WDW is canceling Jan. 31st reservations at CRT to hold event for more $

[drizgirl]

That's true, but they are still not one and the same. One is actually a measure of value or worth and the other is a made up time frame.

They still cost Disney absolutely nothing. But they do make FP lines longer for others.

 

[njDizFan]

I'd place a hefty wager that all of those reservations were not made at 180 days. I'd also place a hefty wager that not all of the alleged 30 chose that time bc it is the exact time that they wanted. Chances are, a lot chose because it was the only time available. Also, People cancel all of the time...I'm not claiming that 20 people per day cancel CRT, I'm saying there are cancellations by a few, for any dining including CRT. Pre paid doesn't hold much relevance here. The only prepaid tickets that aren't refundable are holiday parties, all pre paid dining, including dessert parties, is fully refundable.

The BBB and birthday/anniversary/proposal etc would all be handled in my situation described above. The company has the power to do that.
I just don't see Disney telling someone they are SOL...or "oh it's your kid's bday? Just celebrate it tomorrow."
Maybe people here think that could happen, but I've never seen or heard such an example.

So, just to check, I looked at 12 dates over the next 6 months for a reservation for CRT at 7:00, not a single date available even during the "off season". I think you are purposely being obtuse if you think there are openings for this restaurant where they could just squeeze in 30 parties within a 1 week period. And that's even if the 30 families were even available to go at other times...This restaurant is book solid 6 months in advance all year long. And the level of commitment by the customer to prepay likely means there a very few cancellations.

The other point is if this was done on purpose...

Only the TWDC would know this but Personally I think with the level of organization required to partake in this endeavor, they knew fully well they were going to have to displace these tables.

 

[drizgirl]

And the level of commitment by the customer to prepay likely means there a very few cancellations.

It also means a "no show" would be exceedingly rare.

 

[njDizFan]

If someone made that reservation 2 weeks ago, 1 month ago, 3 months ago, 7 weeks ago..do you think they chose 6:45 bc it was the
EXACT perfect time for them? Or more likely, as we've all probably experienced, they wanted CRT and took whatever time was available. As a result of this, they may not be livid or even disappointed if they have to change their time.
Again, as the OP (from the single example that we have) said, the new time actually worked out better for his family.


I sat on the phone for countless hours before my trip, having the phone rep check the restaurants I wanted for the entire trip..just hoping to find some availability. The ones I did choose were not all, or even most, bc they were exact time..it's bc they were my only choices. This will not be 100% of the "30", but I think it's a safe bet to say that it was a least some of them.

Yes I do believe they chose those times specifically. CRT is usually a special occasion kind of reservation. Birthday/anniversary etc. Late night CRT reservations are coveted because of the viewing of Wishes from inside the castle. So yes moving to midday or breakfast is not nearly as special.

 

[Minnie Mum]

So, just to check, I looked at 12 dates over the next 6 months for a reservation for CRT at 7:00, not a single date available even during the "off season". I think you are purposely being obtuse if you think there are openings for this restaurant where they could just squeeze in 30 parties within a 1 week period. And that's even if the 30 families were even available to go at other times...This restaurant is book solid 6 months in advance all year long. And the level of commitment by the customer to prepay likely means there a very few cancellations.

The other point is if this was done on purpose...

Only the TWDC would know this but Personally I think with the level of organization required to partake in this endeavor, they knew fully well they were going to have to displace these tables.

Good fact checking. Carefull, though, or you'll be accused of fake news.

I think you're spot on with your last paragraph. I completely disagree with those posters who espouse the theory that this was a scheduling accident. By the same posters who boast that only Disney can put on events of this scale. Disney's event planners are not new to putting on upcharge events inside the parks. They know that they have to work with the relevant park managers in order to schedule things correctly. It's not as if they would give final say to an intern or newbie employee. It could only be a deliberate decision. And because this didn't make a splash in the news, they'll do it again.

 

[contrariwise]

By who ?
A handfull of families ?
A small group of people who inhabit boards like this ?

The majority of customers won't even be aware of this and never will be, so i don't see Disney worrying in the slightest.

For the record i think it was very badly managed and handled.

It's bad PR. Is it a blip on the radar screen? Probably. But these blips are adding up, and I don't think it's just the die-hard customers who are noticing. And there's only so many people who will keep excusing everything Disney does.

 

[Luxe]

Disney created a situation where a FP has become more valuable than currency for some people.

Am I the only one that sees the problem here?

 

[Andrew C]

Disney created a situation where a FP has become more valuable than currency for some people.

Am I the only one that sees the problem here?

Yes.

 

[contrariwise]

Disney created a situation where a FP has become more valuable than currency for some people.

Am I the only one that sees the problem here?

It's brilliant on their part. They hand them out like candy whenever anything goes wrong, and some are thrilled to pieces. Some will continue to be thrilled even if they add restrictions to the FPs.

 

[Bandini]

Disney created a situation where a FP has become more valuable than currency for some people.

Am I the only one that sees the problem here?

FP is now being used to placate any dissatisfaction a guest experiences while on vacation. Yes, I see this as a big problem. Disney hands these out like candy. Eventually, they will become less useful for all guests.

Unless of course Disney starts charging for them.

 

[Bandini]

It's brilliant on their part. They hand them out like candy whenever anything goes wrong, and some are thrilled to pieces. Some will continue to be thrilled even if they add restrictions to the FPs.

OMG I said the same thing!

 

[drizgirl]

The irony of it is that they give the FPs to make up for inconveniencing a guest. And that in turn inconveniences the other guests waiting in line (by basically cutting more people in front of them). From the sound of things, this happens a lot.

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

January 31st is during one of the slowest times of year. I'm sure every other restaurant will have plenty of space to accommodate.

Not the point at all.

 

[Rebel_]

It's bad PR. Is it a blip on the radar screen? Probably. But these blips are adding up, and I don't think it's just the die-hard customers who are noticing. And there's only so many people who will keep excusing everything Disney does.

"Blips are adding up."
Perfectly said.
It's too bad. I never used to worry about my trips.

 

[Speedy71]

Poor ride maintenance, no night time parade and brushing aside guests that have made reservations to YOUR parks all for the sake to make a little more $.

 

[Ricky Spanish]

And somehow, life goes on.

 

[Laketravis]

Disney created a situation where a FP has become more valuable than currency for some people.

Am I the only one that sees the problem here?

Truly amazing.

Gift cards are fungible; FP's are not. Some people can't tell the difference. Disney could probably start offering refunds in the form of Bitcoin with limited success.

 

[larryz]

Truly amazing.

Gift cards are fungible; FP's are not. Some people can't tell the difference. Disney could probably start offering refunds in the form of Bitcoin with limited success.

You laugh -- Amazon is now accepting payment in Bitcoin.

 

[Delgado]

Giving away anytime FP+'s is Disney's new band-aid for anything that happens. The problem is, their value drops if all FP+'s for a ride have been used up. It's not like 7DMT will become a walk-on, and almost everyone will be using them for the most popular rides. So the anytime FP's value diminishes.

Disney reneged on their agreement and broke trust for more money. Regardless of how these guests were compensated, I think the reason for their reservations being canceled will not be forgotten or forgiven.

The value doesn't drop. There doesn't have to be a spot available. You go whenever wherever.

Disney was wrong but I'm getting the feeling a numerous amount of people just won't ever be happy with customer service.

 

[Luxe]

Truly amazing.

Gift cards are fungible; FP's are not. Some people can't tell the difference. Disney could probably start offering refunds in the form of Bitcoin with limited success.

Not to mention the fact the pixie dusters are openly admitting that the parks are overcrowded, which is due to the lack of expansion in the last decade to increase capacity by a significant amount. Crowded parks and longer lines then cause them to praise the FP+ system. But thanks Disney for the "free" fastpasses, make it rain I guess. Bandaid+.