Does this seem fair?

[MaryKatesMom]

We had a lovely Fantasmic! package lunch at Momma Melrose's. No problem.

Now it is absolutely poring so Famtasmic! may or may not go. I get it, central Fl, I am ok with that. We've missed maybe 6 in all these years and I know what I'm in for when I made the reservation.

But, we have a dining reservation at Brown Derby that if I miss because I don't want to walk in a downpour I get whacked $40. Not exactly a two way street. I don't have the same out clause Disney does.

We'll probably go but if they can cancel so should I.

 

[North of Mouse]

We had a lovely Fantasmic! package lunch at Momma Melrose's. No problem.

Now it is absolutely poring so Famtasmic! may or may not go. I get it, central Fl, I am ok with that. We've missed maybe 6 in all these years and I know what I'm in for when I made the reservation.

But, we have a dining reservation at Brown Derby that if I miss because I don't want to walk in a downpour I get whacked $40. Not exactly a two way street. I don't have the same out clause Disney does.

We'll probably go but if they can cancel so should I.

We learn pretty young in life that there is a lot about life that isn't fair - taught our children that at an early age. Not fun sometimes!

And, yes, that is Disney's policy!

 

[maxiesmom]

I think it is fair. There is no weather clause when you make an ADR. And I see the food as the main part of the deal, and the seats an added benefit.

It is pretty clear how things work when you book the meal. Don't like how it works, don't book. Seems pretty simple.

 

[Allison]

The terms are clear ahead of time so yes it is fair.

 

[Tex]

I think Disney should be more understanding of their guests. I would tell them it wasn't safe to walk outside because of the lightning. They don't even let you on the pool deck when there is lightning. Tell them your children were frightened.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Thank you to all who snort pixie dust.

The boats aren't running because of lightening but as the attendant said, most people are walking. So we walked in the rain from our hotel even though a cheaper and quite possibly better dinner could be had in our hotel.

We'll see if Fantasmic! Runs.

 

[Itinkso]

If you call Dining and explain the circumstances, that would be a valid reason for canceling. On Sunday, we were under the awning at Fairfax for 45 minutes due to the thunderstorm and lightning strikes which were within a mile of the park. The two CMs in our group were adamant that we remain sheltered.

Once the rain let up and the lightning was at a greater distance, we made our way from Fairfax to the Premiere Theater while still calculating the distance of the lightning strikes. Fortunately, the downpour didn't begin again until we had safely made it from Premiere Theater to Brown Derby for our ADR.

With the lightning strikes being as close as they were, much closer than the 7 mile radius that cancels Fantasmic, a park guest would have a valid reason to cancel an ADR with short notice. Guest safety is a priority.

 

[patty57]

OP, I see your point. Disney has an out for rain, but it's customers don't. Unfortunately, this is one of those "it is what it is" things. We just have to deal with it.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thank you to all who snort pixie dust.

The boats aren't running because of lightening but as the attendant said, most people are walking. So we walked in the rain from our hotel even though a cheaper and quite possibly better dinner could be had in our hotel.

We'll see if Fantasmic! Runs.

I think you have been around the Dis long enough to know that when you ask a question you may not like the answers. Don't ask if all you are looking for is people to tell you what you want to hear.

 

[Cyrano]

Since this is a discussion about the dining reservation policy I will move this over to the Dining board

 

[minnie mum]

Are the thunderstorms really lasting that long?? Surely you could arrive a few minutes late for your ADR. A simple explanation as to why you were delayed should solve any problem.

Otherwise, I have to agree with the PPs. Disney is quite clear about their cancelation policies. If you disagree with them, then you might want to reconsider your dining selections.

 

[robinb]

The boats aren't running because of lightening but as the attendant said, most people are walking. So we walked in the rain from our hotel even though a cheaper and quite possibly better dinner could be had in our hotel.

We'll see if Fantasmic! Runs.

Did you try to cancel? It would seem to me that if the Disney provided transportation is not running to DHS then you have a legitimate "out". If it's too dangerous for the boats to run, it's too dangerous for you to walk!

I hope you have a nice dinner and I hope that if F! doesn't run at least everyone left the DHS and you can get on some rides without waiting too long.

 

[DisneyWisher]

Considering there have been 3 deaths in the past month in Florida due to lightning strikes this should be a valid reason. If you feel unsafe go to concierge or call Disney Dining. Oops my mistake there've been 4 since 5/14/14...2 on 5/14 Seminole (closing car windows) and Plant City (fishing) those cities are in central Florida for people that don't know. 5/29 Pompano Beach (Ft Lauderdale area) 2 men stuck 1 died, and in Milton, Fl (Panhandle) while picking blueberries

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/fatalities.htm

Talk to Disney if the weather worries you

 

[MaryKatesMom]

OP, I see your point. Disney has an out for rain, but it's customers don't. Unfortunately, this is one of those "it is what it is" things. We just have to deal with it.

Thank you.

What is good for he Goose is Good for the Gander

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I wouldn't walk around outside in a lightening storm with my child, they should waive the cancellation fee.

 

[maxiesmom]

I wouldn't walk around outside in a lightening storm with my child, they should waive the cancellation fee.

The first post says nothing about lightening. That was brought up by another poster as a good excuse.

And no, thunderstorms do not typically last long. The more people look for reasons Disney should waive their fees the more I can see Disney making this a black and white issue. If people keep finding all sorts of excuses for not making their ADRs I can see their current consideration for illness vanishing.

Honestly the fact that the OP didn't mention lightening at first, along with the negative comments about the restaurant, makes it sound like it was an ADR the OP just didn't really want and is looking for a way to avoid the fee for not going.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

The first post says nothing about lightening. That was brought up by another poster as a good excuse.

And no, thunderstorms do not typically last long. The more people look for reasons Disney should waive their fees the more I can see Disney making this a black and white issue. If people keep finding all sorts of excuses for not making their ADRs I can see their current consideration for illness vanishing.

Honestly the fact that the OP didn't mention lightening at first, along with the negative comments about the restaurant, makes it sound like it was an ADR the OP just didn't really want and is looking for a way to avoid the fee for not going.

Wrong on several counts. I love BD we've been going for years!! Ton's of wonderful memories and one trip the steak was superior to both Yachtsman and Le Cellier.

Wrong about the just passing storm too. Started raining early afternoon and with a very heavy downpour in the evening. This also happened Monday, an all day storm.

Boats were not running due to lightening in the area and the CM said most people were walking. As it was just a light drizzle we followed a crowd over.

Had an OK meal good but I've had better and my pasta eater could use another dish on the menu aside from the Tofu noodle bowl. The waitress was excellent. Knew the menu and told my DD next time she could order chicken in it.

Fantasmic! was closed for lightening.

You are wrong to assume I was trying to wiggle out of an unwanted ADR. I was not. I didn't want to leave my nice dry hotel where I would have also gotten a good meal and make two 25 minute walks in the rain.

Honestly, your post sounds like a typically nit picky knee jerk defense of Disney.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wrong on several counts. I love BD we've been going for years!! Ton's of wonderful memories and one trip the steak was superior to both Yachtsman and Le Cellier.

Wrong about the just passing storm too. Started raining early afternoon and with a very heavy downpour in the evening. This also happened Monday, an all day storm.

Boats were not running due to lightening in the area and the CM said most people were walking. As it was just a light drizzle we followed a crowd over.

Had an OK meal good but I've had better and my pasta eater could use another dish on the menu aside from the Tofu noodle bowl. The waitress was excellent. Knew the menu and told my DD next time she could order chicken in it.

Fantasmic! was closed for lightening.

You are wrong to assume I was trying to wiggle out of an unwanted ADR. I was not. I didn't want to leave my nice dry hotel where I would have also gotten a good meal and make two 25 minute walks in the rain.

Honestly, your post sounds like a typically nit picky knee jerk defense of Disney.

There is a huge difference between heavy rain and a lightening storm.

And if I am defending Disney because I know the rules when I make an agreement with them, and don't get angry about it later when the agreement no longer suits me, then I guess I am defending them.

Don't like their terms, don't book the meal or event. Simple.

 

[kathie859]

I wonder if the OP (who determined prior to Fantasmic and prior to dinner it was raining and a huge inconvenience to leave her hotel) called the dining line or spoke with her hotel's concierge to request cancellation due to weather?

The answer may have been "Tough luck" but now she'll never really know.

I don't snort "pixie dust" but have found Disney usually sensitive to the needs of families and children.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

There is a huge difference between heavy rain and a lightening storm.

And if I am defending Disney because I know the rules when I make an agreement with them, and don't get angry about it later when the agreement no longer suits me, then I guess I am defending them.

Don't like their terms, don't book the meal or event. Simple.

I agree. Your argument is simple.

However, this is a discussion board and if I think it unfair to hold guests to different standards then I am entitled to that opinion.

Sigh, and to respond to yet more blame the victim nitpicking.

1) until I walked up to the docks I had no idea there was no boat.
2) my phone was in my back pack in a waterproof bag doesn't seem like a good idea to pull it out while raining
3). Famtasmic! Was not cancelled at the time of departure.