Do people actually cancel their ADRs

[hrh_disney_queen]

for the popular restaurants? Or would they just leave it and not show up because there is no penalty? I am wondering if you can't get an ADR for a certain date, is calling back at a later date really going to be helpful? I would think people would keep the reservation -just in case- or if they aren't going for sure, just not bother wiht a cancellation.

Has anyone actually snagged an ADR for a fully booked restaurant when trying later on?

Maybe I'm missing something, do you have to secure all ADRs with a credit card?

 

[HayGan]

Sadly, some people do not cancel ADRs but there are plenty of us who do. ADRs are cancelled for a number of reasons including complete trip cancellation not just people calling to cancel certain ADRs. I have also heard that CMs are really getting good about not allowing people to double book.

I always think that it is worth calling at a later date and checking for availability. I also like to call first thing in the morning of the day I want a certain ADR for as often times things open up.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

We've only not canceled an ADR 3 times, and each time was because one or more of us got so sick that we actually forgot about the reservation; they weren't popular or crowded restaurants though, thankfully. Otherwise, we always cancel. We're about to cancel Chef Mickey's, Le Cellier, etc. for the end of this month later today (had to change trip dates). Things do turn up over time, but you just have to be lucky enough to call in at the right time.

Only a few ADRs require a CC number to hold the ADR or a CC number in order to be paid in full. Those include Cinderella's Royal Table, Hoop De Doo, California Grill, Spirit of Aloha, I believe Askerhus, and I'm assuming Victoria & Albert's as well. Bistro de Paris might be another one, but not sure about that.

 

[ModestMouse]

We always cancel an ADR if plans change and we don't use it. This hasn't happened often but we *always* cancel, usually an hour or two beforehand--that's an opportunity for someone else.

 

[danielle782001]

We do....I have had to cancel an entire trip once...And we call as soon as we know we are not going to make it some where.

 

[RahRah573]

If someone cancels their trip, all their ADR's (I was told) are automatically cancelled with the reservation cancellation since ADR's are made with your reservation number. ADR's for locations you left a credit card number (Cinderella's Royal Table) - they say it'll be cancelled, but you should call to cancel too just to be sure!

Last year we got a CRT Lunch reservation when I called to do my ADR's in June - I was also able to get a Cali Grill for 8:30 (perfect timing for the fireworks over MK)....apparently someone cancelled the week we were going, so they were mine for the taking -- worked out well since I was way into the 180-day window trying to make my ADR's!

 

[crisi]

People do call back and discover ADRs available where they weren't before. I'm not sure how good the chances are - but they are WAY better than not calling back at all.

 

[ancestry]

If someone cancels their trip, all their ADR's (I was told) are automatically cancelled with the reservation cancellation since ADR's are made with your reservation number. ADR's for locations you left a credit card number (Cinderella's Royal Table) - they say it'll be cancelled, but you should call to cancel too just to be sure!

This is incorrect. ADR's are not tied to your reservation number they are tied to your phone number. Plus a person might cancel their stay at a Disney property but still stay at an off site hotel with the intent of keeping their dining reservations. Dining reservations have to be cancelled seperately.

 

[EEyorelover22]

One thing I found with the new system...the CM told me if I wanted to change a time to ask for a modification because if you already have something booked near the same time the new system will not show anything available. It forces people to modify then which leads to spots opening up because of that. I modified an adr and the number stayed the same with the time change.

I did have luck getting adrs by calling back. I appreciate those that canceled. I also cancel as well.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Thanks for the info! FD first timer here...so I am stressing out about getting the restaurants I want to try. I have dates, times, and alternative restaurants to play around with, just wondered if there ever were openings after they say they are full..

I am a person who doesn't take no for an answer, so I will keep trying up until our arrival date!

 

[ShannonMB]

Here in DIS world, I think most of us consider it rude not to cancel an ADR (if it's possible, I know it isn't always). In the "real" world, I'm sure lots of people just don't give it a second thought that they are tying up what could be another family's magical time. But que sera sera, it's always worth calling back!!!

Also, I have read many a thread from people who were never able to make an ADR, then when they ask at their resort in the morning, something opens up.

I have also read MANY threads that say if you have an odd-sized party (say, 3 people), you might actually be able to get a table for 4 right after they tell you there are none available for 3. I don't think it is a breach of etiquette to do this, because my understanding is that it is the way their system is designed, and why shouldn't a party of 3 have the same chance as a party of 4 for scoring that ADR? Then when you check in and they say, "party of 4", just say, no, 3.

Hope this helps!

 

[Monkeyfun]

People cancel ADR's all the time. We are going in May and I originally made an ADR for a time much later that I would have liked but it was all that was availble at the time. I have called back several times and have been able to move the time forward twice to where we want it. Each time I then canceled my old ADR so that someone else could use it. Keep reading this board and using the advice given. Soon you will be working ADR's like an old pro.

 

[mjbradeis]

During our December trip it was forcasted to be pouring and we felt like sleeping in so night before I went to the Concierge and told him I wanted to cancel my ADR for Hollywood and Vine for the next morning, and the CM stated "I wish there were more guests that would do what you did" I was very shocked that the CM said that!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We generally end up cancelling one ADR per trip. It just usually ends up that we are too tired to make it one evening, or having too much fun and don't want to stop and leave to get to the restaurant. We always cancel the ADR. I'm not sure how helpful that is, as it's pretty last minute.

 

[Colleen27]

We've cancelled many. The nature of DH's buisiness is such that sometimes we have to reschedule whole trips, and back when ADRs were made 180 out, I once rebooked the same trip's worth of ADRs 3 times... Planned for Nov, had to postpone to Dec, had to cancel Dec, finally went in Jan. With 90 out, it is a little easier to make plans we can stick to, but still life sometimes gets in the way (who knew that closing on our new house would take so long that it would interfere with vacationing in May?!?). We also sometimes find ourselves changing plans on the fly once we're there, and sometimes that means canceling an ADR.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Hey Colleen27, I saw the big fancy "D" in your avatar and noticed right away you are in Michigan! I was born in Lincoln Park and lived in Trenton from age 3-27! DH was born in Detroit and then grew up in Bloomfield Hills. We headed south in 1985 and kept going..We get home for the occasional holiday.

 

[ktlm]

I actually cancelled a prime 8:30 a.m. Tusker House character breakfast reservation the morning before it was scheduled when it became clear on our trip that my 3 year old DD was not going to adjust to the hour time change and it was going to be near impossible to get her up and there in time. They had a 9:30 open that someone else had probably cancelled so I was able to switch to a later time. I was thrilled to get the later time and I'm sure someone else called and was thrilled to get my 8:30. Cancellations definitely happen.

 

[MickeyNicki]

If we know we are not going to eat there then we cancel it so someone else can get it....its only fair

 

[mmcguire]

I just cancelled 3 today while I was on the phone making a few new ones.

I do fear the new system and long wait times will deter many people from calling only to cancel reservations. If there's no penalty for keeping them, a lot of folks aren't going to pay long distance charges to wait 15-20 minutes or longer.

 

[pianoronni37]

YES! Lots of people cancel!

Last year for our trip we didn't many of the restaurants that we wanted (added the DDP pretty late, and it was still 180 ressies!), but I kept calling and calling and at about the 45 day mark we got almost everything I wanted, including a fantasmic package and coral reef!

So keep calling - we ended up cancelling some of our ADRs so we could fit in what we wanted - it never hurts, I called once a week... at that point the CMs filled in my sentences.

We never did end up getting Le Cellier though, but that's okay we're going to try this year (and I know now to be cutthroat and get up at 7am and call on my 90 day mark!).


PS - hrh_disney_queen.... I absolutely ADORE the cat in your signature... my husband loathes lolcats, but when I showed him that photo he laughed, it's hilarious!!!