Crt Now Wants Full Payment Upfront

[Mom2PixiePrincess]

I haven't seen any postings about this, so I'm wondering if I just got a strange cast memeber or something!

Last week I called to make my ADRs for October. One of which was for CRT. (BTW: All were OOP, I don't know if this makes a difference) So after getting all my information, the CM told me the total was going to be $190(approx). To which I said, "I beg your pardon? I thought you only take my cc# for holding the ADR?" The CM said, "We now charge for full payment at the time of reservation." To which I said, "OH......well let's book something else then."

Has anyone else experienced this? Did something screwy happen? Is this the new way with Disney?

It seems that Disney is desperatly trying to get meals paid for in advance. The Dining Plans are no longer discount plans, but are prepayment plans. (They don't advertise the 40% savings anymore. The new advertising is about convience/making the trip easier) CRT is now prepay. So how long til all other TS or Character meals become prepay?!?!?!?!

We live in Florida and we are DVC members. Which has allowed us to frequent WDW several times a year. For our upcoming vacations we've found ourselves mostly "planning" counter service meals. I don't want to prepay, maybe it's a fear of comment to ADRs. I want the freedom to change my mind at any given moment! And not suffer a loss of monies in the process!!!!!!

IMHO-They need to clean house with whichever people are making the decisions as of late. Poor choices all around!

Okay, now I shall step down from my soapbox.......

EDIT: We've been making ADRs for CRT several times a year over the past 5 years and this was the first time we've encountered the prepayment policy. As I've read some of the post replies below I thought it necessary to add this. I guess I've just gotten lucky over the past few years?!?!?!

 

[Allison]

This went into effect over 2 years ago on February 1, 2006.

 

[DVCLiz]

This went into effect over 2 years ago on February 1, 2006.

Yep, sorry pixiemom, but this has been SOP for two years. You need to be really sure you want to eat there!!!!

 

[tiger4me2]

So sad to say it is true. If you have the dining plan & want to use those credits you can call 48 hrs ahead & tell them. At least this is what they told me back in Dec 2006 but we left it on the card. Let just hope they don't start asking for a credit card to hold all ADR's

 

[sassyat30]

Yup, when we ate in the castle in June 2006, we paid up front.

 

[Mom2PixiePrincess]

I must have just gotten lucky over the past two years. I've only had to give a credit card to hold the reservation and I was never charged on it. We ate at CRT in Feb. 2008, Dec.2007, Oct. 2007 and May 2007. I can't remember past those dates. I know we ate there in 2006 as well though. I also just cancelled my ADR for this Thursday which I never paid anything on either. My DD likes the princesses and still thinks they are real which is why CRT has been a regular visit for us. She knows the other characters are people in costumes. Anyways, I've never been asked to pay the entire balance or any amount of money for that matter at the time of making an ADR! Very strange!

If everyone else has been paying full price at the time of making an ADR then I have no clue why the sudden drop off in ressies as of late!

 

[Pooh_Girl]

When I made my ADRs last week, they CM told me that the CC number was to just hold my ressie and if I didn't show up, then I would be charged. I specifically asked her and she said it wouldn't be charged.

 

[Allison]

When I made my ADRs last week, they CM told me that the CC number was to just hold my ressie and if I didn't show up, then I would be charged. I specifically asked her and she said it wouldn't be charged.

Are you on the dining plan?

People on the dining plan shouldn't have their credit card charged (I believe this is correct) and this might account for some of the different information from CM's.

 

[skw444]

When I made my reservations a month ago for CRT, I was told since I was on the dining plan, that my CC wouldn't be charged but just held in case I didn't show up. However, the CM did say that if I wasn't on the dining plan, the card would be charged the full amount.

 

[Mom2PixiePrincess]

Only ONE of my previous trips was I on the dining plan. (Feb.2008) All others were OOP.

 

[skier_pete]

If you are on the Dining Plan (DDP), they will take your CC # but will not charge it.

If you are not on the DDP, you will have to pay for your meal when you make the reservation by CC.

If you pay for your meal ahead, and THEN sign up for the DDP, you can get a credit to your account anytime for the full cost of the meal.

Note that tip IS included at CRT, both what they charge to your CC, and also if you use the DDP. According to what I saw in THIS thread
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1787800
they do not take payments at CRT itself.

SkierPete

 

[HonnyDipp]

what if you are on the dining plan, but still plan on paying out of pocket for a breakfast at Chef Mickeys, will they charge you for that breakfast?

 

[Allison]

what if you are on the dining plan, but still plan on paying out of pocket for a breakfast at Chef Mickeys, will they charge you for that breakfast?

This discussion is about CRT so don't assume anything that is a part of this discussion applies to most other restaurants. It's a different reservation structure.

 

[HonnyDipp]

I see the difference now, thanks!

 

[Allison]

I see the difference now, thanks!

No problem. Love Donald in your signature.