Before I begin, let me ask that you please read this column to the very end. I need your votes and no, I’m not running for office. I need your votes to select the items for an upcoming Best of Disney World column. I know you have opinions, so send ‘em to me. I’m sorry for the brief disruption, and now, on with this week’s column…
Online Dining Reservations
I know that many of you have already used Disney’s new online dining reservation system. My 90-day window for our December trip opened up recently and I thought I’d give it a shot and offer some observations here. Before I get to the experience, let me begin by stating that I got online on a Sunday morning at 6:40 am. The online window opens at 6:00 am so I was 40-minutes late but I didn’t think that would be a big deal. Apparently, I was wrong.
Overall, I liked the process and it seemed to perform quite well—with a few exceptions. You begin by visiting the main Web page for Walt Disney World. At the top of the page, you should then hover your mouse pointer over the word “Book” and then click on “Dining Reservations” within the revealed menu. That will take you to a page that offers a menu of Disney World restaurants with a means, on the left side of the page, to filter by theme park or resort. There’s even a process to build a “Favorites” list of restaurants, presumably to facilitate future bookings.
I went through my selections fairly quickly, securing most of what I wanted except for two restaurants, Le Cellier Steakhouse and the Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room—more on those later.
I hit the first snafu when I had filled my cart with 7 dining reservations and tried to “check out” to confirm them. Unfortunately, the system hung with the Mickey version of the hourglass and I waited… and waited. Two, three, four minutes went by. I finally killed it after six minutes and started over. The second time, I kept my reservations to two at a time and that seemed to work much better.
A second problem occurred when I tried to “retrieve your (resort) reservation.” As you probably know, you can only make a reservation for a date that is exactly 90-days from today’s date (Note: That’s moving back to 180 days on October 27, 2009—just another u-turn in the road that is Disney’s Carousel of Policy). However, if you provide a resort reservation number, you should be able to book dining reservations for a range of 10-days, beginning on your check-in date—this is usually referred to as the “90 plus 10” rule.
Let me first say that my resort reservations were a bit complicated. I actually had three of them: one night at Boardwalk Villas, followed by four nights at the Boardwalk Villas, followed by two nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas. Please don’t ask why; it’s a long story. Unfortunately, the system would not let me select any dates beyond the first two days. I finally figured out that I needed to enter the appropriate reservation number for the stay that covered the date for which I was trying to book a dining reservation. In other words, it wouldn’t let me use a reservation to book a meal beyond the end-date of that reservation. Phew! Got all that?
It probably took me longer to do this than it should have but there is a bit of a learning curve. I went back the following day and canceled two reservations so I could move (re-book) them and that was reasonably quick and painless.
However, I do have some additional complaints (no surprise there, huh?) When you visit the Dining page, you can select from items that include Restaurants, Dining Plans, Dinner Shows and… Dining Events. I selected that last one because I was determined to grab a Fantasmic! Dining Package for this trip. Unfortunately, when I clicked to book one I was informed that “the booking system is currently unavailable” and advised to call 407-WDW-DINE. I did and, even though I was attempting to reserve for a date that was still 94 days away, I was told they were all booked up already.
The second disappointment was trying book a dinner at Le Cellier. Let me say here that, unlike many, I am not a big fan of this steakhouse. We’ve had a couple of very nice lunches there but our three attempts at dinner have been underwhelming to say the least. Nevertheless, so many people rave about the place, we were going to give it that proverbial “one more chance”. Checking online, there was nothing available for the entire week. I also called and tried that without success. I know it’s popular but… sheesh! I should note that we’re visiting during a period when the free Dining Package is being offered which might have contributed to the unavailability.
I should also note that whenever your choice of restaurant or time slot is unavailable, the system would respond with alternative suggestions—either nearby restaurants or different time slots… or both. That seemed to work fine for me with the system suggesting other Epcot restaurants to replace Le Cellier but I have read reports from others where the suggestions were in a different park or resort from the original choice. It sounds like Disney is doing a bit of fine tuning here.
My third disappointment came when I tried for a dinner reservation at the Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room. There was nothing available after 3:30 pm on the date I wanted. I was attempting to secure a reservation for the wife and me… just two people. Understanding that many establishments have a limited number of “two top” tables available, I changed our Dining Party size from two to three. All of a sudden, I had my choice of several different time periods on my chosen day. While I’m not condoning this practice, nor suggesting you do it, I think you need to be aware of this shortcoming in Disney’s reservation system in handling parties of two and I have no real problem in “cheating” a bit to overcome this deficiency .
So there you have my opinions on my first use of the online dining reservation system. It gets a “thumbs up” from me although it could still use a little work. Within minutes of checking out, I received a confirming email for each group of reservations I made. One thing I wish they would offer is an easy way to display your entire list of reservations for easy printing. I’m sure they could/should all be tied to your log-in account or resort reservation. Maybe that’s on the drawing boards.
Those represent my opinions on the new online Dining Reservation system and, speaking of opinions…
A Plea for Your Vote
Opinions—they’re like smiles at Walt Disney World; everyone has one. Well, almost everyone anyway. I certainly have my own (opinions, that is) and I’m betting you do as well. Now, I’m asking for yours.
My infatuation with “best of” lists is well documented here. Last October, I devoted a couple of columns to a Best of Walt Disney World (Part 1 and Part 2). Those columns represented my experiences and opinions on what I consider the best resorts, attractions, restaurants, etc. at Disney World.
It’s about that time of year so I thought I’d update the list and publish a “Best of Walt Disney World” for 2009. However, as I thought about it I was struck by the realization that last year’s columns contained only my opinions. Mind you, my opinions are always excellent, eternally valid and you should be anxious to read them and hang on every word but… have my opinions really changed that much since last year? I may have upgraded or downgraded a restaurant or attraction slightly; or maybe visited one or two new places but, in the end, I would say “probably not”. With that in mind, there’s really no value in simply re-publishing the same list as last year.
Then I experienced a sudden and intuitive leap of understanding. The skies opened, the sun shown and it dawned on me that, while you probably live and breathe to hear my opinions on all things Disney, I’m betting you’re much more interested in your own; and those of other Disney World fans like you.
So… instead of a forum to further my thoughts and opinions, this year’s “Best of” list will attempt to feature yours so I need your help. Here’s what you need to do:
1. At the end of this column, there’s a list of the Categories. Copy and Paste them into an email message;
2. Fill in your choices for each Category;
3. Send it along to me at steve@mouseplanet.com.
I’ll compile the list and get it published here as soon as possible. In the interest of time, I’ll accept your votes until October 23, 2009. Once I get them tabulated, I’ll publish the results as quickly as I can (have a little understanding here, I’m only one man but I’ll do my absolute best to get them up before year end).
My job wouldn’t be complete without some guidelines for you to follow:
- While I certainly would love to know that Aunt Harriet loves the 50’s Prime Time Café and thinks Pop Century is “da bomb”, your vote should represent your own experiences. In other words, your favorite resort should be one where you’ve actually stayed; you should have dined at your favorite restaurant; visited your favorite attraction; you get the idea.
- Please submit only one email/vote per person. This isn’t Chicago, you know.
- Please offer only one choice in each category. I know it’s sometimes difficult to choose between two or three favorites but you need to cowboy up here and make that choice.
- Consider current offerings only. I know you loved Horizons and much as I do (did), but we have to let it go. Ditto for Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration (that’s a joke).
- If you choose the Tomorrowland Noodle Station as your favorite in any category, you need to supply proof that you actually ate there. I’ve yet to visit the Magic Kingdom when this fine establishment has been open for business.
- I just realized that these guidelines that I’m typing now are really a “list”—and I love lists.
- Neatness and spelling both count… a lot. In addition, all submissions must be in English (although, for my UK readers, I will accept the King’s English if you go easy on the use of “honour” and “colour” and such.)
- Try not to make this entire tabulating thing too difficult for me. It’s my first time so be gentle.
- If you truly don’t have a favorite or an opinion on a category, go ahead and leave it blank.
Here are the Categories so get cracking and send me your vote for the “Best of” in each of the following:
- Best Value Resort:
- Best Moderate Resort:
- Best Deluxe Resort:
- Best Magic Kingdom Attraction:
- Best Epcot Attraction:
- Best Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attraction:
- Best Animal Kingdom Attraction:
- Best Attraction Technology:
- Best 3D Film:
- Best Live Show:
- Best Pre-Show:
- Best Parade:
- Best Fireworks Show:
- Best Restaurant for Families:
- Best Restaurant for Adults:
- Best Restaurant for Vegetarians:
- Best Restaurant for Breakfast:
- Best Counter Service Restaurant:
- Best Character Meal (specify B, L or D):
- Best Dinner Show:
- Best Pizza:
- Best Burger:
- Best Fixin’s Bar:
- Best Italian Meal:
- Best Themed Restaurant:
- Best Outdoor Dining:
- Best Seafood:
- Best Wings:
- Best Ice Cream:
- Best Steak:
- Best Sushi:
- Best Sports Bar:
- Best Place for a Cocktail:
- Best Coffee:
- Best Milk Shake:
- Best Muffins & Cookies:
That’s it… send me those opinions.
