Charging for cancellations

[ClarabelleCow]

Ok. So my fault for missing the part that you get charged if you cancel the day of. But honestly, there must be a way to change this rule!! Plans change. Weather has been not very cooperating. I'm staying CL, but that shouldn't matter. The computer should not allow multiple reservations, And if you actually take the time to cancel or change. A charge should not be made. Sorry really angry about this rule. No shows yes should be charged. But if your making a change that's crazy

 

[supersnoop]

If you call, it seems they do have the power to waive the fee when changing a reservation.

 

[maxiesmom]

Ok. So my fault for missing the part that you get charged if you cancel the day of. But honestly, there must be a way to change this rule!! Plans change. Weather has been not very cooperating. I'm staying CL, but that shouldn't matter. The computer should not allow multiple reservations, And if you actually take the time to cancel or change. A charge should not be made. Sorry really angry about this rule. No shows yes should be charged. But if your making a change that's crazy

I actually agree with you. But you only have to pay the fee if you change the day of your ADR, it is not a flat change fee.

My guess is that the computers don't communicate well enough to transfer ADRs. They can only cancel and re-book. I would hope than a human can take care of the fee for you, once they see you have re-booked. It is worth a shot.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's been this way since at least Feb 2013, if not before, because I remember getting an exception to the charge b/c my son had gotten sick overnight and having an early morning character breakfast wasn't something that could happen. I think if they were going to change back they would have done so by now.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

My fault I wasn't aware. And these aren't any character meals, specials locations or anything. We just decided to go to Epcot tonight and changed dinner from Cali grill to France. I get it, but there are so many variables that play out on a disney vacation. I really do not like all this planning. Maybe because the kids are older. Having a heck of a time with FP+ can't figure out how to make changes of one not all of them!! Maybe I'm just technology challenged this trip!!!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's entirely up to who you speak to when you call, but I'm pretty sure in most cases "it was raining" or "we just didn't feel like going" or "we felt like going somewhere else" are not likely going to be accepted as waiver reasons. If you'd like to change from one restaurant to another they may give you a break on that if you call to change the reservation, but if you do it online the computer reads it as a cancellation. Or if you are at club level, go to your concierge and have them do it. And no, they won't be changing the rule. It's cut down on restaurant no-shows significantly.

 

[MinnieMOH]

We had to cancel a reservation the day of because one of my daughters was not feeling 100% and we were not charged. I just called and explained the situation.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We had to cancel a reservation the day of because one of my daughters was not feeling 100% and we were not charged. I just called and explained the situation.

On our last trip we were on the deluxe plan so we had 3 adrs a day and in the middle of our trip my son got super sick but we only canceled 1 adr at a time bc we were hoping he would get better and feel like going to the adr. We ended up canceling 3 adrs day of bc he wasn't feeling well and we didn't get charged for any of them.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Thanks everyone. In the end they did not charge me. And trust me. I fully understand charging for no-shows. But if you take the time to call and cancel or change. There shouldn't be a charge, unless for a character or special meal

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks everyone. In the end they did not charge me. And trust me. I fully understand charging for no-shows. But if you take the time to call and cancel or change. There shouldn't be a charge, unless for a character or special meal

The new system, while a bit of a pain, has opened up ADRs so that you don't need to book right at 180 days out in order to get anything decent.

 

[OKW Lover]

I personally hate the current cancellation policy. I can understand it for certain venues that are in high demand like CRT, but for 95% of the restaurants on WDW property this is really uncalled for.

I will say though that the current policy is pretty well communicated and people are on notice that they will be charged unless they cancel the day before. With that knowledge I don't see any room for complaining about being charged unless sudden illness is a factor. I don't think a simple change in plans should qualify for a waiver under the existing policy.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I personally hate the current cancellation policy. I can understand it for certain venues that are in high demand like CRT, but for 95% of the restaurants on WDW property this is really uncalled for. I will say though that the current policy is pretty well communicated and people are on notice that they will be charged unless they cancel the day before. With that knowledge I don't see any room for complaining about being charged unless sudden illness is a factor. I don't think a simple change in plans should qualify for a waiver under the existing policy.

Thats's where I disagree, if I make plans for MK and a reservation for say Wave at the CR, but decide to stay at EPCOT and make a reservation there instead, why should I be charged $40.00 (party of 4) to do what I want?? I get character meals, but just dinner it's nuts, the computer system should be set up so that people can't make multiple reservations, which is what started the problem to begin with. But if I want to vacation the way I want, and cancel or change a reservation more than 4 hours prior, there should not be a charge or threat of a charge. Now if I am a no show, then yes, a charge should be made. But not for making changes so you can enjoy your vacation. These are not little 8 table mom and pop restaurants.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Ok. So my fault for missing the part that you get charged if you cancel the day of. But honestly, there must be a way to change this rule!! Plans change. Weather has been not very cooperating. I'm staying CL, but that shouldn't matter. The computer should not allow multiple reservations, And if you actually take the time to cancel or change. A charge should not be made. Sorry really angry about this rule. No shows yes should be charged. But if your making a change that's crazy

Florida weather can be crazy, but not so crazy that you wouldn't know at 11:59 the night before that weather will be altering your plans.

We are grateful to all the folks that canceled their dining reservations for tomorrow. We couldn't get the restaurant we desired for a party of 6 and 7. We were able to snag a later than desired reservation at the same time and then found one 45 minutes earlier and switched. People flippant on their plans would have retained these reservations in the pass. By having the strict cancellation policy, it forced you to commit.

Blame too many no shows in the past, but this policy should not go anywhere. And no, it wasn't all due to multiple booked reservations.

Folks work legitimate issues have had case by case luck in having the charges not apply. But that is pixie dust, not guaranteed nor should it be.

And you should be charged $40 because your last minute reservation cannot be filled. Plenty of counter service opportunities that will provide your be flexibility you desire on vacation. And if you have had luck with last minute (day of) ADRs, then waiting to see what strikes your fancy that day may be an option for you.

But really, it is all about courtesy and not leaving a table unseated. And as you did not get charged, it seemed you made a valid case.

RE your FP+ changing issue--took me a bit, but we figured it out. I think there is a thread on the theme park board that may be helpful. How I thought one would go and change in a seemingly intuitive way, I guess the software designers thought their way was better.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Thats's where I disagree, if I make plans for MK and a reservation for say Wave at the CR, but decide to stay at EPCOT and make a reservation there instead, why should I be charged $40.00 (party of 4) to do what I want?? I get character meals, but just dinner it's nuts, the computer system should be set up so that people can't make multiple reservations, which is what started the problem to begin with. But if I want to vacation the way I want, and cancel or change a reservation more than 4 hours prior, there should not be a charge or threat of a charge. Now if I am a no show, then yes, a charge should be made. But not for making changes so you can enjoy your vacation. These are not little 8 table mom and pop restaurants.

But 4 hours isn't enough.

It doesn't give someone else time to make reservations in your place. So, your cancellation results in an empty table. And it blocks someone else from getting that reservation.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I see all your points, I still do not agree with the current policy, for future, as I found out, there is always something available the day of and if we go back I will not make any reservations except must haves. The one I don't understand is all the hoopla over BOG lunch? Nothing remarkable, hope dinner was better!! I don't plan, and yes, we change plans all the time, had a perfect itinerary worked out, and only 1 of the 4 full days went as planned. But I get it.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

My fault I wasn't aware.
And these aren't any character meals, specials locations or anything. We just decided to go to Epcot tonight and changed dinner from Cali grill to France.

Well, first of all, Cali Grill IS a special location. So that negates your second excuse.
Regarding your first excuse of not being aware---I don't know how that is possible. With every reservation you make it tells you the cancellation policy. You have to read it and agree to the terms and acknowledge reading and agreeing to terms to complete the reservation. You cannot complete the reservation without doing so.
And changing to another restaurant IS a cancellation.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Well, first of all, Cali Grill IS a special location. So that negates your second excuse. Regarding your first excuse of not being aware---I don't know how that is possible. With every reservation you make it tells you the cancellation policy. You have to read it and agree to the terms and acknowledge reading and agreeing to terms to complete the reservation. You cannot complete the reservation without doing so. And changing to another restaurant IS a cancellation.

why the arguing, I admitted I was wrong and at fault for not knowing, and now I know. I have made probably 30 trips to WDW, but none in the past 18 months so I wasn't aware, MY MISTAKE, I thought the cc was just a hold for no-shows, YES I SHOULD HAVE READ CLOSER. I did not read it word for word as it was a dining reservation - well not even reservation an Advanced Dining Reservation. What is "Special" to some is not the same to others, have dined there 5-6 times, good, but not knock your socks off.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

why the arguing, I admitted I was wrong and at fault for not knowing, and now I know. I have made probably 30 trips to WDW, but none in the past 18 months so I wasn't aware, MY MISTAKE, I thought the cc was just a hold for no-shows, YES I SHOULD HAVE READ CLOSER. I did not read it word for word as it was a dining reservation - well not even reservation an Advanced Dining Reservation. What is "Special" to some is not the same to others, have dined there 5-6 times, good, but not knock your socks off.

Whether you find it special is moot.

But it is a coveted reservation. Especially after being closed for several months for a refurb.

And not to argue the point further--

At the charging screen in a short paragraph it tells you you will be charged of you fail to cancel within the locstion's cancellation paragraph.

Be aware they some reservations require 48 hours notice.

It seems you have worked out a solution. But also good to know that booking and canceling on the same day will yield the same penalty.

 

[cracle]

We were unable to take our reservation at TREX due to transportation difficulties. We popped in to the concierge and explained to see if any earlier sittings were available which there weren't. She told us if we cancelled it would be a $10 charge. As we were not staying in a Disney hotel we were not aware of the policy and the app (through which we booked the seats just said there would be a charge but not how much) We had no choice so said OK only to find when we got home that it was $10 per person. Call me naive for thinking it would be just $10 but I just thought it was them being understanding.
My main point is that TREX would have lost nothing as there was a huge queue of people waiting in a line for the chance of a table so no empty spaces for long.

 

[yankeepenny]

I am pleased that when you book online you have to check off that you agree with the rules in place. A LOT more happier diners can get a chance at a meal compared to the way it used to be done.