My solution:
1) Make the ADR window earlier for resort guests/DVC members and AP holders, but tie it to your reservation number, not your phone number (or in the case of AP holders, your AP number).
2) Open up the window only 30 (45? 60?) days out to everyone else. Key to phone number. (Offsite guests and locals who aren't AP holders)
3) With the reservation number/AP number (a unique key), allow a single booking per meal time per reservation number. If you want to split your party (which happens), you'll be booking one meal when the offsite guest time opens as an offsite guest with your phone number.
4) Take credit card deposits for everything, make the public cancellation policy "please call to cancel 48 hours prior to your reservation." But make the official cancellation policy that as long as you call to tell us you aren't coming, waive the charge. I think most no-shows would be stopped, it wouldn't punish the well intentioned who are victims of circumstances (sick child, whatever), and the spot can be given to the next walk up - at no revenue loss for Disney.
You'd still be able to work the system - if you had an AP and a room you could get reservations using both numbers.
1) Make the ADR window earlier for resort guests/DVC members and AP holders, but tie it to your reservation number, not your phone number (or in the case of AP holders, your AP number).
2) Open up the window only 30 (45? 60?) days out to everyone else. Key to phone number. (Offsite guests and locals who aren't AP holders)
3) With the reservation number/AP number (a unique key), allow a single booking per meal time per reservation number. If you want to split your party (which happens), you'll be booking one meal when the offsite guest time opens as an offsite guest with your phone number.
4) Take credit card deposits for everything, make the public cancellation policy "please call to cancel 48 hours prior to your reservation." But make the official cancellation policy that as long as you call to tell us you aren't coming, waive the charge. I think most no-shows would be stopped, it wouldn't punish the well intentioned who are victims of circumstances (sick child, whatever), and the spot can be given to the next walk up - at no revenue loss for Disney.
You'd still be able to work the system - if you had an AP and a room you could get reservations using both numbers.
