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

[Stefien Quix]

So, I know there's a cancellation fee for no-shows to a dining reservation, but if you DO show and you then cancel, is the fee still applicable?

Like I show up for the reservation and they're like "The wait is 20 minutes or whatever" and I don't actually HAVE 20 minutes in my time budget. Can I leave and not be penalized?

Or any other reason really. Maybe I show up and I wanted outdoor seating and none is available. The real question is, as long as I show up, does that satisfy the no-show cancellation fee, even if I then leave afterwards?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I don't think there is a general rule of thumb on this and it will probably be restaurant dependent. We only encountered this situation once and it was when FF was running about 30 minutes late seating for ADR's. I had an incredibly hungry kid with me and waiting 30 minutes wasn't in the cards. The hostess completely understood and was very apologetic about the wait to begin with, so I got on the phone with Disney dining and they switch us to an ADR at Tokyo Dining that was within 15 minutes and did not charge us the no-show fee for FF. That being said, except at Mama Melrose, which is notorious for seating late (and we just don't go there anymore!), I've never waited more than 10-15 minutes for an ADR, and I've been to WDW over 40 times. In order to avoid time crunches, I would just allow 90 minutes for any TS and then allow any time you need to walk or otherwise travel for whatever you have planned afterward. If you do leave, you need to speak with the hostess prior to leaving. Not charging you the no-show fee will be at their discretion.

In terms of not liking your table, again, it's going to be completely up to the restaurant, but I don't think there is a high chance of them not charging you a no-show fee. The ADR is for seating at the restaurant, not seating at a specific table. Seating locations are requests only.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If you don't have 20 minutes in your budget your entire plan is doomed.

And just because you don't like the table I don't think is going to be enough to get you out of the fee.

I would expect for a long delay (Say over half an hour) they would probably agree to waive the fee, but for the rest of your excuses... they will see right through you.

 

[Stefien Quix]

If you don't have 20 minutes in your budget your entire plan is doomed.

And just because you don't like the table I don't think is going to be enough to get you out of the fee.

I would expect for a long delay (Say over half an hour) they would probably agree to waive the fee, but for the rest of your excuses... they will see right through you.

"See right through me"? I'm not attempting to pull something over them. If I was, I'd make up some story they wouldn't "see right through". I'm trying to understand the rules and obey them.

 

[GillianP1301]

I'm pretty sure there is no specific policy that addresses your question, but I do think that if you check in and for whatever reason cannot stay and you advise them of that, they will likely not charge you the no show. I did it once at HBD when we were just not hungry at all. It was the Fantasmic package. They were very understanding and were even nice enough to still give me the Fantasmic passes, which I did not ask for or expect.

It is not at all unreasonable to say thanks but no thanks if they wait time is going to be 20 or 30 minutes (or more).

 

[2manypets]

After we checked in at our restaurant we waited at the table for over 20 minutes for just a wait staff to show up (Kona Cafe...you need to hire more people!) We told the woman at the podium about the wait and told her we were leaving. For that instance we were not charged. It would be up to the discrepancy of the restaurant to charge for not wanting to wait for a table as ADR or not actual set reservations. They'll seat you as fast as they can.

 

[Stefien Quix]

After we checked in at our restaurant we waited at the table for over 20 minutes for just a wait staff to show up (Kona Cafe...you need to hire more people!) We told the woman at the podium about the wait and told her we were leaving. For that instance we were not charged. It would be up to the discrepancy of the restaurant to charge for not wanting to wait for a table as ADR or not actual set reservations. They'll seat you as fast as they can.

Thank you! Personal experiences are the most helpful I think in this case

 

[maltdizzy]

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

Officially, no, it does not satisfy the "no show" policy, they can collect the fee for an in-person cancellation, but it is up to the manager's discretion. Plenty of people have posted real-world examples of both having the fee charge and having it waved. Disney will be the first to remind you that ADRs are not seating times, waits of 10-20 minutes are typical (and longer waits not uncommon). These are sit-down, table-service meals, there is a reason an ADR blocks out an entire 2 hours on MDE.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

"See right through me"? I'm not attempting to pull something over them. If I was, I'd make up some story they wouldn't "see right through". I'm trying to understand the rules and obey them.

Either way. If you don't have 20 minutes in your time budget your plan may be doomed.

 

[clutter]

Along those lines, how does the 24 hour cancellation work? Is it the day before, or 24 hours before? So if you have a 12:30 lunch on a Tuesday, is it 12:30 on Monday, or Monday night? (Kind of like airlines that give you 24 hours. Many allow you until midnight the day after instead of exactly 24 hours.)

 

[Stefien Quix]

Either way. If you don't have 20 minutes in your time budget your plan may be doomed.

I have 45 minutes in my "budget", but I also don't want to feel rushed and would rather just grab something from counter service or quick service instead.

 

[Nancyg56]

"See right through me"? I'm not attempting to pull something over them. If I was, I'd make up some story they wouldn't "see right through". I'm trying to understand the rules and obey them.

The problem is that no one can tell you that you are in the clear, so if the restaurant does not buy that you did not budget the time to wait 20 minutes they may charge you.

Either way. If you don't have 20 minutes in your time budget your plan may be doomed.

I agree. I see stress written all over this plan.

 

[Nancyg56]

I have 45 minutes in my "budget", but I also don't want to feel rushed and would rather just grab something from counter service or quick service instead.

Not enough time. You may or may not be seated on time, and then you still need to let the restaurant pace take place. If all you have is 45 minutes in total, I would cancel and grab counter service.

I plan at least an hour for TS lunch and longer for dinner.

 

[Stefien Quix]

The problem is that no one can tell you that you are in the clear, so if the restaurant does not buy that you did not budget the time to wait 20 minutes they may charge you.

This is all I was asking.

 

[Stefien Quix]

You

Not enough time. You may or may not be seated on time, and then you still need to let the restaurant pace take place. If all you have is 45 minutes in total, I would cancel and grab counter service.

I plan at least an hour for TS lunch and longer for dinner.

You misunderstand. I have 45 minutes on top of the 60 minutes budgeted for the meal. So, an hour and 45 minutes total.

 

[Nancyg56]

You


You misunderstand. I have 45 minutes on top of the 60 minutes budgeted for the meal. So, an hour and 45 minutes total.

So you have the 20 minutes to wait.

 

[Stefien Quix]

So you have the 20 minutes to wait.

Yes. "20 minutes" was given as an example. I think I was pretty clear about that.

 

[Nancyg56]

This is all I was asking.

You just never know. That is the problem. No one here can give you the assurance you need because it really is up to the restaurant manager. You said you have 45 minutes on top of the 60 budgeted for the lunch, so I figure you have already planned for a longer wait time than 20 minutes. If the wait exceed 30 minutes and you decide you have waited long enough, speak to the Cm and see what they say.

 

[Nancyg56]

So, I know there's a cancellation fee for no-shows to a dining reservation, but if you DO show and you then cancel, is the fee still applicable?

Like I show up for the reservation and they're like "The wait is 20 minutes or whatever" and I don't actually HAVE 20 minutes in my time budget. Can I leave and not be penalized?

Or any other reason really. Maybe I show up and I wanted outdoor seating and none is available. The real question is, as long as I show up, does that satisfy the no-show cancellation fee, even if I then leave afterwards?

Yes. "20 minutes" was given as an example. I think I was pretty clear about that.

You were. 20 minutes was your example, which is why we all discussed a time budget that was too tight.

 

[Stefien Quix]

You just never know. That is the problem. No one here can give you the assurance you need because it really is up to the restaurant manager. You said you have 45 minutes on top of the 60 budgeted for the lunch, so I figure you have already planned for a longer wait time than 20 minutes. If the wait exceed 30 minutes and you decide you have waited long enough, speak to the Cm and see what they say.

So what you're saying is 20 minutes is an acceptable time to be asked to wait, in your opinion, but 30 is not.