The Daily Rant errrr fix (1/18/2017)

Accident

Accident

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jun 13, 2015
BEST DAILY FIX SO FAR.



I was seriously considering possibly trying to get a ticket last second because I like the idea of the 45th anniversary dinner (dinner after hours is what it actually is called). I saw the thread originally and also like pete decided to not support this behavior but unfortunately I didn't have a reservation in advance to really let disney know how much I didn't like this.
 
Accident said:
BEST DAILY FIX SO FAR.



I was seriously considering possibly trying to get a ticket last second because I like the idea of the 45th anniversary dinner (dinner after hours is what it actually is called). I saw the thread originally and also like pete decided to not support this behavior but unfortunately I didn't have a reservation in advance to really let disney know how much I didn't like this.
Click to expand...

I echo the team in saying "good job Pete" in cancelling once you heard.

I suppose you could call up and say you were thinking about doing this but decided against it once you heard people had their ADRs cancelled or we can write e-mails complaining
 


Ok, just sent an e-mail to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Subject: Unhappy that ADRs for Cinderella Royal Table were cancelled for special event

Hello,

This note is to voice my displeasure in the fact that people had their ADRs at Cinderella's Royal Table for the night of January 31st so that a Delicious Disney, A Chef Series event can be held instead.

As you know, Cinderella's Royal Table is one of the most coveted ADRs to get, with people usually having to book them out 180 days in advance - and, in fact, having to pre-pay for the meal at the time of booking. So not only have they had their meal cancelled, you have been holding their money for months.

This did not impact me as I do not have a trip planned at this time but it was very upsetting to hear and something I think Disney should not be in the practice of doing. A meal at in the Castle can be a highlight of a trip, especially for children, and to treat people like this - that their experience is not as important as those that can afford the $499 price tag of the chef series event is a disgrace.

I am currently a Disney stock holder, but action like this make me question that decision as this is not a direction I want to see the company move it.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.

Best regards,
[my name]
 
Here is mine, also emailed the same place:

subject: Delicious disney, a chef's series.

Hello,

I was really excited when I first heard about this series and was seriously considering the 45th celebration this month at Cinderellas Castle. I had some additional questions which I was going to reach out and ask to get an idea of what exactly an after hours dining experience really meant.

However, I got calls from friends and saw online that people were booked for Jan 31st for a regular Cinderella's castle meal got a call saying their reservations were being canceled. Not only being canceled but no help to try to accommodate this change. I also understand a day or two later someone did start to help but for at least 1 friend of mine, they had no other day to be able to eat there and I read online that some didn't actually get rebooked for another night when it was possible for them.

I'm going to end up skipping this dining series as a result of these actions and very disappointed as I've never heard of this happening at Walt Disney World before. I"m surprised there was no better way to handle this or that this particular dinner wasn't for later in the year when nobody had a reservation yet to displace. Also being billed as an after hours dinner makes me think you could have just handled the fireworks reception differently and still had the dinner.

I hope this is the one and only time and a lesson is learned. I also wanted you to know that this is going to have an impact on what I'm willing to spend my money on with WDW now.

I cannot believe that the guest experience is this low on your priorities. I had defended that it wasn't all about money but I can't do that anymore.

Thanks,
[my real name]
 


Good for you, @WebmasterPete - you WALKED the WALK, not just TALKED the TALK. You're an awesome, standup guy, and my hero! :love: (Oh - and this Joisey girl heard ya, and agrees, loud and clear!!) :)

I also just sent an e-mail to the address Max Rebo gave. Thanx again for your help, and letting me use your email as the base for mine)!
(Here's mine, for those who'd like to see it - and I'm glad - it gave me a chance to let them briefly know how I've been feeling for a LONG time, as I've often expressed here)

To Whom It May Concern:

This e-mail is to voice my displeasure in the fact that people had their ADR's at Cinderella's Royal Table cancelled for the night of January 31st so that Delicious Disney, A Chef Series event, can be held instead. And, from what I understand, for CONSIDERABLY more money per person than a person simply dining there would generate by doing so.

As you know, Cinderella's Royal Table is one of the most coveted ADR's to get, with people usually having to book them out 180 days in advance - and, in fact, having to pre-pay for the meal at the time of booking. So not only have they had their meal cancelled, you have been holding their money for months.

This did not impact me as I do not have a trip planned at this time but it was very upsetting to hear and something I think Disney should not be in the practice of doing. A meal at in the Castle can be a highlight of a trip, especially for children, and to treat people like this - that their experience is not as important as those that can afford the $499 price tag of the chef series event is an appalling disgrace.

I am currently a long time Disney stock holder, but actions like this make me question that decision as this is not a direction I want to see the company move in. I tell people all the time - yes, I like to make money, but some things (like the smile on a child's face at eating in the castle) are PRICELESS. This type of behavior also cements in my mind the fact that maybe Disney is pricing itself out of the reach of "the common man" - evidenced by the fact that I have not been able to visit in more than 4 years, when I used to come every year or so. It also makes me wonder - if, in fact - you even care anymore, or is it ALL about the revenue at all costs?

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you should have any questions.
 
Last edited:
Thank you so much Pete for standing up for guests that way! Also, thanks to everyone that has emailed guest services so far. I hope it makes a difference.
It took us three trips to secure a reservation for Cinderella's Royal Table. We finally made it when we scheduled our trip in January. Our other trips were during July and December. I can't imagine what I would do if they had called me two weeks before our January trip to tell me that the reservation I had tried to make for over THREE YEARS was canceled because they wanted to up-charge the dinner. I don't think we'd ever go back. As a young family, we saved for 5 years to pay for our first trip. For Disney to be so callous and just dismiss all those guests because they decided they wanted the space for a more expensive event- I feel like it just proves what their priorities are, and it's not us!
 
That was a pretty crappy decision to make. I get the decision to plan the special event but the optics are bad. They have a built in 180 day rolling buffer that they can use to black out general availability for any location they want before guests make reservations. There is no reason why they can't have these planned either 180 days out or at locations with separate available meeting space.
 
For A company that's about family to pull something like this is so unbelievable . It is making it harder and harder to justify going on vacation to a place like this .
 
My family has only been able to make one trip to WDW though we hope to get to make more in the future. While we were able to get a seating for all 12 of us less than 60 days in advanced ( we went when ADRs were at 60 days and it was switched to the 180 or was it back for dates right around the same time as our trip ended) I honestly don't know who would have been more disappointed at having a reservation for CRT cancelled My Mom who was looking forward to seeing one of her granddaughters get to celebrate her birthday in the castle or my daughter who at the time loved Cinderella so much she watched the movie over and over ( in English, English with English Subtitles, English with Spanish Subtitles, Spanish, Spanish with English Subtitles, Spanish with Spanish Subtitles, French, French with English Subtitles, and French with Spanish Subtitles. I am sure if French Subtitles were available on our version that was released sometime between 2005 and 2009 we would have been watching those as well) as well as wanting to dress as Cinderella for our Harvest Party and was disappointed that we were unable to find a costume ( Little sister was appropriately dressed though and the costume we found for the one who celebrated a birthday in the castle was finally worn 6 years later though everyone thought she was Elsa and just didn't have a wig).
In all honestly I think we all would have been very disappointed and upset about the situation.
 
Got my response from Disney. Got to say, at least they were quick. And if they say they're worked with everybody impacted to give them a satisfactory resolution, I've got to believe that. Even if it was (to quote Pete) a "douchey" thing to do in the first place. At least now they know how I felt. Here's a cut/paste of their response:

Dear Heidi,

Thank you for writing with your concerns about the upcoming 'Delicious
Disney' event at Magic Kingdom Park.

Here at Walt Disney World Resort, we strive to create unique experiences
for our Guests to enjoy. We understand dining at Cinderella's Royal
Table is a cherished experience and we truly regret any inconvenience
this may have caused. We have worked with each Guest party to make
certain they can experience this special offering, or another Disney
restaurant of their choice, during their visit at a time that fits in
with their plans.

Thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback. We will be
sharing it with the appropriate leadership.

Best Regards,

Jenny Keating
Guest Experience Services
Walt Disney World Resort
 
I love how Pete handled this topic....Those people who lost their reservations( im assuming they have children) must be so upset...
 
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