Credit Card Hold for California Grill???

[bkoehl]

Did I miss this? Just booked ADR in Aug for California Grill and they required a CC to hold the ADR. Fine print says they will charge $20 if I don't show up. When did this start? I am ok with it as I always go to my ADRs but just wondering when this changed. I also booked Chef Mickey's but no such requirement. Any other restaurants involved in this?

 

[nickyb720]

They did this to me last year! Smart on their part because it least they won't lose money if you don't show up. They could have given the reservation to someone else.

 

[sayhello]

Did I miss this? Just booked ADR in Aug for California Grill and they required a CC to hold the ADR. Fine print says they will charge $20 if I don't show up. When did this start? I am ok with it as I always go to my ADRs but just wondering when this changed. I also booked Chef Mickey's but no such requirement. Any other restaurants involved in this?

That's been the policy at some of the "Signature" restaurants for quite a while now (like years). I think it's part of trying to prevent people from having "just in case" ADR's at the more popular/expensive restaurants. Basically, any restaurant that asks you for a credit card to guarantee an ADR will charge you a cancellation fee if you don't show (or don't cancel at least 48 hours in advance, I believe). The amount of the fee varies from restaurant to restaurant.

Sayhello

 

[WaltD4Me]

I know Askerhaus princess meals are not requiring a $10 per person CC hold and Cinderella's at MK has been doing this for awhile. I don't know what others might be doing it now. I know many won't agree, but I think it's ridiculous. I understand people making multiple ADR's is a problem, I just don't think this is the answer.

 

[bkoehl]

Just thought it was weird as ate at Citricos 3 weeks ago and no charge and in January had Yachtsman and Narccoossees and don't recall them doing this.

 

[simmons_m]

They also required a cc hold in '08 when we booked an ADR at the California Grill.

 

[BriarRosie]

It's only been a credit card hold at California Grill, not the other signature dining restaurants.

And the $20 no show charge is per person in your reservation party. If you have a party of 5 and there's a no show, you'd be charged $100!

I believe California Grill started this practice due to the popularity of the fireworks view. They won't allow people who aren't dining there to watch the fireworks from the platform, but people tend to get around that loophole by trying to visit the lounge/bar. I think during busiest times, the staff on the 2nd floor will limit bar access if the 15th floor is too full.

 

[Michele]

I remember having this CC hold at CG as far back as 2007. But I've never had one at any other Signature restaurant.

 

[ColoradoDisney]

Disney certainly needs to do something about folks having multiple ADRs for the same date/times. If you can afford to eat at California Grill, you should be able to afford a $20 per person reservation hold. I don't think it is a big deal.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I made my CA Grill 180 reservation in February and did not use a credit card to hold it.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

It's only been a credit card hold at California Grill, not the other signature dining restaurants.

And the $20 no show charge is per person in your reservation party. If you have a party of 5 and there's a no show, you'd be charged $100!

I believe California Grill started this practice due to the popularity of the fireworks view. They won't allow people who aren't dining there to watch the fireworks from the platform, but people tend to get around that loophole by trying to visit the lounge/bar. I think during busiest times, the staff on the 2nd floor will limit bar access if the 15th floor is too full.

This makes the most sense. People would book a "dummy" ADR at California Grill just to watch the fireworks.

Back in 2008, we didn't need to give our CC for an ADR. Maybe, this has been in a testing process for the past four years (or we got lucky). Out of curiousity, I just tried to make a CG ADR online and it DOES require a CC guarantee. We had an amazing view and meal at CG. So, with or without a deposit, we'd eat there again.

WDW Restaurants Requiring Credit Card Guarantee
Victoria & Albert's
Cancel 24 hours in advance
$25 per person penalty for same day cancels and no-shows

Chef's Table at Victoria & Albert's
Cancel 48 hours in advance
$25 per person penalty for cancels within 48 hours and no-shows

California Grill
Cancel 48 hours in advance
$20 per person penalty for cancels within 48 hours and no-shows

Citrico's Chef's Domain
Cancel 48 hours in advance
$100 penalty for cancels inside 48 hours and no-shows

Fantasmic! Dining Experience
Cancel 48 hours in advance
$10 per person charge for cancels within 48 hours and no-shows

Grand Floridian's Grand Adventures in Cooking
Cancel 48 hours in advance
$10 per person charge for cancels within 48 hours and no-shows

Grand Floridian's Pirate Cruise
Cancel 48 hours in advance
$10 per person charge for cancels within 48 hours and no-shows

Grand Floridian's Wonderland Tea Party
Cancel 48 hours in advance
$10 per person charge for cancels within 48 hours and no-shows

Princess Storybook Breakfast
Cancel 48 hours in advance
$10 per person charge for cancels within 48 hours and no-shows

WDW Restaurants Requiring Prepayment
Cinderella's Royal Table
Full payment due at time of booking with credit card.
A full refund if cancelled up to 48 hours before scheduled seating time.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Dinner Show
Full payment due at time of booking with credit card.
A full refund if cancelled up to 48 hours before scheduled seating time.

Mickey's Backyard BBQ Character Meal
Full payment due at time of booking with credit card.
A full refund if cancelled up to 48 hours before scheduled seating time.

Polynesian Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
Full payment due at time of booking with credit card.
A full refund if cancelled up to 48 hours before scheduled seating time.

(The above info was obtained from allears.net link HERE )

I hope this helps for future ADRs.

 

[BriarRosie]

Wow, Jennifer, that's a nice list of meals requiring either a credit card hold or pre-payment!

I didn't mention any of the prix fixe meals or dinner packages or dinner shows because I knew a lot of them had credit card requirements. It is pretty unique that California Grill is the only a la carte signature restaurant to require the hold. (I guess we both feel it was to prevent ADR "abuse" for fireworks viewing.)

I like California Grill for the food, and the last two visits there, I ate solo. At the bar. No credit card needed until I was ready to pay for my food and drink.

 

[rlduvall]

In September of 2006 I was required to provide a cc hold for California Grill, so that policy has been around for a while.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

This was the case for the past couple of times I reserved Cali Grill.