End up not using your ADR: What do you do?

[mom22bless]

An ADR isn't technically a reservation (unless you use a credit card when scheduling). When you show up, you just get the next spot open. Kinda like a fastpass for dining!

However, when we were there on Jan 6th it rained and we were caught in Canade at the Kidcot area and I cancelled a lunch ADR for 9 Dragons. It didn't stop raining for awhile.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

In our many trips, I think we've only missed 4 ADRs. We called and canceled one of them, but didn't with the other three. Two of them were in 2008; Kona Cafe for breakfast and Ohana's for breakfast. Someone in the family was really sick, and we were all so exhausted we slept right through the alarm both days. We all felt bad, but it wasn't intentional. Only other time we didn't cancel was in 2007. I had made an ADR for lunch at Marakkesh, but I got horribly sick out of nowhere an hour or so before, and was so concentrating on getting back to my room at CBR that I forgot about canceling the ADR.

I'm just glad I've never missed a Chef Mickey's, Le Cellier, etc. ADR where it would almost be guaranteed another family or person would've taken my spot for me but couldn't because I couldn't cancel beforehand. I felt bad enough about the three places mentioned above, but at least they aren't the hardest restaurants in the World to get into.

 

[winterman]

As a PP indicated, when you have an ADR you are given the next available appropriately sized table. The restaurant is not holding a table for you. So if you miss an ADR it's not a huge deal.

That said, I did cancel an ADR during last year's trip. I had booked the same place two days in a row, knowing that if we got in touch with a friend in the area we would not need one of them. I called Disney Dining and it was not a quick process.

 

[onelilspark]

I have the Disney Dining number programed into my cell phone, so if we can't make an ADR, we just give a quick call and let them know.

 

[cinderwannabe]

DOn't some places charge for cancellations not made within a certain time frame?

 

[Luv2Roam]

Call and cancel.

DOn't some places charge for cancellations not made within a certain time frame?

Those that require a credit card at the time of booking the res.

 

[Torgue]

An ADR isn't technically a reservation (unless you use a credit card when scheduling). When you show up, you just get the next spot open. Kinda like a fastpass for dining!

However, when we were there on Jan 6th it rained and we were caught in Canade at the Kidcot area and I cancelled a lunch ADR for 9 Dragons. It didn't stop raining for awhile.

So that would mean that it would not be to big of a deal to not cancel an ADR. Someone might be just a walk up and because of us not showing for our ADR they might have a better chance for a table. I know that philosophy won't work for early park ADR's. We are staying WL and I have an ADR for Whispering Canyon for 8 nights in a row. We would like to eat there atleast once just depends on the best night. Is this wrong ?

 

[ShannonMB]

Doesn't ADR stand for Advanced Dining Reservation? I consider an ADR the same thing as making a reservation at any restaurant, and I think it works the same way. They are planning on you being there, so they won't seat a walk-up when they are expecting you. No, they don't have a table sitting empty with your name on it, but they have plans to get you in as close as possible to your time.

I think ADRs should be made with the plan that you are going to be there at that particular time, and you should cancel ASAP if you find you can't be there. I personally wouldn't book a restaurant for multiple times, because that takes the opportunity away from another family who wants to try to dine there.

Of course stuff happens when you can't call, but if possible, it's a courtesy. JMHO

 

[whogirl'smom]

I have the Disney Dining number programed into my cell phone, so if we can't make an ADR, we just give a quick call and let them know.

Me, too! Although I did forget to cancel one dinner a couple of years ago at GF Cafe.

 

[paintnolish]

You know you're a DISer when...you have Disney Dining programmed in your cell. No need to program the other number! That one is easy to remember.