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

[Cafeen]

If a 2 or 3 WDW, restaurant managers or the Food & Beverage manager came on here & told us the empty tables are due to staff scheduling, I might believe it. Otherwise, I'm not buying it. We eat 2 TS meals a day. Breakfast or lunch usually runs us $100.00+. Dinner is usually $250+ (all Signatures). It would make no sense at all to leave those tables empty, to cut back on a few employees. We're talking restaurant employees. These aren't high paying jobs. If they're having a problem getting enough employees to show up for work, they'll be looking for new employees. No company is going to allow their employees to miss an excessive amount of work. I have a very hard time believing staffing is the reason the tables are empty.

The thing is, you don't know it's all no shows either. You only know that no shows exist and you use that to attribute every empty table.

This is part of what I am challenging with this line of thinking. Especially since no shows would increase walk ups and decrease post check-in wait times. Neither of which is happening. Those lead me to believe that the scheduling does come into play.

While I doubt they have Mary scheduled from 5-10 on Tuesday 6 months from now, the managers are certainly thinking about budgets 6 months from now. As such, just like room inventory goes up and down over the year, staffing at the restaurants may very well do so. Just because the system says there's no ADRs left, does not mean that every seat in the restaurant is full.

You've just helped to make the argument of why this policy change occurred. People would skip an ADR, just because they thought it was too cold to bother showing up. This is just one of the many reasons people would find for missing ADRs. I don't blame them for getting tired of the no-shows, with their many excuses.

For a family vacation destination, those are all valid excuses. I guess the alternative is to sit there and order nothing now, just take up the table for an hour right? They'll make so much more than my $10pp like that .

I agree. That argument makes no sense at all. They would be sacrificing thousands to save hundreds.

They'd be sacrificing potential gain for ensured savings. It's a risk vs reward game. If they keep the schedule open, they may make more, it's true. However, there's also the potential that they don't make more and thus lose money. We also don't know the turnover or training rate they have (which I'd bet is much higher than outside companies) and how that affects future tables.

They very well may have allowances for those who are sick. Let's hope those who want to skip an ADR for other reasons don't use it as a loophole. If that happens, they'll be forced to take a tougher stance & charge everyone regardless of the reason. Unfortunately, there always seems to be people who abuse policies ruining a good thing for everyone.

The current policy does not allow for it. Sometimes it's waived and others it's not. I don't see this changing, and in fact, only getting worse. It used to be a chance of CM roulette maybe once or twice a trip, now it's potentially at least once a day. Until they fix CM roulette, this policy will be abused as well as put the charges on the innocent. I do have a problem with that. Maybe you're ok throwing them under the bus to fight the mysterious monster of "ADR Hoaders" and those massive amounts of No Shows. Me, not so much. Especially when the "target" will not be widely affected by the change.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Record low setting temps is pretty darn good excuse in my book. If you werent there you have no idea how cold it was trying to tour the parks. We kept the CP package bc they would not cancel but it was not a fun night, we were on vacation I would have rather to call it an early evening and go out early the next day.

We rearranged our whole week bc of how cold it was, we toured DHS and it was brutal, with winter coats, we knew we would never survive a day at AK, so we called and cancelled Tusker House for 10 am, the day before at 5ish. I would have been out $40 just bc I would like my family to enjoy their vacation and not freeze. Most of AK is outdoors, riding the safari would have been miserable, riding EE would have been out. Instead we rearranged and went there later in the week when it had warmed up.

Customer service is key and if I had to be charged bc of a cancellation due to extreme weather I would not have been a happy camper. WDW still got our money at a different location. But without this flexibilty I would have to readjust or second guess our trips. Hey there might be a DVC on the resale market soon

Just to give you an idea of how cold it was, we had a first floor room at BLT facing the Bay, there was no heat, it got down to below 30 at night, and the wind was blowing through the glass doors bc there was no balcony. We had to pile the sofa cushions and extra blankets against the door so there would not be a draft, and we had to order extra blankets. We were extremely grateful when we moved to the 4th floor during our split stay.

We were literally in winter coats, hats, gloves etc for a good portion of our trip, this was not on tour around in jeans and a light coat. The shops were selling fleeces and warm coats like crazy. It was warmer in Philly than it was in FL.

We laugh about it now, but it was not fun when we were going through it but we made the best of it. If we did not have the flexibilty to change our plans, that particular vaction could have been a complete diaster.

We live an hour from WDW, so I know how cold it can get. I also know how bad the storms are. I've been there wearing insulated underwear, a winter coat w/a hood, gloves, 2 pairs of thick socks, & using hand warmers, plus drinking hot chocolate to try to stay warm. I'm a Floridian. Cold to most is frigid to me.

If we make an ADR, we show up, regardless of the conditions. I think that's what they're trying to encourage. If a family is the type not to go out in bad weather, that's certainly their prerogative. The simple solution is to not make so many ADRs during times when the weather is iffy. Walk-up or call for a last minute ADR, once you (not you specifically) see you'll definitely be using it. Leave the ADRs for those who will keep them regardless. To me, that's not difficult to understand. We can't have it both ways. It's not fair to others for some to book up the ADRs, if there's any reason other than serious illness (vomiting, high fever, etc.) that would keep you from going. We need to be willing to show up no matter what, or leave the ADRs for those who will. It's that simple.

 

[Stasieki]

I've missed one ADR without canceling 24 hrs in advance. My 3 year old had a 104 fever so we took her to a cvs minute clinic.

 

[Mkrop]

We live an hour from WDW, so I know how cold it can get. I also know how bad the storms are. I've been there wearing insulated underwear, a winter coat w/a hood, gloves, 2 pairs of thick socks, & using hand warmers, plus drinking hot chocolate to try to stay warm. I'm a Floridian. Cold to most is frigid to me.

If we make an ADR, we show up, regardless of the conditions. I think that's what they're trying to encourage. If a family is the type not to go out in bad weather, that's certainly their prerogative. The simple solution is to not make so many ADRs during times when the weather is iffy. Walk-up or call for a last minute ADR, once you (not you specifically) see you'll definitely be using it. Leave the ADRs for those who will keep them regardless. To me, that's not difficult to understand. We can't have it both ways. It's not fair to others for some to book up the ADRs, if there's any reason other than serious illness (vomiting, high fever, etc.) that would keep you from going. We need to be willing to show up no matter what, or leave the ADRs for those who will. It's that simple.

We will have to agree to disagree bc I think asking a family to do that, show up regardless of conditions, is bad customer service and will hurt in the long run. Charge me or the family if we dont show, if we are inconsiderate enough not to cancel. But to only allow 24 hours before when life can get in the way to me is bad business, people dont want to vacation like that.

We keep 99% of our ADRs, we have cancelled the one I referenced above and one other in multiple visits, so this isnt like I am constantly switching things up.

And bc of this new policy there will be families like me who will spend less bc we may do CS or eat in our villa. I am not a gambler by nature so I am not willing to risk $40 on these restaurants anymore. I have not booked things that could cost me money and not planned the day around that. La Nouba was on a day off park day. I know I definitely wont be booking any of these places of day of arrival anymore. So WDW is now getting less of my money and to me that is bad business sense bc I am sure I am not the only one who thinks like this, or wont be the only one after the Jones family gets dinged with a $50 fee bc Johnny got sick, or the kids were exhausted from swimming, or their plane arrived late, or they dont want to go into a place dripping wet, or venture out in bad weather etc.

My opinion is I see A LOT of backlash from this once the fees start getting charged.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

The thing is, you don't know it's all no shows either. You only know that no shows exist and you use that to attribute every empty table.

I never said no shows were the cause of every empty table. I don't think I've read where anyone said that. I definitely don't think it's a frequently occurring staffing issue though (maybe occasionally, not frequently). That wouldn't make sense. If they can fill the tables, it would make no sense to purposely under staff preventing them from doing that. I also can't imagine that many CMs are sick enough to miss work at the same time, & that often either.

This is part of what I am challenging with this line of thinking. Especially since no shows would increase walk ups and decrease post check-in wait times. Neither of which is happening. Those lead me to believe that the scheduling does come into play.

No shows wouldn't necessarily increase walk-ups. They often turn away walk-ups early in the dining hours knowing the restaurant is booked full. I'm sure we've all seen that more than once. When people don't show up, walk-ups have already been turned away. If they held the tables for 15 minutes, then gave them away to someone who just happened to walk up at the right time, they would get seriously backed up by the end of the night.

For a family vacation destination, those are all valid excuses. I guess the alternative is to sit there and order nothing now, just take up the table for an hour right? They'll make so much more than my $10pp like that .

We don't all agree on what a valid excuse is. When it comes down to it, Disney's definition is the only one that matters. I'm guessing they don't expect too many people to show up to sit there & not eat. If that's what you want to do, go for it.

They'd be sacrificing potential gain for ensured savings. It's a risk vs reward game. If they keep the schedule open, they may make more, it's true. However, there's also the potential that they don't make more and thus lose money. We also don't know the turnover or training rate they have (which I'd bet is much higher than outside companies) and how that affects future tables.

If everyone kept their ADRs, they could better anticipate ahead of time how many employees they'll need. I doubt they schedule very far out.

They may have a high turnover. I don't work there, so I don't know. I do know a server at WDW makes more money than a lot of people in the area, so it's not a bad job. Also, Florida's economy isn't good, which is another reason to hole onto a job, if you've go one.

The current policy does not allow for it. Sometimes it's waived and others it's not. I don't see this changing, and in fact, only getting worse. It used to be a chance of CM roulette maybe once or twice a trip, now it's potentially at least once a day. Until they fix CM roulette, this policy will be abused as well as put the charges on the innocent. I do have a problem with that. Maybe you're ok throwing them under the bus to fight the mysterious monster of "ADR Hoaders" and those massive amounts of No Shows. Me, not so much. Especially when the "target" will not be widely affected by the change.

I think I said they very well may allow it. I have no idea, until the policy goes into effect. Yes, some people who are legitimately sick may have to pay the fee. If people didn't abuse policies this wouldn't be an issue though. I, for one, can't imagine people getting sick as often as some would lead us to believe. If that were the case, I'd think twice about going to WDW at all. For my family, I'll take my chances. On the off chance one of us gets sick, we'll eat the fee. I think it will be worth it to stop people from making so many ADRs & not showing up. This hurts all of us. (No, I don't like throwing away money, but I know that's a chance I'm taking by booking ADRs. If I'm not willing to that that chance, I just won't book them.) As I've said a few time, I don't think hoarders are the only ones to blame. Those who make ADRs then cancel last minute or don't show up for reasons other than sickness are equally to blame.

 

[maxiesmom]

If this was last year, we were there at that time, and it was brutually cold, so there could have been nights where venturing out to the parks was not something a family wanted to do. We did the CP at Tutto Italia, and the place was packed yet the actual ceremony outside was very empty. We had many layers and winter gear on and we were freezing. During that timeframe, I dont recall other restaurants having empty tables, most were pretty packed. I am not doubting you but I just dont recall seeing empty tables, I know the resort restaurants we went to like WCC and Cape May Cafe and the place in the YC, had tons of people asking for walkups bc they did not want to venture out to a park, so maybe more park places suffered during that cold spell. The resorts were hopping so I am sure that is the tradeoff when the weather is poor.

The thing is, there are a million reasons why people choose to skip ADRs. The bottom line is, it is affecting Disney's bottom line. They need to do something to keep people at their tables, and not skipping ADRs. And hitting people in the pocketbook is a way to do that. Without a cancellation fee, it is too easy for people to say it is too cold/ I have cramps/I have a toothache. Disney wants bodies at the tables ordering food. Not supposedly booked restaurants that are half empty.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

You've just helped to make the argument of why this policy change occurred. People would skip an ADR, just because they thought it was too cold to bother showing up. This is just one of the many reasons people would find for missing ADRs. I don't blame them for getting tired of the no-shows, with their many excuses. .

But to me (and I think many others who don't like the change) that is a perfectly good reason to cancel (not, just skip) your ADR and change your evening plans. I'm on vacation and the last thing I want to do is listen to my children complain about how cold it is. I'm guessing that most other vacationers don't want to listen to them either. I don't think that should cost me $40.

They very well may have allowances for those who are sick. Let's hope those who want to skip an ADR for other reasons don't use it as a loophole. If that happens, they'll be forced to take a tougher stance & charge everyone regardless of the reason. Unfortunately, there always seems to be people who abuse policies ruining a good thing for everyone.

I work at a phone center and I just foresee this being a huge mess if Disney can't come up with a consistent policy about this.

 

[book_junkie]

I think this is a pretty cool idea. Why not have an electronic board next to the ride times that shows TS restaurants that have availability. I know you can find this information out from guest services, but would be nice to see this on a quick glance board...eliminating any waiting in line, calling WDW or pulling up an app on your phone. It might help with any same day seating that becomes available as a result of the new policy.

If you have Verizon you can do this already with the Disney Mobile Magic once you're on property. Al least, that's what they've been saying on the Theme Park Board.

And Disney already wants you tied into them electronically- last year while we were there they emailed us tips and tricks and special offers, and started at T minus 10 days for this year's trip, reminding of wonderful things to do, and that they'll be emailing me special offers so check my email often.

And isn't it next year that you're soon to be able to use your smart phone/tablet to do a Kim-Possible type adventure all over MK? Already with F&W you could scan the QR code and get the app for the festival... And there's rumors of more interactive things with the queues. Plus the new wifi in the resorts...

That being said, I will be making reservations for places not on the list unless we absolutely have to have them- and more and more, it's not been a must have.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We will have to agree to disagree bc I think asking a family to do that, show up regardless of conditions, is bad customer service and will hurt in the long run. Charge me or the family if we dont show, if we are inconsiderate enough not to cancel. But to only allow 24 hours before when life can get in the way to me is bad business, people dont want to vacation like that.

We keep 99% of our ADRs, we have cancelled the one I referenced above and one other in multiple visits, so this isnt like I am constantly switching things up.

I'm good with agreeing to disagree.

And bc of this new policy there will be families like me who will spend less bc we may do CS or eat in our villa. I am not a gambler by nature so I am not willing to risk $40 on these restaurants anymore. I have not booked things that could cost me money and not planned the day around that. La Nouba was on a day off park day. I know I definitely wont be booking any of these places of day of arrival anymore. So WDW is now getting less of my money and to me that is bad business sense bc I am sure I am not the only one who thinks like this, or wont be the only one after the Jones family gets dinged with a $50 fee bc Johnny got sick, or the kids were exhausted from swimming, or their plane arrived late, or they dont want to go into a place dripping wet, or venture out in bad weather etc.

I'm guessing this is what they're trying to accomplish. Those who aren't willing to chance being charged will now make other plans. They'll still be making money on the CS meal, & someone else will take the ADR to dine at the TS. There may be more people now go offsite to eat, but I doubt that number will be significant. Now that there will be a fee imposed, everyone will plan to assure they make the ADR. This is what they wanted you to do in the first place. If people would have planned around them all along, this policy wouldn't be necessary. If guests don't want to plan around them, that's certainly understandable. They just shouldn't make them, as you've said you won't.

My opinion is I see A LOT of backlash from this once the fees start getting charged.

I agree there will be an initial backlash, as there always is, when a change is made. People will eventually get used to it, as they did with DDP changes. The backlash will eventually die down.

 

[Snurk71]

We will have to agree to disagree bc I think asking a family to do that, show up regardless of conditions, is bad customer service and will hurt in the long run. Charge me or the family if we dont show, if we are inconsiderate enough not to cancel. But to only allow 24 hours before when life can get in the way to me is bad business, people dont want to vacation like that.

ding...ding...ding... We have a winner!!

I don't understand why so many are cutting Disney such slack when they are in the hospitality industry selling magical experiences targeted to families. The new policy does not support that marketing model no matter how some try to spin it. This is what causes the cynics to think it's just a money grab. If the goal is magical experiences, you wouldn't force a family out in the cold, rain, or just tired because they made an ADR 6 months ago.

tarheelmjfan - you being a local are really the minority when it comes to WDW's market. If you lived in CA - you would be the majority that would get catered to more as DL is more about the locals than a traveling family's destination that WDW is. But as a local, ehhhhh - sorry, but I do discount you a little more than other voices (no offense directed to your personally, you're just a different kind of customer than the majority).

 

[Snurk71]

If a 2 or 3 WDW, restaurant managers or the Food & Beverage manager came on here & told us the empty tables are due to staff scheduling, I might believe it. Otherwise, I'm not buying it.

Speaking as an objective thinker, but you're taking the opposite position without a dining manager coming here to say it's all about no-shows. So you could be consistent and say you don't really know, like the rest of us. A lot of us are acknowledging it could be a combination of all the reasons mentioned. But it doesn't add up to a lot of us that they would keep turning away business if they could handle it when they don't hold tables for people and the staff appears as busy as if the restaurant were full. That's the part that doesn't add up and points to something other than, or in addition to, no-shows.

It would make no sense at all to leave those tables empty, to cut back on a few employees. We're talking restaurant employees. These aren't high paying jobs. If they're having a problem getting enough employees to show up for work, they'll be looking for new employees. No company is going to allow their employees to miss an excessive amount of work. I have a very hard time believing staffing is the reason the tables are empty.

As I mentioned a couple pages back, I remember reading about Disney having a staffing problem - in that they couldn't fill all of the positions they had open (and they can't force people to take a $2/hour job + tips with no firm hours or benefits).

 

[Mkrop]

The thing is, there are a million reasons why people choose to skip ADRs. The bottom line is, it is affecting Disney's bottom line. They need to do something to keep people at their tables, and not skipping ADRs. And hitting people in the pocketbook is a way to do that. Without a cancellation fee, it is too easy for people to say it is too cold/ I have cramps/I have a toothache. Disney wants bodies at the tables ordering food. Not supposedly booked restaurants that are half empty.

So once again charge the family if they dont show! I am totally cool with that! But you can not expect people to know if someone is going to be sick or tired or wet etc, 24 hours before. A window of 3 hours should be plenty of time, to cancel. If I cant confirm my plans by then, then charge me. If my kid throws up on the bus to the ADR, I would even be willing to pay the fee, although I think it is bad business. 3 hours is plenty of time to accept a walkup or get the word out electronically that a table is available for a party of 4.

ding...ding...ding... We have a winner!!

I don't understand why so many are cutting Disney such slack when they are in the hospitality industry selling magical experiences targeted to families. The new policy does not support that marketing model no matter how some try to spin it. This is what causes the cynics to think it's just a money grab. If the goal is magical experiences, you wouldn't force a family out in the cold, rain, or just tired because they made an ADR 6 months ago.

This is it fo me in a nutshell. It is bad P/R. They target this as a family destination, they target this as a place where multiple generations can vacation together. Where a Make a Wish kid can come. Well kids, the elderly and those with chronic health issues, get sick and tired and overwhelmed sometimes and now you are going to charge them if they can not predict the future before the 24 hour mark.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

But to me (and I think many others who don't like the change) that is a perfectly good reason to cancel (not, just skip) your ADR and change your evening plans. I'm on vacation and the last thing I want to do is listen to my children complain about how cold it is. I'm guessing that most other vacationers don't want to listen to them either. I don't think that should cost me $40.




I work at a phone center and I just foresee this being a huge mess if Disney can't come up with a consistent policy about this.

I can understand your POV. It all comes down to what WDW thinks is a valid reason. It really doesn't matter what I think, & I accept that. I do agree that weather is a better reason than most I've read here. No one can predict that. Although, they do forecast to some accuracy (I said some ) far enough in advance to cancel on time. I suspect it's the reasons that could be more easily planned around that are the biggest problem. Some things we can control, if we want to make small sacrifices.

I have no doubt this will be a nightmare for the CMs. I definitely wouldn't want to be them. Hopefully, most people will realize they didn't create the policy & are only doing their jobs.

ding...ding...ding... We have a winner!!

I don't understand why so many are cutting Disney such slack when they are in the hospitality industry selling magical experiences targeted to families. The new policy does not support that marketing model no matter how some try to spin it. This is what causes the cynics to think it's just a money grab. If the goal is magical experiences, you wouldn't force a family out in the cold, rain, or just tired because they made an ADR 6 months ago.

tarheelmjfan - you being a local are really the minority when it comes to WDW's market. If you lived in CA - you would be the majority that would get catered to more as DL is more about the locals than a traveling family's destination that WDW is. But as a local, ehhhhh - sorry, but I do discount you a little more than other voices (no offense directed to your personally, you're just a different kind of customer than the majority).

I can't speak for everyone else, but the way I see it WDW's goal is to make money. Selling magic is a marketing technique. They try to create magic for their guests, as long as it doesn't cut into their bottom line.

It doesn't bother me in the least for you to discount my opinion. People often discount people's opinions that they don't agree with. IMO, this is a good policy. Isn't that what we're discussing? Why we personally agree or disagree with it? When it comes to making ADRs, we are all held to the same standards. I don't see how being a local affects that. Locals will have the same booking options & cancellation window that everyone else has. A restaurant patron is a paying customer, regardless of where they live.

Speaking as an objective thinker, but you're taking the opposite position without a dining manager coming here to say it's all about no-shows. So you could be consistent and say you don't really know, like the rest of us. A lot of us are acknowledging it could be a combination of all the reasons mentioned. But it doesn't add up to a lot of us that they would keep turning away business if they could handle it when they don't hold tables for people and the staff appears as busy as if the restaurant were full. That's the part that doesn't add up and points to something other than, or in addition to, no-shows.

I've already replied in another post that I never said no shows were the only problem. I don't remember anyone saying that. Without working there, I couldn't possibly know for sure what the true issues are. I acknowledge that. I'm only saying what makes sense to me. If someone in upper management came here to tell me I'm wrong, I'll have no problem being wrong. What is being posted here is all speculation. Some of it makes sense to me some of it doesn't. I'm sure it's the same for everyone. To me, businesses are there to make money. I can't imagine any of them doing anything that would prevent that. This is just my opinion. I've never insinuated it was anything but that.

As I mentioned a couple pages back, I remember reading about Disney having a staffing problem - in that they couldn't fill all of the positions they had open (and they can't force people to take a $2/hour job + tips with no firm hours or benefits).

As I stated before, that could be the case. I don't work there, so I don't know what staffing problems they may or may not have.

 

[Snurk71]

It doesn't bother me in the least for you to discount my opinion. People often discount people's opinions that they don't agree with. IMO, this is a good policy. Isn't that what we're discussing? Why we personally agree or disagree with it? When it comes to making ADRs, we are all held to the same standards. I don't see how being a local affects that. Locals will have the same booking options & cancellation window that everyone else has. A restaurant patron is a paying customer, regardless of where they live.

By the way, I didn't mean that I was discounting your opinion because I disagree with it. I meant that as a local you're different in your planning than 90+% of WDW's guests. So when you say you decide that day or day before that you're going to the parks, that's a completely different mindset and planning mode than most that have to plan their trip months in advance. I've agreed that this new policy actually does benefit you as a local - because you'll be one of the day-of ADR makers that will be grabbing these cancellations. I don't necessarily see it benefiting Disney (over say a 3 hour cancelation), but I do see it improving your experience with the flexibility you have being an hour away.

You're not wrong or bad, your planning is just different and it is very much the minority vs most of WDW visitors. That's all I meant by it.

 

[maxiesmom]

So once again charge the family if they dont show! I am totally cool with that! But you can not expect people to know if someone is going to be sick or tired or wet etc, 24 hours before. A window of 3 hours should be plenty of time, to cancel. If I cant confirm my plans by then, then charge me. If my kid throws up on the bus to the ADR, I would even be willing to pay the fee, although I think it is bad business. 3 hours is plenty of time to accept a walkup or get the word out electronically that a table is available for a party of 4.

And once again, how long are they supposed to hold on to an empty table, hoping the family who it is meant for, will show up? How long are they supposed to let it sit there vacant, losing them money, while they turn people away who are there and want it?

I'm sorry but if losing $10 a person will break you, then don't book the meals that require the deposit. No one liks to lose money, but in the over-all cost of a Disney vacation $10 a person is small potatos. If losing it would cause you a real financial hardship, and not just make you mad, then you have no business taking a trip to WDW. Maybe that is harsh, but honstly! Disney is not asking for people to leave their first-born behind. it is $10 a person!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

By the way, I didn't mean that I was discounting your opinion because I disagree with it. I meant that as a local you're different in your planning than 90+% of WDW's guests. So when you say you decide that day or day before that you're going to the parks, that's a completely different mindset and planning mode than most that have to plan their trip months in advance. I've agreed that this new policy actually does benefit you as a local - because you'll be one of the day-of ADR makers that will be grabbing these cancellations. I don't necessarily see it benefiting Disney (over say a 3 hour cancelation), but I do see it improving your experience with the flexibility you have being an hour away.

You're not wrong or bad, your planning is just different and it is very much the minority vs most of WDW visitors. That's all I meant by it.

I agree that's it's different for our day trips. We also go for longer stays too though. We love that we can drive an hour, park our car, & not get back into it for a week. Personally, I think it's a good thing for our day trips & longer stays.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

This is it fo me in a nutshell. It is bad P/R. They target this as a family destination, they target this as a place where multiple generations can vacation together. Where a Make a Wish kid can come. Well kids, the elderly and those with chronic health issues, get sick and tired and overwhelmed sometimes and now you are going to charge them if they can not predict the future before the 24 hour mark.

This is just another example of how people look at things differently. I actually have chronic health issues. I often walk with a cane, even though I'm only 43. If I overdo it, I'm in the bed all day the next day. We make 2 ADRs a day. I look at is as having 2 places I'm obligated to be that day. We go to our breakfast or early lunch ADR, after a good night's rest. If I'm not feeling well, we then hang around the hotel, until it's time for our dinner ADR. Those two things aren't optional. If I'm feeling up to it, we do whatever we want, but don't allow anything to interfere with the only things we've obligate ourselves to. I don't think it's right to push yourself (not you personally) or the kids too hard to be able to keep your ADR. If I wanted the flexibility to push myself all day, I wouldn't make them. We'd find a place to eat, when I felt up to going. I don't see pushing myself too far, allowing the kids to get too tired swimming, or eating too close to my ADR, as a valid reason to miss an ADR or cancel last minute. I simply wouldn't do those things, if it would result in me not keeping the meal I booked. Those who see things my way, will like the new policy. Those who don't, won't. As I've said, it really doesn't matter how I see things though. All that really matters is what WDW thinks. I accept that.

 

[Mkrop]

And once again, how long are they supposed to hold on to an empty table, hoping the family who it is meant for, will show up? How long are they supposed to let it sit there vacant, losing them money, while they turn people away who are there and want it?

I'm sorry but if losing $10 a person will break you, then don't book the meals that require the deposit. No one liks to lose money, but in the over-all cost of a Disney vacation $10 a person is small potatos. If losing it would cause you a real financial hardship, and not just make you mad, then you have no business taking a trip to WDW. Maybe that is harsh, but honstly! Disney is not asking for people to leave their first-born behind. it is $10 a person!

Which part of 3 hours did you not understand? If a family cancels at the 3 hr mark, then cut them a break bc I feel they can still fill that table via walkup or by getting the word out. But if you charge the Smith family who called at 8am to cancel a 6pm dinner bc Johnny is sick, then that to me is a money grab pure and simple. That is plenty of time to fill that table with a walkup or electronically letting guests know that a table for 4 has opened up. The Smith family is happy and grateful they were able to cancel and take care of Johnny and leave WDW with a good outlook. And the Jones family got a nice surprise via text or when they walked up to CP that they could be seated, they leave with a good outlook.

If the Smith family gets nailed with a fee after calling to tell them Johnny is sick at 8am, they are going to leave with a negative outlook bc a family destination does not understand that kids can get sick and that they gave in their minds plenty of notice.

Now if the Smith family doesnt bother to call whatsover, then by all means charge, that is rude and inconsiderate and yes that vacant table is hurting WDW's bottom line.


I guess I have a different appreciation for money bc I am not giving any of mine away for nothing. That amount wont make or break me but I am still not giving it up for what I feel are valid reasons for cancelling a MEAL. This is just a meal for goodness sake. It is ridiculous that I cant cancel a simple steak dinner if I am sick at 8am!

I have already said that I will most likely stop booking some of these places and am glad my kids are outgrowing characters but there are a few of our favorites on that list. I am not a gambler by nature.

And for some people they truly do save all they can for this trip so having to cancel may really hurt them, it is not your place to judge them and how they spend their hard earned money.

I dont have a problem with the policy of charging no show, I have the problem with the timeframe. I think it would be a win/win for WDW to charge for no shows but to provide a more reasonable timeframe that is more family friendly.

 

[Mkrop]

This is just another example of how people look at things differently. I actually have chronic health issues. I often walk with a cane, even though I'm only 43. If I overdo it, I'm in the bed all day the next day. We make 2 ADRs a day. I look at is as having 2 places I'm obligated to be that day. We go to our breakfast or early lunch ADR, after a good night's rest. If I'm not feeling well, we then hang around the hotel, until it's time for our dinner ADR. Those two things aren't optional. If I'm feeling up to it, we do whatever we want, but don't allow anything to interfere with the only things we've obligate ourselves to. I don't think it's right to push yourself (not you personally) or the kids too hard to be able to keep your ADR. If I wanted the flexibility to push myself all day, I wouldn't make them. We'd find a place to eat, when I felt up to going. I don't see pushing myself too far, allowing the kids to get too tired swimming, or eating too close to my ADR, as a valid reason to miss an ADR or cancel last minute. I simply wouldn't do those things, if it would result in me not keeping the meal I booked. Those who see things my way, will like the new policy. Those who don't, won't. As I've said, it really doesn't matter how I see things though. All that really matters is what WDW thinks. I accept that.

I am sorry you have to deal with that, it stinks

But I dont go to WDW for the food, I go for the parks but I would like a nice sit down meal once in awhile but if I wake up sick or my son's asthma flares up, I would like the option of cancelling dinner that morning without it affecting my wallet. I dont want the meals to totally dictate the vacation. I mean to a degree they do bc we do make almost all of our ADRs, but to me it is not vacation if I have to be so rigid.

I know plenty of people who dont like to plan and want a more laid back time at WDW and think I am nuts when I tell them I plan which park which day. I think that there will be plenty who will be unhappy if the cant cancel to maintin that flexibilty and also not get to go to certain places without a fee.

Like I said I think WDW could discourage no shows and hoarding by charging but under a different timeframe.

 

[MELSMICE]

This is just another example of how people look at things differently. I actually have chronic health issues. I often walk with a cane, even though I'm only 43. If I overdo it, I'm in the bed all day the next day. We make 2 ADRs a day. I look at is as having 2 places I'm obligated to be that day. We go to our breakfast or early lunch ADR, after a good night's rest. If I'm not feeling well, we then hang around the hotel, until it's time for our dinner ADR. Those two things aren't optional. If I'm feeling up to it, we do whatever we want, but don't allow anything to interfere with the only things we've obligate ourselves to. I don't think it's right to push yourself (not you personally) or the kids too hard to be able to keep your ADR. If I wanted the flexibility to push myself all day, I wouldn't make them. We'd find a place to eat, when I felt up to going. I don't see pushing myself too far, allowing the kids to get too tired swimming, or eating too close to my ADR, as a valid reason to miss an ADR or cancel last minute. I simply wouldn't do those things, if it would result in me not keeping the meal I booked. Those who see things my way, will like the new policy. Those who don't, won't. As I've said, it really doesn't matter how I see things though. All that really matters is what WDW thinks. I accept that.

I agree. Someone mentioned a while back about going to a water park for the day & then not wanting to do an ADR. Not bashing the poster, but, IMO, that's poor planning. Water parks just drain you of all energy, IMO!

If the Smith family gets nailed with a fee after calling to tell them Johnny is sick at 8am, they are going to leave with a negative outlook bc a family destination does not understand that kids can get sick and that they gave in their minds plenty of notice.

This is what I don't understand. The Smith family is told when making these ADR's that there will be a fee if they cancel after a certain time or don't show up. They are aware of this.

They have the option NOT to book that ADR, knowing that their child MIGHT POSSIBLY get sick. They have the option to book an ADR that does not have these restrictions. It's all a choice. Everyone has that choice.

If Johnny or Susie get sick there is not much you can do. These things happen. It was a gamble the Smith family took and the choice they made.

Same thing with anything else. There is always the chance you'll be too sick, too tired, too cold, cranky kids, etc. I guess it's all a gamble if & you choose to take the gamble & lose then you pay the price.