New ADR Cancelation Policy

[OKW Lover]

Just noticed some posts that certain WDW restaurants will begin charging a $10 no-show penalty for those with ADR not canceled 24 hours beforehand. Basically it seems to apply to Signature and Character meals. See the list here.

Discuss...

 

[Poohbug]

Eh...I don't mind it because if I make an ADR I keep it or cancel it well ahead of time. I don't make many ADR's anymore.

Disney has brought this on themselves. Dining ressies 180 days ahead?? Really? I think it is a little ridiculous to plan your dining for a whole week six months before you actually eat.

I really miss those days when you went guest services while in the park and decided that day where you wanted to eat.

 

[mikelan6]

I think it's a great idea.

 

[LMO429]

Bravo! I am all for it. Maybe just maybe you can finally just walk up to a restaurant and be able to seated without having to know where you are going to eat 180 days in advance.

and for the bigger restaurants that I really want to go to I have no problem putting a credit card down to ensure that I show up.

 

[Cherinva]

It doesn't surprise me...in 2008, we had made an ADR for CRT....and we had to give a credit card number...I explained that we were using the DDP and she said that's fine, but in case you are a no show your card will be charged. We also had to give a credit card number when we booked at BBB. But, this makes me wonder, if you are booking just a regular character meal, will you have to give a credit card number for it? How else would they charge you?

I know it seems like Disney is nickle and diming us..but I do understand Disney's position....it might make people show up and not wait until the last minute to cancel. I would like to think that they would be understanding if for some reason, due to illness and a trip was cancelled.

 

[chirurgeon]

I have only once not showed up at an ADR without canceling. I wasn't feeling well and went back to the hotel to sleep. Besides it was Sci Fi. I do think the 24 hour thing is a little strict. I know there was one day we just got to the point we didn't feel like a big dinner and cancelled an ADR at Le Cellier with only a couple of hours notice. That was certainly picked up quickly.

Now if I can get my ADR for Califorinia Grill for December.

Kim

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Just last week I was at the opening for AK and heard the woman behind me say "we made 3 or 4 reservations for each meal so we can decide where to eat at the last minute"

First thought through my mind... Disney has to do something about this! Maybe they are catching on.

 

[simonkodousek]

""

 

[DisneyKevin]

Not to toot our own horns...but we discussed this possibility several years ago on one of our shows.

I think it's a great idea, but I don't think it will deter the reservation hogs.

I think it will just make them be more organized.

How long before someone posts that they have a spread sheet or a laminated 3x5 card with all of their reservations listed and what days they need to be canceled in order to not be charged a penalty?

I think it might make a difference in same day reservation availability, but that's about it.

Disney is not doing this to satisfy "guest demand".

Disney is doing this to insure that there will be less empty seats in restaurants.

 

[Golf4food]

Just last week I was at the opening for AK and heard the woman behind me say "we made 3 or 4 reservations for each meal so we can decide where to eat at the last minute"

First thought through my mind... Disney has to do something about this! Maybe they are catching on.

Exactly. Far too much of this going on. About time Disney did something to discourage it.

Just because six months in advance is rediculous for planning meals doesn't mean anyone has the right to screw someone else's desired ADR just because you are a lazy planner and selfish.

 

[BriarRosie]

I am all for it. California Grill has been doing this credit card hold policy for a few years now.

I don't do character meals and most buffets because Disney priced them out of my comfort zone. But I am happy that same day reservations might be easier to get at other places.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I love the idea, but Kevin is right...people will now add another column with deadline dates for cancellations.

 

[SamSam]

I am glad to see this happening, hopefully it will free up some signature dining for last minute reservations. I don't plan 6 months out, so often can't get the signature dinners we want.

 

[john1928]

I can't see this really helping with obtaining an ADR at least directly. I can see how it would improve walk-up availaibility, which could eventually improve ADR availability.

To me it seems that the underlying problem is lack of available on-demand capacity. If I could walk up and be seated in 10-30 minutes without a reservation then I guess I'd do that more often than not, and would vastly prefer this to having to be locked-in months ahead of time.

Until that's an option or ADRs are available consistently a few weeks or months out (neither are ideal for Disney as they increase the risk of open tables), it will still make more sense to book ADRs as soon as possible then cancel if need be.

 

[dalt01]

Just last week I was at the opening for AK and heard the woman behind me say "we made 3 or 4 reservations for each meal so we can decide where to eat at the last minute"

First thought through my mind... Disney has to do something about this! Maybe they are catching on.

people talk about doing this right here on the boards.......if you confront them they get all up in your face about how it is thier business how many ressies they make and they dont care about others..........it is right up there with the table saving and line cutting......its ok till it happens to them

 

[OKW Lover]

Some pretty good comments so far.

I'm kind of on the fence though, but for a different reason. First, understand that Val & I visit WDW so often that we no longer do significant planning about what to do on each day. At best, we will plan a special meal one night during our visit - most often at a Signature restaurant. So, I don't mind having to have a CC on file for those few occasions. But what I do mind is that it somewhat limits the flexibility we have come to enjoy. In the past, if we were just feeling tired that night, we would simply cancel our ADR and stay in. But now that I'm going to be charged if I don't cancel at least 24 hours ahead that doesn't work.

 

[mnra]

I think it is wonderful that they try to control the adr some how. I personally think the fee should be more.

 

[medicjch]

I think it is a step in the right direction. I'm not sure it will help with the true reservation hogs, but it is a baby step. I'd really like to see them get rid of the 180 day window. To me that is just silly. We tend to take friends with us, who don't have the Disney gene, so they are just amazed that we have to start making reservations 180 days out for the places we really want to eat. I don't know how or why it ever got to be 180 days, but it really needs to change.

 

[dalt01]

I don't think it will deter the reservation hogs.

I think it will just make them be more organized.

ITA.....ITA........ITA.............in things like this i have always said........it's like trying keep the squirrels out of the birdfeeder...........

 

[LeahZ]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/General...ation_policy_for_many_dining_reservations.htm