment at AKL/AKV or watching Wishes from your balcony at an MK view from the Contemporary?

For the record, you can get a ressie at any of the Disney Resorts at pretty much any catagory you'd like at 30-60 days out. Probably for cheaper than what you paid at 180 days out too.

 

[majortom1981]

For the record, you can get a ressie at any of the Disney Resorts at pretty much any catagory you'd like at 30-60 days out. Probably for cheaper than what you paid at 180 days out too.

Thats Not true. For my vacation the last week of sept at exactly 180days 1 hour after phone lines opened ohan was all ready all reserved

 

[devoy1701]

Thats Not true. For my vacation the last week of sept at exactly 180days 1 hour after phone lines opened ohan was all ready all reserved

we were talking rooms.

 

[psukardi]

While part of me dislikes the fact that I had to plan my meals 180 days out, I do like the fact that reservations are made and plans are set. Sure, there are unknown variables that could create some chaos but it's also reassuring to know places are set.

Is 180 days too much? Probably - but having structure levels the playing field. If there was no 180 day I might not know that it's hard to get a table at Bistro De Paris. I'd find out trying to get oen 2 or 3 weeks in advance is laughable. But because of the 180 outlier I can plan accordingly, find the places I want and go from there.

Let's face it - some places are going to have a demand. Live in a major metro like PHL, Chicago, DC , etc and try getting a reservation for tomorrow night at high-end chophouse or French Resturaunt. Let me know how that goes for you.

And no one is forcing you to make dinner reservations. Want to grab a Hotdog at Epcot? Or a burger in the Magic Kingdom? Go for it. Me, I'll look forward to Le Cellier and getting some Cheese Soup

 

[flynnibus]

Let's face it - some places are going to have a demand. Live in a major metro like PHL, Chicago, DC , etc and try getting a reservation for tomorrow night at high-end chophouse or French Resturaunt. Let me know how that goes for you.

Try calling them and asking for a reservation for next 4th of July.. and see what they say.

It's not really an arguement about 'reservations or not' - it's about the reservation window being too big.. causing people to have to deal with reservations sooner than most would want to.

Opening reservations to 180 days from 90 days doesn't help answer demand - it doesn't change capacity or add new ways of getting a reservation. It only moves the crush further out to whatever the new limit day is.

Does anyone think that making ADRs 180 days out has made it easier to get the reservation of their choice?

 

[awilliams4]

For the record, you can get a ressie at any of the Disney Resorts at pretty much any catagory you'd like at 30-60 days out. Probably for cheaper than what you paid at 180 days out too.

Sorry, you are wrong on this. Standard Views at BLT, AKV are many times gone at the 8 month mark. BWV Standard Views as well. BCV and BWV are very difficult to get in at even 10 months out during the F&W festival. About all you can get as far as Villas go at 30-60 days out are SSR and OKW and some leftovers here and there at other Villas.

 

[flynnibus]

Sorry, you are wrong on this. Standard Views at BLT, AKV are many times gone at the 8 month mark. BWV Standard Views as well. BCV and BWV are very difficult to get in at even 10 months out during the F&W festival. About all you can get as far as Villas go at 30-60 days out are SSR and OKW and some leftovers here and there at other Villas.

And all the of the properties you just listed... are DVC... different beast.

 

[awilliams4]

Try calling them and asking for a reservation for next 4th of July.. and see what they say.

It's not really an arguement about 'reservations or not' - it's about the reservation window being too big.. causing people to have to deal with reservations sooner than most would want to.

Opening reservations to 180 days from 90 days doesn't help answer demand - it doesn't change capacity or add new ways of getting a reservation. It only moves the crush further out to whatever the new limit day is.

Does anyone think that making ADRs 180 days out has made it easier to get the reservation of their choice?

Yes. At 90 days out many more people are making ressies at 'their 90 day mark' Which may be my 93 day mark and the are making ressies for a full week. At 180 days, there is much less competition. I now am always able to get Sci-Fi....not exactly the time I want but I can get in at dinner now. When they went to 90 days a couple of years ago, I could not get several reservations that I have wanted. Since the change back to 180 days, I have always been able to get what I wanted, just not the time.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I don't think 'same day' reservations is possible anymore given the volume Disney does now.. but a reasonable 30 days wouldn't be so aweful.

Another issue, aside from increased attendance, is that in many cases dining capacity has been reduced while being made cheaper. Disney has pushed people towards table service.

 

[awilliams4]

And all the of the properties you just listed... are DVC... different beast.

Different Beast but a 'Disney Resort' sharing the same pool of available dining reservations as everyone else.

 

[devoy1701]

Sorry, you are wrong on this. Standard Views at BLT, AKV are many times gone at the 8 month mark. BWV Standard Views as well. BCV and BWV are very difficult to get in at even 10 months out during the F&W festival. About all you can get as far as Villas go at 30-60 days out are SSR and OKW and some leftovers here and there at other Villas.

I just found rooms next week for BWV (Standard Views, both Studios and 1 bedroom villas) for next month (during F&W. Beach Club and AKV are also available). I have tried multiple date strands including over weekends. The only one not available is Bay Lake Tower.

So I'm not wrong. I've actually booked like this MANY times.

 

[Bolna]

Let's face it - some places are going to have a demand. Live in a major metro like PHL, Chicago, DC , etc and try getting a reservation for tomorrow night at high-end chophouse or French Resturaunt. Let me know how that goes for you.

However, there is a huge difference between those restaurants and WDW restaurants: Most people looking at dinner reservations in those areas you mention would do so as a special event during their normal life at home, so the restaurant is the main focus. For the majority travelling to WDW the theme parks are in the focus, eating most likely will be a secondary role. While I think that some WDW restaurants are attractions in themselves for certain visitors, I think the general tourist ought to be able to find a decent table service meal without going through hoops.

 

[flynnibus]

Yes. At 90 days out many more people are making ressies at 'their 90 day mark' Which may be my 93 day mark and the are making ressies for a full week. At 180 days, there is much less competition

There wouldn't be less competition if your own assertions were true. But reality is the reason it's easier for you, is the limit has been moved too far out. As I said before, moving this far out only benefits those who are looking to plan that much further out. People who plan at 6m instead of 4m, etc. It's a benefit for few, at the disadvantage of 'more'. The 90 vs 93 comment is irrelevant. That only works if the others haven't booked their trips as far out as you did.

And how easy is it to get those resturants in max demand? Those still book out completely every day..

Different Beast but a 'Disney Resort' sharing the same pool of available dining reservations as everyone else.

That makes zero sense in the context of the tangent.. the tangent really wasn't about dining at all.. but availability of rooms and the necessity to book that far out justifying the 180 day window.

If you can book rooms for 720 days.. or 180 days out.. it doesn't really matter to dining as long as the dining window is shorter than the hotel window.

DVC availability is managed entirely different than hotel availability.. shaped by the 7m open reservation window and how Disney manages their cash rooms.

Disneyland has far fewer resturants (so less capacity.. yet has similar visitation demands) - yet manages with a 30day window.. and NO online system at all... phone only.

 

[awilliams4]

I just found rooms next week for BWV (Standard Views, both Studios and 1 bedroom villas) for next month (during F&W. Beach Club and AKV are also available). I have tried multiple date strands including over weekends. The only one not available is Bay Lake Tower.

So I'm not wrong. I've actually booked like this MANY times.

OK, 1st you said "For the record, you can get a ressie at any of the Disney Resorts at pretty much any catagory you'd like at 30-60 days out. Probably for cheaper than what you paid at 180 days out too."

Notice the word any. Now you found some at one resort but not another and that makes your 1st statement accurate?

 

[devoy1701]

OK, 1st you said "For the record, you can get a ressie at any of the Disney Resorts at pretty much any catagory you'd like at 30-60 days out. Probably for cheaper than what you paid at 180 days out too."

Notice the word any. Now you found some at one resort but not another and that makes your 1st statement accurate?

Actually, I just found Lake View rooms at the tower for October, which is still in the 60 day window... so I'm still correct.



And even if I couldn't have found availability for Bay Lake Tower...the fact that you can still get reservations at 35 of the 36 resorts on property (or whatever the number is now) hardly debunks my statement. You absolutely do not need to book your rooms 180 days out. period.

 

[psukardi]

However, there is a huge difference between those restaurants and WDW restaurants: Most people looking at dinner reservations in those areas you mention would do so as a special event during their normal life at home, so the restaurant is the main focus. For the majority travelling to WDW the theme parks are in the focus, eating most likely will be a secondary role. While I think that some WDW restaurants are attractions in themselves for certain visitors, I think the general tourist ought to be able to find a decent table service meal without going through hoops.

I would agree with you on the majority of the restaurants. However, I would say there are certain exceptions such as Victoria & Alberts or Bistro de Paris or California Grill. I think you can consider V&A a "special event" , wouldn't you? I do not think it's unreasonable to make a reservation for a signature restaurant in advance.

For those that are making dining in the park their secondary or tertiary focus they can work within the confides of the system and go with whatever services are available. If they feel they are entitled to a sit-down meal and don't want to play within the rules of 180 days out they have choices. They can go such as Tony's Town, Biergarten, Teppan Edo, La Hacienda de San Angel , Restaurant Marrakesh or countless others. All of which mind you I can get a reservation for for the first week of October.

 

[wdweric2.0]

You draw the line at a point that is much less than 180 days. I can't think of any other place on earth that takes reservations for a tuna sandwich at lunch six months out! At 180 days out, very few people even have trips booked, let alone have their days mapped out. I would argue a better time frame might be 30 days, or perhaps even 60. At that point, more people will have a better idea of what their plans might be.......

I strongly disagree. I would have a strong guess that most people have been planning a trip for at least 6 months out. Not many people can decide now to spend $3000+ on a WDW trip in the next 30 days. If you think most people don't have their trips booked 180 days out, you are either a.)mistaken or b.) rich as hell. Most people have to save money to go. they can just book a last minute spontaneous trip to WDW.