Cali Grill no-show policy

[cdepauli]

I have a reservation for four at California Grill on 06/24. My MIL was diagnosed with leukemia over the weekend and she and my FIL can no longer go on the trip.

I've tried rebooking this reservation for every night of my trip (19-26) and there is no availability. Would we be charged for the two missing people if only my husband and I show up?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[catne]

well, technically they can charge you for the no-shows...I think it's $10 per no-show. Whether or not they actually do it...well, I suppose it would be worth telling them why your relatives are a no-show. That might cause an exception to be made. Worth a try, anyway.

 

[Orsino]

Can't you call and tell them that your 4 is now a 2? Restaurants get this all the time. It's not even remotely unusual. Tell them ahead of time and they will easily be able to seat another pair.

 

[LilyWDW]

Can't you call and tell them that your 4 is now a 2? Restaurants get this all the time. It's not even remotely unusual. Tell them ahead of time and they will easily be able to seat another pair.

That's not the way Disney does their ADRs. ADR's are not like regular reservations. They simply allow you to get the next table that is available for your party size. When Disney Dining books these, they book them by time slot AND table size. So, in the OPs case, they would be going from a booked 4 top down to a 2 top. If there are no 2 tops left well... it can't be changed.

OP, I don't know about them charging for no shows, but will warn you that you may be in for a wait. Since you have a party of 4 booked, by moving down for a party of 2 you may have to wait for all the parties of 2 that are waiting to be seated before you will be. Not saying that will happen 100%, but it could.

 

[SteffM]

Sorry to hear about your MIL! We made reservations for us that included my parents. They are unable to go because my sister is back in jail and no one will care for her kids. When I asked about them not being able to make it to WDW, the CM told me we wouldn't have to cancel and we would still have all the same times, just the number of people would change. Sorry if I am rambling. Try calling to see if you can change the number of people on the reservation. ((((HUGS))))!

 

[cdepauli]

Thank you everybody for your input and well wishes. I really don't know what to do. I don't mind waiting at all (I actually made the ADR a bit earlier than I'd like to accommodate my in laws).

At this time, there are absolutely no slots available for a party of 2 the entire week we're there. I usually wouldn't care about Cali Grill that much (I've been there before and enjoy it, but I enjoy a lot of places at WDW), but I really wanted to see the Nightastic fireworks from upstairs.

I'd hate to take the chance to show up with two and be charged.

SteffM, Cali Grill takes a credit card hold, so they can charge you for a no show. And sorry to hear about your family.

Anybody else have experience with this? Thanks!

 

[Cafeen]

Thank you everybody for your input and well wishes. I really don't know what to do. I don't mind waiting at all (I actually made the ADR a bit earlier than I'd like to accommodate my in laws).

At this time, there are absolutely no slots available for a party of 2 the entire week we're there. I usually wouldn't care about Cali Grill that much (I've been there before and enjoy it, but I enjoy a lot of places at WDW), but I really wanted to see the Nightastic fireworks from upstairs.

I'd hate to take the chance to show up with two and be charged.

SteffM, Cali Grill takes a credit card hold, so they can charge you for a no show. And sorry to hear about your family.

Anybody else have experience with this? Thanks!

Have you tried calling? Call Disney Dining and explain the situation. You don't have to go into detail if uncomfortable either, just the basics eg "MIL fell ill and couldn't make it, anything we can do to modify the ADR so we don't get charged?". Move up the chain if you have to. Someone should be able to help you in some way.

ETA: Oh, and be polite, but assertive about it . If the current CM can't help you, ask for a supervisor.

And yes, CC-held locations are known to charge no-show fees for partial parties .

 

[n2mm]

I would hope they wouldn't charge you because of the reason, but their policy is to charge you. Last year we were not sure if our then 15 yo grandson was going with us on the trip. His mom and family were going. So we booked the storybook dinner which requires a $10 no show. I asked if we put him on and he didn't come could be adjust it and was told no. They said they could not modify the ADR. We would have to cancel and rebook (which meant we wouldn't get in). So we had to leave him off the ADR. He did go on the trip with us, so he just stayed at the resort and ate a cheeseburger at Hurricane Hanna. OP, I hope you get an answer. Maybe you could call the restraurant personally and talk to a manager -- remember to get their name. Good luck!

 

[cdepauli]

I would hope they wouldn't charge you because of the reason, but their policy is to charge you. Last year we were not sure if our then 15 yo grandson was going with us on the trip. His mom and family were going. So we booked the storybook dinner which requires a $10 no show. I asked if we put him on and he didn't come could be adjust it and was told no. They said they could not modify the ADR. We would have to cancel and rebook (which meant we wouldn't get in). So we had to leave him off the ADR. He did go on the trip with us, so he just stayed at the resort and ate a cheeseburger at Hurricane Hanna. OP, I hope you get an answer. Maybe you could call the restraurant personally and talk to a manager -- remember to get their name. Good luck!

Yes you're right, we would have to cancel and rebook. They can't modify the reservations. Maybe I will just call CG directly. I had to do this for a large party for Artist Point before. If we can't go, we can't go. It just would have been nice.

Thank you everyone!

 

[Haley]

I would call CG and leave a voicemail explaining your situation, your current dining confirmation number and your phone number. I bet they would be able to make an exception for you.

 

[Halle]

I think I'd pay the no show fee to insure seeing Nightastic. Hope your MIL is well and able to join you on your next trip.

 

[cdepauli]

I have good news! I spoke to a manager at CG and he said since they are an ala carte restaurant, as long as some of the party arrives for the reservation, they do not charge a no-show fee for the rest of the party. He thinks it's bad business. So we are on for our reservation.

Thank you all for your support and advice!!