Is it rude to be a no-show?

[forgetyourtroubles!]

I have several PS scheduled now, however, with a party of 7 (ranging from 2-75), our main factor will be how everyone is holding up and I don't want to push people to stay with the plans if they are too tired.
If we discover we are too tired, do we make it a priority to call, wait on hold, etc. in order to cancel our PS, or do we just figure they will have no trouble filling the spots and forget about it?

 

[Minniespal]

Hiya,
It won't take but a minute to cancel your ps ressies. This will allow more people to take advantage of the restaurants.
Have a great time.

 

[forgetyourtroubles!]

Do you use your cell phone and dial 1-407-wdw-dine or is there a faster way to do it once you are there? or a special number for cancelling?
Thank you!

 

[Michelemouse]

Your scenario is exactly why they changed from regular reservations to a priority seating system. With reservations they would hold a table for 15 minutes or so to see if the party would show. With priority seating they do not hold a table for you. You will get first priority for a table but not until you actually check in at the podium. If you don't check in then somebody else gets your table.

I would still try to call and cancel any that you know you won't make. You can stop by any house phone in the parks (they are often located near pay phones and there are always some at Guest Services) and just let them know.

 

[Minniespal]

Whilst in the parks you can call *88 for dining.

 

[beattyfamily]

The polite and fair thing to do is take the time to call and cancel the PS so that others may be able to book and use them.

 

[ilovefh]

You can also do it at any podium at any full service restaurant...

 

[Hayley]

Once we were in AK and for some reason realized we wouldn't be making our PS in another park -- I asked a CM working a cash register at a gift shop if I could use their phone and they said "sure". I think just about any CM will be willing to help you get to a phone.

I've hardly ever cancelled, but I'm so paranoid I picture them keeping some master list of people that blow off alot of PSs!

 

[forgetyourtroubles!]

That sounds much more convenient than I realized. (Not that I am only polite when it is convenient...) Thanks for your help.

 

[sha_lyn]

I've cancelled PS"s from other restaurants. Usually we'll decide to not park hop, or we'll stop by and get a lst min. PS at the place I really wanted in the first place (thanks to people who did call and cancel). The CM's were very gladto go ahead and cancel our other PS. I've also cancelled from our hotel room.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by ilovefh
You can also do it at any podium at any full service restaurant...

That's the way we've always handled it. Even when I cancel on very short notice (did this once, with about fifteen minutes notice due to a heat-overload situation in our group), they really, really seem to appreciate it. We actually cancelled a R&C reservation while in the Mexican pavilion so we could head to the monorail instead of walking ten people over to the UK.

Often, half an hour before your PS, they've got folks in line already waiting for that spot if it opens. Getting those people in earlier makes them happier, and it give the restaurnant more to work with.

 

[candleonwater]

My DD and I had PS for the EPCOT breakfast in December. We were so worn out that as we were going to be, I asked her if she wanted to go to the breakfast, or sleep in... her choice SLEEP... so I called and cancelled the PS, and got ATTITUDE because I hadn't cancelled earlier! Go figure!

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by candleonwater
My DD and I had PS for the EPCOT breakfast in December. We were so worn out that as we were going to be, I asked her if she wanted to go to the breakfast, or sleep in... her choice SLEEP... so I called and cancelled the PS, and got ATTITUDE because I hadn't cancelled earlier! Go figure!

Ouch! I figure it's polite to cancel, but I think I'm fairly common in this respect: I have a budget when I come to Disney. One way or another, through park tickets, food, trinkets, and ok, lot's of beer at the AC, they're going to get every cent of it. I think they'd keep that in mind when you cancel a PS. It's not like they're going to lose that money, at least not from me.

Pat