Mouse Extra

Disney has made some significant changes to the way people make reservations at restaurants in recent times. First, Disney allowed ressies to be made online eliminating the need to call WDW-DINE. Second, Disney has taken away the ability to double book eateries within 3 hours of each other.

Yet, Disney recognized that the second change is easily overcome by the public. So, starting October 26th, Disney will require that you provide a credit card number. In the event you do not show, you will be charges ten bucks a person. You will be able to cancel the reservation the previous day (likely up until 10pm the prior evening) without charge.

In theory, this will eliminate many of the double bookings that occur now. Until 10/26, there was really no reason (other than being plain considerate) to actually cancel ressies. On our last trip, I did overbook as I tried to manuever plans around in case I could get a spot at the Yak & Yeti. It never happened, although to be fair, I was able to just walk up to the Yak & Yeti for lunch. (And I am sure glad I did which is a story for another day). I cancelled my double bookings, though, weeks in advanced.

Not all restaurants will be a part of this. Currently, Disney will use this at about 15 eateries. Disney will also have a special phone number just for cancellations: WDW-CNCL.

I have noticed that one topic that never seems to die on message boards is the refillable mug. And yes, I too fondly look back on the days of resort specific mugs. I still have my Caribbean Beach mug from my honeymoon in 98. I have Boardwalk ones and even Epcot and MGM Studio ones. But those days are gone forever. In its place are the generic refillable mugs that are the same at every resort, usually reflecting the current promotional event.

It seems the generic long unchanged mugs did do one thing. People who go back during the same event brought their mugs back and continued to use them.

Yes, its bad form but there was no way for Disney to do anything about it. For several weeks now, Disney has tested a new machine at the All Star Sports resorts. Your mug will come with an RFID chip. This means several things. One, the chip shuts off the day you leave so no more bringing back the mug. Two, you have to wait 5 minutes before refilling it.  Three, you get one minute to refill. These last two things make it more difficult to get one soda and split it by continually refilling.

I have to admit, that I have never brought the mug back with me for a trip. And I have always gotten a mug for everyone. So this really does not effect me. Disney is currently indicating that this is just a test, but since they have signed a long term deal with the company who provides these chip I expect this to be fully operational at all resorts in the not too distant future.

 Today’s article is from Mike

This world showcase icon has consistently been the most popular dining spot in all of Walt Disney World. Sone of us here at Mouse Extra agree with that position atop the most saught after ADRs. Others, namely me, feel the place is overrated. Well, now its overpriced.

Anyone who knows anything about the goings on at the Mouse knows about the Dining plan. For a set amount per person, you get credits at counter service and table service eateries during the course of your stay. Most sit down restaurants cost you a single table service credit. A few places, the cream of the crop so to speak, cost you two. Starting today, Le Cellier is a 2 credit table service restaurant.

To be honest, this has been a long time coming. Le Cellier is always the first ADR to fill up in a single day. Thus, the demand is there. Unlike many other 2 credit places, however, the prices were not through the roof.

Until now that is. Illuminatingepcot.com has posted the new menu. There are changes a plenty. The biggest being the price. The famous cheddar cheese soup, once $5.50 or 6.99 depending on the size, is now a cool 9 bucks, several items like the coffee rubbed steak seems to have been pulled off the menu entirely.

So what does this mean? Well, first of all, it shows in full effect the problems with the Dining Plan. The only reason the price went up is because Disney made it a 2 credit establishment. I can only imagine this will have an effect on the how quickly the ADRs are used up. I would think this will quickly become an easier place to find a ressie.

One thing is certain, I won’t be there. I had a bad experience there last time with service and just don’t think its worth the hassle. I know don’t think its worth the price either.

Today’s posting is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra

The Disney Dining plan has many many advocates. Especially when its free. But now, Disney had released the costs of the Magic Your Way dining plan. For the first time, the costs of the plan depend on when you go. The 2010 pices are $41.99 per adult (ages 10+) $11.99 per child (age 3-9) per night  for travel dates: 1/01/10 – 2/11/10 ; 4/11/10 – 6/03/10 ; 8/15/10 – 12/16/10 For other dates, its a whopping $46.99 per adult (ages 10+) $12.99 per child (age 3-9) per night.

I am not a fan of the plan. First of all, Disney food in general has become more homogenized over the last few years. Expensive items like filet mignons and the like have been removed from menus because they didn’t want dining planners getting too much bang for their buck. Worse yet, I have seen several families fighting over getting snacks that don’t count on the plan.

There are many patrons who take advantage of the plan. And, in fact, it’s not a bad deal. You do get one table-service meal (although they have since got rid of the appetizer part of it), a quick service meal and a snack for that price. You can save money that way for sure. And when it’s free, it’s a no-brainer. But now you pay more during peak months. Is that fair? After all, it’s the same food.

Today’s posting is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra.

TouringPlans.com is reporting this morning that Disney, in about as a quiet a fashion as you will ever find Disney doing anything, has launched a new online Dining reservation service for restaurants at Disney World.  Yes, that’s right.  You can now book those illusive ADR’s from your own home on the internet.  You must go to the Restaurants page at Walt Disney World section of the Disney website to do so.

Les Chefs de France

Just taking a quick look at the website, it appears the 90 day booking windows are in place.  It also seems to be rather easy and straightforward system to work with.  If you have never looked at the restaurants page, it is a rather nice and well done site to begin with.

This was certainly a long time coming, though I do understand if Disney held out on this until they could be sure of a way to prevent widespread abuse of the system and a resulting increase of unused reservations.  There does appear to be some security measures in place, by I think only time will tell if they really work.  Until then, this has to be seen as a great step and a big improvement for those who like to do their own travel arrangements.

On our last trip to the World, we finally had a chance to try Wolfgang Puck’s at Downtown Disney. For those who don’t know, there are, in fact, three different Wolfgang Puck eateries. At the Marketplace, there is the Express which serves an abbreviated version of Wolfgang Puck’s menu. Over in Downtown Disney, you can either go to the Cafe or the more upscale Dining Room which is on the second floor. We chose the Cafe which is big, open and very noisy.

The food was also average at best. The Butternut Squash soup was superb but the tortilla soup was rather boring. The pizza was soggy, meaning I still haven’t had a good slice at the Mouse. The only decent piece of pizza is at Pizzafari. The Rigatoni with Sausage was pretty good but certainly nothing above a B grade. The fettuccine dish was also average.

Overall, I would skip this restaraunt when going to Downtown Disney. In my opinion, I would stick to the House of Blues and perhaps Raglan Road.

Today’s review is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra.