FINED for not showing at Cali Grill!

[Claire L]

But why cancel at all as the MNSSHP fireworks are great

Claire

 

[annie1995]

I would automatically have assumed with a CC hold, that there would be a fee if we no showed. Back in 07 we left 2 days early with sick kids, and I made sure to cancel our ADR's so someone could hopefully snag them. Sorry you were charged, but I'm sure you won't make that same mistake again

 

[kaytieeldr]

No sympathy. I forgot about a CRT breakfast reservation a couple of months ago (not the entire reservation, just that I had made it for the day I was going to be changing resorts). I never even called Disney Dining to complain. I was, am, and will always be aware that when Disney requires a credit card number to hold a reservation, not cancelling outside their deadline/not showing up WILL result in a charge to that card.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

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.

 

[JerJan]

I personally think that their should be a charge for ANY RESERVATION that is not cancelled within 24 hours of the ADR! I am not one to plan in advance and if those people would just cancel their reservation those of us who like to make last minute plans might get some availability at ANY restaurant instead of eating fast food or in a food court!

PLEASE....have the common courtesy of cancelling your ADR's if you are not coming, thanks!

 

[BriarRosie]

I knew right away you wouldn't get much sympathy here. We can't tell if the dining reservations cast member omitted the $20PP charge, or whether you didn't pay attention to the spiel.

Most people seem to believe the cast member did tell you, but you weren't paying attention. Now you know that whenever they ask for a credit card to hold a reservation, you will get charged for a no show.

I guess I'm in the minority of people who go to the California Grill for the food, too.

 

[catne]

to the OP, sorry you didn't realize that you had to pay a cancellation fee. I agree with others that it's usually expected (at Disney & elsewhere) that if they need a CC to "hold" the reservation, chances are they will charge you something for cancellations. My big question, though, is how the heck did you "discover that there are NO fireworks scheduled for Sunday night b/c of MNSSHP, and just decided to skip Cali Grill"...did someone tell you there were no fireworks? We've never been to the Halloween party, but from what I've read here on these boards, the Halloween fireworks are spectacular...way better than the regular fireworks.

Sounds like you got messed up 3 ways...missed a good meal, paid pretty hefty $$ for missing it, AND you missed viewing some of the best-ever MK fireworks. Sorry for the rotten life-lesson!

 

[Little_Sister]

It should be common courtesy to cancel a reservation.

You are absolutely 100% right. I can't believe this is even a topic of conversation.

 

[Yen Sid]

Should cancel ahead of time for consideration of others and never double book reservations!!

 

[LargoLori]

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.

I totally agree. I can not imagine not taking a few minutes to cancel so another family could enjoy.

 

[averysmom]

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

Yup - I'd do a chargeback. If they don't have a signature, I don't know what they can do?

 

[disneyag]

Lack of a signature wouldn't stop a company from collecting $$$.

 

[mbanks21]

Ummm they can send the credit card company a copy of the cancellation policy thats on their website or send them a screen shot of the dining system where the CM typed in the notes all the policies that they went over

 

[Tigger2]

Yes, I work in a bank and can confirm that if they send a copy of the cancellation policy & proof that you were notified, you won't have any chargeback rights.

 

[Dee & Greg]

I have to agree with the OP... we ate a Cali Grill during our trip in Sept. While we didn't miss our ADR's, and I'm sure they requested a cc for the ressie, I don't remember being told about a cancellation fee... especially $20/pp. I would have remembered that! So fortunately we didn't have to cancel (in fact we were so impressed that we went back the next night and ate at the bar!).
But, yes, I would have remembered such a steep fee if it had been mentioned.

 

[auntsue]

I like to note right on my ADR list any places that have cancellation policies. It's especially important to me on this trip as I have the Candlelight Procession dinner and Fantasmic dinner booked. The CP package charges the full amount if you don't cancel 48 hours in advance. I had to cancel the DDP (DH is on chemo and nor eating much), and just canceled Yachtsman and Marrakesh today as I know we won't be making them. I have had to change ressies many times over the years and I have always canceled so someone else could use them I think it is rude not to. I may even have to cancel Le Cellier and 1900 Park Fare once we are there, but I would never just not show up.

 

[kwlewis10]

Not only is there a $10.00 cc guarantee at Akershus, but if you show up with less people than you have listed for your ADR, they will charge for the missing person. We were on the free dining plan this past Sept. I woke up ill one morning, but sent my mom and husband on to Akershus, just so we wouldn't be charged. Lo and behold, a $10.00 charge appeared on my credit card after we got back. I had not used that credit card down there and seldom use it here, so noticed it immediately. I called and was informed that the charge was because we had showed up one person short at Akershus. The fact that the others showed up didn't matter.

Thank you for pointing this one out! On all my princess ADR's I've added one extra in case my littlest DD comes too. I was planning on it being a last minute decision depending on her mood (16 months). Obviously I need to make sure to call before we show up to change the number from 4 to 3! Otherwise I know I'd be quite mad for showing up, just leaving the baby with Dad (not like I'll be ordering her food anyways).


IMHO the orginal poster 1) should have canceled the reservation whether w/in 24 hours or not..........that's just common courtesy and we do it for all our non-cc ressies and 2) should understand the purpose behind handing over a cc number, common sense.

 

[captwinthrop]

Skipped? As in didn't call to cancel? I'm in the restaurant business, and if you don't take the time to, at the very least, pick up a phone and call to say you will be "skipping" your reservation, then you deserve to be charged. Nowhere on your post does it seem there was a legit emergency, so all I can com up with is that you didn't feel like calling....laziness. I'm glad they charged you, especially after thay said they would. And deep down inside, you knew they did tell you that. Sorry this post isn"t very "Disney-ish.

 

[NMW]

I guess I'm stumped as to why you would cancel because of the party. Every party has fireworks-Halloween, Christmas, Pirate and Princess. I'm sure CG would treat those fireworks the same as regular Wishes (dim lights, let people go outside, play music, etc).

As for the cancellation policy...every time I made a Norway breakfast ADR or last trip when I made a CG ADR (May 08) the CM clearly told me the policy as if she was reading something. I'm sorry the CM did not tell you the policy. Perhaps you can ask if the call was recored (for your protection as well as theirs) and then dispute it. I don't think you'd have much luck with you CC company. All Disney or CG would have to do is send them a copy of their cancellation policy. Your best bet may be asking if they have a recording of the call.

 

[Eastern]

Your best bet may be asking if they have a recording of the call.

I have seen this mentioned before. Does Disney really keep a record of all the phone calls they receive? And they can find a particular one? I am really curious!