New cancellation policy

[Tyler's Dad]

That isn’t hoarding, hoarding is hAving multiple reservations knowing you won’t use them all but keeping them till the last minute so you have the option to pick which one you want.

I agree, but both hoarding and group reservations need the same mechanics to work. How can Disney tell if you are holding 3 reservations for the fun of it or 3 reservations because you are booking for a large party?

 

[NJlauren]

I agree, but both hoarding and group reservations need the same mechanics to work. How can Disney tell if you are holding 3 reservations for the fun of it or 3 reservations because you are booking for a large party?

I agree with that, but usually if you have 3 different reservations for 2 or 4 at three different spots it’s not because of a large group.

I agree they need to protect the large groups, but the large groups aren’t causing the problem imo.

 

[MrWreckless]

I agree, but both hoarding and group reservations need the same mechanics to work. How can Disney tell if you are holding 3 reservations for the fun of it or 3 reservations because you are booking for a large party?

Very easily.

A group holding multiple reservations for a large party is most likely holding them all for the same restaurant for the same time. 2 people holding reservations for Chef Mickey and Topolino's at the same time are not doing so for a large party.

 

[Dulcee]

Its highly unlikely this was disney trying to fix an ADR problem.

This is is disney trying to fix their LL problem without having to adjust the LL booking process.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I just wonder if this will include Monsiur Paul, who just came out recently with a 72 hour cancellation policy.

 

[gharter]

Just like most things Disney, there are pros and cons to this change. For the people who use the system as intended, it'll be great. Changes come up and it allows them to make changes day-of to their plans, and perhaps open up a last-minute option for someone else's "magical surprise" that day. But with the ADR hoarders, it's probably going to make finding an opening worse for others. It's a shame there's not a technical way to not allow a group to hold 2, 3, 4, more dinner (or breakfast or lunch) ADRs at the same time. But it's the way the system is set and it allows it.

Not sure it will really change things. Today, you can make multiple reservations and just have to cancel the day before. With the change, they can cancel anytime up to the day of. I do agree, this may make it more challenging for people looking for last minute reservations.

 

[_19disnA]

I think this change will make finding an ADR worse then it already is. Now, instead of cancelled ADR's opening up at midnight, it will only be 2 hrs before their scheduled time. Others won't be able to finalize their plans until much later in the day when things suddenly start to appear. Not clear what problem this intends to solve but seems it will create a bigger issue for those having trouble getting the ADR's they wanted.

 

[HopperFan]

The pros outweigh the cons by far.

A 2 hour cancellation policy makes life easier for people who make reservations with good intentions but then things happen. If that exacerbates the hoarding problem Disney should find a way to fix it that doesn’t inconvenience everyone.

There is no way to "calculate this" and it completely depends on a person's perspective and behaviors. I see no positives to the person who does not hoard and does not back out at the last minute. Even if they have a sudden illness, Disney usually worked with folks on that.

I just wonder if this will include Monsiur Paul, who just came out recently with a 72 hour cancellation policy.

I doubt it will impact them just like the other special locations like the pre-pays etc. They each list their own requirements to cancel, which has been different from the 11:59 pm night before.

 

[dvcdisney]

When I first read it, I wasn't sure why Disney would implement it, I would think that it may create a situation where they would lose money due to last minute cancellations.....but now I think it's because they want the "Join Waitlist" on the app to allow more people to be able to get last minute reservations.

Personally, I always prefer making reservations everywhere I dine. But I know there's a lot of people who are looking prefer walk ups. Perhaps Disney is catering to both by allowing last minute cancellations.

 

[DVCjj]

Excellent, logical news for a change.

 

[HopperFan]

When I first read it, I wasn't sure why Disney would implement it, I would think that it may create a situation where they would lose money due to last minute cancellations.....but now I think it's because they want the "Join Waitlist" on the app to allow more people to be able to get last minute reservations.

Personally, I always prefer making reservations everywhere I dine. But I know there's a lot of people who are looking prefer walk ups. Perhaps Disney is catering to both by allowing last minute cancellations.

EVERYTHING they do now is with the mission to increase profits. Whatever their reasoning I will bet they will be making more money.

They have created huge demand at TS dining in a variety of ways, and probably find folks spend more money when they impulse dine. That Walk Up List has become a hot ticket item now.

In the end Disney will laugh their way to the bank, a percentage of guests will be happy with this, a percentage of guests will be unhappy and a bunch won't care either way.

 

[mom2rtk]

EVERYTHING they do now is with the mission to increase profits. Whatever their reasoning I will bet they will be making more money.

They have created huge demand at TS dining in a variety of ways, and probably find folks spend more money when they impulse dine. That Walk Up List has become a hot ticket item now.

In the end Disney will laugh their way to the bank, a percentage of guests will be happy with this, a percentage of guests will be unhappy and a bunch won't care either way.

I agree. No idea yet how this generates more revenue, but I have no doubt it will.

 

[vinotinto]

Unpopular opinion coming!

They should charge $10 per person per reservation when you make it and it’s applied to your bill. If you cancel takes 7-10 days to refund. I don’t love it, but maybe people will stop hoarding.

I am occasionally guilty of hoarding, imo to a low degree, example 2 space reservations for my October trip on two different day, but dropped the one I didn’t want 20ish days out (successful transfer on the boards!)x

This is what I believe. I think it’s great if we can cancel the day of. People get sick, etc. but, if they charged a deposit of $10 per person applied to your meal, there would not be the level of hoarding that is there now.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Yikes this ruins one of my favorite evening activities while on vacation at WDW. I always check to see what dinning cancellations show up!

Also Im curious about this change as its ripe for abuse. Both from guests taking advantage of resort parking and hoarding reservations.

 

[SomeImaginationHuh]

This is what I believe. I think it’s great if we can cancel the day of. People get sick, etc. but, if they charged a deposit of $10 per person applied to your meal, there would not be the level of hoarding that is there now.

I LOVE this idea. I think a $10 per person reservation fee (that can be applied to your meal) is a FANTASTIC idea. Even if people have to cancel within 24 hours, it will prevent people from sinking hundreds or even thousands into reservations they don’t intend to keep.

 

[focusondisney]

Wonder how this will work out for some signature restaurants. I’ve picked up places like California Grill or Topolino’s the night before. For places like that, we like to be freshened up, put on nicer clothes & make sure we haven’t had much to eat for hours beforehand. I can’t see us wanting to book one of those less than 2 hours ahead. I know those places are popular & some people will book it anyway. I just don’t see us doing it.

 

[leebee]

Just checked my MDE account for my ADR for Sunday night at Topolinos Toledo. It doesn't say anything about the change. I'm going to keep looking to see if the policy has been changed on the website.

 

[HopperFan]

Just checked my MDE account for my ADR for Sunday night at Topolinos. It doesn't say anything about the change. I'm going to keep looking to see if the policy has been changed on the website.

1000% what we should have been thinking. Just because KTP hears something and it works for his ADR for 1 does not mean it’s any kind of policy. We need to wait and see how it plays out.

 

[sponica]

1000% what we should have been thinking. Just because KTP hears something and it works for his ADR for 1 does not mean it’s any kind of policy. We need to wait and see how it plays out.

Also, just because you CAN cancel in the app doesn't mean you won't get charge the no show fee...that's a human decision at the end of the night.

 

[HopperFan]

Also, just because you CAN cancel in the app doesn't mean you won't get charge the no show fee...that's a human decision at the end of the night.

I feel dumb for even biting on this premise that this was a free pass. You are so right. It could simply be an easier way to cancel last minute. I could see them giving a pass on an ADR for 1 but honestly why should they in a bigger party waiting until last minute to change their mind?!