Leaving a reservation if wait (or other) reason prevents you from staying

[Stefien Quix]

You reserved a table. Not the table of your choice


And considering what this thread is becoming, I really think it should be closed. I was under the impression that is against the board ruled to post threads that were basically nothing but ways to circumvent Disney “rules”

*sigh* I understand I didn't reserve a table of my choice. I wasn't saying I did. The example was used to illustrate "any reason even ridiculous ones". I was simply trying to understand what situations the cancellation fee was applicable to. I don't know why this is so hard to understand.

I'm not trying to circumvent any rules. I'm only trying to understand them.

 

[Stefien Quix]

That being said, it would be great if this thread were closed. I learned what I needed to learn and at this point I'm just saying the same thing over and over again.

 

[StageTek]

I do not get the impression Stefien is trying to circumvent rules. I know with my curiosity and question I'm not.

I'm curious if anyone know the rules - not to get around them, to understand them.

If the rule is you can cancel if the wait is 30 minutes after the reservation that would be good to know. If the rule is you cannot cancel if you show up but there isn't a table you want that would be good to know.

OrangeCountyCommuter seems sure if there is a long delay (say 30 minutes) they may allow a cancelation. It would be nice to know if this is accurate. Not to circumvent the rule but to understand it.

But it seems no one really knows so they lash out.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Yup. Kind of like the wardens when I got picked for Grand Jury a couple of Fridays ago. They said "If you have a problem with a date in the next 2 weeks, let us know NOW. Today, we might be able to do something. Monday... Well, ok. We'll make you the same deal one of our colleagues makes people. IF you can come up with an excuse we have NEVER heard before on Monday, we'll excuse you. BUT we've been doing this for quite a few years and have heard A LOT."

I've been part of a grand jury (twice.) One Monday I called because I was in the hospital and had just had my gallbladder removed the day before.

They gladly let me opt out that month. I showed up on time the next session.

Basically, at Disney and for the grand jury, they want a legitimate excuse. They don't want people to try to come up with reasons to make multiple reservations and then pick one based on where they want to eat. Period.

 

[Dug720]

I've been part of a grand jury (twice.) One Monday I called because I was in the hospital and had just had my gallbladder removed the day before.

They gladly let me opt out that month. I showed up on time the next session.

Basically, at Disney and for the grand jury, they want a legitimate excuse. They don't want people to try to come up with reasons to make multiple reservations and then pick one based on where they want to eat. Period.

I'm sure they would have made an exception for emergency surgery!

I've actually had fun with it. Three days left!

And exactly! The cancellation fee was implemented to discourage hoarding of ADRs.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

*sigh* I understand I didn't reserve a table of my choice. I wasn't saying I did. The example was used to illustrate "any reason even ridiculous ones". I was simply trying to understand what situations the cancellation fee was applicable to. I don't know why this is so hard to understand.

I'm not trying to circumvent any rules. I'm only trying to understand them.

The reason you’re getting so many responses is that there is no single answer to your question, or “rule” per se. The only thing we can offer is personal experience....which as you can see vary wildly depending on the circumstances. I’m not sure why you’re getting so defensive about people offering responses to a question you posed ?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I do not get the impression Stefien is trying to circumvent rules. I know with my curiosity and question I'm not.

I'm curious if anyone know the rules - not to get around them, to understand them.

If the rule is you can cancel if the wait is 30 minutes after the reservation that would be good to know. If the rule is you cannot cancel if you show up but there isn't a table you want that would be good to know.

OrangeCountyCommuter seems sure if there is a long delay (say 30 minutes) they may allow a cancelation. It would be nice to know if this is accurate. Not to circumvent the rule but to understand it.

But it seems no one really knows so they lash out.

If you look at the fine print for the ADR terms and conditions, WDW does not give an out for the no-show fee. There just isn't a hard-and-fast rule. The only thing you can do is speak to the host/hostess if you aren't satisfied with the ADR for some reason and it will be at their discretion. I've been pixie dusted twice with having the fee waived, but I wouldn't expect it at any point. IMHO, if they do have an internal policy on when they would waive the fee, I would imagine they wouldn't want to advertise it as there are many people who do try to find loopholes at WDW (I'm not saying OP is one of those people!)

 

[Stefien Quix]

The reason you’re getting so many responses is that there is no single answer to your question, or “rule” per se. The only thing we can offer is personal experience....which as you can see vary wildly depending on the circumstances. I’m not sure why you’re getting so defensive about people offering responses to a question you posed ?

First of all, I'm not being defensive, I'm just tired of repeating the same explanation of the question I posed.

In my original post I said

If you DO show and you then cancel, is the fee still applicable?

and then in the next paragraph I said

The real question is, as long as I show up, does that satisfy the no-show cancellation fee, even if I then leave afterwards?

But instead of answering this question, I've repeatedly had people question whether or not 20 minutes is an appropriate length of time to attempt to attempt to leave and tell me that not getting the table I want is definitely not appropriate.

Neither of these have anything to do showing up for a no-show and whether or not that satisfies the obligation.

I don't need that answer now. It's been answered completely and to my satisfaction. But still are debating the legitimacy of 20 minutes or 30 minutes or getting the correct table.

 

[Aimeedyan]

At SciFi a few months ago, the people sat in our 3rd row were disappointed to find that their favorite dish was no longer on the menu. They asked the waitress if they left, would they be charged. She said no - it's a no-show fee and they showed up for the reservation and were checked in. She told them it happens all the time (though she may have said that to just make them feel better because they were apologetic...) and they never charge the fee once people have checked in for their reservation.

At The Plaza in June, they told me when we checked in they were running 45 minutes behind. We drove in for the day and did not have 45 minutes to wait. Hostess told us we were more than welcome to pass on the table without fee because we showed up for the reservation.

Those are my only 2 real life examples I don't think there is a hard and fast rule, but I've always found Disney front line people to be accommodating and gracious.

 

[Stefien Quix]

At SciFi a few months ago, the people sat in our 3rd row were disappointed to find that their favorite dish was no longer on the menu. They asked the waitress if they left, would they be charged. She said no - it's a no-show fee and they showed up for the reservation and were checked in. She told them it happens all the time (though she may have said that to just make them feel better because they were apologetic...) and they never charge the fee once people have checked in for their reservation.

At The Plaza in June, they told me when we checked in they were running 45 minutes behind. We drove in for the day and did not have 45 minutes to wait. Hostess told us we were more than welcome to pass on the table without fee because we showed up for the reservation.

Those are my only 2 real life examples I don't think there is a hard and fast rule, but I've always found Disney front line people to be accommodating and gracious.

Bless you.

 

[JerseyJanice]

This is my opinion—the no-show was enacted to prevent people from hoarding multiple ADRs that they can’t possibly use.

It’s not meant to be punitive and they certainly don’t expect to make profits on them.

Like a couple of PPs stated, as long as you check in, you’ll be fine.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I was simply trying to understand what situations the cancellation fee was applicable to.

Presume it is applicable in any 'didn't dine' situation. He appreciative when/if it's waived.

If the rule is you can cancel if the wait is 30 minutes after the reservation

Not the rule. The rule is, cancel by the day before or expect to pay a pre-season cancellation fee.

If the rule is you cannot cancel if you show up but there isn't a table you want

Not any rule, ever. You accept the table to which you are assigned.

Waiving the cancellation fee is entirely at the discretion of the individual venues.

 

[Disneylover99]

This is my opinion—the no-show was enacted to prevent people from hoarding multiple ADRs that they can’t possibly use.

It’s not meant to be punitive and they certainly don’t expect to make profits on them.

Like a couple of PPs stated, as long as you check in, you’ll be fine.

Yes. This is what I think too. If you’re showing up to your ADR, but there is some kind of problem, such as a long wait, I doubt that the manager wants to argue with you. I bet they’d say, no problem, no charge.

 

[StageTek]

Not the rule. The rule is, cancel by the day before or expect to pay a pre-season cancellation fee.

Not any rule, ever. You accept the table to which you are assigned.

Waiving the cancellation fee is entirely at the discretion of the individual venues.

Got it. But I'm sure you can understand why I posed the question. At first there were accusations that asking the question was trying to circumvent the rules. The statements you quoted were my explanation. Now, after accusations and harsh comments and misleading answers we have the answer.

Message boards can be challenging to respectful conversation.

 

[hcortesis]

It's Disney. Generally, CM's are all kind and understanding. If you see a no show fee on your hotel bill the next morning, and you don't agree with it, take it up with the front desk and my guess is most likely it would be removed. No one on this board can tell you for sure exactly what will or will not happen when trying to answer your question.

 

[Nancyg56]

It's Disney. Generally, CM's are all kind and understanding. If you see a no show fee on your hotel bill the next morning, and you don't agree with it, take it up with the front desk and my guess is most likely it would be removed. No one on this board can tell you for sure exactly what will or will not happen when trying to answer your question.

No, we cannot. We all have anecdotal stories of what we have observed or of what we have read has occurred, so while we may want to validate what a poster wants to hear, in good conscience most of us will not if we know that there is no hard and fast policy in place to back it up. What may work for one family under a very specific set of circumstances may not under the same in a different restaurant, or in the same restaurant that is experiencing a different situation.

 

[GillianP1301]

We have shown up to some of our ADRs to find that we have an anticipated wait of 45 minutes past our scheduled seating time before being sat. Usually the host gives us the option to cancel without being penalized. You just double check with the host and watch your credit card/bank statement. But we've never had an issue.

This. I don't understand comments like "Disney will know what you're up to" in response to somebody not wanting to wait an unacceptable amount of time to be seated. Truth is, if a restaurant is running 30 or 45 minutes behind ADR times, they are probably thankful for a last minute cancellation since it will help to get them back on track. Not everyone is trying to "beat the system" and it's not always a bad thing for the restaurant to have a last minute cancellation.

 

[marielynn724]

This. This is the only piece of information I was looking for. No more, no less.

It's been said multiple times now so I really think this horse has been well and truly beaten.

I don't need any discussion over what counts as a valid reason and what doesn't.

If you're satisfied just close the thread or stop replying, no need to be rude to people who are just trying to be helpful.

 

[Stefien Quix]

If you're satisfied just close the thread or stop replying, no need to be rude to people who are just trying to be helpful.

I have been unable to find any tool to close the thread myself. If you would like to direct me to it, I'd be happy to do so. I am replying because I opened this thread and feel some sense of obligation to the conversation.

I don't believe I am being rude and I certainly don't believe I'm being any more rude to those people you're describing as "trying to be helpful".

 

[stephk1981]

We always eat breakfast at Captain's Grille. I had never waited more than ten minutes past my reservation time, but often we've been seated when we walk up ( even if we arrive early). Last November we made a last minute ADR for dinner there. We were seated about ten minutes after our reservation time, but once at the table no one ever came to take our order. We waited for 20 minutes before I asked a passing waiter if someone could take our drink order. He said he'd get us drinks, which he did, but then said someone else would be waiting on us. After 45 minutes at the table, still no waiter to take our order. We went to the front check in podium, told them how long we had been waiting and told them we were leaving. They did not charge us.