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

[racefanof88]

While there are some who are saying $10pp isn't a big deal; look at the bigger picture. If you lose your dining credit for that meal too you are losing much more than $10pp. If you assume $20pp for that meal, on the basic plan + $10pp for the fee + now you have to pay for a meal oop, that would be a negative turn of over $150 for my family of 4. That isn't chump change.

 

[housemouse]

While there are some who are saying $10pp isn't a big deal; look at the bigger picture. If you lose your dining credit for that meal too you are losing much more than $10pp. If you assume $20pp for that meal, on the basic plan + $10pp for the fee + now you have to pay for a meal oop, that would be a negative turn of over $150 for my family of 4. That isn't chump change.

Only if you use a dining plan. Not everyone does. But you have a point for those that do.

 

[pattyw]

I know we think Disney will not reverse this policy, but look what happened with the banks. One person started a petition(saw her on the news today) and now, because of public outcry, no more fees to use a debit card. Our voices mean something and we as a group can change this ridiculous policy!

 

[mcd2745]

But I, and others in this thread, are bothered by such comments because you paint with a wide swath with your comments that imply we're all cavalier. I don't recall reading any posts in this thread by any of the opposers (by the way, shouldn't we come up with a better tag name for each side - like the greasers and the soc's?) that suggest such carelessness and whim. I'd be happy to retract if you could source them (from this thread).

This thread is full of posts stating reasons people have skipped an ADR or canceled at the last minute (and BTW, despite not fitting in the literal sense, I would consider cancelling within 2-3 hours of the ADR time "at the last minute" - something else I'm sure we don't agree on). And yes, I would consider no-showing or cancelling last-minute for all those other reasons we've gone through already (tired/not hungry/stay at pool/stay in park/cold out, etc.) as having a cavalier attitude toward at least that particular ADR you didn't go to, if not toward all your ADRs. For some, maybe the restaurant you have the ADR at that day plays a part in it too. Maybe it was only your 5th or 6th favorite restaurant instead of your absolute, must-do (do I owe Stacy royalties for using that?), #1 favorite restaurant, so you really didn't mind skipping it. Clearly, though, there is a difference of opinion of how much of an obligation guests have with regards to their ADRs.

This sounds pretty cavalier to me, but maybe we have a different definition of cavalier.

I think many are reading more into some posts than is being said. No one has said that everyone opposed to the policy has a cavalier attitude toward ADRs. As mcd2745 stated, anyone who doesn't feel that way shouldn't be offended by a post stating some do. If it doesn't apply to you, the poster obviously isn't referring to you.

 

[Mom of 2 Wife of 1]

I know we think Disney will not reverse this policy, but look what happened with the banks. One person started a petition(saw her on the news today) and now, because of public outcry, no more fees to use a debit card. Our voices mean something and we as a group can change this ridiculous policy!

Don't count on it. You don't HAVE TO make an ADR. It's not an obligation. You choose to make an ADR. It's not like you have a yearly account with Disney that requires you to make a minimum # of ADRs, a la what BoA has with its customers who were already banking with them.

Not only will Disney not reverse this decision, but within 18-24 months I'll bet they make all restaurants require a CC and a cancellation policy for their ADRs.

Also keep in mind, it's the same 15-20 posters on this thread who have a problem with this policy. 15-20 posters out of 50 million visitors to WDW per year. Let me know when that # reaches 10 million or more. Then, maybe, perhaps, Disney will pay attention. On second thought, no, the policy is here to stay. Get used to it.

 

[Snurk71]

Don't count on it. You don't HAVE TO make an ADR. It's not an obligation. You choose to make an ADR. It's not like you have a yearly account with Disney that requires you to make a minimum # of ADRs, a la what BoA has with its customers who were already banking with them.

Poor, poor analogy. You didn't have to bank with BOA either. And if you banked with BOA you didn't have to have a debit card. No one had an obligation (to use your term) to either have a debit card or bank with BOA. So actually, thank you for reinforcing the view opposing your own.

Also keep in mind, it's the same 15-20 posters on this thread who have a problem with this policy. 15-20 posters out of 50 million visitors to WDW per year. Let me know when that # reaches 10 million or more. Then, maybe, perhaps, Disney will pay attention. On second thought, no, the policy is here to stay. Get used to it.

Ummmm...and it's the same 3-4 posters on this thread that support it (and it's not the same posters opposing - I keep seeing new names pop up each day not liking it, in addition to our main core on the dark side). So using our small sample of this thread, the fors are greatly outnumbered by the againsts. Or since that logic not support your point of view what other absolute statement will you make that you have no actual knowledge or control of?

 

[Cafeen]

Don't count on it. You don't HAVE TO make an ADR. It's not an obligation. You choose to make an ADR. It's not like you have a yearly account with Disney that requires you to make a minimum # of ADRs, a la what BoA has with its customers who were already banking with them.

Not only will Disney not reverse this decision, but within 18-24 months I'll bet they make all restaurants require a CC and a cancellation policy for their ADRs.

Also keep in mind, it's the same 15-20 posters on this thread who have a problem with this policy. 15-20 posters out of 50 million visitors to WDW per year. Let me know when that # reaches 10 million or more. Then, maybe, perhaps, Disney will pay attention. On second thought, no, the policy is here to stay. Get used to it.

This is a logic fail. It's 15-20 posters out of however many posters in this thread. I'd guarantee you that the posters here are not the only ones saying the same thing.

While extrapolating up the ratio to the full travelers may not be accurate, but the general population also likely has the "I don't care" or "I don't know" that aren't represented here. Suffice to say, that it's a far cry from 15 out of 50 million.

 

[Sammie]

Poor, poor analogy. You didn't have to bank with BOA either. And if you banked with BOA you didn't have to have a debit card. No one had an obligation (to use your term) to either have a debit card or bank with BOA. So actually, thank you for reinforcing the view opposing your own.




Ummmm...and it's the same 3-4 posters on this thread that support it (and it's not the same posters opposing - I keep seeing new names pop up each day not liking it, in addition to our main core on the dark side). So using our small sample of this thread, the fors are greatly outnumbered by the againsts. Or since that logic not support your point of view what other absolute statement will you make that you have no actual knowledge or control of?

Many of the "fors" or " don't care either way" simply can not believe this is even still being debated.

It's 19 restaurants out of hundreds, it truly is not the end of the world, even the Disney one.

 

[Mkrop]

Don't count on it. You don't HAVE TO make an ADR. It's not an obligation. You choose to make an ADR. It's not like you have a yearly account with Disney that requires you to make a minimum # of ADRs, a la what BoA has with its customers who were already banking with them.

Not only will Disney not reverse this decision, but within 18-24 months I'll bet they make all restaurants require a CC and a cancellation policy for their ADRs.

Also keep in mind, it's the same 15-20 posters on this thread who have a problem with this policy. 15-20 posters out of 50 million visitors to WDW per year. Let me know when that # reaches 10 million or more. Then, maybe, perhaps, Disney will pay attention. On second thought, no, the policy is here to stay. Get used to it.

Why do you say this like this is the "gospel truth".... they could certainly wind up keeping this policy of charging for no shows and tweak the window. WDW has changed policies before, why are you so adamant about this one

You make it sound as if no one should have any issue with WDW, people had issue with the monorail, they spoke up, and it was changed. There were people who said no big deal, or made no comment at all that once they saw the chaos, then really spoke up. I could see this happening and the threads increasing once this policy really kicks in... new thread... WDW charges my 87 year old grandma who was sick! etc.

People have issue with mousekeeping they speak up, they dont just sit there in a filthy room and "get used to it"


I just dont understand

 

[Mkrop]

Many of the "fors" or " don't care either way" simply can not believe this is even still being debated.

It's 19 restaurants out of hundreds, it truly is not the end of the world, even the Disney one.

It is if you have kids who want character meals....

I might have less issue if this was just signatures but I have never been in a character meal excpet H&V that was empty.

 

[Cafeen]

Not only will Disney not reverse this decision, but within 18-24 months I'll bet they make all restaurants require a CC and a cancellation policy for their ADRs.

It's 19 restaurants out of hundreds, it truly is not the end of the world, even the Disney one.

They don't have a smiley for what I'd like to convey here

 

[MELSMICE]

Many of the "fors" or " don't care either way" simply can not believe this is even still being debated.

It's 19 restaurants out of hundreds, it truly is not the end of the world, even the Disney one.

 

[Dziactor]

I just read about this change yesterday and while I have ate at these restaurants a ton in the past, I think this will limit how much I will eat at the signature restaurants as well as the character meals. 99% of the time I do make my reservations, but in the past I have missed 1 or 2 since I wasn't feeling well or someone from my family wasn't. I do feel with the higher prices Ill just end up cooking more in my room and eating quick service more. Lately, I haven't purchased a dining plan and have stuck to TiW. Maybe that's just the way to go.

 

[Snurk71]

Many of the "fors" or " don't care either way" simply can not believe this is even still being debated.

Along your thought process, the dark side can't believe people are still debating against consumer's rights and real world examples of affected change, what customer service/hospitality means, and suppositions for what Disney is intending with this policy vs the experience impact we know we're going to have.

There wouldn't still be debating going on if the "fors" or the "don't care either ways" didn't continue to post opposition. If the "fors" can't beleive it's still being debated they could just stop and it would no longer be a debate - just a gripe session by the dark side. So the "fors" are just as responsible for this debate still going on as anyone. Sorry, share the blame.

 

[kaligal]

But in reality, what it appears to me that everyone is saying is, "I will make my ADR's & I will most likely go to them...........but if we are having a good time, I'm too tired or not hungry then I'll just cancel.......no big deal." Obviously, sickness is a different issue.

People want the ADR's in place, especially for those well sought after restaurants, but if they don't feel like going there is really no obligation to do that.

For numerous restaurants there is still the option of making an ADR & then canceling at the last minute should you change your mind. For the more sought after restaurants the new policy is in place.


I have no desire or need to complain to Disney about it.

I guess I would view it different, but I wouldn't see the paying $10 per person as a privilege. I would see it as unfortunate that my child or family member got sick. Other than that, there is no reason I wouldn't show up for an ADR that I had to put a credit card hold on. (if it was for travel or serious illness then I would go through the proper channels of Disney to make sure I was not charged).

Just wondering, how many that have had to pre-pay or put the CC hold on their dining plans have have had to cancel or just not shown up. You know, for such things as Hoop Dee Doo, Luau, Backyard BBQ, Cinderella's Royal Table? Has it been a big issue in the past to date?

I had to cancel an entire trip less than 24 hours before we were due to be sitting in the Hoop Dee Doo.

At that time, Disney was amazing. They canceled the hotel and all the restaurant reservations for me. They canceled the Hoop Dee Doo without charging me the fee. They called back to make sure it was me canceling and said they hoped my loved one recovered.

I have stated many times on the DIS how glad I was that they were so nice. I hung up relieved when I hung up with Disney. I hung up pissed when I hung up with the airlines, who OF COURSE charged me and were rude about it, too, which was uncalled for.

I also forgave them a lot of other stuff because I remembered that. It created a lot of good will on my part...and I relayed that story to others.

It is unfortunate that people will now have to lie or cheat their way around Disney's system. It won't create good will. The Uber Virtuous and the stupid will not lie or cheat their way around it and will get charged, also not creating much good will.

Disney isn't thinking long-term here. They're just thinking about how they can profit in the short-term...which is what they've been doing for a while now and which will be their un-doing.

 

[Marshay]

Snurk, join me in embracing our selfishness and cavalierness. I have named our side The Dark Side.

Add me to the list ... and yes, I know many people on DIS who also do not like/agree/want the the dining plan. They just aren't vocal on here, but know that this policy is bad for vacationers in general -- yes, there may be a few, very few people who benefit, but lots more who do not!

I think whatever words others have used "selfish and cavalier" about those who don't like it, can exactly be used to describe Disney, too. They are doing this b/c they are selfish and want to make money on us. They are cavalier b/c they don't care, IMHO, how this policy affects families, people sick, young kids, etc.

Now it's up to us to let Disney know how we feel. If they choose not to change the policy, then that's their decision. but it doesn't mean we accept this without question.

Only if you use a dining plan. Not everyone does. But you have a point for those that do.

Nope, for my family I figured out it would cost us $40 if we don't keep our ADR let's say it's b/c DD is . However, the rest of the family will need to still eat, so now we spend $30-40 for a CS meal in addition to the $40 ADR charge. That's $80 for one meal. Now let's say my DD is still sick the next day and I had another ADR but couldn't cancel that in time yesterday b/c of the whole "full day" thing. Now that's another $40 and another $30-40 for CS.

$160 for two ADRs and I'm not even on the DDP.

This policy affects everyone -- DDP or not.

I know we think Disney will not reverse this policy, but look what happened with the banks. One person started a petition(saw her on the news today) and now, because of public outcry, no more fees to use a debit card. Our voices mean something and we as a group can change this ridiculous policy!

Yep, I have written to Disney and will write again for more clarification b/c I'm still unclear on 24 hours or full day... in addition to just thinking it's a non family-oriented policy.

We definitely have to speak up if we feel a change is necessary. Disney 'may' not change it at all and I dread that they may apply to all restaurants. But that's their choice ... a bad one IMHO but it's also a bad choice for me to just accept a lousy, non-family friendly policy, too at Disney, who promotes themselves as being the premier family destination.

 

[Snurk71]

Not to throw this thread too OT, but I've seen mention of some FP situation causing similar debate/divide. Can someone clue me in on what the deal is?

Is the issue that Disney is going to charge customers $10/FP for unused FPs? I mean, that's pretty cavalier/inconsiderate/rude for someone to take a FP out of the machine when they're not 100% committed to being at DHS 7 hours later for their TSMM FP - espeecially when another deserving family could have had that FP. How is Disney supposed to know how to staff the FP lines without a pinpoint measure of FP no-shows? Aren't there at least 2 CMs for every FP ride? That's a waste of money/resources to have a CM standing there with thumb inserted not collecting any FPs. Not to mention if they could they could take ride vehicles out of rotation to reduce the wear and tear and energy comsumption to save money if the ride isn't going to be at 100% utilization. Now that I think it through, I can see where Disney should be charging for an unused FP.

 

[n2mm]

While I don't hate the new policy, I only wish it was a set amount (like $25) per reservation no show instead of the $10 pp. That is the only issue I have. Since this is the way it is, for the first time ever I actually had to TRIPLE book a reservation. Since I'm planning on a family trip late April, I can't be sure who's coming. My DD has a foster child that keeps bouncing back and fourth to the parents. My 17 yo grandson doesn't know if he wants to come. My other DD and family are not positive if they are coming. So I now have THREE lunch reservations at LeCellier. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. One for 6, one for 9, one for 10. Was this Disney's intention? Of course when I know who's coming, I'll cancel the other two. But because I don't want to incur a $10 no show, I was left with this choice. I've never had to do this before. Normally I would've booked a party of 10 and shown up with maybe less in my party, knowing that someone would get a walk up reservation. Always a win win for both parties. I have no problem with Disney charging for a no show, but I do have a problem with being charged a penalty when one person (possibility 2) not showing up, but the rest of us are there spending our money in the restraurant.

 

[Marshay]

I had to cancel an entire trip less than 24 hours before we were due to be sitting in the Hoop Dee Doo.

At that time, Disney was amazing. They canceled the hotel and all the restaurant reservations for me. They canceled the Hoop Dee Doo without charging me the fee. They called back to make sure it was me canceling and said they hoped my loved one recovered.

I have stated many times on the DIS how glad I was that they were so nice. I hung up relieved when I hung up with Disney. I hung up pissed when I hung up with the airlines, who OF COURSE charged me and were rude about it, too, which was uncalled for.

I also forgave them a lot of other stuff because I remembered that. It created a lot of good will on my part...and I relayed that story to others.

It is unfortunate that people will now have to lie or cheat their way around Disney's system. It won't create good will. The Uber Virtuous and the stupid will not lie or cheat their way around it and will get charged, also not creating much good will.

Disney isn't thinking long-term here. They're just thinking about how they can profit in the short-term...which is what they've been doing for a while now and which will be their un-doing.

1st let me say I'm sorry you had to cancel a trip.

2nd, that is the Disney magic that we have come to expect. One can debate whether that expectation is just or not or whether Disney themselves have created that expectation, but I'm glad to hear that Disney was able to work with you. Obviously you had an extreme situation.

As for the whole Good Will -- you have definitely hit on it. For Disney to WANT to charge me makes me feel less than 'roses and cherries' about them. It seems to just be another 10-ton drop in the bucket of examples where Disney is thinking short-sighted.

Will I stop going to Disney? No, I will not.

But I will change the way I spend my money -- and it means less for Disney -- more for me and more for other parks. I'm much more open to going off-property to visit Sea World or Legoland or Universal if I don't have an ADR commitment. I'm much more willing to eat in my villa or hang out at the pool more or sit down and see some shows where I normally would sit down at a restaurant to relax.

So maybe Disney will get some $10/pp charges here and there ... I'm sure it's bound to happen that I make a special ADR and something comes up that I can't make it because life happens. But my ADRs will be much fewer to none in future trips.

If a lot of people feel the same as I, then we should see a noticeable difference in the restaurants and maybe Disney will amend the policy.

If I'm truly am in the minority, then I guess my decrease in TS/eating out won't matter. Bummer for me, but oh well.

 

[Marshay]

While I don't hate the new policy, I only wish it was a set amount (like $25) per reservation no show instead of the $10 pp. That is the only issue I have. Since this is the way it is, for the first time ever I actually had to TRIPLE book a reservation. Since I'm planning on a family trip late April, I can't be sure who's coming. My DD has a foster child that keeps bouncing back and fourth to the parents. My 17 yo grandson doesn't know if he wants to come. My other DD and family are not positive if they are coming. So I now have THREE lunch reservations at LeCellier. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. One for 6, one for 9, one for 10. Was this Disney's intention? Of course when I know who's coming, I'll cancel the other two. But because I don't want to incur a $10 no show, I was left with this choice. I've never had to do this before. Normally I would've booked a party of 10 and shown up with maybe less in my party, knowing that someone would get a walk up reservation. Always a win win for both parties. I have no problem with Disney charging for a no show, but I do have a problem with being charged a penalty when one person (possibility 2) not showing up, but the rest of us are there spending our money in the restraurant.

Disney CM have stated that you won't get charged for those people not attending the ADR as long as someone from your party makes the ADR. Although I haven't seen that in writing, it does make sense.

So you should be covered to make an ADR for 10 and if not everyone makes it, you shouldn't be charged for those who do not make it.

This was addressed several pages back -- good news for you!!