ADR Cancellation Etiquette?

[katiereeve]

If I know in advance that our plans have changed and I won't need a reservation I always try to cancel, but if I don't cancel and we get tied up in a park I always feel guilty if we don't "show." I don't want resssies to drive our vacation, but I always fear we'll get put on a "Mickey black list" if we don't show to a reserved seating. Is there an etiquette for this?

 

[Tricia1972]

You're already exhibiting proper etiquette. Try to cancel when and where you can.

The only thing to add is that you're able to cancel reservations when you're in the park at Guest Services, or at the podium of any restaurant. You aren't limited to calling in.

 

[BriarRosie]

You can always call 407-WDW-DINE from your mobile phone, visit any Disney resort lobby concierge (if you're in the vicinity), and any Guest Relations in the parks or Downtown Disney. (You can also call from your resort room phone if you know that morning before you head out.)

I'm not positive, but I thought all the restaurants were linked to the same computer system, so you might be able to walk up to any table service restaurant you are near to cancel your ADR at another restaurant.

I'm not 100% positive on that. I should have asked when I was at WDW last week! I think the easiest way to cancel would be the phone call to Disney Dining.

It's good that you're consciencious about canceling the ADRs. That gives the restaurant extra flexibility and seating a walk-up guest who may not have been able to eat there.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Things happen, people get sick, don't feel well, not hungry, just can't wake up from naps, etc

DO the best you can and don't worry

Also, with the new reservation system, you can't book any adr's within 2 hours of the ADR. So even if someone cancels no one else can book within that window

Have a great trip!

 

[BriarRosie]

You're already exhibiting proper etiquette. Try to cancel when and where you can.

The only thing to add is that you're able to cancel reservations when you're in the park at Guest Services, or at the podium of any restaurant. You aren't limited to calling in.

Ok, I'm glad you were able to confirm the restaurant podium thing. I felt fairly certain I wasn't hallucinating that.

 

[OhThePain]

In my opinion, if you know you are not going to show up, even if your already late for your ADR, you should let them know. In this day and age when everyone has a cell phone, to cancel your ADR and maybe give someone else a chance to eat at that restaurant only takes a few moments.

 

[mom2of2]

Also, with the new reservation system, you can't book any adr's within 2 hours of the ADR. So even if someone cancels no one else can book within that window

QUOTE]

True, but if you cancel then any walk ups that show up have a greater chance of being seated in a reasonable amount of time or being seated at all

 

[Redwitch]

In my opinion, if you know you are not going to show up, even if your already late for your ADR, you should let them know. In this day and age when everyone has a cell phone, to cancel your ADR and maybe give someone else a chance to eat at that restaurant only takes a few moments.

It only takes a few moments unless you are "on hold" for 20 minutes. Generally, if I am cancelling an ADR, something is going on that does not allow me to spend a lot of time on the phine.

They should put an ADR cancellation option to that automated program. If I can buy tickets to MNSSHP without talking to a live person, I should be able to cancel an ADR. (Of course, I one attempted to cancel an ADR at LTT and was told at the podium, "don't worry about it.")

 

[Dizneydaz]

I always cancel our unused ADRs as soon as I know we aren't going to use them, usually while I'm making new ADRs. One thing I found out last year is you can access the Disney website, inc. Disney Dining, from your laptop for free, without paying the daily fee. So you can check avaibility from the comfort for your own room as well as making any cancellations. No time on hold!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I say as long as you cancel before your ADR takes no matter if it's an hour before then you did your part.

 

[winterman]

I always try to cancel, but if I don't cancel and we get tied up in a park I always feel guilty if we don't "show."

Remember, they are not holding a table, waiting for your arrival. An ADR simply means that you will get the next table available for your party size after you check in.

 

[nytimez]

Remember, they are not holding a table, waiting for your arrival. An ADR simply means that you will get the next table available for your party size after you check in.

Right. Others will not get seated -- or turned away -- based on your failure/ability to cancel the ADR, unless it's ahead of that 2-hour window and the restaurant is fully booked, and your cancellation makes it possible for someone else to snag that ADR.

In other words, don't worry too much about it.

 

[*TheWigs*]

I felt a little naughty the other day as I had booked 4 different breakfasts at once...my DH was due home in less than 30 minutes to as soon as he arrived, I got his imput, we picked on ADR and I dove back onto the computer to cancel the others. I know that some people probably keep their multiple ADR's for awhile while they figure out other plans. I don't think thats too fair, but for brief double bookings with the intention to IMMEDIATELY cancel the ones not needed make me happy that Disney allows this to happen.

 

[TDC Nala]

If they CAN'T cancel the ADR within two hours is there a point in calling at all and spending all that time with the Disney dining line (which can take a notoriously long time to get to talk to a person), if all it does is make you feel better? Is it that you can't make those reservations within 2 hours or does the system not allow cancellation either?

I didn't hear about the 2 hour lag and I'm certainly not calling the dining line if it won't do any good. As there is no table sitting there waiting until you show up, all it does is let the next group in line who'll fit that table get the table if you don't show up within 15 minutes or so.

 

[dtripli]

Remember, they are not holding a table, waiting for your arrival. An ADR simply means that you will get the next table available for your party size after you check in.

You know I always thought that was true, but it seems that is not the case to me sometimes. As an example, more than once, we would take a chance and try to get into one of the TS restaurants without an ADR (like lets say CP) The CM's at the podium where like "oh no,no,no availablity without a ressie; so sorry" Meanwhile Im looking through the window and there are oodles of empty tables. I never understand this? Any thoughts?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You know I always thought that was true, but it seems that is not the case to me sometimes. As an example, more than once, we would take a chance and try to get into one of the TS restaurants without an ADR (like lets say CP) The CM's at the podium where like "oh no,no,no availablity without a ressie; so sorry" Meanwhile Im looking through the window and there are oodles of empty tables. I never understand this? Any thoughts?

I guess it's like that because those empty tables are waiting for guests with confirmed ADR's and if they have so many scheduled that day then they know it won't be possible to let in guests without ADR's.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I recently had to cancel a planned trip to WDW (because I am now going on a press trip to Disneyland!) and called to cancel all my ADRs. The person I spoke to told me that I really only needed to cancel the ones that were booked with credit cards (Cali Grill and the Castle) - it didn't matter about the others. I insisted on cancelling the others, too, but I was surprised by his comment. I was cancelling several weeks in advance, and surely that is helpful to both the restaurant in making plans, and to others who might want to get an ADR (and one of my cancellations was for the always-busy Le Cellier).

Teresa

 

[nytimez]

I recently had to cancel a planned trip to WDW (because I am now going on a press trip to Disneyland!) and called to cancel all my ADRs. The person I spoke to told me that I really only needed to cancel the ones that were booked with credit cards (Cali Grill and the Castle) - it didn't matter about the others. I insisted on cancelling the others, too, but I was surprised by his comment. I was cancelling several weeks in advance, and surely that is helpful to both the restaurant in making plans, and to others who might want to get an ADR (and one of my cancellations was for the always-busy Le Cellier).

Teresa

They overbook the restaurants to a certain extent. They know X percent will be no-shows. Just one of the reasons there's often a bit of a wait even if you do have an ADR.

 

[jamstew]

It only takes a few moments unless you are "on hold" for 20 minutes. Generally, if I am cancelling an ADR, something is going on that does not allow me to spend a lot of time on the phine.

They should put an ADR cancellation option to that automated program. If I can buy tickets to MNSSHP without talking to a live person, I should be able to cancel an ADR. (Of course, I one attempted to cancel an ADR at LTT and was told at the podium, "don't worry about it.")

My sentiments exactly.