Change to Reservations/Cancellations policy (Dining)

[2Tiggies]

Not sure if this has been posted here or anyone as seen it but Cheshire Figment has posted an update with a change in the current policy which will be in effect as of October 31st.

I've inserted as a quote so you can reference his original thread

Disney has just announced that effective October 31, 2013, the reservations guarantee policy that has been in effect for selected restaurants will be in effect for all table service restaurants in the Parks and Resorts, and will include operating participants as well as Disney owned and operated.

Here are some questions and answers:

Why was my credit card charged?

As of October 31, our cancellation policy expanded to all table-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort (including operating participants). When booking a reservation at these restaurants, Guests are required to provide a credit card to hold a reservation and will be notified they will be charged $10 per person if the cancellation isn't made at least one day in advance. Other locations, such as Hoop-Dee-Do Musical Revue or Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, require pre-paid reservations. Guests are reminded that the restaurant will charge the full pre-paid amount for each person in the party if the Guest is unable to cancel the reservation at least the day in advance.

What is your cancellation policy?

Beginning October 31, all table-service locations will begin using the cancellation policy already in place at select restaurants on property. When booking a reservation at these restaurants, Guests will be required to provide a credit card to hold a reservation and will be charged $10 per person if the cancellation isn't made at least the day in advance. Pre-paid locations will continue to retain the full, pre-paid amount if Guests are unable to honor the reservation and are unable to cancel the reservation one day in advance. Special dining events and packages such as Fantasmic! packages, New Years Eve dinners, Victoria & Albert's reservations may have different cancellation requirements.

When is the latest I can cancel my reservation without being charged a fee?

Guests can cancel up to 11:59 p.m. the day prior to their reservation without being charged.

Why have you expanded your cancellation policy?

Our policy reduces the number of no shows at our restaurants and ensures all of our Guests will have more opportunity to dine at our table service locations.

I am dining at a location after Oct. 31, but I booked it prior to the location utilizing the cancellation policy. Will my credit card be charged if I do not cancel within the cancellation window or do not honor my reservation?

Reservations booked on or after October 31 will be required to adhere to the cancellation policy. Guests who booked reservations before Oct. 31 were not informed of the policy or asked for their credit card information; therefore, these Guests will not be charged if they do not honor their reservations or cancel outside of the cancellation window. However, if the Guest makes modifications to the reservation on or after October 31, he or she will be informed of the cancellation policy, asked for credit card information, and must adhere to the cancellation policy.

How do I cancel a reservation?

A special phone line that only handles dining cancellations is available for Guest convenience: 407-WDW-CNCL (939-2625). Alternatively, dining reservations may be booked or cancelled by visiting any table-service restaurant podium, Walt Disney World Resort Hotel concierge or calling 407-WDW-DINE (939-3163) or DVC Member Services (for Members only). Guests may also make and cancel reservations by visiting www.DisneyWorld.com/Dining

 

[Elise79]

Thanks Lee

I had seen this last night when I was on my phone but didn't do anything with it (other than moan to DH) as getting the quotes on the phone is a PITA.

I don't think we will make as many reservations - I have cancelled before on the day. It only happens when we are on the DDP as I make enough for the credits we have then change where we are/what we are doing and the ADRs don't fit any more so I cancel them.

For example DD asked to go to BB one afternoon - we had a 5.30 ADR at MM. I was happy heading to BB and on the way cancelled our ADR on my phone as I knew we wouldn't make it. I don't want to be stuck rigidly to a plan any more as we like to be able to what we want when we want not what I *think* we might want to do 180 days before

I will still do our favourites and we will plan round them as we have in the past. But for most of the 1TS I will just go online in the morning and see what I can get

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Thank for posting I've seen bits of the information but kept meaning to read the whole policy change. We're ale to make our ADR's next month so it's really useful to know everything, does anyone know if we will be able to make ADR's online as I thought I'd read you had to make them over the phone when a credit card is required?

 

[Vickyrowe]

To be fair I don't blame them , they would presumably have to turn people away as they expect a table to be filled and are losing money.

Conversely I can see how it will be an issue , if you are held up or have to change plans last minute because of tired kids ( or grown ups).

Personally I don't think it will be a problem for us , 3 Adults who are happy to just go where we like , we will book all 14 of our TS meals and work out how to get there, it's not an issue for us to do , for example AK in the morning, hop to MK for a dinner reservation then finish the night in Epcot for EMH.

But I could never imagine having to drag 2 or 3 kids along with me, or have to be strict on having to do a certain park each day. I prefer to get up and go to which ever ride I want that minute

 

[Goofy68]

Thank for posting I've seen bits of the information but kept meaning to read the whole policy change. We're ale to make our ADR's next month so it's really useful to know everything, does anyone know if we will be able to make ADR's online as I thought I'd read you had to make them over the phone when a credit card is required?

You can still do them online. We booked our ADRs for next month back in May and Le Cellier, CP and BOG all required credit card guarantee. Did them all online with no problems.

 

[ladyelenawf]

Great to know. This explains why I couldn't cancel through MDE last week. They must have been updating the system.

*0934 EST Update:
Tried to cancel online & got the msg that it wasn't available yet. Had to call the Cancellation #. That number does also ask if you'd like to make an ADR, too.

 

[wilma-bride]

I'm all for this change. As a regular off-site diner, it will hopefully make it easier for us to get walk-ups on the odd time that we find ourselves wanting to have dinner somewhere onsite.

I imagine this will be a real pain for those on dining plans, though, as even then I appreciate that things change at the last minute. It will be interesting to see whether there is any leeway to account for illness, flight delays and other unforeseen circumstances.

I suppose the sesnible advice now, particularly to those from the UK, would be not to make ADRs for the first night now, just in case.

 

[Elise79]

Thank for posting I've seen bits of the information but kept meaning to read the whole policy change. We're ale to make our ADR's next month so it's really useful to know everything, does anyone know if we will be able to make ADR's online as I thought I'd read you had to make them over the phone when a credit card is required?

You can make them online however you can't as yet use the app do to it.

Hopefully they will update the app before this kicks in - not holding my breathe though

 

[tinkertaylor05]

You can still do them online. We booked our ADRs for next month back in May and Le Cellier, CP and BOG all required credit card guarantee. Did them all online with no problems.

You can make them online however you can't as yet use the app do to it.

Hopefully they will update the app before this kicks in - not holding my breathe though

Thank you both really good to know, I'll make sure I do it from the laptop and not even fool with the app just in case.