New credit card guarantees. Restaurant list, policy & common questions in 1st post

[TDC Nala]

If this policy is intended to discourage double bookings, it will work at that only peripherally.

It's really intended to prevent guests from making reservations at popular or high-end restaurants and then just not showing up. For whatever reason they decide they aren't going to show up. You may get a waiver for illness or circumstances beyond your control but there won't be any more just deciding you don't feel like going to Chef Mickey's after all.

And it's everyone's choice if they feel they want to give up making reservations at any restaurant on the list; they may even feel they are being "penalized" for being "locked out" of character meals because they won't accept this policy.

 

[bookworm75]

Ironically, with the new policy these kinds of situations could lead to people who wouldn't have double-booked ADRs to do exactly that. Because there is a solution, as has already been pointed out earlier...

Book two reservations, one for the larger party size and one for the smaller party size. Once you know for sure if your family is coming, cancel the one you don't need.
I am not saying this is the morally correct thing to do. I am not making a moral statement or judgment at all.

I am just saying that, if the point of this new system is to discourage double-bookings, it has just created a situation where people who wouldn't have done so in the past may now feel the need to double-book.

To add to your point and to have a good laugh: I am a strict follow the rules type of person, so this hadn't even occurred to me!! But you are completely right about people like me now being tempted to play the game.

 

[mcd2745]

Ironically, with the new policy these kinds of situations could lead to people who wouldn't have double-booked ADRs to do exactly that. Because there is a solution, as has already been pointed out earlier...

Book two reservations, one for the larger party size and one for the smaller party size. Once you know for sure if your family is coming, cancel the one you don't need.

I am not saying this is the morally correct thing to do. I am not making a moral statement or judgment at all.

I am just saying that, if the point of this new system is to discourage double-bookings, it has just created a situation where people who wouldn't have done so in the past may now feel the need to double-book.

I don't think that's true at all. In the PPs scenario, I'm sure they can just book for 7 and if the other 3 decide not to go, they can call the dining line and reduce the ADR to 4 people. Yes, there is no way to modify an ADR online, but when my brother decided to join us for a few days last year, I called and the CM was able to change our ADRs from 4 people to 5 (and the confirm number didn't change - so it wasn't a new ADR), including at 'Ohana, so they have that ability to modify. And I'm sure it's no problem to reduce as opposed to adding to an ADR.

 

[NLD]

I don't think that's true at all. In the PPs scenario, I'm sure they can just book for 7 and if the other 3 decide not to go, they can call the dining line and reduce the ADR to 4 people. Yes, there is no way to modify an ADR online, but when my brother decided to join us for a few days last year, I called and the CM was able to change our ADRs from 4 people to 5 (and the confirm number didn't change - so it wasn't a new ADR), including at 'Ohana, so they have that ability to modify. And I'm sure it's no problem to reduce as opposed to adding to an ADR.

Now this is interesting. Admittedly I have never done this before... never been in one of these situations. However, there are posts from other people that say they have been told the only way to add a person is to cancel the existing reservation and book a new one.

So apparently it depends what CM you get on the phone. (Guess that's not a shock....)

 

[wdwlinz]

Someone asked a great question a couple pages back that I haven't seen an answer for. There are obviously a lot of people upset by this policy. So what would your suggestions be for how Disney should handle this? Disney obviously feels there are problems with the ADR system (people double-booking, no-showing, lack of availability of ADRS, etc). I'm assuming they have done research and have stats to back up the need for a change. I'm curious if anyone who hates the new policy has thought of a better idea.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Ironically, with the new policy these kinds of situations could lead to people who wouldn't have double-booked ADRs to do exactly that. Because there is a solution, as has already been pointed out earlier...

Book two reservations, one for the larger party size and one for the smaller party size. Once you know for sure if your family is coming, cancel the one you don't need.

I am not saying this is the morally correct thing to do. I am not making a moral statement or judgment at all.

I am just saying that, if the point of this new system is to discourage double-bookings, it has just created a situation where people who wouldn't have done so in the past may now feel the need to double-book.

See, but that's NOT the biggest difference. In fact as far as I'm concerned, it's not even a difference at all. Because the two times I did not make ADRs in the past, I called. (I did NOT just no-show.)

The difference now is that I'm at the mercy of a CM to decide whether they'll waive the cancellation fee. And if the CM isn't willing to waive it, I'm out $$ for a meal I didn't attend.

THAT'S the difference.

To add to your point and to have a good laugh: I am a strict follow the rules type of person, so this hadn't even occurred to me!! But you are completely right about people like me now being tempted to play the game.

This had occured to me as well. I have NEVER double booked -I know what I want! LOL But, I am now in charge of a trip for next summer that includes 6 definites and 8 probably's. It seems like my best course of action will be to double book - have ADR's for the whole group and then those for just the 6 in case the rest of the group isn't able to come. We will know for sure a few months out, but not 180 days.

 

[lebeau]

Someone asked a great question a couple pages back that I haven't seen an answer for. There are obviously a lot of people upset by this policy. So what would your suggestions be for how Disney should handle this? Disney obviously feels there are problems with the ADR system (people double-booking, no-showing, lack of availability of ADRS, etc). I'm assuming they have done research and have stats to back up the need for a change. I'm curious if anyone who hates the new policy has thought of a better idea.

People are assuming Disney is doing this to fix a problem.

Are you sure the motivation isn't just to add a new revenue stream?

Disney can now make money above and beyond their capacity. Without doing an additional work!

Since this clearly doesn't address the ADR problems, it seems pretty clear to me that Disney is going for a cash grab pure and simple.

 

[NLD]

Someone asked a great question a couple pages back that I haven't seen an answer for. There are obviously a lot of people upset by this policy. So what would your suggestions be for how Disney should handle this? Disney obviously feels there are problems with the ADR system (people double-booking, no-showing, lack of availability of ADRS, etc). I'm assuming they have done research and have stats to back up the need for a change. I'm curious if anyone who hates the new policy has thought of a better idea.

To be honest I'm not sure how to answer because I'm not sure I understand the point of the new policy.

#1. Is the point to make Disney some $$?
#2. Is the point to make it easier for people to book the meals they want months in advance?
#3. Is the point to make more walk-ups available?
#4. Is the point to keep the restaurants filled?

At this point the only thing I see the policy actually accomplishing is #1. Maybe also #4. To accomplish #4 (and #3) without this policy in place, I would think that if there were ways for people to see which restaurants have walk-up availability, that might help. If I'm in the Magic Kingdom, getting hungry, with no ADRs booked and then see on a board that Crystal Palace has walk-ups available, I just might walk-up. No need to charge people who cancelled because their kid was sick... just replace them with a walk-up.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I don't think that's true at all. In the PPs scenario, I'm sure they can just book for 7 and if the other 3 decide not to go, they can call the dining line and reduce the ADR to 4 people. Yes, there is no way to modify an ADR online, but when my brother decided to join us for a few days last year, I called and the CM was able to change our ADRs from 4 people to 5 (and the confirm number didn't change - so it wasn't a new ADR), including at 'Ohana, so they have that ability to modify. And I'm sure it's no problem to reduce as opposed to adding to an ADR.

I wish this were always the case, but sadly it is not. A friend of mine had her group size change by 3 people (7 to 10) and no matter who she tried she wasn't able to modify - only cancel and rebook.

I am guessing your situation is different because you went from 4 to 5. We are a family of 5 and about 75% of the time, we are seated at a 4 top with an extra chair and the other 25% has been at a 6 top. 'Ohana is one of the places where we were placed at a 4 top with a chair. So, while your ADR may have been modified in one sense of the word, it really didn't make a difference in the system because you were basically still taking up the exact same table. (Even if you were actually put at a 6 top when you got to the restaurant, the computer wouldn't know the difference.) You may have had very different results going from 4 to 8 or 4 to 2 etc..

 

[mcd2745]

Now this is interesting. Admittedly I have never done this before... never been in one of these situations. However, there are posts from other people that say they have been told the only way to add a person is to cancel the existing reservation and book a new one.

So apparently it depends what CM you get on the phone. (Guess that's not a shock....)

It's possible I just got lucky at CM roulette, but clearly they have the ability to modify an ADR. So now, if I got a CM who claimed they couldn't do it, I would keep trying other CMs.

 

[SmallWorld71]

To be honest I'm not sure how to answer because I'm not sure I understand the point of the new policy.

#1. Is the point to make Disney some $$?
#2. Is the point to make it easier for people to book the meals they want months in advance?
#3. Is the point to make more walk-ups available?
#4. Is the point to keep the restaurants filled?

At this point the only thing I see the policy actually accomplishing is #1.

Agreed

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't think that's true at all. In the PPs scenario, I'm sure they can just book for 7 and if the other 3 decide not to go, they can call the dining line and reduce the ADR to 4 people. Yes, there is no way to modify an ADR online, but when my brother decided to join us for a few days last year, I called and the CM was able to change our ADRs from 4 people to 5 (and the confirm number didn't change - so it wasn't a new ADR), including at 'Ohana, so they have that ability to modify. And I'm sure it's no problem to reduce as opposed to adding to an ADR.

Based on my experience, you were lucky. Most WDW tables are for even numbers of people - so going fro three guests to four, or five guests to six, should be much easier than increasing to an odd number, especially at multiple restaurants.

Should be. My brother tried to add me to his five-perso Chef Mickey's reservation once and was told the first time they had available for a party of six was 9:30. Since there were three little kids dining, making them wait an extra three and a half hours wasn't feasible. Sure enough, they were seated at a table for six (and yes, I know about capacity restrictions - but I'd be shocked if there wasn't at least one no-show at 6 PM).

 

[lebeau]

I doubt all of them will. Many will not want to deal with the hassle of cancelling. But even for those who still do it and then cancel in time (and probably, many of them probably never bothered to canceled the "extra" ADRs in the past) that alone would be seen as an improvement. Also, many do it so that they can decide "day of" where they want to eat from amongst their multiple ADRs. Now, even those who continue to do it have to decide at least a day in advance. So their whole motivation to do it in the first-place gets compromised.

I gotta think Disney's main motivation here was to reduce the number of no-shows. Everyone has seen first-hand (I certainly have) or have read the numerous reports here of fully-booked restaurants with tons of empty tables. Yes, everything comes down to $$$. But I'm sure they would rather you show up at your ADR and spend $150-$200 than charge you a $40-$60 fee depending on how many in your party.

I agree with most of your points. This will prevent some double booking. But not much. Most people who were doing it will continue to do so with a little additional effort. Yes, they have 24 hours less time to make up their minds. But that's still better than commiting to one meal 6 months in advance.

So, I don't see this opening any substantial availability between the 180-day and the 1-day mark.

At the 1-day mark, there will likely be some additional availability as people cancel. But how many people (other than locals) try to upgrade ressies same-day. And if you're already locked into a different ressie with a cc hold, don't bother.

Yes, Disney's trying to avoid empty tables. (How often does that happen at these restaurants anyway? Aren't they turning away walk-ups most of the time?) But I don't think Disney is choosing between charging for a meal and collecting a fee. I think they intend to do both.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I won't stop booking character or signature meals due to the policy BUT, I will think harder about how many I book.

For example, my personal policy is not to book anything with a penalty for the first day, so long first night cm or signature.

We also put DD in the kids' club a couple of times during each trip for a "date night." The kids' clubs have, as long as we've been using them, had a cancellation penatly of I believe two hours' charge. So if we booked a signature on top of that and something muffs up our plans, we'd be out upwards of $50. We've never had to cancel out on a kids' club night but 'ya know, never say never. I may scale it back to one date night, or not do signatures for date nights. So I guess Disney kinda looses out on that one if we decide just to go to a park or do a less expensive restaurant.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think it's pretty clear that the policy is meant to prevent no-shows at the restaurants.

I can see a lot of posters dont' understand what difference it makes to Disney whether or not people show up for their ADRs. If it didn't make a difference they would not be making this policy. I know it's been mentioned that if they think the restaurant is going to be booked to capacity with ADRs they may not accept walk-ups so it's not so cut and dried as to "that space will go to a walkup anyway."

 

[Tricia1972]

Someone asked a great question a couple pages back that I haven't seen an answer for. There are obviously a lot of people upset by this policy. So what would your suggestions be for how Disney should handle this? Disney obviously feels there are problems with the ADR system (people double-booking, no-showing, lack of availability of ADRS, etc). I'm assuming they have done research and have stats to back up the need for a change. I'm curious if anyone who hates the new policy has thought of a better idea.

Ronda originally asked it and I've started to answer it a few times, but always hit delete.

My problem basically is that cheaters are always going to find a way to cheat. Even honest people have already figured out a few work arounds to not be charged and also not cancel the reservation.

I agree with others that this is just yet another money grab by Disney. Disney will recoup their losses on no-shows by charging those that honestly cancel within the 24 hour period. Those that cheat the system still get away with cheating the system and honest people pick up the tab for the cheaters.

Planners will hate my solution, however, shorter reservation windows would make it better for many guests. It's been suggested on the thread before, and I agree that if people didn't feel pigeonholed 6 months out, then perhaps there wouldn't be as much double booking.

Disney would hate my solution because there would be many more empty tables. They create the 'fight' for reservations by setting the window out so far and they do that because it fills their tables.

In the end, this is Disney's new policy and there is nothing that I can say or do that will change their policy. I'll abide by their rules and play their game. It just doesn't mean that I have to love the new policy.

 

[kaytieeldr]

To be honest I'm not sure how to answer because I'm not sure I understand the point of the new policy.

#1. Is the point to make Disney some $$?
#2. Is the point to make it easier for people to book the meals they want months in advance?
#3. Is the point to make more walk-ups available?
#4. Is the point to keep the restaurants filled?

#5. Is the point to keep the greatest possible number of guests happy?
#6. Is the point to respond to survey responses and guest complaints about not being able to get ADRs?
#7. Is Disney aware, by monitoring Internet forums, that there is enough abuse/misuse of the ADR process to warrant this new policy?

I'm going to give a resounding "yes" to #7. Also, yes to questions two through six

 

[NLD]

I won't stop booking character or signature meals due to the policy BUT, I will think harder about how many I book.

Yes, here too.

In the long run it will probably save me money, even if I DO get hit with a cancellation fee because of a sick kid once or twice.

Because we'll just make sure NOT to book more than one cc-required restaurant per trip. Which will mean eating at less expensive places.

Congrats Disney, you have just incentivized me to eat breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe for $15 per person rather than at Chef Mickey's for $35 per person.

Was that the intent of this new policy? (Still trying to figure that out...)

 

[Tricia1972]

To be honest I'm not sure how to answer because I'm not sure I understand the point of the new policy.
#1. Is the point to make Disney some $$?
#2. Is the point to make it easier for people to book the meals they want months in advance?
#3. Is the point to make more walk-ups available?
#4. Is the point to keep the restaurants filled?

#5. Is the point to keep the greatest possible number of guests happy?
#6. Is the point to respond to survey responses and guest complaints about not being able to get ADRs?
#7. Is Disney aware, by monitoring Internet forums, that there is enough abuse/misuse of the ADR process to warrant this new policy?
I'm going to give a resounding "yes" to #7. Also, yes to questions two through six

I have to say that though we feel like the majority of those that travel to Disney. The majority of people that I know in my area who travel to Disney never visit a Disney Forum. SO I disagree with number 7. Not that there aren't people who abuse it, but Disney sees this with Empty Tables and reacts to their lost revenue, not by cruising internet forums.

(they do cruise internet forums, but I don't think that the DIS caused this policy change - well at least I hope not)

 

[NLD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLD
To be honest I'm not sure how to answer because I'm not sure I understand the point of the new policy.

#1. Is the point to make Disney some $$?
#2. Is the point to make it easier for people to book the meals they want months in advance?
#3. Is the point to make more walk-ups available?
#4. Is the point to keep the restaurants filled?

#5. Is the point to keep the greatest possible number of guests happy?
#6. Is the point to respond to survey responses and guest complaints about not being able to get ADRs?
#7. Is Disney aware, by monitoring Internet forums, that there is enough abuse/misuse of the ADR process to warrant this new policy?

I'm going to give a resounding "yes" to #7. Also, yes to questions two through six

Can you please explain how this policy will keep a larger number of guests happy, increase chances of booking ADRs in advance, and stop the abusers of the system? I am not trying to be snarky, I just really don't see it.



Look, I have no love for the current ADR system either. It stinks. It stinks that it's October, and I can't get a meal for a decent time at O'hanas for a trip three months away. It's silly and it's frustrating.

How do we know that this new policy will change that? People can still double book from 180 days - 1 day. They just have to cancel their double booking 24 hours in advance (or use other even more unscrupulous work-arounds).

Right now the ONLY thing I do know about this policy is that honest people who encounter hiccups in their vacation schedule get penalized. That is the ONLY for-sure thing I do know.