ADR non-cancellation Penalties

[bwbuddy5]

Are there penalties for not cancelling ADR's? Since we will have another family meet us during various days of our stay, but not sure which, our ADR's could need cancelling at the last minute. If it's not convenient to cancel due to our schedule, should I worry about it?

Or, if we make an ADR for 9 people, and end up with only 5 at the last minute, is it OK just to inform the CMs when we arrive at the restaurant?

 

[magicmommy]

Only certain restaurants would have a penalty or charge and you would know that when you make your ADR's. As far as the 5 vs. 9 that could be tricky depending on the restaurant. I do have to say if you make ADR's and are not going to show, as a courtesy please call WDW dine or stop by any table service restaurant to cancel even if it is close to the time. We normally stick to all our ADR's but in August we were at MK and had ADR's at WCC and decided to stay in the park and have a CS meal instead. I went up to LTT to try to cancel my ADR for WCC and couldn't even get near the door, a cast member was telling folks not even to try if they did not have an ADR. I'm sure this was due to the free dining but I just called WDW dine to cancel and perhaps allow some walkup family a little pixie dust!