New Be Our Guest lunch line procedure (Test?)

[TRONorail12]

I have gone grey trying to figure out how Disney configured that website - it seems to change on a daily basis...

It is not run by Disney. That's the problem. It's run by a third party. Nobody at Walt Disney World can even assist guests with the website because there is no training available for it and cast members have ZERO control over anything on the site.

 

[TRONorail12]

Okay, here it goes. Will try to keep this mostly OT, but have to share the overall experience at BoG.

Went there as we got an email 'FastPass' lunch invite. Thanks to all the regular posters here, I knew there was little other chance of getting in by going to try and get one of the special cards with a time to return for lunch, so I figured we'd go for it. Happy we are not on the DDP this year, as there's so much more flexibility when you get to order what you really want. So, I pre-ordered. Thought, well, who knows, maybe we'll actually want to eat what we ordered anyway, even if it was in advance.

Couldn't remember what time the Fast Pass was for...doesn't show up on MDE. So, stopped by the check in desk to find out what time we were supposed to arrive. They had us scheduled for 11:15. At the time we stopped by, which was 10ish, they were passing out cards. Wanted to report that here, as I know many have wondered how long those last. Well, we returned just after 11:15, and the sign was out that there were no more spots available for the day. Yep-11:15.

Was it a busy day? Not really, and I HATE crowds, so for me to feel like it wasn't too bad, it really wasn't too bad. I think the 'E's got to an hour plus reported waits, but most other rides that were reporting 20 minute waits were really walk ons. Only report this info to let you know that if you're coming at a busier time, RUN past Anna & Elsa and go get your card for BoG if you really want to eat there.

So, we checked in, and were sent to go stand in line. Yep, pre-ordered, and we had to go get in line to use an order kiosk to see if they had our order correct. Well, if they had actually KEPT the order I placed, then it would've been fine. But, no big surprise, but the system had no idea what we ordered, we had to start all over.

From there, once we finalized the order and paid...had to go stand in another line. You heard that correctly...now you have to go stand in line so that someone can bring you to a table. Sat in the ballroom before, so I asked for one of the side rooms. Ended up in the beautiful music box room.

On the way in, though, even though it was still early for lunch, I was taken aback at how many empty tables there were. Mind you, even though we go there about 11:20, it was a good 15 minutes to get through the lines and to a table. Was about 11:35 or so when the food arrived. It arrived while I was up and taking pictures. Food was ok. Nothing worth what we paid, IMO.

When we left, the line of folks returning to get in with their time was across the bridge. Yep...hurry up and return so you can stand in the line that you would have had to stand in anyway, but at least we made you work harder for it... and, so I'm sure that the tables would fill in, but they are not IN ANY WAY managing that capacity very well. I know it's new...but sometimes I wonder who the heck comes up with this crap...and why they insist on putting the guests through the angst of having to live through it. And, not to mention the CMs that have to deal with the guests. They literally have a team of blockers at the end of the bridge...traffic cops...whatever you want to call them. I'd bet they need a drink (or three) after working a shift there. I know I would.

So, that brings me all the way to the pictures. Took them between the time we sat and when we left (a bit after noon time). I'll be back shortly and edit this with them. Evidently they're too big to upload, not sure, but would bet it's the wi-fi doing me in.

ETA:
View attachment 63420
View attachment 63421 View attachment 63422 View attachment 63423
View attachment 63424

You just so happened to dine on the day the entire system crashed... lol! Word spread like wildfire through MK that BOG's ordering system went down. Kitchen was running blind almost the entire lunch period. My friend told me everyone had to be escorted to a table so they could bring your receipt to the kitchen to make your food. They were so close to closing the restaurant completely that day, I'm surprised they even stayed open for lunch with everything down.

 

[xdan0920]

You just so happened to dine on the day the entire system crashed... lol! Word spread like wildfire through MK that BOG's ordering system went down. Kitchen was running blind almost the entire lunch period. My friend told me everyone had to be escorted to a table so they could bring your receipt to the kitchen to make your food. They were so close to closing the restaurant completely that day, I'm surprised they even stayed open for lunch with everything down.

Sweet.

It's good everything is so much more efficient and streamlined now.

 

[LAKid53]

It is not run by Disney. That's the problem. It's run by a third party. Nobody at Walt Disney World can even assist guests with the website because there is no training available for it and cast members have ZERO control over anything on the site.

Well, that explains a lot. If that's the case, I hope this concept doesn't spread to other restaurants....

Glad I took a screen shot of my confirmation.

 

[Furiated]

You just so happened to dine on the day the entire system crashed... lol! Word spread like wildfire through MK that BOG's ordering system went down. Kitchen was running blind almost the entire lunch period. My friend told me everyone had to be escorted to a table so they could bring your receipt to the kitchen to make your food. They were so close to closing the restaurant completely that day, I'm surprised they even stayed open for lunch with everything down.

Ah that explains it then. The one part of that great mini trip report that was new to me was having to be seated by a CM. Been to BoG for lunch multiple times and never had that happen. I had been wondering if that was also part of this test.

Also, add me to list of people that have preordered meals multiple times and have never had it work once.

 

[stevehousse]

It is not run by Disney. That's the problem. It's run by a third party. Nobody at Walt Disney World can even assist guests with the website because there is no training available for it and cast members have ZERO control over anything on the site.

This is exactly why there r so many problems with it. It was one of the few MM+ components that was outsourced. No one inside Disney knows how the website works or can really help at all with it. There is no way possible to link it to the current MM+ program...so stupid...and they won't make a new website because of the money issues MM+ has already seen. They don't want to spend another dime, so they r just rolling with it regardless of it working correctly or not...

 

[dadddio]

For the same reason hiring one bad manager is toxic. The bad manager hires bad people.. and the disease spreads.

Pssst. My boss doesn't have an MBA.

 

[flynnibus]

Pssst. My boss doesn't have an MBA.

There is more than one type of mistake in business

 

[merry68]

This is exactly why there r so many problems with it. It was one of the few MM+ components that was outsourced. No one inside Disney knows how the website works or can really help at all with it. There is no way possible to link it to the current MM+ program...so stupid...and they won't make a new website because of the money issues MM+ has already seen. They don't want to spend another dime, so they r just rolling with it regardless of it working correctly or not...

Maybe this is why CMs are still saying it's invitation only? We never got an invite and we're staying on property. I literally pulled a time up on my phone Wed morning and we checked in a few minutes later after I completed the time selection. Yet the standby line was full and many folks had MBs on and may not have known about pulling up the site yourself and doing it yourself.

 

[prberk]

Oh, I've got a FP+ for this coming Sunday. If it is the chaos Dave indicated, with photographic evidence no less, Mr. Iger and Ms. Crofton both are going to get a succinct email from me with detailed suggestions for improving the mess they allowed staff to create. The first will be for them to get on a plane from Glendale and walk around the park, without cast member name badges and handlers. To see what the experience is like for the average guest.

I know someone who used to do just that. His name was Walt. In fact, that is why they have trash cans spaced at not more than 27 paces from each other: because Walt would watch how far, on average, that guests would walk with trash, such as a candy wrappers, before throwing them on the ground for lack of a trash can.

They really need to do this from time to time.

 

[Figaro928]

Whats the realistic chance that they realise this was a mistake & switch back to the old way? Is there even a hint of an uproar outside the forums?

Regardless, I can easily see BOG becoming a TS for lunch and Signature for dinner.

 

[Sped2424]

So can I still eat here for lunch if I arrive early to the park?

 

[Daxiegirl]

So can I still eat here for lunch if I arrive early to the park?

Not sure but hoping that is true.
I'm still waiting for the 9th day of my trip to open up. So frustrating!

 

[lostpro9het]

So can I still eat here for lunch if I arrive early to the park?

Only if you have an MBA....

 

[cw1982]

So can I still eat here for lunch if I arrive early to the park?

It sounds like you'd need to plan to be at the host stand the minute they start passing out return times. Otherwise, I'd have a plan B.

 

[Sped2424]

I went today, it was 11:00, On any other day in the past I would have waited 15 minutes tops at this time for lunch. Instead I was greeted with an at capacity sign. Something I had never seen before for this restaurant. Not only that but the fastpass line was just almost as long as the regular line for the ticket counter. To say I was upset was an understatement, even the cast members knew what they were saying was ridiculous. I asked the nearest one what time they ran out of return tickets, she said 10 minutes after they started handing them out. To call this new system unfair and rude would be an understatement. It's a slap in the face to anyone who pays money to enter the magic kingdom. If they are going to be this selective with the bog might as well make it club 33.

 

[mm52200]

I went today, it was 11:00, On any other day in the past I would have waited 15 minutes tops at this time for lunch. Instead I was greeted with an at capacity sign. Something I had never seen before for this restaurant. Not only that but the fastpass line was just almost as long as the regular line for the ticket counter. To say I was upset was an understatement, even the cast members knew what they were saying was ridiculous. I asked the nearest one what time they ran out of return tickets, she said 10 minutes after they started handing them out. To call this new system unfair and rude would be an understatement. It's a slap in the face to anyone who pays money to enter the magic kingdom. If they are going to be this selective with the bog might as well make it club 33.

Once again, who on earth thinks that this is a good idea and that it's working...they just had to take something relatively simple and make it that much more complicated. Honestly getting in for lunch at BoG was never a problem until they made it one.

 

[Sped2424]

To make it even dumber they claim the restaurant will open back up later and when it does there could be possible seating. However they mention later could be at 2:00 or never. Considering how lunch stops at 3:00 it was a pointless endeavor to wait and see if there was a possible table for a group of 3, obvious answer of course there is. But I am not staying at a resort, therefore my money doesn't matter.

 

[mm52200]

To make it even dumber they claim the restaurant will open back up later and when it does there could be possible seating. However they mention later could be at 2:00 or never. Considering how lunch stops at 3:00 it was a pointless endeavor to wait and see if there was a possible table for a group of 3, obvious answer of course there is. But I am not staying at a resort, therefore my money doesn't matter.

The stupid part is the Fastpass and return cards are just having you come back to wait in the same length of line that you used to just be able to walk up to and enter. It's not any shorter than it used to be. Ridiculous honestly.

 

[stevehousse]

I can't believe or begin to understand why in the world are they doing this?!? It just makes no sense...if they would have left it alone it would have been fine...I really hope whoevers bright idea this was get fired! Being this restricted sounds crazy and doesn't make any sense business wise? I hope there is gonna be an end to this stupid thing over the course of the next few moths once they realize how much sales r down...