Do I need to worry about phased closures?

[lovndisney12]

From what i read a phase 4 hasn't happened since the no- show policy was added. How does anyone know how they will really handle the situation?

Agree w pp that expecting someone to be at a 7am rd for a 9 pm adr is not really realistic. Sure the policy might allow them to enforce but why not just fill w stand by guests if that were to happen?

 

[gaexsz]

They take the position that if you don't want to take the necessary steps to make your ADR you shouldn't make it because someone else will take those steps. Your missing the ADR takes it from someone else and thus revenue from the restaurant.

Indeed, the official policy is that you will be charged (though at the discretion of the particular location, so you may call and ask to waive the fee and YMMV), as confirmed by Disney chat agent, though not for the reason you quoted since that doesn't make sense anyway (I wonder where you got that Disney takes that position). The ADR confirmation page states that you must have valid park admission, and during a Phase 4 closure, no one technically has a valid admission ticket. So that's how they can get away with it. Still seems incredibly unreasonable and customer-unfriendly, particularly since Phase 4 closures are so rare anyway.

Thanks everyone for indulging my quest for the facts!

 

[maxiesmom]

Agree w pp that expecting someone to be at a 7am rd for a 9 pm adr is not really realistic. Sure the policy might allow them to enforce but why not just fill w stand by guests if that were to happen?

It is not as if it is a secret the parks are crazy busy on certain days. If you book an ADR knowing this, it is up to you to be there to use your ADR. Disney doesn't want to gamble that some other family of the exact same party size will want your ADR at the exact time you had booked. I wouldn't advise someone to make an ADR during a peak period if they didn't intend to be in the park early.

 

[gaexsz]

It is not as if it is a secret the parks are crazy busy on certain days. If you book an ADR knowing this, it is up to you to be there to use your ADR. Disney doesn't want to gamble that some other family of the exact same party size will want your ADR at the exact time you had booked. I wouldn't advise someone to make an ADR during a peak period if they didn't intend to be in the park early.

Disagree. It may not be a secret, but it's unreasonable to expect a non-Disney-obsessed person to know that the parks can close due to capacity at all (particularly since they, in fact, close so rarely anyway). And, again, Disney doesn't warn you about this risk when you're making an ADR.

I wouldn't advise someone to make an ADR during a peak period if they didn't intend to be in the park early.

I wouldn't either, but not everyone is asking you, or anyone when they make an ADR online.

 

[maxiesmom]

Disagree. It may not be a secret, but it's unreasonable to expect a non-Disney-obsessed person to know that the parks can close due to capacity at all (particularly since they, in fact, close so rarely anyway). And, again, Disney doesn't warn you about this risk when you're making an ADR.



I wouldn't either, but not everyone is asking you, or anyone when they make an ADR online.

Sorry, but it what Disney will do that matters. It is very clear on line that you must have a valid admission to make an ADR in the park. If you are not in the park, and you cannot get in because of a phase closure, your admission is not valid for that park. The onus is on the person who books the ADR to be in the park so they can make their ADR. You may think in unreasonable, but that is the way it works. Don't like the rules, don't make an ADR that you may not be able to get to.

 

[gaexsz]

It is very clear on line that you must have a valid admission to make an ADR in the park. If you are not in the park, and you cannot get in because of a phase closure, your admission is not valid for that park.

Haha, even you didn't know that was the reason they can get away with it until I looked into it, so how do you expect others to know that?

 

[lovndisney12]

Disagree. It may not be a secret, but it's unreasonable to expect a non-Disney-obsessed person to know that the parks can close due to capacity at all (particularly since they, in fact, close so rarely anyway). And, again, Disney doesn't warn you about this risk when you're making an ADR.



I wouldn't either, but not everyone is asking you, or anyone when they make an ADR online.

And based on what I read - there haven't been any phase 4 closures in quite awhile (maybe only 1 ever) - and not at Christmas - so it isn't clearly the norm - even on the busiest days of the year. So, I don't think someone who makes an ADR should expect that they have to be at RD - history would say otherwise. It would actually be an "exception" for it to reach a park 4. Of course I'm not saying it won't - but I don't think you can criticize someone who anticipates being able to get to an afternoon or evening ADR that doesn't get there by RD or even noon.

 

[nicdu]

I truly doubt that Disney would charge a no show fee due to a phase 4 closure, or even traffic that exceeds 3 hours. And if they do, it would be perfectly reasonable to petition your CC company to have the charges revoked.

 

[Nancyg56]

I truly doubt that Disney would charge a no show fee due to a phase 4 closure, or even traffic that exceeds 3 hours. And if they do, it would be perfectly reasonable to petition your CC company to have the charges revoked.

Disney is pretty good about making reasonable accomodations to their guests, and has waived the no show fee at times. I imagine that they would consider waiving it under these circumstances. but they really are not obligated to do so. The reason folks are trying so hard to ensure that those people who are asking for clarification are not blindsided if they are turned away and are charged the fee. It can and does happen and when the parks are crazy busy, you really should be aware of the policy and that DIsney is serious about the no show charge. Busy parks are not considered a valid reason to skip an ADR.