FINED for not showing at Cali Grill!

[BigEeyore]

We were at WDW a month ago (had a great trip, except for the rain), and we had an ADR at California Grill for a Sun night. When I made the ADR, I asked what time the fireworks were scheduled that night, and we booked the reservation based on that to co-ordinate w/ fireworks. She told me she needed my CC to hold the reservation, and probably said something vague like "there is a cancellation policy for this restaurant". I made the rest of my ADR's and that was that.
When we get to WDW on Saturday, we discover that there are NO fireworks scheduled for Sunday night b/c of MNSSHP, and just decided to skip Cali Grill. We were all disappointed, but I just don't think it is worth the $$$$ if you can't get the big fireworks show with dinner.
We just got our CC statement and saw a $100 charge to Cali Grill for that Sunday . I called Disney Dining, spent 22 minutes on the phone with them, mostly on hold, to find out that they charge $20 per person if you don't show up. I told them that nobody told me of a specific fine (believe me, I would have remembered $100!). They said they would contact California Grill and get back to me today (so far I'm still waiting...).
If they are going to charge this much $$$, they need to 1) tell you when you make the ADR exactly what the penalty is, 2) send something in writing (email or otherwise) explaining their policy.
I know we all love Disney, and that people who complain often get shot down, but I really feel they pulled one over on us this time. Should I have assumed there would be a fine when I handed over my CC#? Probably. But that does not take away Disney's responsibility to explain to me exactly what the consequence is for not showing.
Anyone else experience this?

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

That's a shame that the CM didn't clearly explain the policy to you.

Any time I've made a ressie that requires a cc guarantee the cancellation policy has been clearly explained to me and I note it with my confirm number. Even for restaurants that don't require a cc guarantee, I make a point to call and cancel if we're not going to use the ADR so that someone else can hopefully take advantage.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I'm sorry the policy wasn't properly explain to you, however, you are required to guarantee your ADR at California Grill with a CC, and in every circumstance I've ever encountered in booking the CM's have been VERY clear that you must cancel 24 hours in advance or be charged a fee of $20/person.

Unfortunately, I dont think that any discussion with CG will change this matter.

In addition, there are fireworks scheduled with MNSSHP, Hallowishes. It runs at 9:30pm and is absolutely spectacular

 

[Inkmahm]

That's a shame that the CM didn't clearly explain the policy to you.

Any time I've made a ressie that requires a cc guarantee the cancellation policy has been clearly explained to me and I note it with my confirm number. Even for restaurants that don't require a cc guarantee, I make a point to call and cancel if we're not going to use the ADR so that someone else can hopefully take advantage.

Same for me. And we eat at California Grill each trip so I hear their speech about the $20 charge for no shows quite often.

 

[Pakey]

Hmmm, not sure why you thought they would be taking your credit card number if there wasn't a reason for it? I've eaten at CG numerous times and have had to listen to the spiel every single time regarding the noshow charge.

 

[nocruisecontrol]

Yep...cancellation fee. I called to cancel our Cali Grill reservation and I was told that there was a $10.00 per person cancellation fee. Then she put me on hold and came back and said no, she was wrong, it was $20.00 per person. Not much I could say although I did mumble something about spending probably a thousand dollars a Disney meals for the week and I wasn't happy. So yeah, just happened to us. $80.00.

Barbara

 

[Emagine]

I feel they should have told you but I also think you should have attempted to try and cancel it. They held a slot for you that could have been given to someone else. IMO two wrongs. If you miss an apt at the drs or dentist many have fees you will be charged. It helps protect the business from ppl who choose to no show as well as hopefully ensures they can accomadate the public when given chance.

Sorry this happened to you and I hope in the future the CMs tell the public what happens when they no show.

 

[mbanks21]

all dining castmembers are required to go over all the policies of a particular restaurant on EVERY call. They may have said it, they may not have. You may not have heard them because you were so excited. If they listen to the call and they did tell you then you have no recourse, if they didnt tell you theres still a slim chance since they did take the CC and told you there is a cancellation policy and you didnt call to cancel. Good luck though

 

[Paul in CT]

I don't understand why you are surprised that you were charged the cancellation fee. You said that the CM told you there was a cancellation policy. So, you were warned that there would be a charge to your card if you did not cancel, but apparently not how much. Why did you not call to cancel?

I know that the charge is a high one, but CG is very popular, especially during Wishes, and they may not fill the table if you don't cancel. Whenever we have made an ADR at CG, the cancellation policy was explained to us in detail including the $20 charge per person.

 

[Robert P]

That's a shame that the CM didn't clearly explain the policy to you.

Any time I've made a ressie that requires a cc guarantee the cancellation policy has been clearly explained to me and I note it with my confirm number. Even for restaurants that don't require a cc guarantee, I make a point to call and cancel if we're not going to use the ADR so that someone else can hopefully take advantage.

I must agree. On the planning sheet for our ADR's, I special note any cancel policy and/or penalty. Regardless of such, I still make every effort to call and cancel as soon as I can, to free up the seats for others who may want them.

 

[mickaholic4077]

What I would do is call your credit card company and dispute the charge.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Just wondering if there is a reason you didn't call to cancel?

Serves as an excellant reminder to everyone that the restaurants that have CC guarantees do enforce them

And Ihave to agree with a PP, the Hallowishes was spectacular

 

[snykymom]

We were at WDW a month ago (had a great trip, except for the rain), and we had an ADR at California Grill for a Sun night. When I made the ADR, I asked what time the fireworks were scheduled that night, and we booked the reservation based on that to co-ordinate w/ fireworks. She told me she needed my CC to hold the reservation, and probably said something vague like "there is a cancellation policy for this restaurant". I made the rest of my ADR's and that was that.
When we get to WDW on Saturday, we discover that there are NO fireworks scheduled for Sunday night b/c of MNSSHP, and just decided to skip Cali Grill. We were all disappointed, but I just don't think it is worth the $$$$ if you can't get the big fireworks show with dinner.
We just got our CC statement and saw a $100 charge to Cali Grill for that Sunday . I called Disney Dining, spent 22 minutes on the phone with them, mostly on hold, to find out that they charge $20 per person if you don't show up. I told them that nobody told me of a specific fine (believe me, I would have remembered $100!). They said they would contact California Grill and get back to me today (so far I'm still waiting...).
If they are going to charge this much $$$, they need to 1) tell you when you make the ADR exactly what the penalty is, 2) send something in writing (email or otherwise) explaining their policy.
I know we all love Disney, and that people who complain often get shot down, but I really feel they pulled one over on us this time. Should I have assumed there would be a fine when I handed over my CC#? Probably. But that does not take away Disney's responsibility to explain to me exactly what the consequence is for not showing.
Anyone else experience this?

She did tell you; you simply didn't pay attention. No, she wouldn't say $100; she likely said $20 per person. That's what the CM told me when I booked.

And Disney does have it in writing; it's right on their website:

A cancellation policy applies and may result in charges if you cancel with insufficient notice. Specific policies related to this facility will be detailed at time of reservation booking.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=CaliforniaGrillDiningPage

It's likely that even if they did e-mail you, you wouldn't have read it - happens all the time. (Just ask any teacher who sends notices home! ) It is not Disney's fault if you don't pay attention to the details.

 

[Echo queen]

I made ressies at the 180 day mark for our trip. I do not remember giving a CC for CG . I do remember the CP and Fantasmic cancellation policy and CC to book. No worries I have never missed or skipped an ARD's before Sorry you have to deal with this

 

[shellybaxter]

What I would do is call your credit card company and dispute the charge.

I wouldn't think that would do much good. The OP gave thier CC number to the restaurant at the time of booking and then didn't show up for the reservation. That sounds like exactly the situation in which the restaurant would charge the CC.

 

[huey578]

You've should have called to cancel your reservation when you decided you didn't want to show up. IMO anyone with holding an ADR should call to cancel regardless if there was a cancellation fee or not. I bet a few families got turned away that night because of you.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Sounds like a lesson hard learned. Just a call to cancel would have avoided the whole thing.

 

[webray]

The castmembers are always very clear about the per person penalty.

 

[Cookie Princess]

We always dine at CG when at WDW and they have always told us about the per person charge. Whenever anyone asks for your credit card number, you need to be sure and understand why they want it.

Also, calling to cancel the reservation might have opened up a table for another family.

 

[notaclue]

Is there a list somewhere of restaurants at WDW that have these cancellation charges? TIA