Credit Card Guarantee

[tigger30066]

So I have a question regarding the credit card hold on certain resturants. We are a party of 2 and have always been a party of 2. In the past we would sometimes make reservations as a party of 3 to get a table( I am not asking if this is right or wrong) Cast members on the phone when we have called dining reservations have said to us so you are looking for a party of 3 when we had said a party of 2. If we make a reservation as a party of 3, but only 2 of us show up will we be charged for the third person? Just curious, I make my ADR's in 6 days. Thanks in advance.

 

[cigar95]

If we make a reservation as a party of 3, but only 2 of us show up will we be charged for the third person?

According to the written policy on the WDW web site, no.

The exception to this would be pre-paid meals like CRT, for which your deposit would not be refunded. In those cases, you can call back before your vacation starts and have the additional phantom diners removed from the reservations with no questions asked.

 

[canopynut66]

So I have a question regarding the credit card hold on certain resturants. We are a party of 2 and have always been a party of 2. In the past we would sometimes make reservations as a party of 3 to get a table( I am not asking if this is right or wrong) Cast members on the phone when we have called dining reservations have said to us so you are looking for a party of 3 when we had said a party of 2. If we make a reservation as a party of 3, but only 2 of us show up will we be charged for the third person? Just curious, I make my ADR's in 6 days. Thanks in advance.

Just did my ADR'S last week and told the CM that was 3 of us but wanted table for 4 and she told me that would need to call 24 hours ahead and change to 3 or would be charged for that 4th person $10.00. did not want to mess with that each meal so just did them for three people and if table to small will deal with it when we arrive to eat.

 

[Cafeen]

This is a case where Dining Line CM information differs from the WDW FAQ information presented. Originally, and as the dining CMs have it, partial parties can and will be charged per person for any no shows (canopy's response). The WDW FAQ information states that partial parties will NOT be charged, so long as you do show up (cigar's response).

What the true answer is? Sadly enough, it's probably both. I'm sure we've had cases on here where a partial party did get charged (outside of Akershus (which was doing this before the Oct 26 additions) and the prepay stuff (CRT, HDDR, etc)) as well as partial parties not being charged. Consistency on policy is not Disney's strong point.

However, since the guest facing information does state that partial parties do not get charged, there's at least a leg to stand on there if you were to dispute it.

 

[bluejasmine]

I have a dinner reservation for 10 Guests at a restaurant that uses the credit card guarantee policy. Only 8 Guests are able to make it to dinner. Will I still be charged $10 each for the 2 Guests who were unable to attend?

No. As long as you honor the reservation, then there will be no charge to your credit card.


This is what the Disney website states!!!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/dining/#/subCategory17

 

[Cafeen]

I have a dinner reservation for 10 Guests at a restaurant that uses the credit card guarantee policy. Only 8 Guests are able to make it to dinner. Will I still be charged $10 each for the 2 Guests who were unable to attend?

No. As long as you honor the reservation, then there will be no charge to your credit card.


This is what the Disney website states!!!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/dining/#/subCategory17

Exactly. Unfortunately, dining CMs have different information which states the opposite. So what the real policy is... who knows? There have been many cases where the Disney site information was incorrect, there have also been many cases where the phone CM information was incorrect.

Now, if there's an issue and someone gets charged for partial parties, guests DO have a leg to stand on due to the published, guest-facing information. But I'd still be cautious and make sure to check if I was or wasn't being charged in those cases (or, even a bit more sure that I had called ahead to adjust my party down).

 

[mccreel]

So you guys book for a bigger table than needed, meaning people that actually need the bigger table, people who actually have 3 or 4 people, don't have as much access to those tables? Classy....

 

[Cafeen]

So you guys book for a bigger table than needed, meaning people that actually need the bigger table, people who actually have 3 or 4 people, don't have as much access to those tables? Classy....

Until the system recognizes that a party of 2 can actually fit at a 4-top, this will continue to happen.

There is lots of wonkiness with the system that requires creative methods to work correctly. For example, there are often times that I'll check booking for 1 (so, 2/4-top) and there will be limited seating, but if I check for 2 (same 2/4-top) there will be much more available. I highly doubt there are specific tables for one, so this makes little sense logically (and the same deal happens for groups of 3, 5, 7, and so on).

Now, this is a little different than the above, since they are theoretically stepping up a table size, but there are very few 2-tops in most of the restaurants and the likelihood of them getting on of these is actually pretty low. In fact, over the past 3 trips (all on DxDDP and averaging around 15-18 TS meals each), I've only been sat at a 2top 5-6 times, even for my meals for 1.

 

[mccreel]

I just don't understand why a party of 2 would need a 4 top. My husband and I have always had a 2 top, at every restaurant except 1 over a 10 day trip and we had plenty of room for us on the 2 top. Also, when we got the 4 top, it was random. Even though there are reservations, I think a lot of the tables someone gets is dependent on what happens to be open at the time. I used to work as a server and even though there were reservations, it depends on who has left at the time and what tables are set and ready and which server is on duty as to where they sit and what size table. They could have asked for a 4 top and had to wait longer due to one not being open at the time. We have never felt crowded at a 2 top and when at the 4 top I felt like it was way too big just for us.
Just sayen.

 

[babyrich]

I just don't understand why a party of 2 would need a 4 top. My husband and I have always had a 2 top, at every restaurant except 1 over a 10 day trip and we had plenty of room for us on the 2 top. Also, when we got the 4 top, it was random. Even though there are reservations, I think a lot of the tables someone gets is dependent on what happens to be open at the time. I used to work as a server and even though there were reservations, it depends on who has left at the time and what tables are set and ready and which server is on duty as to where they sit and what size table. They could have asked for a 4 top and had to wait longer due to one not being open at the time. We have never felt crowded at a 2 top and when at the 4 top I felt like it was way too big just for us.
Just sayen.

I have made reservations for 4 when there is just 2 of us because when I put in "2", it tells me no tables available. I dont do it for more room. There is no reason why they shouldnt allow a reservation for 2 at a 4 top if it is available.

 

[tigger30066]

I just don't understand why a party of 2 would need a 4 top. My husband and I have always had a 2 top, at every restaurant except 1 over a 10 day trip and we had plenty of room for us on the 2 top. Also, when we got the 4 top, it was random. Even though there are reservations, I think a lot of the tables someone gets is dependent on what happens to be open at the time. I used to work as a server and even though there were reservations, it depends on who has left at the time and what tables are set and ready and which server is on duty as to where they sit and what size table. They could have asked for a 4 top and had to wait longer due to one not being open at the time. We have never felt crowded at a 2 top and when at the 4 top I felt like it was way too big just for us.
Just sayen.

It has nothing to do with room. Sometimes a reservation for 2 is very difficult to get, esp. at character meals. I always check for a party of 2 first. If that is not available I will then go to the party of 3.

 

[cluvsdisney]

It has nothing to do with room. Sometimes a reservation for 2 is very difficult to get, esp. at character meals. I always check for a party of 2 first. If that is not available I will then go to the party of 3.

I have experienced CMs voluntarily doing this so we could get a table - both on the phone and at guest services in the resort.

 

[KittyKat1978]

I had to make a ressie for 2 at 'Ohana because they don't accept parties of 1. I am going by the Disney website that I won't be charged for my non-existent 2nd person.

 

[Cafeen]

I just don't understand why a party of 2 would need a 4 top. My husband and I have always had a 2 top, at every restaurant except 1 over a 10 day trip and we had plenty of room for us on the 2 top. Also, when we got the 4 top, it was random. Even though there are reservations, I think a lot of the tables someone gets is dependent on what happens to be open at the time. I used to work as a server and even though there were reservations, it depends on who has left at the time and what tables are set and ready and which server is on duty as to where they sit and what size table. They could have asked for a 4 top and had to wait longer due to one not being open at the time. We have never felt crowded at a 2 top and when at the 4 top I felt like it was way too big just for us.
Just sayen.

Like the others have said, it's not about requiring that table size, it's about the reservation system not recognizing that it can put 2 at a 4top (which is, by far, the most common table size in all but a few restaurants). If the restaurant has a bunch of parties of 2 already, but only a few parties of 3-4, it very well may recognize that all the 2 tops are taken and show no availability, even if the restaurant is nearly empty.

This is the issue that I was addressing with my "until the system can see that a party of 2 can fit at a 4top.

The reservations for singles (or other odd numbers) is another known issue within the system and has been that way for years (I believe that it predates online ADRs which came about in 2009). The CMs often suggest bumping up to the next even number to open up availability. Different issue than described above, but goes to prove how flimsy the actual availability calculations really are.

 

[aubriee]

Like the others have said, it's not about requiring that table size, it's about the reservation system not recognizing that it can put 2 at a 4top (which is, by far, the most common table size in all but a few restaurants). If the restaurant has a bunch of parties of 2 already, but only a few parties of 3-4, it very well may recognize that all the 2 tops are taken and show no availability, even if the restaurant is nearly empty.

This is the issue that I was addressing with my "until the system can see that a party of 2 can fit at a 4top.

The reservations for singles (or other odd numbers) is another known issue within the system and has been that way for years (I believe that it predates online ADRs which came about in 2009). The CMs often suggest bumping up to the next even number to open up availability. Different issue than described above, but goes to prove how flimsy the actual availability calculations really are.

True! As a solo diner who prefers the Signature restaurants, it is frequently impossible to get a table for one. I know Jiko and Artist Point are two of the worst. I always check for one, but nine times out of ten have to book a table for two. Once I'm there, about 50% of the time I've been seated at a table for four. Ohana is another one, that just won't recognize a table for one. I always book my ADRs at 0600 180 days out, but still tables for one are hard to find. If you enter for two people though, tables are abundant.

 

[TDC Nala]

I've booked tables for 1 but they are rare.

I suggest printing out the information on Disney's website and carrying it. And be sure to check your credit card statements later.