[petecj2]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to apologize in advance for the length of this post, which is a combination sob story / desperate plea for help.

So today was our 90 days for booking CRT. Since we're in California and I'm usually up until at least 1:30 anyway, I just stayed up and began calling at 3:50 a.m., using 2 phones and constantly redialing and hanging up. I got the "we're closed" message until 4:00 on the dot, when I finally got through.

I tried following the suggestion I've read before where you have the menu memorized and you press the necessary buttons before the recorded voice finishes. On the very first prompt, though, it didn't work when I tried that -- there was dead silence for about 5 seconds, then it just began to repeat the same spiel I'd already heard part of. From then on, I decided to wait for each prompt to finish and then push the buttons.

I was on hold until 4:10, when someone picked up and I said, "3 for Cinderella's on December 2nd." She asked me to repeat it (d'oh!), and then said, "How about 8:50"? I said, "great". Then she volunteered, "Unless you want 9:50" and I said, "Even better". So she proceeded to take all my info, and give me all the "fine print", then paused and said, "Oh, I'm so sorry. The booking I just did for you is for Chef Mickeys." D'OH!!! D'OH!!! D'OH!!!!!!

So she tells me to hold on, and she says, "I'm so sorry, but we no longer have any tables available for Dec. 2. I thought it was weird that you'd have a choice of 2 times this late in the am, and when the computer didn't have Cindy's available, it automatically defaulted to Chef Mickey's".

So I booked the Norway princess breakfast for that day, but really want CRT for my DD -- we took her last year when she was only 23 months old, and she STILL talks about it. We have 4 more days that we can try to get CRT, so I wanted to ask you guys some questions so that we can maximize our chances of getting it.

1) Not that it matters anymore, but do you think the screw-up with Chef Mickey's was for real, or do you think she accidentally clicked on the wrong restaurant? I can't help but wonder if, since alphabetically "Chef" comes right before "Cinderella", there was an errant mouse click involved here. I could totally be wrong, though, and I generally try to give people the benefit of the doubt.

2) I've seen several of you post that you start calling at 6:55 (eastern). Do you actually get through then? Like I said, I didn't get through until exactly 4 am (or 7 am eastern) -- and I know this because I had that atomictime website up and running on my computer. I'm not trying to say that you didn't get through before 6:55, but it just ticks me off that it's not consistent about when it lets calls go through.

3) How did you get the "pressing the buttons early" thing to work? Am I that lame, or has anyone else had trouble with this, too?

4) Did DH just get lucky last year? He called once, on our "first choice" 90 days in advance day at 4 am on the dot, was on hold for 22 minutes, and got us a PS.

5) Any tips or suggestions you can offer me? I'd try just about anything at this point!!

DH and I are going to alternate days calling, so neither of us has to be the one awake at 4 am every day for almost a week.

One other thing I forgot to mention -- she said that in the event the call stations aren't manned tomorrow because of the hurricane, there will be a recorded message explaining that. She also said that, if that happens, when they resume the next day (or whenever), you'd be able to book either the current day's 90 day PS or the previous one. She pointed out that this would actually be advantageous to those trying to get CRT if it happened.

Thanks in advance for hanging in there on reading this lengthy post, and for any advice you can offer me!

[Dana]

Ok hrere's the skinny. I just called WDW dine and went through each prompt in order to help you. Here are the sequence of numbers you need to press. As soon as you hear the recording press 1, as soon as you hear the recording begin again, press 2 quickly, as soon as it starts again enter your 10 digit phone number and press #. Wehn the voice starts up again press 1, and then 1 again when they start to talk. This will save you about 15-20 seconds. Call at 6:55 am EST and enlist family and friends to help you get the PS. Have a credit card in your hand because you need it to complete the booking. I don't think the Cm puposely misled you. I really think she made a mistake...an unfortunate one, but a mistake. Keep trying each morning and keep calling at random for cancellations. They do happen believe it or not. You were smart to book the Princess Storybook Breakfast as a back-up plan. 1900 Park Fare has Cinderella for dinner if that helps.

[DisneyTeacher]

I think you are doing everything right. You started early and got through in a short amount of time, I am surprised you didn't get it. I did the exact same thing you did, I started early and prepared to sit on hold. I also used the atomic clock site on the 'net and like you, I didn't get through any too early.

I had great luck, we actually got 4 PS's for CRT and ended up cancelling the 3 we didn't need. If you have friends/family that are willing to get up early you may want to ask for help. We had our home phone and both our cell phones going plus the two other families traveling with us calling.

Good luck!!

[chiasgirl]

Another idea to try - as soon as the recording tells you that you got through just press 1, 1 as quickly as you can. If the recording keeps talking try 1, 1 again. Try this a couple times until it is accepted. I was able to bypass the whole phone number etc thing this way, saving at least 20 - 30 seconds.
Good luck!!!

[Disneywife]

Are you serious? You have to do through all this just to EAT?!

(I'm thanking my lucky starts right now that there is a line just for cast members to do this...)

[Dana]

Originally Posted by Disneywife

Are you serious? You have to do through all this just to EAT?!

(I'm thanking my lucky starts right now that there is a line just for cast members to do this...)

This is just for the cherished Cinderella's Royal Table PS. The other PS's are a snap to get and this kind of stradegy isn't necessary unless you are going during the week of Christmas, but still even then it isn't this complicated.

[Jennly]

Originally Posted by petecj2

.

1) Not that it matters anymore, but do you think the screw-up with Chef Mickey's was for real, or do you think she accidentally clicked on the wrong restaurant? I can't help but wonder if, since alphabetically "Chef" comes right before "Cinderella", there was an errant mouse click involved here. I could totally be wrong, though, and I generally try to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Well, to be completely honest with you, she selected the wrong location. This does happen frequently for the exact reason that you mention. I guess when that first 200 or so calls flood the queue at 7:00 am that some CMs try to kick it into overdrive to assist the Guests calling and they get careless.

J

[llama]

Having grown kids, I've never had the "experience" of getting a PS for CRT. I am absolutely aghast at what you have to do. I'm sure the Normandy Invasion took less planning. I commend you. You are all very dedicated moms, if you'll go through this! If the demand is so huge, why wouldn't Disney also offer a lunch and dinner at the Castle with Cinderella? Without doubt, they'd fill these too. This whole routine sounds almost cruel to me - especially if you aren't successful and have to break the news to your four year old. This should really be one event where you MUST have a child to attend.

[petecj2]

Thanks so much to all of you who replied with suggestions and/or sympathy!!

I am happy to report that DH once again had the magic touch and got us a PS this morning!!

Chiasgirl, your suggestion of just pressing 1,1 allowed him to completely circumvent the whole "enter your phone #" thing, and he got an actual, live person at 4:01 am. The lady told him that he was her first call this morning, and he had his pick of any time he wanted. He went for the 10:00 time slot because we're from CA and our daughter has a really tough time adjusting to east coast time.

By the way, I had to chuckle when I read the suggestion that I enlist friends and family to help. Does that mean that some of you guys have friends and family that actually understand your Disney obsession? If so, that's WONDERFUL!!! I think my or DH's family would have us committed if they knew we were up at 4 am just to try to go to a kid's breakfast, lol!!!

And Jennly, I think your suspicions are likely correct.

[Dana]

Congrats to you for getting the PS. Glad it worked out for you and that pressing the ones did the trick. I'll keep that in mind for my trip.

[MrDisneyfan1]

Sounds like what we had to go through for the Firework cruise.
How many of "us" actually tell people what we do to plan a Disney Vacation. I know I do, and they just shake their head. But take a guess who has more fun...all of us!

[Jennly]

I'm glad that you got the PS that's great news! You know I really hate being right about things like that but I've seen it happen so many times that it was just my gut reaction.


Are you going to keep the Princess Storybook Breakfast as well? That way the little once can see numerous princess while here.

I should go now and try to conserve battery power. Frances is still slowly approaching and I don't know how long we'll have our power this time. (We've lost it already twice.... and the lights just flickered again!)

This could be a looooooong night!

Jenn

[Dana]

Originally Posted by Jennly

I should go now and try to conserve battery power. Frances is still slowly approaching and I don't know how long we'll have our power this time. (We've lost it already twice.... and the lights just flickered again!)

This could be a looooooong night!

Jenn

Keep safe Jennly.

[lisajl]

Just to let you know...Cindy's use to have lunch, with her, that is.
The first time we took our DD,she was 2, my MIL made the ressies. That is when it was easy to get in. Luckily I have young boys now, and they could care less about a Princess.What I have read on other sites about the breakfast being terrible, why on earth go back? We go for lunch and have a great time.

[chiasgirl]

First, let me begin by saying how happy I am for you and your daughter!

Originally Posted by petecj2

4) Did DH just get lucky last year? He called once, on our "first choice" 90 days in advance day at 4 am on the dot, was on hold for 22 minutes, and got us a PS.

And yes, apparently your DH does have better luck!!!