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

[kaytieeldr]

See the adjustment above about the first timers. Since they won't know, I agree that they'd take it more in stride, but it would leave a bad taste in their mouth and they'd be less likely to return

I disagree. I think first time visitors will take this completely in stride. It will be the (only) policy/practice they know, and they'll accept it - either by making reservations at the listed restaurants and either keeping them or canceling more than 24 out; or by making reservations at restaurants with no penalty.

I think guests who haven't visited for a while will accept the change because they realize things change over time, and that many recent and frequent guests will adapt because, well, people can do that.

I don't expect much out of the phone CMs other than stating the "This reservation may have a cancellation policy" text that comes up when we make them online.

You have surprisinly low expectations. I expect the message the CMs will see and read will be much more specific, a lá, "We need a credit card to hold this reservation. There will be a $10 per person cancellation fee if you fail to cancel this reservation at least 24 hours in advance, or if you don't show up,"

 

[cluvsdisney]

This is definitely a money maker, but not a big one. If a party of four turns up for their ADR, they will certainly spend more on their meal than the $40 they will lose if they don't show up. In addition, if that party of four cancels, another family can fill that table and, again, spend more than the cancellation fee. $40 does not make up for what WDW and the CM who would wait on that table could make if the table was occupied. I think this is being used more as a deterrent than a money maker. If an ADR is made and that party doesn't show up, so many people lose out - WDW, the server (let's not forget they are trying to make a living!) and another family. If this means that less ADR's are made because people become more selective about which restaurants they choose, less double and triple booking occurs and people become more careful about choosing a date and time that really suits them, it will simply mean more opportunities for all of us to experience these restaurants!

I am not following this.

The table won't sit empty if someone doesn't show up. The next party of 4 in line will be seated. So Disney not only gets $40 from the family that did not show up/cancel a day in advance, they will also get what the next party of 4 spends on their dinner. The server will still be serving a party of 4 and make their tip.

 

[Cafeen]

I disagree. I think first time visitors will take this completely in stride. It will be the (only) policy/practice they know, and they'll accept it - either by making reservations at the listed restaurants and either keeping them or canceling more than 24 out; or by making reservations at restaurants with no penalty.

The thing is, these first timers may go in with all the research they want, but they won't know how their family will react to the world. As such, they'll get charged for any they miss (canceled the day of or just skipped), alternatively, they'll show up grumpy and/or sick. Neither of which leaves an ideal expression about the resort.

Yes, they'll (theoretically) know about the policy and won't know of the "glory days" before it, but that doesn't change the fact that they'd be more likely hit by it (either by charge, or by poor restaurant experience) than anyone else.

You have surprisinly low expectations. I expect the message the CMs will see and read will be much more specific, a lá, "We need a credit card to hold this reservation. There will be a $10 per person cancellation fee if you fail to cancel this reservation at least 24 hours in advance, or if you don't show up,"

They don't go into that much detail now for the ones that require a hold. Why would they under the new policy?

I am not following this.

The table won't sit empty if someone doesn't show up. The next party of 4 in line will be seated. So Disney not only gets $40 from the family that did not show up/cancel a day in advance, they will also get what the next party of 4 spends on their dinner. The server will still be serving a party of 4 and make their tip.

But, with a 24 hour deadline, they can easily fill the slot AND get the fee at the same time. If I cancel a 7pm Crystal Palace at 9am, they have 10 hours to allow a latecomer to take the reservation. I think that's more than enough time to do just that (especially with how much CP overbooks).

Again, most of us against the policy would be fine if it were more limited, in scope and deadline, but feel that the current scope (ALL sigs and character meals) and deadline (24 hours) are too restrictive and will lead to far more issues with honest guests than it will fix with dishonest guests.

 

[cluvsdisney]

But, with a 24 hour deadline, they can easily fill the slot AND get the fee at the same time. If I cancel a 7pm Crystal Palace at 9am, they have 10 hours to allow a latecomer to take the reservation. I think that's more than enough time to do just that (especially with how much CP overbooks).

Again, most of us against the policy would be fine if it were more limited, in scope and deadline, but feel that the current scope (ALL sigs and character meals) and deadline (24 hours) are too restrictive and will lead to far more issues with honest guests than it will fix with dishonest guests.

That's pretty much what I am saying. But I don't think Disney loses out when people don't show up for a meal. The CM will just go to the next name on the list. Some of these restaurants already overbook, have long waits and turn away walk-ups so the tables won't sit empty.

I am one of the "against the policy" people. I don't see how it will deter people from making multiple ADRs and will only serve to force people to vacation on an even more strict schedule unless they are willing to pay a penalty if someone wants to go to a character meal or better than decent restaurant. They are counting on people not being able to cancel in time and left with no choice but to pay the fee. Just like I am sure they do not expect everyone to maximize the dining plan to get the most bang for their buck...some people will use a TS credit for a less expensive lunch or go home with unused credits because they didn't have the time to use every credit. It's easy money for Disney.

It feels like one of those Disney is listening...we are trying to do something about ADR hoarding but it's going to have consequences. Just like when people complained about bad service on the dining plan - they removed the tip. People complained about how the dining plan included too much food - they removed the appetizer. They reduced the price by a dollar but now you can tip what ever you want in addition to the price of the plan.

 

[Marthasor]

I am not following this.

The table won't sit empty if someone doesn't show up. The next party of 4 in line will be seated. So Disney not only gets $40 from the family that did not show up/cancel a day in advance, they will also get what the next party of 4 spends on their dinner. The server will still be serving a party of 4 and make their tip.

If this were the case, they would not have put the new policy in place. Under the old policy - as many PP have witnessed - walk-ups were turned away in droves when a restaurant was booked with ADR's. So many of us have been turned away from half empty restaurants because the restaurant is expecting the ADR parties. Apparently, many people were making ADR's and not showing up, thus showing they were not committed to showing up AND making it impossible for walk-ups to be seated and for people to make last minute ADR's.
When a restaurant is booked with ADR's, restaurants simply will not accept walk-ups - there is no line to wait in. So ADR party not showing up + walk-up turned away = empty table.

With the new policy, WDW restaurants are going to have a much better idea if ADR parties are really going to show up or not because those parties are now making a financial commitment to that table. If you make a reservation with a credit card hold and don't cancel within the specified period, they are going to assume you are showing up because you have made the financial commitment and they are not going to release that table to a walk up.

In other words, Smith party of 4 makes cc hold reservation at O'Hana and doesn't cancel. O'Hana is now more confident then ever that Smith family will actually show up because they will lose $40 if they don't. Jones family of 4 walks up to O'Hana, but because Smith party has cc hold down and didn't cancel, Jones family is turned away.

I really doubt O'Hana is going to take walk-ups if they have credit card holds on tables - that would be really unfair to the walk-ups. Yes, please wait around until we see if the people who have just plunked down $10 a person really show up or not. If they weren't taking walk-ups when people were booking up restaurants with free ADR's, why would they take walk ups when the restaurant is filled with financially committed ADR's?

 

[mom2rtk]

If this were the case, they would not have put the new policy in place. Under the old policy - as many PP have witnessed - walk-ups were turned away in droves when a restaurant was booked with ADR's. So many of us have been turned away from half empty restaurants because the restaurant is expecting the ADR parties. Apparently, many people were making ADR's and not showing up, thus showing they were not committed to showing up AND making it impossible for walk-ups to be seated and for people to make last minute ADR's.
When a restaurant is booked with ADR's, restaurants simply will not accept walk-ups - there is no line to wait in. So ADR party not showing up + walk-up turned away = empty table.

With the new policy, WDW restaurants are going to have a much better idea if ADR parties are really going to show up or not because those parties are now making a financial commitment to that table. If you make a reservation with a credit card hold and don't cancel within the specified period, they are going to assume you are showing up because you have made the financial commitment and they are not going to release that table to a walk up.

In other words, Smith party of 4 makes cc hold reservation at O'Hana and doesn't cancel. O'Hana is now more confident then ever that Smith family will actually show up because they will lose $40 if they don't. Jones family of 4 walks up to O'Hana, but because Smith party has cc hold down and didn't cancel, Jones family is turned away.

I really doubt O'Hana is going to take walk-ups if they have credit card holds on tables - that would be really unfair to the walk-ups. Yes, please wait around until we see if the people who have just plunked down $10 a person really show up or not. If they weren't taking walk-ups when people were booking up restaurants with free ADR's, why would they take walk ups when the restaurant is filled with financially committed ADR's?

But I can't imagine they held the ADR tables indefinitely. So the whole "restaurant is empty because of ADR no-shows and they are turning away walk-ups" thing just doesn't compute in my brain. What....... did they hold the table forever?

Maybe before this step they needed to get more aggressive with releasing those tables within 15 minutes of the slotted time.

I was actually one who said all along that they should require a CC hold. But now that it's coming, I'm not as sure. And our kids are older so we don't have trouble making the ADR's we plan. This will be interesting to see play out.

 

[eliza61]

So is anyone here intending to stop booking reservations at character meals or signature restaurants? Le Cellier lunch? 'Ohana dinner? Most of you will probably still book them because you want them. Except if you don't want to pay $10 the option of just deciding you don't feel like going that day isn't there anymore.

Put that 407-WDW-CNCL or whatever it is number in your phone, and if you are sick or your child is sick on the same day call that number and explain why you are needing to cancel. That's the biggest difference is that you will now have to make a call to do that and explain to a cast member why you're cancelling on such short notice, then see if the cast member will waive the no show fee for you.

Disney apparently believes that they have now had too many guests who just did not show up to popular restaurants.

Not sure yet but it definitely makes me lean that way. I don't think this would be the primary reason, for me it's more like the straw that broke the camels back.

I don't eat many Ts meals for a number of reasons but now when I book any I will have to decide if making the adr is worth the hassle.

My family and I are very much wingers and we have many, many times decided to skip an adr because we are either not hungry or not interested in the place we want to eat. I have always called and cancelled but I don't want to be locked into 24 hours early.

for me it's not a huge deal because we always travel with a car but I do forsee disney getting less and less of my money.

 

[MELSMICE]

The whole 'what if I don't have an appetite' thing is making me LOL. It doesn't seem to me that Disney should be responsible for everyone's eating habits.

No kidding!

I did adjust it down a bit. Once the first timer pays out the behind for late cancel fees, they'll be less likely to return as adding an extra amount to their first time expensive vacation (since they're also less likely to know about the discounts we know about) is going to leave a bad taste in their mouth.

And yes, I am being excluded. If I cannot, or will not, post my CC over the phone or internet, then I can't book ANY character or signature experience. Whether it's my choice or not, I'm still excluded. There is no way around this, except picking up a pre-paid card, something that not everything is going to think of. If there were an alternative way (e.g. sending a check within 7 days, like they do for resort reservations), that would solve that, but they don't.


The policy may not publicly state that there are any exclusions, and I doubt it will. It doesn't do that now, why expect it to? Hence, they may know about the cancellation policy, but they're more likely to be hit by it unexpectedly due to not knowing how they, or their children will react at Disney. It also does not state that the fee is per person, only if you don't cancel before the time. They are much more likely to be hit by $10-$20 charges for a single, or single + young child not showing up due to illness, and then not knowing they can get it refunded. Again, bad show leaving a bad taste.


I keep throwing out the "not hungry" thing because it happens. In fact, it's happened to me a couple times (out of ~35 DxDDP meals), and I do space my meals out (no less than 6 hours, sometimes more than 8). It's a good example of how, even with proper planning, the unexpected can happen without relying on the "Sick Child Defense" as it was called earlier in the thread. If it happens 1 out of 18 reservations (I think I had 19 this last trip), then I'm charged, but doesn't mean that I didn't plan the other 16 (18 minus the couplet of these two) out well.

As a note, this last trip I all spent snack credits (18 + 6 extra due to a mistake on Disney's part) with the exception of 5 on drinks, smart water and vitamin water to be specific (Smart Water is more expensive and thus a better credit use , Vitamin Water because I like the taste). Of the remaining 5, 2 were bananas (for Mom), and 2 were Dole Whip floats (both after I had eaten dinner). So it's not like I was spoiling my meals by snacking before them.

For me, normally, after 6-7 hours I would be hungry, but there have been a couple times where I'm done for the day after breakfast. Is it normal? No, nor is it anything I can count on or plan for, but it does happen. If I figure out it would be one of those days a couple hours before my ADR, I could cancel it. Or, if there weren't the CC hold on the non-popular locations, I could cancel it even closer, still freeing up my spot. As it sits now, I'm going to have to show up and waste food and time to pay OOP less, or waste my own money. I know I'd be more apt to show up and order a drink, maybe an app, use my credit and end up tipping like $3. So, instead of a $60 meal plus $12 tip. I now have a $15 meal plus $3 tip.




See the adjustment above about the first timers. Since they won't know, I agree that they'd take it more in stride, but it would leave a bad taste in their mouth and they'd be less likely to return. The vast majority of first timers do not do their research and won't likely know about ways to avoid the fees, or how to properly judge what their family can handle. They're more likely to be hit with the fees than anyone else. You can plan ahead all you want, but if you don't know how your party will react to Disney itself, then all that planning means far less. I also experienced this with my 10th or 11th trip (2009, my first trip as a "grown up" and one I planned for my friend and her 2 1/2 year old). I had done a ton of research, and lots of it was way different than expected.


Except that, this may be one or two meals out of 18 or so on the trip, with the fact that I don't really care for most of the CS out there, it makes DDP a VERY bad choice for me. Again, normally I'd be hungry for the next meal close to meal time, but sometimes, albeit rarely, I'm good after breakfast or lunch until the end of the day.

But now, if I feel I may have to pay if this happens again, I'm more likely to just not do any of them in the first place, knocking my package price from ~$2.5k (solo) down to ~$1.8k (I wouldn't do normal DDP, so I'd be more apt to drop a plan altogether.) I'd also likely shorten my trip, since food won't be the focus, I don't have to plan as much restaurant time, so that would drop another few hundred from the price, let's put it around $1.5k. So, simply because of this change, Disney is making ~$700 less on my vacation than they would have. (Figure $300 for food, since I'd be eating cheaper most of the time).

While that works out for me, my experience is lessened and Disney doesn't get as much money. Of course, I'm only one out of millions that visit per year, so it's very likely they simply wouldn't care.


Really?

See, I don't agree with that at all. The phone CMs barely know their behinds from Disney Property. (Yes, I'm VERY negative on them, after all the misinformation they've given regarding dining over the past few years that I've been watching threads). They don't even go into any sort of detail now, why would they add more information? They don't know that the charges are per person, and that if some of your party shows up, you CAN (not always will) be charged for each person missing. They often don't know the amounts charged for this either.

I don't expect much out of the phone CMs other than stating the "This reservation may have a cancellation policy" text that comes up when we make them online. I also would hazard to guess that nowhere will there be any sort of "This fee may be waived under extreme circumstance" to be made any more public than someone posting the information from the hub. So all these "Well, if someone's sick just call them and they'll waive the fee" could very well be very wrong. Plus, again, it goes on the guest's permanent record as a "Guest Recovery" item. Something that I know from certain CMs posting about, gets taken into account with future guest issues (legitimate or not), and not in a good way.

1. First timers will know no different. This is the norm for them. They will not have a "bad taste" in their mouths as they know the policy going in. They will know prior they have to cancel 24 hours in advance.

2. If you aren't hungry before a meal & may have to cancel because of that, then you may want to eat less or try the other dining plan. Plus, if you are canceling these ADR's & not eating aren't you essentially losing out on your DDxP?

3. You may want to put the money you spend on the dining plan on the rental of a car and eat off site. They are many different options, better prices and better quality food, IMO. (Try the Orlando Ale House!) That would solve the issue.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Folks...

I am sorry but this is due to abuse that some of the posters on this very thread have done...

"Let's book two or three resevations and cancel what we don't want" and then when they get to Disney "they can just fill our seats so it won't matter"

Had abuse not happened this would not be happening....

And the "outrage concern" over "first timers" LOL!

The first timer calls Disney and is told "if you don't cancel in 24 hours you have to pay" They make a note and they are done. They know the rules. They aren't going to be "screwed" It's the "return visitors" who have learned all the 'tricks' on how to defeat the system.. (Book reservations in different names, book different parks etc...) Those are the one's at risk of forgetting to cancel the 3 or 4 extra reservations they made "just in case" Sorry, but I don't buy it's about the "First timers" It's about the "I don't want to change my behavior" and we will just have to do that!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

I'm looking forward to the threads a few months from now when people are gettning hit with these charges.... I bet that many of those on here talking about how wonderful this plan is will rethink it when it actually takes practice.

This is a money maker. They may give away free dining but now people who take it and miss an adr it's costing. It is definately not going to be free anymore!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hopefully the people opposing this move take their business to off site restaurants, or to ones that are not part of the new initiative.

Just means better availability for the rest of us

 

[mom2rtk]

for me it's more like the straw that broke the camels back.

I think between this and the upgrade for regular free dining at a value jumping to $15 (or is it $16???) next year....... there are a lot of camel's backs feeling the strain right now.

 

[eliza61]

Folks...

I am sorry but this is due to abuse that some of the posters on this very thread have done...

"Let's book two or three resevations and cancel what we don't want" and then when they get to Disney "they can just fill our seats so it won't matter"

Had abuse not happened this would not be happening....

And the "outrage concern" over "first timers" LOL!

The first timer calls Disney and is told "if you don't cancel in 24 hours you have to pay" They make a note and they are done. They know the rules. They aren't going to be "screwed" It's the "return visitors" who have learned all the 'tricks' on how to defeat the system.. (Book reservations in different names, book different parks etc...) Those are the one's at risk of forgetting to cancel the 3 or 4 extra reservations they made "just in case" Sorry, but I don't buy it's about the "First timers" It's about the "I don't want to change my behavior" and we will just have to do that!

The problem is that thes charge will not stop those abuses. In todays age where every one and their mama has a great phone with a gazillion disney apps, how is this going to prevent multiple adr's.

for example, I never know where I'm going to eat so at 180 days I make a few "just in case". Now the week before my trip I start "fine tuning" my plans and probably weeding out the extras. If you are a planner or first timer in all likelihood you're not going back to see if those times I had are released. On these boards most folks plan their trips to the nanosecond and don't switch 2 or 3 days out so basically unless you are a last minute planner that may benefit from checking the day off (which I would guess 90% of folks here are not) this charge has done nothing to prevent multi adr's.

If any thing it simply makes us put in an alert to tell us to cancel 24 hours prior. Sorry I really can't see many people, especially the folks on these boards that border on obsessive-compulsive when it comes to disney planning every "forgetting" to cancel. I really can't. Are you kidding, folks here have apps that let them check the weather down to the nanosecond, check ride times 2 secs before getting on the ride and can tell you an exact step by step plan to ride TSM 3X's without waiting. Not exactly the type of folks destined to forget any thing.

 

[MELSMICE]

Folks...

I am sorry but this is due to abuse that some of the posters on this very thread have done...

"Let's book two or three resevations and cancel what we don't want" and then when they get to Disney "they can just fill our seats so it won't matter"

Had abuse not happened this would not be happening....

And the "outrage concern" over "first timers" LOL!

The first timer calls Disney and is told "if you don't cancel in 24 hours you have to pay" They make a note and they are done. They know the rules. They aren't going to be "screwed" It's the "return visitors" who have learned all the 'tricks' on how to defeat the system.. (Book reservations in different names, book different parks etc...) Those are the one's at risk of forgetting to cancel the 3 or 4 extra reservations they made "just in case" Sorry, but I don't buy it's about the "First timers" It's about the "I don't want to change my behavior" and we will just have to do that!

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is a money maker. They may give away free dining but now people who take it and miss an adr it's costing. It is definately not going to be free anymore

First, not everybody gets the dining plan free - or even the dining plan, period. So whether it's free or not won't matter to many people. Next, while it may result in additional revenue, it appears the primary intent is to reduce or eliminate multiple bookings and no-shows.

Finally, when did we stop accepting responsibility for our own actions, or lack thereof? Posters keep complaining, "But this is my vacation! I don't want to be regimented as if I were at work!" Yet some of these same people made three reservations per meal, 180 days before their trips :confused All Disney wants them to do is cancel the reservations they're not going to use, at least a day ahead.

Once again, if anybody has a reasonable solution for eliminating multiple bookings and no-shows without charging a fee, we - and probably Disney - are waiting to hear it.

 

[Cafeen]

No kidding!


1. First timers will know no different. This is the norm for them. They will not have a "bad taste" in their mouths as they know the policy going in. They will know prior they have to cancel 24 hours in advance.

This isn't about knowing or not knowing the policy. This is about not knowing how their traveling party will react and not having the proper experience to even begin to judge. The bad taste comes from them having to pay for the reservations that they had to make so far out that they had every intention on keeping before actually experiencing the reality.

Did you know exactly how your traveling party would work on your first trip to Disney? I know I didn't. I THOUGHT I did, but I was pretty far off. We made all but one of our ADRs that trip, but let's just say that not all were ideal.

2. If you aren't hungry before a meal & may have to cancel because of that, then you may want to eat less or try the other dining plan. Plus, if you are canceling these ADR's & not eating aren't you essentially losing out on your DDxP?

DxDDP is structured differently. Missing out on one ADR out of 18 or so will lessen the value for cost, but NOT send it into the red. In reality, you only have to spend about 75-80% of your Dx credits to break even. So if I skip 2 of 24, I'm still just fine.

As I said, the not hungry part doesn't happen often, it's unpredictable, and there's no way to plan for it. Sometimes, even when I should be hungry by all other measures, I'm simply not. Before this went into place, I could cancel the day off, handing someone else my reservation. Now, I may as well not since I'll be charged either way.

3. You may want to put the money you spend on the dining plan on the rental of a car and eat off site. They are many different options, better prices and better quality food, IMO. (Try the Orlando Ale House!) That would solve the issue.

The whole 'what if I don't have an appetite' thing is making me LOL. It doesn't seem to me that Disney should be responsible for everyone's eating habits.

Not saying they should be, and people who jump to the conclusions of "something unexpected comes up" to "RAARR RARRR IT'S DISNEY'S FAULT!!!!ONE!!ELEVEN!!" really need to learn how to read (or at least think).

It's not Disney's fault if your kid gets sick either, so they should be charged and it's not a valid excuse right? It's not Disney's fault if your child trips over his/her feet and smashes their face into the pavement, so Disney shouldn't bother helping at all right? It's not Disney's fault that you didn't realize you were allergic to peanuts and had a reaction, so they shouldn't step in to try and save your life right? It's not Disney's fault that you lost sight of your kid, so they shouldn't bother trying to find him/her right? It's not Disney's fault that you dropped your camera on BTMRR, so why should they help find it and return it?

See, it's not a matter of fault, but a matter of service. Canceling within 3 hours is PLENTY of time for them to fill your spot, which is, after all, EXACTLY what this policy is targeting. As it sits now, my choices are to go and waste Disney time and money, or not show up, and be charged. Neither way lets Disney make the money their expecting, and neither way allows another family in for that spot. However, canceling, even 3 hours ahead of time, fills both needs.

I do feel like I'm repeating myself as I know I've said this before. Apparently, I type too much though and people don't bother to read it.

So, for the sake of brevity (too late), the following is a summation of issues I have, and the basic use cases on which they lie.

1 - CC required for ALL Character and ALL Signature experience. This prevents those who choose to not supply their CC over the phone or internet with NO OPTION for these experiences. Another method of paying a deposit for these would help alleviate this, as would removing some of them (especially the sigs that don't need it) from the policy.

2 - There is no recourse for those unexpected things that come up. (This is the "not hungry" scenario that I use, simply because I've experienced it). Whether it's overstimulation, exhaustion, or what not, there is no way to cancel the same day without being charged. Reducing the 24 hour to a 3 hour window would solve the vast majority of these issues. 3 hours should be plenty of time for Disney to know you're not coming and fill your spot (or even, *gasp* allow an extra walk-up!)

3 - The policy, as it sits now, targets First Timers and those with unexpected happenings more than it targets abusers. Abusers will be relatively unhindered, but the First Timers who cannot judge how their family will react, and those where something unexpected comes up will be the ones paying. This can leave a bad taste in a First Timers mouth, as they will be charged (even if they know about it) for situations that they simply could not prepare for at all.

4 - "Guest Recovery". Something that no one else has questioned. These marks go on your Disney record and can, and do, affect future resolutions of problems. Along these lines is the vague use of "Extreme Circumstances" which many assume will cover their own or a child's sickness, but could very well not. Chances are, it's up to the CM, and we've all seen just how wonderfully consistent they are...

So, yes, there it is again, all spelled out in neat little ADD friendly bullet points.

 

[Lewisc]

My guess is that Disney claims the 24 hour cancellation policy, but anyone who actually calls to cancel won't be charged. They're trying to cut down on the number of people who don't bother to cancel, which I applaud. Of course there are reasons for people to cancel, and I have total faith that Disney will understand that and it won't be an issue. But I guess we'll see once the policy goes into effect!

You have no idea if that's true. Based on the poster I quoted I have my doubts.

I. Couldn't find anyplace in Houston (but one place in New York charges $150 per no-show diner, and another charges $175!); but I did find this http://m.eater.com/archives/2011/09...gh-in-on-noshow-customers.php#mobify-bookmark, where some chefs/restaurateurs weigh in. I know there are Boston restaurants that dp the same thing - but charge more than $10 PP but far more reasonably than $150!

Apples and Oranges. Large cancellation fees might be charged by a restaurant like V&A. Limited seating. Two hour dining. Reasons including a dress code suggests walk ups are unlikely.

Disney just seats the next family on the list.

I can't think of a single casual restaurant that charges a cancellation fee.

A cancellation fee, even it it's only $10, is highway robbery unless Disney is going to stop overbooking and seat all guests within 10 minutes of their ADR.

I am trying my best to see how this is a bad thing. For those of you against it as you say you can't know 24 hours prior whether you will show, what have you done in the past.
........
Don't any of you take other vacations where advance reservations are a necessity? I know we do.

I can't think of a single casual restaurant that has a 24 hour cancellation charge.

You're on vacation. People change their plans because they're tired. Wet. Longer lines then expected.

I can accept the change if Disney is going to real reservations, with no overbooking. Otherwise its nothing more then a money grab.

News Flash Update: Disney research shows guests adhere to policies better when not doing so affects them financially.


I didn't quote the entire post, but most of the 'reasons' given for not showing up or canceling last minute are really just choices. When somebody makes a reservation - in this case, extreme call-ahead seating - they expect to get a table, food, and service at the location within a reasonable time of the ADR. Why shouldn't the restaurant expect that business, and if not that no-show's patronage, another customer's?

Fair's fair. You can't be in two places at once, whether it's two restaurants, or a restaurant and a ride, or your room and a restaurant...

I don't agree with booking an ADR you can't keep (double booking). Peoples plans change. OK it's choices but you're on vacation. A phone call so Disney can release the reservation for a walk up should be sufficient.

Southwest gives passengers who don't show a complete credit. I know it's about choices but Disney should be able to accommodate families who, with short notice, want to change their plans. Even a phone call an hour before gives Disney an opportunity to off seating to a walk up. My opinion will change, slightly, if Disney goes to a strict reservation system. No overbooking.

I say Boo! Big thumbs down from me.

I'm still stinging from an experience at the Royal Akerhaus a few years ago. We were stuck in a non-stop rainstorm. The kids were wet and complaining. The stroller was soaked. We just wanted to go home. I tried to move my ADR up, but they couldn't accomodate us.

Finally, I decided to bite the bullet and cancel. Keeping the reservation wasn't worth an angry wife and two crying kids - much less the chance of them getting sick in the rain. I knew there would be a cancellation fee. I was prepared to eat the $30 for myself, my wife and the 5-year-old. I was not at all prepared for the extra $10 Disney charged me for the cancellation for the 1-year-old who would not have even had to pay for her meal.

I know people around here are going to cheer the closing of loopholes for the small number of people who "cheat" the systems. But sometimes things happen and you have to cancel a meal in less than 24-hours. I see this as just another nail in the coffin of spontinaity at Disney World. I will be less likely to book at these restaurants in the future.

I'm pretty passionate about this policy. Having thought about it for an additional 24-hours, my thoughts have crystalized. This feels like a cash grab with no benefit to guests. I have written up my full thoughts on the subject at my blog.

JMO but cancelling an ADR because your kids are soaking wet is just as valid as cancelling an ADR because one of your kids has a stomach ache. Either exceptions are going to be very easy or not even given at all (short of a receipt from an ER)

 

[Cafeen]

Folks...

I am sorry but this is due to abuse that some of the posters on this very thread have done...

"Let's book two or three resevations and cancel what we don't want" and then when they get to Disney "they can just fill our seats so it won't matter"

Had abuse not happened this would not be happening....

And the "outrage concern" over "first timers" LOL!

The first timer calls Disney and is told "if you don't cancel in 24 hours you have to pay" They make a note and they are done. They know the rules. They aren't going to be "screwed" It's the "return visitors" who have learned all the 'tricks' on how to defeat the system.. (Book reservations in different names, book different parks etc...) Those are the one's at risk of forgetting to cancel the 3 or 4 extra reservations they made "just in case" Sorry, but I don't buy it's about the "First timers" It's about the "I don't want to change my behavior" and we will just have to do that!

Ahh, personal attacks and assumptions, just what I needed to wake me up this morning!

First off, concern != outrage. They are very different. Outrage it typically irrational and based on emotion. Concern is typically rational and based on a combination of emotion and logic.

So this "outrage concern" doesn't exist.

There are two types of return visitors (well, many more than two... but let's just use these two boxes). "Honest" and "Abuser". The Abuser can already figure out a way around the system. That's part of their thing. The Honest doesn't think that way, or knows about it, but doesn't use it.

So, Abuser goes and does his thing, while Honest does his thing. Something comes up one morning and Honest doesn't think he'll make his ADR. Honest cancels and is charged $10pp. Abuser, who's already gamed the system, doesn't bother to do anything and isn't charged.

Good thing we're stopping the abusers right!

I did already address the first timer thing in the previous post.

 

[TDC Nala]

Walt Disney World restaurants are not your average casual restaurants. At least they are not anymore.

Disney decided the way to make money and weather the recessions is to keep people in THEIR parks. So they will drive you there from the airport for free.

Now there's the dining plan. Prepay your meals and agree to eat at Disney restaurants and you may get a discount out of it, and depending on your use of the plan it could be a substantial discount.

Then Disney managed to convince guests that if they don't make all their dining reservations at 180 days out they are going to be eating a cheeseburger on a plastic bench listening to Sonny Eclipse sing, every single night. But they also had a rule that for most of these reservations you didn't have to cancel them. You could just decide you weren't going to show up. Apparently Disney thinks it's a problem. I think we're lucky they didn't start the no-show fees at ALL their restaurants.

As much as you want 3 hours cancellation and think that would be better, it's not 3 hours, it's 24. Take it up with Disney if you'd like them to change the cancellation window, or change the reservation system entirely.

And please no arguments on this thread - it's a HUGE issue and it should be discussed but please keep the DIS posting guidelines in mind, because when the arguments start it's usually a short road to the personal attacks. And then we have to start deleteing stuff and then maybe giving infractions. So please cool it.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

I do not have a problem with this policy. However, I also don't have a problem with knowing where we want to eat 180 days in advance. I already know over a year in advance where we want to eat on our Disney trip. At home, I have a calendar that lists what we are eating for dinner two weeks in advance. So I'm jus tnot bothered by this.

I do think it would be easier on everyone if Disney would ease into this policy by only charging the fee to no shows. Allow guests to cancel without being penalized as long as they actually cancel. Then take it from there.

Those that always book multiple ADR's despite Disney discouraging this through the online booking system and now this are going to find ways around it, I agree. But maybe those that were considering booking multiple ADR's (that don't typically do it) will reconsider because they don't want the hassle.