Is there a policy on canceling ADRs due to disability?

ChallengerHK1 · Sep 2, 2015

As I've said elsewhere, taking my girlfriend for her first-ever Disney trip in November. I'm trying to book some ADRs, but what has occurred to me is that we may end up not being able to make some of them. The main limitation we'll have is her back. She can take about 2-3 hours at a time, and then she'll need to do something to take pressure off her spine for a while. It's kind of unpredictable, though, and I've seen her go for several hours sometimes, and an hour other times.

So what I'm wondering is, if her back acts up before a meal, will they let us cancel an ADR?

tobikaye · Sep 2, 2015

I doubt anyone can say 100% if they would charge you the fee or not. There have been some that have mentioned on these boards that when they called and explained, they were not charged. That said, there are others that were still charged. There is no policy that due to a disability the fee would be waived if you have to cancel same day.

I have had good luck making day of reservations, I know not everyone has, but there are many that you can usually find each day. You might want to only try to make a few for those hard to get and then just see what is available if it looks like she will be able to make it to a reservation.

gap2368 · Sep 2, 2015

I am not sure but I think on mine it said you will have a $10 no show fee also if she need a place to line down first aid is great if she is there they maybe able to work some magic so that you will not get the fee ( but I am not sure)

LilyWDW · Sep 2, 2015

Technically there is no policy then the normal $10 per person cancellation policy that is used for everyone.

Bete · Sep 2, 2015

I will add to the above that there are very nice quick service places to eat and you don't need reservations. This might suit your purposes better; so, you can cancel last minute.

If you really want to do a table service restaurant I would take it easy that day; so, you would be on the safer side of being able to manage the reservation. Perhaps think about lunch instead of dinner for table service.

I'm not trying to sound harsh or throw away your money, but the other side is that in considering the cost of a Disney World vacation I wouldn't sweat a $10 deposit x 2 if I had to cancel. I would take a chance if you want that experience. If you get your deposit back then great if you have to cancel same day, if not you tried.

If you are not needing a certain table service restaurant and you are flexible about the time then I think you can probably secure a same day reservation. That way, you can see how she feels and decide as you go.

aaarcher86 · Sep 2, 2015

Id expect to pay the fee and consider it pixie dust if you don't have to.

I'd schedule as few adrs as you can and stick with QS.

TheRustyScupper · Sep 2, 2015

ADR "NO-SHOW" CANCELLATION FEES 411:
ALL Table Service eateries, both Disney-owned and non-Disney-owned are covered by this policy.
1) The rule says you are charged $10 per person for "no-show" ADR's.
. . . penalty applies when none of the party appears for the ADR
. . . penalty does not apply as long as some guests in party appear
2) The "no-show" penalty procedure
. . . podium person lists ADR as no-show (checks "On Hold" box in computer)
. . . usually after 30-minutes tardiness you are marked as a "no-show"
. . . once listed as "no-show", your name and number of your guests are listed
. . . the computer is reviewed by a manager at the end of the operating day
. . . the eatery manager SOLELY determines whether or not to charge you
. . . if charged, the cost penalty is on your credit/debit card immediately
. . . there are no exceptions for missing ADR's for such things as late flights
. . . if worried about late/delayed flights, don't book a TS meal until well after arrival time
. . . there are NO exceptons for being delayed due to crowded WDW rides or attractions
. . . it is up to you to plan you day to meet ADR times
. . . if you get there and decide not to wait for your ADR< you WILL be charged the no-show-fee
3) Exceptions - policy
. . . penalty is not assessed for cancellations made the day before ADR
. . . the ADR must be canceled by 11:59pm the previous day to avoid a no-show penalty
. . . for pre-paid meals, there are 24-48 hour cancel periods (eg. CRT, HDDR, Luau)
4) Exceptions - not policy, and at manager's discretion
. . . cancellations for lunch/dinner made early in the same day
. . . you come to the eatery ANYTIME during the same day and apologize
. . . a few minutes tardy, podium person usually will not denote you as "On Hold"
5) No-Show Penalty Trial Period Backstory
. . . this was done on a trial-basis for 4-weeks in Epcot
. . . cut down no-shows by over 75% at Epcot eateries
. . . Le Cellier cut daily no-shows to 1-page from 2-3 pages
. . . now a policy, as no-shows greatly can reduce eatery revenue
. . . a no-show takes a ressie someone else might have kept
. . . the policy was then trialled for character meals and signature meals
. . . being so successful, it is in effect for almost all table service meals across-the-property

NOTE: If you really must cancel due to a disability issue, go up the Podium and KINDLY, PLEASANTLY explain the problem to the SEATER (aka, Hostess). They have great latitude and might simply let it go. BUT, YOU NEED TO APPEAR AT THE PODIUM, not try to explain or complain later.

ChallengerHK1 · Sep 3, 2015

Good info as always. Thanks all.

tinkerpea · Sep 6, 2015

We have had to cancel adrs when I've been ill due to side effects from medication and they have always been very nice, and said not to worry about the fee.

Gracie09 · Sep 6, 2015

tinkerpea said:
We have had to cancel adrs when I've been ill due to side effects from medication and they have always been very nice, and said not to worry about the fee.

That was an exception and wouldn't rely on it as the norm

tinkerpea · Sep 6, 2015

Gracie09 said:
That was an exception and wouldn't rely on it as the norm

I don't believe I said it was, however I have had to cancel at least 9 adrs over the course of two 21night trips, and every time I was met with the same response.
We was also told by management at one of the restaurants when I became ill on waiting, that we was not to worry about making adrs in future and being too sick to attend, as the fee is their to deter people from booking up multiple adrs that they will then choose from on the day.
It is not there to penalise people that may have a situation beyond their control.

ChallengerHK1 · Sep 11, 2015

Thanks. While I don't want to rely on it either, it's nice to know that there is at least the option on the manager's part.

DisneyWishes14 · Sep 12, 2015

I would have to agree with the other posts. I would book, perhaps, a few hard to get ADR's that you really want and then plan your day around those. The rest, I would just wing. I do this a lot with my DS7 who has ASD. On our last trip, we only booked O'hana and Chef Mickey's and planned around those meals to make sure he was up for it. The rest we simply did day-of or did QS. We even ordered room service one night. We were still able to eat in some good places (we got Kona and BOG day-of). It made for a very relaxing trip as I didn't have to worry if we couldn't stay on schedule and we always found something to eat!

RobynPrincess · Sep 13, 2015

If you're worried, ask them to move your ADR for a day in the future and then cancel the booking before the 24hr time limit x

Iowajes · Sep 13, 2015

RobynPrincess said:
If you're worried, ask them to move your ADR for a day in the future and then cancel the booking before the 24hr time limit x

If the need is unpredictable, it can be difficult to meet a 24-hour time limit.

OP-If it is just the two of you, I would perhaps add a few cancellation fees into the budget, and then be happy if they waive them. If it is a larger group, send the rest of the group. You only get charged if no one shows. (I assume that you wouldn't want to go alone, but if she wants to lie down by herself, that is another option to avoid the fee.)

RobynPrincess · Sep 13, 2015

Iowajes said:
If the need is unpredictable, it can be difficult to meet a 24-hour time limit.

OP-If it is just the two of you, I would perhaps add a few cancellation fees into the budget, and then be happy if they waive them. If it is a larger group, send the rest of the group. You only get charged if no one shows. (I assume that you wouldn't want to go alone, but if she wants to lie down by herself, that is another option to avoid the fee.)

Sorry I think you misunderstood. If you change your ADR to a day in the future you can then cancel it right away and avoid the charge

wdw4rfam · Sep 13, 2015

My daughter got sick all over me with no notice that she was ill on our way to our CM reservation. I called and they cancelled it, no fee.

DisneyOma · Sep 16, 2015

RobynPrincess said:
Sorry I think you misunderstood. If you change your ADR to a day in the future you can then cancel it right away and avoid the charge

I believe the issue with that is the possibility of there being no ADRs available that late into a trip.

RobynPrincess · Sep 16, 2015

Any day in the future up to 180 days

DisneyOma · Sep 17, 2015

RobynPrincess said:
Any day in the future up to 180 days

Oh, you mean using an ADR that you have no intention of keeping?

Is there a policy on canceling ADRs due to disability?

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