Dining Plan Guaranteed by Credit Card

[Mailloux]

I am new to the Disney dining plan and was hoping someone could clarify this for me. I have been able to make reservations on line, but the "policies" for each reservation I made (which was sent to my email address) states that a credit card is required to guarantee the reservation. However, at the top, it says that no amount is due. Does this mean that the reservation is still valid (I have confirmation numbers.)

[ILoveJack]

They hold your credit card number in case you are a no show or cancel too late. They won't put anything on it if you keep the reservation. I think you have to cancel at least 2 days before, but don't quote me on it. I know that is how the Princess breakfast in Norway is.

[Mailloux]

Thanks, but they didn't request my credit card number. So I have a confirm number, was never asked for a card number, but the policies still stay you need to provide a credit card number. Hmm..would they have waived the credit card thing during slow periods?

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

When you check in, they require a credit card, since all your dining reservations are linked to your hotel reservation, perhaps they will charge the card you attach to your room?

[ILoveJack]

Well not all of the restaurants really make you put up a deposit. It's just they say so in the general guest policies so if you have a ress # you should be ok. You can always call 407-939-3463 to double check.

[kaytieeldr]

Where are you dining? The information you quote may be standard text on the confirmation e-mail. Tell us where you're eating and we'll tell you if a credit card number should have been required.

But no, they don't waive this requirement during slower periods.

[Maggie'sMom]

When you check in, they require a credit card, since all your dining reservations are linked to your hotel reservation, perhaps they will charge the card you attach to your room?


No, they do not use a CC linked to your hotel reservation as a guarantee on the ADR. If a CC was not required to book the reservation, then there is no penalty for a no-show. Of course, it's always polite to cancel an ADR that you won't be using, even if you don't know until last minute. Others have mentioned the confusing language regarding CC guarantees. To the OP, yes, your reservations are valid.

[Mailloux]

Thank you so much! We made reservations at Crystal Palace, Chef Mickeys, Ohanas, and Tusker House. All four had the notation about the credit card required to guarantee the ressie. However, the policies on the booking web site only had this listed for Chef Mickeys and Ohanas so I guess it might just be standard for the email confirmation. (But we still didn't need a credit card to book Mickeys or Ohanas). My concern was that the ressies were not valid, but I understand the concern regarding cancelling them if we won't use them and I will certainly do that if needed! Thanks everyone.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

No, they do not use a CC linked to your hotel reservation as a guarantee on the ADR. If a CC was not required to book the reservation, then there is no penalty for a no-show. Of course, it's always polite to cancel an ADR that you won't be using, even if you don't know until last minute. Others have mentioned the confusing language regarding CC guarantees. To the OP, yes, your reservations are valid.

thats not exactly accurate. When I completed all my dining reservations, the CM doing them sent me back an e-mail stating that some of the reservations will require a credit card for the reservation to be valid.

I had them use the one that they charged for several tours that we are taking. It was explained that several of the dining experiences are now requiring this to avoid cancellation problems, and that if we did not cancel the reservation within 24 hours, there WOULD be a cancellation fee charged.

The CM also warned me that if I made reservations on my own, and linked them to my room reservation number (required for on-line I believe) and I had "double booked" (two different reservations at the same date/time, different places) they would both be cancelled by WDW!

[TDC Nala]

Not all the restaurants require a credit card hold - in fact few of them do. However, all the web pages (and I guess the emails) for each restaurant say that. It's probably a cover your butt move by Disney - or they're using the same format for each web page instead of putting it only on the pages of the restaurants that do require a credit card hold.

The only restaurants requiring a hold are Akershus, California Grill, Victoria & Albert's, Citricos Chef's Domain (not the regular restaurant) and Fantasmic dining package reservations

Plus the dinner shows and CRT for the dining plan only - if you are not on the dining plan these are prepaid in full.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Not all the restaurants require a credit card hold - in fact few of them do. However, all the web pages for each restaurant say that. It's probably a cover your butt move by Disney - or they're using the same format for each web page instead of putting it only on the pages of the restaurants that do require a credit card hold.

True, the CM assisting me made sure I understood that it was for only a few, and when she sent the schedule to me, they were noted!

I wonder if they (WDW) are considering (or going to) require a CC for ALL TS reservations? I know I wouldn't mind.

I also find it interesting that they are now going through and cancelling reservations that have been "double booked" (two different places at the same time and/or same place with times seperated by an hour or so)

makeing it more efficient?

[Coparm]

I had the same concern with the online bookings but on rereading, at the top it states no credit card guaratnee required, further down it makes mention of kosher meals availabe and that does need a credit card reservation. If a cc guarantee was needed the online system won't let you book it without giving your card details.

[chewysmom]

So what happens if you don't even *own* a credit card??? Would a debit card work? (I really wouldn't want to use my debit card). If not, what would you do?

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

So what happens if you don't even *own* a credit card??? Would a debit card work? (I really wouldn't want to use my debit card). If not, what would you do?

I think a debit card would work. They just want something to ensure that you make it to the reservation, or cancel within a set time before the reservation.

barring another hurrican, we intend to make all our reservations!!

[Luv2Roam]

I made an ADR on 06/29 and my payment section reads:

Payment Information

Total Payment of $0.00 made on 6/29/2009
No Deposits Required


Hard to say if they are tweaking the system, and will be occasionally.