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

[shoney]

Personally, I think having a 180 day window for booking is crazy. That should be drastically reduced. Sometimes airfares aren't even published by then!

I think Disney created their own monster by having such a policy that makes people decide where and when they want to eat so far in advance.

Many resorts that I have been to allow guests to book dinners at the beginning of their stay not 6 months ahead of time. I personally prefer the ones that have no ressies all!! Just put your name on a list if there is a wait. If you want to wait, great, if not, move on to choice #2.

I really don't have a "must" on my list of ADR's. I would prefer making day of ADR's while I am there. That is what I remember my parents doing back in the 80's. We were in Epcot and they went on some video phone and made a reservation for dinner based on what was available. Unfortunately, if you wait and do that, it seems like nothing is available due to ADR's made 6 months prior.

I am by no means an expert, since this trip will be my first onsite with ADR's. On prior trips, we just ate (LTT, 50's prime time, Wolfgang puck, etc) where a table was available.

 

[Quin]

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

I know it's been mentioned that if they think the restaurant is going to be booked to capacity with ADRs they may not accept walk-ups so it's not so cut and dried as to "that space will go to a walkup anyway."

But why does Disney not just enforce the existing policy, which - I thought - was that an ADR was not a "real" reservation but instead, essentially, a FastPass for a restaurant? Except at true hard-ticket events like the Dessert Party, your ADR just lets you jump to the front of the walk-up line. If someone is not there when their ADR time comes, the table should not be held because it wasn't theirs to begin with. If they come at or near their ADR time they jump to the front of the line; too late and maybe they have to join all the walk-ups is all.

If all the reports we read on the DIS are correct that walk-ups are turned away while the restaurant sits half-empty, then Disney is not correctly implementing its existing policy. I wish they had tried doing that before imposing a new one-day cancellation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks, Tricia!

Frankly, I have no objection to something like seven day reservations for on-site guests and three day reservations for others.

Of course, if that ever happens, the entire DIS Moderator Team won't be enough to handle this board!

 

[TDC Nala]

How do we know they are going to charge those who "honestly" cancel within a 24 hour period? Assuming "honestly" means they're sick or stuck on transportation or something like that.

I cancelled a California Grill reservation once within hours because of illness and did not pay the fee. There are a LOT of posts assuming that you're going to be charged if you miss the ADR because you are sick. (Well, you will be if you don't actually try to cancel for that reason once you are within 24 hours)

 

[Colleen27]

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

Not everyone buys the idea that those empty tables are because of no-shows, though. Disney doesn't hold ADRs forever nor are they true reservations, and many of those reports came from restaurants that routinely turn away walk ups. If they had the staffing to handle a packed house they could easily fill those tables with people who show up at the podium with no ADR.

And I see where the $$$ argument comes in. Now if my family cancels Artist Point (as we've done once before) because someone is feeling ill, Disney gets the $50 from me PLUS the $200 tab from the party they seat at the table I would have occupied. It increases dining revenues beyond the limits of restaurant capacity - win-win for Disney, but a losing situation for guests who are paying for nothing.

 

[Quin]

I'm OK with (or at least used to) the 180-day mark. I could live with 90 days. I'm not sure I want it much shorter than that because the park hours plus the ADRs do give me a way to put a loose structure on the trip.

I think my biggest objection is the 24-hour cancellation fee. Do we know from Disney statistics how many of those empty tables are from people who double-booked ADRs versus how many simply decided on the day that they weren't going to make it but saw no reason to call and cancel? I do expect that the latter is far more common than the former. Somebody gets sick during the day; family wants to keep touring; just plain not hungry (how many Dining Reports have we read for folks on the DxDP who ate TS breakfast, TS lunch, mid-afternoon snack, and then just could not face the thought of another TS meal?). Wouldn't a 2-hour or 3-hour cancellation window be enough for Disney to sell those empty seats to walk-ups?

 

[lebeau]

How do we know they are going to charge those who "honestly" cancel within a 24 hour period? Assuming "honestly" means they're sick or stuck on transportation or something like that.

I cancelled a California Grill reservation once within hours because of illness and did not pay the fee.

1. It has happened to me. Full story here cause I'm sick of retelling it.

2. I called and asked. They flat-out told me no exception would be made.

I expect exceptions will be made. But that is not their policy. And in practice, my experience is that they do not make exceptions no matter the reason.

 

[Cafeen]

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

The comment about determining if the policy is even needed in the first place is very valid, but suppose that a general one is here are the changes that I'd suggest if I had a voice.

1. Separate out the different meals and eliminate all new breakfasts from the list. This is the meal more likely to catch people that wake up sick, spend too much time out, or whatever reason. Even if they fully intend to make it to the ADR the night before, it may prove impossible. Possibly keep the in-park breakfasts on here though.
2. Remove the sigs other than CG from the list. None of the other signatures really have as much of a problem with getting in as CG, therefore this isn't really needed. Potentially keep Le Cellier on here though.
3. Provide an alternative for those who do not with to provide a CC over the phone or internet. E.g. Sending a check for deposit like they do with resort reservations. This would actually take the money from the account, but at least they could book the meals!
4. Shorten the cancellation window to 3 hours. This should provide enough time for restaurants to know what they're looking at, while giving enough flexibility to those guests where the unexpected happens.
5. Remove the "Guest Recovery" mark from the "exceptional circumstances" line.
6. Specifically state the reasons that the fee may be waived (yes, can lead to abuse, but I'd rather 100 people abuse the system than falsely charge 1 person for something under these reasons!)
7. Insure that late canceled reservations that fall under the waived fee portion are not even charged in the first place. Meaning that guests won't have to seek a refund! Apply the charges the next morning to allow time for the guest to respond from any emergency situation.
8. Create a "Wait List" for each restaurant. This starts fresh every day (and you can only get on it on the same day). Provide a phone number, your name, party size, and latest time. When someone cancels (since it's now 3hrs ahead of time), you get a call asking if you'd still like a spot. If not, it moves on, if so, you get that person's reservation (the system would only take into account those who's latest times are earlier than the canceled reservation). This would expedite the turnaround on said 3hr cancellations. (Would not affect no shows, as it would already be too late at that point).

Now, the last two may be a bit far fetched, and the last one would certainly require the development of a whole new internal system, but with just the first set of actual tweaks it would be greatly improved.

The biggest focuses I have on this policy is the exclusion of entire segments of dining from people who can't/won't give a CC over the phone or internet and the potential for unexpected cases to crop up on the same day of the reservation. I also don't believe that it will curtail those abusing the system all that much (far less than some make it out to) and feel that the policy is too restrictive to those who have every intention of sticking to their appointments, but just can't for whatever reason.

 

[wdwlinz]

1. It has happened to me. Full story here cause I'm sick of retelling it.

2. I called and asked. They flat-out told me no exception would be made.

I expect exceptions will be made. But that is not their policy. And in practice, my experience is that they do not make exceptions no matter the reason.

While I sympathize with your situation and probably would have done the same had it been myself and my children, unless I'm misreading the story, no one in your party was ill and you weren't missing the ADR due to Disney's sucky transportation. I would be really surprised if Disney actually charged people who weren't coming because someone was puking.

 

[mcd2745]

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

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

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

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

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

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

I agree 10000000% that the window needs to be shorter. I've said this many, many, many times. IMO, the 180 day window is the #1 reason there is so much abuse of the system. You're right, with such a long window, they have created this 'fight' for ADRs that significantly outnumbers the demand for actual meals.

I completely disagree, however, that a shorter window would result in more empty tables. I believe it would definitely reduce the number of empty tables as then a much higher percentage of the reservations are being made by people who fully intend to show up.

 

[Colleen27]

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.

I truly haven't decided yet. I'm not one for making decisions without all the facts if I can avoid it, so I'm taking a wait-and-see position. We already have our ADRs for January and our Oct '12 trip will be adults-only/no DDP with a focus on restaurants that don't participate in the plan. So I have until the 180 mark for our 2013 trip to see how the policy plays out in practice before I have to make any decisions.

If there are multiple reports of people getting dinged for the cancellation fee because someone got sick on vacation, we'll avoid restaurants with a fee (and therefore avoid the DxDDP, because without signature restaurants it loses its appeal, and maybe go for Bonnet Creek or the Swolphin because the DxDDP is what kept us on site for our upcoming trip). If Disney is making exceptions for unforeseeable circumstances and it doesn't seem to be a huge hassle, I won't change my booking habits.

The one concrete change I know we'll make is to put an end to our tradition of a first night signature meal. But since we use the DxDDP that's a win for Disney too - we'll use our credit for a much cheaper one credit meal somewhere without a guarantee or have counter service at our resort, freeing up the table we'd have occupied at Narcoosees or Artist Point for someone who will perhaps pay cash for their $300 meal. And I have to wonder if that didn't factor into this decision on some level - this will likely discourage DDP/DxDDP guests from loading their itinerary with the most expensive & popular restaurants Disney has to offer. Disney brings in more money if those of us who have pre-paid our meals stick to Kona and The Plaza and leave more room at Ohana and Crystal Palace for cash guests who aren't locked into TS meals and will eat CS or offsite if they can't get the specific restaurants they want.

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.

I've always cancelled ADRs as soon as I know we're not going to make them. The difference is that now I have to call where in the past I'd cancel online whenever possible, and now whether or not I'm charged $50 for a meal I'm not eating will depend on the goodwill of a random CM. And since CM roulette as someone else so aptly called it is Disney's biggest customer service failing in my opinion, subjecting one more element of a trip to the luck of the call center draw is nothing but an added headache.

 

[lebeau]

While I sympathize with your situation and probably would have done the same had it been myself and my children, unless I'm misreading the story, no one in your party was ill and you weren't missing the ADR due to Disney's sucky transportation. I would be really surprised if Disney actually charged people who weren't coming because someone was puking.

I have heard of this happening to people. Didn't persoanlly witness it, but I have read of accounts.

In my situation, if they had agreed to cut me some slack on the baby, I'd have been satisfied. I was prepared for paying for my wife, myself and the 6-year-old. I wasn't happy about it, but them's the breaks. Charging an additonal $10 for a baby who wasn't going to eat there? If they will do that, I do not trust their judgement.

Don't count on Disney making an exception for you. That's my point.

 

[Cafeen]

Phew, it's getting tough to keep up in here

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.

It's becoming part of my decision for my next couple of trips, yes. It's also factoring into whether or not I bother with DxDDP anymore. I haven't finalized the decision or anything, and there are other factors going into it, but I'm certainly considering booking fewer, if any, for the next 2 or 3 trips that I have in mind.

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.

This assumes that the CM recognizes this as "extreme circumstances" and if (and how many) "Guest Recoveries" you've had before. CF mentioned this and it's often overlooked, but the term "Extreme Circumstances" and that the Guest Recovery would go on the permanent record for the guest, meaning that past issues and other recoveries could very well prevent you from getting future ones.

 

[maxiesmom]

While I sympathize with your situation and probably would have done the same had it been myself and my children, unless I'm misreading the story, no one in your party was ill and you weren't missing the ADR due to Disney's sucky transportation.

I agree. Your family got wet, and you decided to skip the meal. Fine. Your choice. But now, deciding to skip a character meal at the last minute will cost you. And I have no problem with that.

I don't understand why you are upset about the fee for your 1yr old either. Disney counts every person that sits at the table when you book your ADRs. They do still count as a no show, as they count towards the table occupency.

 

[lebeau]

I agree. Your family got wet, and you decided to skip the meal. Fine. Your choice. But now, deciding to skip a character meal at the last minute will cost you. And I have no problem with that.

I don't understand why you are upset about the fee for your 1yr old either. Disney counts every person that sits at the table when you book your ADRs. They do still count as a no show, as they count towards the table occupency.

I have discussed that incident with a lot of people. And never has anyone responded with so little sympathy. Suffice it to say, yours has been the minority opinion of everyone I have spoken to.

And Disney, if you're listening, I tell this story a lot and will continue to do so.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I'd be all for a shorter (much shorter!) ADR window.

Last year we went to an all-inclusive in the Caribbean. None of the 16 restaurants on property took reservations, it was all on a walk-up system. The Disney planner in me was freaking out wondering how that could possibly work, woudn't we be waiting forever if we went at "traditional" dining times. We never waited more than a few minutes - I don't know how they did it but they did. It was freeing to have the flexibility to decide that afternoon what kind of cuisine we wanted. Not saying that this could ever work at Disney - but I wouldn't be opposed to making dining reservations once on site if we were all on a level playing field.

 

[nancytoby]

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

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

Another objective may be:

#8: Increase the number of ADRs available for Sig/CM restaurants at 24 hrs prior by eliminating excess ADRs from the system by cancellations instead of leaving them in the system and waiting for last-minute no-shows/cancellations

 

[Snurk71]

Back to the question that Disney used to operate by - how will this change in policy make for more magical experiences? It certainly seems to many of us that the change will only make for less magical experiences to the honest folks. This does not strike of superb customer service that Disney used to abide by. I believe this was purely a financial decision.

To those that think this will reduce the multiple bookers, I think you're naive in your thinking. If people will go the extent of booking 3 reservations with 3 different emails and phone numbers, they'll go the extent of cancelling them a day or two out while they're on vacation. This policy will ultimately only impact the uninformed.

 

[housemouse]

Another objective may be:

#8: Increase the number of ADRs available for Sig/CM restaurants at 24 hrs prior by eliminating excess ADRs from the system by cancellations instead of leaving them in the system and waiting for last-minute no-shows/cancellations

And I see that as a great benefit to the non-planners and the walk ups. I don't see much benefit for the Polly Planners though. By the time those ressies open, they'll already have plans for dining elsewhere. If they really wanted a Ohana breakfast but settled for Chef Mickey's instead, then they're stuck paying a cancellation fee at CM to go to Ohana.

 

[eliza61]

I may totally be wrong on this so maybe some one has a better understanding.


Anyway, I thought the concept of the ADR was that this was not a "reservation" in that they do not "hold" open tables for you. I thought it was supposed to work that when you arrived you checked in and the "first available table" was offered to you. thus if a table is empty, why wouldn't a walk up be able to grab it and the ADR person get the next on open?

Am I understanding it correctly?