New ADR Cancelation Policy

[Coconuts]

One thing's for sure: we'll see a lot of ADR's released for the dates right after 10/26 pretty soon.

Sorry, just realized the policy said NEW ADR's made from 10/26 on. My bad. So I guess there's still little chance of getting that ADR I want for our upcoming trip. Unless others out there misread the policy like I did and start dropping all of those duplicate ADR's like hot potatoes.

 

[LeahZ]

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.

This is kind of what I'm thinking. I don't agree with the people who make several ADRs just so they can decide what they want that day. But I do think the 24 hour policy could cause problems. We've had several instances where we were late for an ADR because of Disney transportation being slow, even when we've left adequate time to get to the restaurant. Would we get charged for this? Or after a long day in the parks, kids were asleep and we couldn't get them to wake up to go to the meal. We call and cancel in these situations, but now we're going to get charged because it's not 24 hours in advance.

However, it's a step in the right direction, and I'm sure the policy will be tweaked as we go and Disney tests it out.

 

[jcb]

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

I agree. Just to be clear, when I made California Grill reservations (at the 180 day mark) for DISapalooza, the email stated:

Payment and Cancellation Policies

• • There is a 2-day cancellation policy and a $20 per-person charge if you cancel within 2 days of the reservation or are a "no show" for the reservation.
  • Payment or credit card guarantee is required at the time of booking.

1 day/$10 per person will obviously be restaurant specific.

I have my color coded spreadsheet almost completed. It isn't laminated but it is iphone/iPad compatible. I am sure there is a way to use the iOS 5 "geo-fencing" feature at WDW but I have never had a problem remembering when or where to eat.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

All I can say is FINALLY!! Now maybe people will get it through there heads! Everyone needs to be fair. Pick one place and that is it.

 

[donalduck]

I agree with you Kevin.

 

[medicjch]

This is kind of what I'm thinking. I don't agree with the people who make several ADRs just so they can decide what they want that day. But I do think the 24 hour policy could cause problems. We've had several instances where we were late for an ADR because of Disney transportation being slow, even when we've left adequate time to get to the restaurant. Would we get charged for this? Or after a long day in the parks, kids were asleep and we couldn't get them to wake up to go to the meal. We call and cancel in these situations, but now we're going to get charged because it's not 24 hours in advance.

However, it's a step in the right direction, and I'm sure the policy will be tweaked as we go and Disney tests it out.

Some very valid points. I know I've been in those situations.

 

[DisneyKevin]

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.

This is kind of what I'm thinking. I don't agree with the people who make several ADRs just so they can decide what they want that day. But I do think the 24 hour policy could cause problems. We've had several instances where we were late for an ADR because of Disney transportation being slow, even when we've left adequate time to get to the restaurant. Would we get charged for this? Or after a long day in the parks, kids were asleep and we couldn't get them to wake up to go to the meal. We call and cancel in these situations, but now we're going to get charged because it's not 24 hours in advance.

However, it's a step in the right direction, and I'm sure the policy will be tweaked as we go and Disney tests it out.

My doctor charges $40 if you do not cancel your appointment 24 hours in advance.

Hotels frequently charge a cancellation fee if you cancel within 48 hours of arrival.

Empty seats mean no revenue and Disney hates no revenue.

While I realize that there are extenuating circumstances, I hope they enforce this policy.

Disney has created this culture where guests are lead to believe that they must book reservations 180 days in advance, and people have bought into it.

Disney has also alienated the folks that make a decision to travel within a six month time frame. We often hear of guests planning a "last minute" trip (within 180 days of arrival) and finding no reservations available.

Disney has now realized that there is a backlash to this new culture and that backlash is empty tables. People have found the loopholes and are booking multiple reservations or just not showing up for a reservation...for whatever reason.

I've told the story on the podcast of trying to get a late lunch / early dinner reservation at Spoodles and being told that the restaurant was at capacity. As we were going in that direction anyway, we decided to give it a try anyway. We arrived to find Spoodles absolutely empty. We were one of three tables being used. When asked why we were told that the restaurant was full....it was explained that this happened frequently when it rained. People just didn't show up and the restaurant went empty for hours.

It's my believe that this is only going to slow this down for a while until guests figure out the loopholes in this new system.

It would not surprise me for Disney to make this new policy stronger eventually...with higher penalties and a shorter cancellation window (48 hours instead of 24).

This will certainly cut down on people making reservations for restaurants far from where they intend to be on any given day or people canceling for any number of other reasons.

It would be my hope that this will bring things back in line with how they used to be. Remember the days when you walked into the park and there was a board telling you which restaurant had openings for the day and you made your dining reservation that day? We might never get back to that point, but we might get away from the ridiculousness of having to decide where you are going to eat six months in advance.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Okay, I'm no scuffow, but I think you are all very wrong to rah rah this policy. It's not Disney's loss; it's OUR loss! YOU NEVEN KNOW! The FOLLOWING COULD BE YOUR next vacation:

I learned the hard way to avoid prepaid meals! The ONE time we did a prepaid dinner show, DH slipped on the wet pavement on the way to the bus stop. He got a HUGE abrasion on his foot!

It took a WEEK to fully stop bleeding, and left a permanent scar. We didn't raise a fuss. We simply asked our resort staff for bandages and ice. It required a manager! We had to wait for him to arrive before getting ICE, and we had to wait longer for a lifeguard to arrive. They are the only hotel employees with first aid kits!

We had to pay for a taxi - since getting the RUSH bandage/ice took a solid 20 minutes.

We'd paid well over $200 for dinner!

Sorry, but if it had been a normal dinner reservation, I would have opted for room service instead. We had plenty of time to talk to THE MANAGER about our situation while waiting for the lifeguard. I asked him open endedly what our options were, and his only offer was CALLING a taxi.

I never want to be in a similar situation again. No vacation goes 100% smoothly. That's not the only mishap we've experienced while on vacation at WDW.

Another time, our dog died while we were at WDW. We got the call while paying our dinner bill. We could have eaily gotten that call an hour eariler. Ugh!

If someone comes down with the flu at WDW, I don't want them dining with me dinner because their dinner is PREPAID!


It also periodically happens that FLorida experiences extended DOWNPOURS.

Several times this happened to us. Once, while staying at Pop, with World showcase ADR's, when we were relying on buses. We actually always ended up going, but it's rather miserable to arrive at dinner looking like wet rats; I distinctly recall one hostess looking disgustedly at all the big puddles and drippy guests.

After the above, I ONLY pick ADR's without cancel fees. In practice, we go to dinner, but the IDEA of being able to cancel without penalty fees IF another disaster befalls us - is EXTREMELY important to me! I ALWAYS pay close attention to cancelation fees when I book ANYTHING! It's the MAIN REASON why I almost ALWAYS fly SOUTHWEST AIR.


In all liklihood, we will dine offsite if this is correct and this policy is widespread.

 

[jcb]

Disney has created this culture where guests are lead to believe that they must book reservations 180 days in advance, and people have bought into it.

Disney has also alienated the folks that make a decision to travel within a six month time frame. We often hear of guests planning a "last minute" trip (within 180 days of arrival) and finding no reservations available.

* * *

It would be my hope that this will bring things back in line with how they used to be. Remember the days when you walked into the park and there was a board telling you which restaurant had openings for the day and you made your dining reservation that day? We might never get back to that point, but we might get away from the ridiculousness of having to decide where you are going to eat six months in advance.

I make ADRs at the 180 day mark for restaurants that are hard to get. I'm more than willing to give a CC for that privilege. The one time I have "stood up" a restaurant was when it started raining at EPCOT. I tried calling and cancelling the ADR and the CM on the other end of the line acted like I was insane. That was a few years ago.

In their last two earnings calls, Iger and Rasulo have said that the majority of guests are making WDW/DL reservations about 13 to 14 weeks out. I think the move is definitely geared toward opening dining space up for these folks. I'm not sure how successful it will be.

I also make great use of WDW's mobile dining page while in the Park (even though I have some mixed feelings about Disney pushing guests to use technology for in park ADR making). While I don't go when the parks are insanely crowded, there is usually something showing as available, same day.

So, I agree the policy should be enforced but like all policies, it will need to be tempered with a measure of good sense.

 

[Swmhc]

Amen !!! I hate having to decide 6 months out what I might be in the mood to eat on a given day. I agree about making reservations for the "biggies" like CRT, but even then a 3 month window should be plenty. I personally preferred the days of deciding that morning on a lunch or dinner reservation that day if the mood strikes, or heaven forbid, walking up to a restuarant and getting a reservation within a 30-60 minute wait.

If they could only find a way to stop multiple bookings by the same party for the same mealtime......

I also understand having a "rain policy" or something similar...

Good luck with this one Disney.

 

[sayhello]

A while back, I decided to do a WDW trip where I made ADR's for every day (at least one meal, sometimes 2) for the whole trip. See what it was like, because there were a lot of restaurants I'd never gotten to try, and more than a few times when I ended up eating all fast food because I could not get in anywhere (especially at DHS).

To tell you the truth, I hated it. The spontaneity was gone, and the trip became all about making it to meals rather than enjoying the parks. I really hate traveling that way.

If this helps there to be more same-day availability, I'm all in favor of it! It's really frustrating to be turned away from restaurants that are *not* full, because people made ADR's they had little intention of keeping. I understand that sometimes there are extenuating circumstances, but I really think that's the rare exception rather than the rule.

Sayhello

 

[DisneyKevin]

Okay, I'm no scuffow, but I think you are all very wrong to rah rah this policy. It's not Disney's loss; it's OUR loss! YOU NEVEN KNOW! The FOLLOWING COULD BE YOUR next vacation:

I learned the hard way to avoid prepaid meals! The ONE time we did a prepaid dinner show, DH slipped on the wet pavement on the way to the bus stop. He got a HUGE abrasion on his foot!

It took a WEEK to fully stop bleeding, and left a permanent scar. We didn't raise a fuss. We simply asked our resort staff for bandages and ice. It required a manager! We had to wait for him to arrive before getting ICE, and we had to wait longer for a lifeguard to arrive. They are the only hotel employees with first aid kits!

We had to pay for a taxi - since getting the RUSH bandage/ice took a solid 20 minutes.

We'd paid well over $200 for dinner!

Sorry, but if it had been a normal dinner reservation, I would have opted for room service instead. We had plenty of time to talk to THE MANAGER about our situation while waiting for the lifeguard. I asked him open endedly what our options were, and his only offer was CALLING a taxi.

I never want to be in a similar situation again. No vacation goes 100% smoothly. That's not the only mishap we've experienced while on vacation at WDW.

Another time, our dog died while we were at WDW. We got the call while paying our dinner bill. We could have eaily gotten that call an hour eariler. Ugh!

If someone comes down with the flu at WDW, I don't want them dining with me dinner because their dinner is PREPAID!


It also periodically happens that FLorida experiences extended DOWNPOURS.

Several times this happened to us. Once, while staying at Pop, with World showcase ADR's, when we were relying on buses. We actually always ended up going, but it's rather miserable to arrive at dinner looking like wet rats; I distinctly recall one hostess looking disgustedly at all the big puddles and drippy guests.

After the above, I ONLY pick ADR's without cancel fees. In practice, we go to dinner, but the IDEA of being able to cancel without penalty fees IF another disaster befalls us - is EXTREMELY important to me! I ALWAYS pay close attention to cancelation fees when I book ANYTHING! It's the MAIN REASON why I almost ALWAYS fly SOUTHWEST AIR.


In all liklihood, we will dine offsite if this is correct and this policy is widespread.

I'm fairly certain that Disney would see this as a viable excuse and refund your pre-paid money. I personally would have called or visited the restaurant and explained the situation.

As for rain....that's a different story.

Disney is a business and it's purpose is to make money. Empty tables means no money. Weather is an everyday occurrence and I'm guessing that Disney is not going to accept rain as a reason for not showing up for a reservation.

There are several examples of this in other parts of life. Theater tickets, concert tickets, sporting event tickets....all of these are paid in full in advance and non-refundable. Imagine buying a theater ticket (or any other ticket) and explaining to the manager that you didn't attend that performance because of rain. I'm not sure you'd get very far.

Not all restaurants are going to have this new policy....just the ones that are more difficult to secure. It seems that there are still several options if you choose not to pre-pay or leave a deposit.

Again...and I know I'm repeating myself.....Disney's bottom line is dollars in the cash register.

 

[book_junkie]

I will admit, I am one of the ones that plans dining from whatever Disney sets the window at (180 to 90 to 180 ) and I applaud this change. I have no problem giving over a card number and cancelling in advance if need be. And I hope it frees up walk-up spots- there have been many times we've gone to Le Cellier for lunch and it's been empty because a lot of people didn't show...

I don't know how it's going to stop the multiple bookers, however. Just as now you can book with multiple emails and phone numbers, if you have more than one credit card you'll be able to duplicate reservations.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

My doctor charges $40 if you do not cancel your appointment 24 hours in advance.

When I see a policy like this, I change doctors!

Especially when said doctor ALSO ALWAYS makes ME wait WELL PAST my appointment time. I'm not talking appoinments late inthe day. I mean I regularly had morning appointments and they were delayed because said doctor takes his sweet time getting to the office.

As I said above, reasonable cancel policies are a BIG part of where I choose to do business.

Not that I cancel frequently - I just HATE policies like this!

As other posters have pointed out - DISNEY transportation can be VERY unpredictable! I- and I think many us DISers - are rather experienced in getting around WDW. I can't imagine newbies getting charged because they didn't accurately predict the monorail breakdown!

 

[DisneyKevin]

When I see a policy like this, I change doctors!

Especially when said doctor ALSO ALWAYS makes ME wait WELL PAST my appointment time. I'm not talking appoinments late inthe day. I mean I regularly had morning appointments and they were delayed because said doctor takes his sweet time getting to the office.

As I said above, reasonable cancel policies are a BIG part of where I choose to do business.

Not that I cancel frequently - I just HATE policies like this!

As other posters have pointed out - DISNEY transportation can be VERY unpredictable! I- and I think many us DISers - are rather experienced in getting around WDW. I can't imagine newbies getting charged because they didn't accurately predict the monorail breakdown!

My regular DR, my eye DR and my dentist all have a very similar policy.

Changing all three (who I like) seems to be a bigger hassle than making sure I show up for an appointment I've made.

Again....I'm sure that there will always be exceptions to every rule and that those exceptions will be addressed on a case by case basis.

If you call Disney Dining and make your reservation, you are told to please leave 90 minutes travel time if using Disney transportation.

I'm fairly certain that even Disers can't predict monorail breakdowns.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Disney is a business and it's purpose is to make money. Empty tables means no money.

Except that most Disney guests are not going to leave an empty table. They not going to skip dinner, they are just going to eat it some place closer.

Most guests go to Disney for a week.

Without a car.

They also use the Dining plan.

Are they really going to walk into town instead? I suppose a few folks could opt to pay for a taxi...

No, most guests are simply going to dine at their resort instead. If I'm at a deluxe or moderate, it's pouring rain, and there's an open table at my home resort...Disney is generally not losing money if I opt to eat at Shutters instead of Teppan Edo. Indeed, they are probably coming out ahead, as Disney owns (nearly) all the resort restaurants, but not the WS ones.

Even if I opt to use my table service credit at the food court - I'll only get about $17 worth of food with a credit that cost me $35 (DDP costs $52 per day, the approx value of the QS credit is $13, the max value of a snack credit is $4.) And that credit COULD have gotten me a dinner worth $40.

 

[k5jm]

I think this is a welcome change and will stop most of the double/triple bookings that occur.

 

[kaligal]

I'm fairly certain that Disney would see this as a viable excuse and refund your pre-paid money. I personally would have called or visited the restaurant and explained the situation.

As for rain....that's a different story.

Disney is a business and it's purpose is to make money. Empty tables means no money. Weather is an everyday occurrence and I'm guessing that Disney is not going to accept rain as a reason for not showing up for a reservation.

There are several examples of this in other parts of life. Theater tickets, concert tickets, sporting event tickets....all of these are paid in full in advance and non-refundable. Imagine buying a theater ticket (or any other ticket) and explaining to the manager that you didn't attend that performance because of rain. I'm not sure you'd get very far.

Not all restaurants are going to have this new policy....just the ones that are more difficult to secure. It seems that there are still several options if you choose not to pre-pay or leave a deposit.

Again...and I know I'm repeating myself.....Disney's bottom line is dollars in the cash register.

I do this.

I cancel when it rains.

I wouldn't cancel a hotel restaurant reservation for rain, but I leave the parks when the rain comes.

I never worried about it before because I don't make multiple reservations, but now I'll be in the group trying to figure out how to beat the system because I don't want to be forced to hang out in the parks for hours in the rain just to eat at the Crystal Palace.

I also got sick at Disney once and sat in a room for two days.

I canceled an entire trip with less than 24 hours' notice due to major and sudden illness/surgery in the family. I've always given Disney a lot of credit for how efficiently and kindly they handled it. I forgave a lot of their stuff (like not getting a water view I paid for at BWI) because of it.

I can't predict rain or illness.

I don't know if I can find a way to beat the system or if I should just give up on making reservations.

 

[Sugardimples]

I think what MAY happen is that fewer people will make ADR's and same-day availability will increase as a result. Maybe the policy will be different for same-day ADR's as you obviously can't cancel an ADR before it is made.

Stay tuned.........

 

[DisneyKevin]

Except that most Disney guests are not going to leave an empty table. They not going to skip dinner, they are just going to eat it some place closer.

Most guests go to Disney for a week.

Without a car.

They also use the Dining plan.

Are they really going to walk into town instead? I suppose a few folks could opt to pay for a taxi...

No, most guests are simply going to dine at their resort instead. If I'm at a deluxe or moderate, it's pouring rain, and there's an open table at my home resort...Disney is generally not losing money if I opt to eat at Shutters instead of Teppan Edo. Indeed, they are probably coming out ahead, as Disney owns (nearly) all the resort restaurants, but not the WS ones.

Even if I opt to use my table service credit at the food court - I'll only get about $17 worth of food with a credit that cost me $35 (DDP costs $52 per day, the approx value of the QS credit is $13, the max value of a snack credit is $4.) And that credit COULD have gotten me a dinner worth $40.

I understand what you are saying, but each and every restaurant on Disney property is responsible for their own bottom line (budget, food cost, profit margin etc).

Making a reservation and not showing up means that that table makes no money for the time you reserved it.

Dining at another location doesn't mean that there is not an empty table in the restaurant you reserved.

Yes, you are spending your money on Disney property, but now you are taking up two table and Disney is being paid for one.

You have not only cost Disney the opportunity to fill that empty table which has been held for you, but you have taken that opportunity away from another guest who might have been told "no tables for tonight's dining" because you made a reservation that you didn't keep.

Please understand that I'm not feeling sorry for Disney, but rather explaining that Disney is in the money making business and you taking up two tables and paying for one is not good business.