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2. Creating a waiting list for guests

Under the system that is currently in place for making advance dining reservations at Walt Disney World, when a dining reservation is forfeited, it goes back into a “pool” and is available for the first person who can find it. Scalpers have been able to use this system to their advantage by taking reservations for themselves, and then releasing them at the exact moment someone using their service is online so they can scoop up the forfeited reservation immediately. However, Disney could easily thwart this maneuver by instituting a wait list system that would allow reservations to be made available for those who didn’t make the initial window in the order in which requests were received. 

Not only would this ensure that those who miss the initial reservation period have a fair shot at getting a reservation later, but more importantly, it would actively prevent scalpers from being able to sell and release reservations the way they do now. This system would also ensure that no reservation is “wasted”, and will keep restaurants full on busy days. 

3. Official condemnation of reservation scalping

It’s not a stretch to say that scooping up reservations and then selling them for profit to Walt Disney World guests is ethically wrong. However, many scalpers continue to argue the legitimacy of their business by saying that they are not acting outside the official Walt Disney World guidelines. And they’re not wrong.

Incredibly, even though Disney officials must know about the secondary market for Disney dining reservations, they have yet to take an official stance against this practice. Even though dining reservation scalping hurts guests, it also hurts revenue at Walt Disney World, as every unfilled seat at a dinner service is lost money.  

We know from experience that Disney isn’t afraid to step up and change the rules where it needs to (it was only a few months ago that all selfie sticks were banned at the parks), and it is mind-boggling that this practice is allowed to continue.

Though its true that there’s more to a Walt Disney World vacation than dining, for many people the opportunity to dine at signature restaurants like Chef Mickey’s, Be Our Guest or even California Grill is a once in a lifetime opportunity that is an integral part of their Walt Disney World experience. Unfortunately, unscrupulous characters are robbing guests of this opportunity. Walt Disney World owes it to guests to find a way to stop this practice and level the playing field for everyone who wants to experience a magical meal at the resort. 

 
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Comments

I think your first suggestion may not work because there is a portion of the guests that would shut out, although a small portion so who knows, but the other suggestions are good. And secondly, I am also VERY doubtful of these so-called "legitimate" businesses that are charging a fee to "monitor" the reservations. I believe they are also hoarding reservations to release randomly for their customers. After all, people are praising their success rate all over FB. So, if people aren't having success, they would have no more business. I think it's definitely more than luck making that system work!

Number one would be an issue for me. My fiancé is a CM and takes me on his guest pass. I often make our dinner reservations, but don't have a valid ticket for the day because the passes aren't linked to a person, they're just guest passes. He could make them himself, but I like to surprise him sometimes and that would kill that. Also, for guests who are not going into the park, locals, some DVC members simply stay and enjoy the resort and DTD, etc. would have an issue if this was required at all restaurants.
I do like the wait list pool. That seems like a great option. Cancelled reservations would go to the first person on the wait list. Maybe via email with a 24 hr response time. If they don't grab it within 24 hours, it goes to the next person, and down the line.

Does Disney really care? I don't think so. Their bottom line is not being affected in any way.

Not sure I'm seeing where a ticket would help....if the scalpers are making the money you are inferring, then all it would do is take away a couple hundred dollars in profit.....and since you can't activate APs until you arrive...they can sit in your MDE for years, so it's a one time "business expense" for them. I doubt they will even blink.

I am an AP holder....and I often book trips in much less than 180 days...in fact I just booked a trip for November at the end of August....so about 3 1/2 months in advance.....I had to work for it and search several times a day for about a week, but I have reservations at Be Our Guest for lunch and twice for dinner, for California Grill about an hour before fireworks, Akershus for lunch, and several others. They can be found, you just have to be diligent.....and it is MUCH easier to do that with the online reservations....I typically search when I'm on the phone with someone, they can't see me and I can try several times during our call, lol. Since Disney requires securing your ADR with a reservation people are much more likely to cancel reservations they don't want.....best time to look for those is 45 days from when you want the reservation.....people are cancelling their trip (45 days is when packages have to be paid in full).....or the night before....you have until 11:59pm to cancel your reservation for the next day in order to avoid the fee, so people usually plan the next day in the evening and cancel what they won't use. I've gotten several great ADRs that way too, including a Hoop Dee Doo on Level 1 in May.

Obviously, this upsets the author a great deal, but really, if a dining reservation is that important to you, spend some time continuing to try to get it.

Disney already limits this by not allowing multiple dining reservations at different restaurants during the same time period.

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