Beware: Disney auto-cancelling your DDP ressies

[kamik86]

My limited knowledge of computer programming is that things like this are all or nothing.

Well it doesn't HAVE to be but really programming a computer to do something random takes ALOT more work then having it always do it the same way. Computers are bad at random .

I would definitely think that a computer program to automatically cancel double bookings would check the number of diners, however it is slightly more complicated not because the ifs are hard (any 1st year CS student could do those) but just because Disney knows how many people your reservation is for and the dining program has your reservation number doesn't mean that the reservation system is sharing the number of people with the dining system. That would be the hard part to fix if its not already set up that way.

Now I have to go back and check all my October reservations. I have 3 at at time in some cases due to a party of 9 spliting into 3 groups. All but 2 are in my name since it was easier with me booking them all.

 

[kamik86]

That's the thing I wish Disney could build something into their system to prevent.

It would actually be next to impossible to prevent double booking in the computer system without some SERIOUS limitations on all the people doing it right. One of the big reasons is that once you hit the 180 day mark you don't need a reservation number (maybe offsite, local, etc) to make a reservation all they have is your name and phone number.

Now if a family of 4 wanted to book 3 different places all they would have to do is use different names and phone numbers for all of them and there would be no way for Disney to know they are the same family.

Actually even one person could do this as you don't even really have to give a real name, just one you can remember at the podium to check in.

 

[DanceGirl914]

I guess you could say I am incharge of 3 different families all going to disney - we wanted to do 3 meals together and I booked reservations for all of us on line with my online Disney account, but seperately - to explain I have 3 different reservations for Chef Mickey's one evening all at 5:30 - two for parites of 4 (my family plus MIL, and brother in laws family), one for a party of 5 (other brother in laws family). We didn't want to sit at one big table together. The others are not "into" disney as much as I am hence why i am in charge, I am I going to have an issue with this?

Thanks

 

[Brygida]

I guess you could say I am incharge of 3 different families all going to disney - we wanted to do 3 meals together and I booked reservations for all of us on line with my online Disney account, but seperately - to explain I have 3 different reservations for Chef Mickey's one evening all at 5:30 - two for parites of 4 (my family plus MIL, and brother in laws family), one for a party of 5 (other brother in laws family). We didn't want to sit at one big table together. The others are not "into" disney as much as I am hence why i am in charge, I am I going to have an issue with this?

Thanks

According to the Disney moderators / veterans / CM. Yes you are! It sounds like to be safest, modify ALL ressies for the same meal time (e.g. dinner on the same night) to different names. The majority seem to think the program really is automatic, though some don't.

 

[Tricia1972]

I wouldn't say that most think that it's automatic (Nala didn't and I don't either) BUT we both agree that you could be in danger of losing your ADRs if you call in to modify anything.

The one CM did come on and say that it was automatic, but not explanation as of yet about why it's random.

Those that have lots of experience with Disney's computer systems seem to agree that Disney can't program their way out of a bucket most days, so I am still doubtful that they'd have complex programming in place to randomly cancel some double booked ADRs.

We've also had at least one poster admit to double booking who has had no issue at all with their reservations and they are still safely double booked. (They also haven't called in to change any reservations, which seems to lend more credibility to the fact that the system isn't automatically randomly canceling)

Just to be clear, I have no issues with Disney canceling all classically double booked ADRs. However, if they start doing this they need to do it across the board, and they need to be sure that the ADRs are truly double booked. Also, as pointed out here already, there is always a way around the system for those that want to get around it.

Maybe Disney needs to start doing the fingerprint bio scan for reservations like they do for admission

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

That is also why you find alot of empty tables...people dont cancel the extra reservations in enough time(more that two hours out) or not at all.

I have a VERY hard time swallowing this. We were there in DECEMBER with a Le Cellier dining reservation at 5:30 PM and the restaurant was only at half-capacity. This being the same time that people where people have to provide a credit card and use 2 TS credits for Candlelight Processional.

We saw people walk up outside and ask for a table (walk-ups, literally) from a table size of 2 to 8 and were turned away as they were "fully booked" for the evening.

We were a table of 2 and requested a specific waiter and were seated at a 4-top to sit in his section. We were in there for a little more than an hour and at no point was every table full.

So, my point in saying all of this is:

• People cannot book an EPCOT restaurant for CP (which is where most of the tables are assigned in December) and not show up without having their credit card charged.
• If people are not showing up, the restaurants could very easily sit a walk-up at those tables so that they are not losing any money. Not all people use the DP. As a matter of fact, we see many people still pay out of pocket.

I do not believe that the seats are empty for this reason.

 

[mcd2745]

It would actually be next to impossible to prevent double booking in the computer system without some SERIOUS limitations on all the people doing it right. One of the big reasons is that once you hit the 180 day mark you don't need a reservation number (maybe offsite, local, etc) to make a reservation all they have is your name and phone number.

Now if a family of 4 wanted to book 3 different places all they would have to do is use different names and phone numbers for all of them and there would be no way for Disney to know they are the same family.

Actually even one person could do this as you don't even really have to give a real name, just one you can remember at the podium to check in.

Understood. Perhaps, instead of of systemically trying to prevent it, the better route would be to make it costly ,or just very inconvenient to do it. Something alog the lines of charging a (non-refundable) fee per head for each reservation you make, cancellation fees, penalties for any no-shows, etc. I know people will say that "plans can change" and all...which is true - especially when they are made six months in advance. So, (even though it will never happen and will probably continue to go the other way) the 180 days should only be 45.

~~~ I will now take cover ~~~

 

[Tricia1972]

I'd be fine with that solution. I know that it would drastically affect how I do reservations. They get enough of my nickles and dimes and I wouldn't make reservations for a fee. I'd dine off site a lot more, or eat CS and do an occasional walk up for TS. However, if Disney has an issue not filling their restaurants due to no shows from double bookings, then that's their prerogative.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

Disney cannot use a resort reservation to tie all restaurant reservations together. Not all guests stay on property.

If they asked for a credit card for every reservation, that might be the best solution. You get charged if you are a no-show or do not cancel X amount of hours before you are scheduled to be there.

 

[TDC Nala]

They have your WDW package confirmation number if you give it to them. But they cannot read your whole reservation and they don't know how many people you have on the dining plan. They know only that you are staying at a Disney resort and that the reservation has a dining plan, and that matters only if you are booking CRT or a dinner show.

Just use the name on the reservation of someone in the party who is attending the meal. I don't see why the same name has to be on all the reservations.

I don't buy that the computer does it. Then why does it not cancel ALL double reservations? Machines will do exactly what they're told.

 

[camlace]

TDC Nala are you able to add to the DDP sticky? Would you please add your advice about booking in separate names if your party splits-up?

As a previous poster mentioned this issue has NOTHING to do with the Dining Plan. It has to do generically with making Dining Reservations.

 

[DanceGirl914]

According to the Disney moderators / veterans / CM. Yes you are! It sounds like to be safest, modify ALL ressies for the same meal time (e.g. dinner on the same night) to different names. The majority seem to think the program really is automatic, though some don't.

OK - so how do I go about modifying my ressies to different names when I made them online?
Thanks

 

[Brygida]

Just to be clear, I have no issues with Disney canceling all classically double booked ADRs. However, if they start doing this they need to do it across the board, and they need to be sure that the ADRs are truly double booked.

Thank you! I don't mind if double booked ADRs are cancelled either, I was just incensed at the CM trying to convince me I had "double booked", when my party had only split up. The more she insisted that guests making ressies needed to "verify" and un"flag" these ADR's, the angrier I got!

Just do the math. We have 4 people in our room, only 3 are eating dinner at 2 different restaurants! Why should that be wrong in any computer program?

 

[vicki_c]

According to the Disney moderators / veterans / CM. Yes you are! It sounds like to be safest, modify ALL ressies for the same meal time (e.g. dinner on the same night) to different names. The majority seem to think the program really is automatic, though some don't.

I'd say most think the opposite - it is not automated, automatic or anything of the sort. Respectfully, I do not believe that the CM that posted above is correct. I have also had "double" reservations in the past (for various reasons, and yes, cancelled appropriately eventually) and never had anything cancelled.

But guess what? I have never ever called the dining line in those instances to change anything about my reservations. Therefore, I was not having an actual person bring up all my ADRs after they were made so that the double bookings become obvious. THAT'S when you're going to have the possibility of running into an issue, IMO.

 

[Tricia1972]

OK - so how do I go about modifying my ressies to different names when I made them online?
Thanks

You wouldn't be able to modify them, you'd need to rebook. Disney no longer allows name changes on existing ADRs.

I, honestly, would not worry much about it unless you plan to call in to talk to a CM about your reservations.

The only time that anyone has ever had an issue is when they call in. Even the OP of this thread called in and was told something was true by a CM.

I've not read one report of someone having their ADRs "auto canceled" when they made them online and never spoke with a Disney Dining CM.

 

[Brygida]

As a previous poster mentioned this issue has NOTHING to do with the Dining Plan. It has to do generically with making Dining Reservations.

OK. So can one of you Disney Moderators add this vital piece of guidance to a sticky?

Though I think having a gentle reminder in the DDP sticky wouldn't hurt either.

 

[mcd2745]

I'd be fine with that solution. I know that it would drastically affect how I do reservations. They get enough of my nickles and dimes and I wouldn't make reservations for a fee. I'd dine off site a lot more, or eat CS and do an occasional walk up for TS. However, if Disney has an issue not filling their restaurants due to no shows from double bookings, then that's their prerogative.

They could even make the "fee" more of a deposit - which would go over better with the public. If you cancel (or don't show up), you lose it. If go to your reservation, the fee you paid will be a "credit" toward your bill.

 

[LilGMom]

I am all for control over double booking. However, it must be REASONABLY programmed. The system should, at an absolute minimum, allow you without any threat of cancellation, to make reservations for all members of your party. If I have 4 people in my party, then I should be allowed to make a dinner reservation for 2 and a dinner reservation for 1 person, without ANY threat of cancellation! (Which is what happened!). Their ADR program DOES have this information, since they have my WDW package confirmation # and know how many people I have on the DDP.

I admit, I am still fuming over this. I have done FREE DPP every year since its inception, and this is the first time I had heard of this.... I guess I am not as DIS-savvy as I thought.

The problem with cancelling, or not cancelling ADRs based on your party size is there might be times when you make an ADR with another party that isn't on your resort ressie. Example - for Thanksgiving I have made an ADR for ten people yet only four of those are in my traveling party, the other six are staying at different resorts. My other ADRs are with just my family of four so I don't think that the number of people at an ADR have any sort of tie to your resort ressie (if making ADRs 180+10 days out). Not to mention all of the off-site guests who make their ADRs - there is no way to confirm how many people are in their party. And the DDP isn't tied to your ADR in any way (from my understanding) so, again, there is no way for WDW to know how many people are "in your party". I believe the cancelling of ADRs that are tied to the same name/phone number that are booked at the same time is to keep people from double/triple booking (due to not being sure where you want to dine) and taking up ADR slots that other people might be trying to get.

Understood. Perhaps, instead of of systemically trying to prevent it, the better route would be to make it costly ,or just very inconvenient to do it. Something alog the lines of charging a (non-refundable) fee per head for each reservation you make, cancellation fees, penalties for any no-shows, etc. I know people will say that "plans can change" and all...which is true - especially when they are made six months in advance. So, (even though it will never happen and will probably continue to go the other way) the 180 days should only be 45.

~~~ I will now take cover ~~~

As someone who is very careful (i.e. a bit anal) about making sure that we either make our ADRs or cancel them at the first sign that we might not make it I would have no problem if WDW made some sort of cancellation fee. Although I could see it being a Customer Service nightmare when having to deal with people having every reason under the sun for not making or cancelling in advance.

Have room behind that cover?

 

[Tricia1972]

Thank you! I don't mind if double booked ADRs are cancelled either, I was just incensed at the CM trying to convince me I had "double booked", when my party had only split up. The more she insisted that guests making ressies needed to "verify" and un"flag" these ADR's, the angrier I got!

Just do the math. We have 4 people in our room, only 3 are eating dinner at 2 different restaurants! Why should that be wrong in any computer program?

Personally, and this is only an opinion, I think you got an angry CM. Similar to the one who posted on this thread, they are human and they get fed up with what they perceive as "cheating" the system.

I think she made a mistake with you and handled your call badly. I highly doubt that your reservation was flagged for anything, but you 'seemed' double booked to her so she said that so you'd drop a reservation.

 

[Brygida]

You wouldn't be able to modify them, you'd need to rebook. Disney no longer allows name changes on existing ADRs.

Ouch! Sorry.