On a recent visit to EPCOT we went to Via Napoli in Italy and was turned down as standby’s (and 3 other restaurants). For years, my wife and I have been able to sit standby at most restaurants for two people (based on availability and for whatever length of time it takes.) No longer. At every restaurant we were told they are reservation only and will not take standbys. Hmmmm. What a change! It was cold and the park was nowhere near capacity. In the summer during extremely crowded times, we have been able to wait up to an hour at most places and get two people in.
We are regulars and we come so often people at some places even know us by name. As DVC’ers & Annual pass holders we come frequently just to eat. Well, no more. We always try to book several weeks in advance and the reservations are always booked up which is why we just Stby. But they could usually get two people in versus a group of three or more which is understandable, with just cancellations.
So, in all fairness, we left the property completely to go eat. Since we are staying at Board Walk, the next day we decided to go to Yacht Club’s Crew Cup Lounge and eat at the bar. It was good except for one thing...Food Poisoning. I was sick the whole night! I won’t be back there. I’m guessing we will be taking a break from Disney for awhile since we can’t get into a regular restaurant inside the park and only quick serve is available. We don’t come here to eat quick serve, but we will eat it some.
We have called and complained to Disney at every level possible in order to try and get a message across that we are super unhappy at this new initiative to aggravate their frequent customers. We highly recommend you doing just the same. Disney told me if they got enough complaints it would get attention. Be polite and be respectful, but don’t hesitate to voice a complaint to Disney. Even to the managers at each restaurant you visit. They don’t make the rules, but they can push it up the latter from that end also. There’s no reason to make ‘reservations only’ at these restaurants. If you want to eat there, show up, get on a wait list. That’s the way it works on the outside world and it works pretty well. I’m sure there’s other arguments in favor of the Disney way and I have debated some of those and I see your point, but I still disagree.
We are regulars and we come so often people at some places even know us by name. As DVC’ers & Annual pass holders we come frequently just to eat. Well, no more. We always try to book several weeks in advance and the reservations are always booked up which is why we just Stby. But they could usually get two people in versus a group of three or more which is understandable, with just cancellations.
So, in all fairness, we left the property completely to go eat. Since we are staying at Board Walk, the next day we decided to go to Yacht Club’s Crew Cup Lounge and eat at the bar. It was good except for one thing...Food Poisoning. I was sick the whole night! I won’t be back there. I’m guessing we will be taking a break from Disney for awhile since we can’t get into a regular restaurant inside the park and only quick serve is available. We don’t come here to eat quick serve, but we will eat it some.
We have called and complained to Disney at every level possible in order to try and get a message across that we are super unhappy at this new initiative to aggravate their frequent customers. We highly recommend you doing just the same. Disney told me if they got enough complaints it would get attention. Be polite and be respectful, but don’t hesitate to voice a complaint to Disney. Even to the managers at each restaurant you visit. They don’t make the rules, but they can push it up the latter from that end also. There’s no reason to make ‘reservations only’ at these restaurants. If you want to eat there, show up, get on a wait list. That’s the way it works on the outside world and it works pretty well. I’m sure there’s other arguments in favor of the Disney way and I have debated some of those and I see your point, but I still disagree.
