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

[TriSeb°o°]

Ok, I’ll add my own random thoughts based on reading this thread:

• +1 Disney on this new policy
• +1 on cancel phone number... put it in your contacts/address book.
• I say that 24 hours to cancel is the ideal window with the policy intent to be any cancellation equals a good cancellation (even at the actual time of the ADR)… by anyone, hoard'er, ill’er, loss of appetit'er, overstimulat'er, second thought’er
• More posters stating they are going to make less ADR in favor of OOP, good deal.
• I love the post about ‘feeling’ it’s a Cash Grab but then links to their blog for a full write up… an obvious traffic grab.
• This is the same problem with any new policy instituted by a business, there is an expected backlash from those that are already accustomed to the ‘old’ policy but the hordes of new/first timers will accept it as just that, the policy.
• With an estimate 50 million a guests a year (a conservative estimate from ask.com)… even the industry leader is going to have issues with the management of integrating walk ups.
• Ultimately, those who disagree, you should vote with your wallets and feet
• Those having problems with juggling or being tied to multiple ADRs due to policy should consider a single ADR per day… another win for everyone, even the hoarders.
• Hasn’t Disney figured out how to implement a "fool proof system", come on already!
• If you are charged for a baby who can’t eat, please call guest services. And moving forward, don’t include them in the head count.
• If this generates additional revenue for Disney, Great, I want WDW around to take my grandchildren and not closed down due to lack of profitability.
• If you follow the rules/law then don’t worry about those that don’t. There will always be those who attempt to gain the system… that shouldn’t change your own actions.

 

[Marthasor]

Disney already has this policy in place for some restaurants and dinner shows and they are extending the policy to include other, popular restaurants. The majority of their TS do not fall under the cc hold category. People are so up in arms about this new policy and their need for flexibility. I'm just wondering, if you bought tickets to La Nouba and you were "too wet" to go or someone got sick, would you expect La Nouba to refund your tickets? Or if you bought tickets to MVMCP? If you really want to go to La Nouba or MVMCP or MNSSHP, you make a serious financial commitment and, I would imagine, people plan out their days to make sure they make it to those events. WDW is now asking us to make a similar level of commitment when making ADR's at some of their more popular restaurants. I just don't see this as a big deal.

 

[mom2rtk]

Disney already has this policy in place for some restaurants and dinner shows and they are extending the policy to include other, popular restaurants. The majority of their TS do not fall under the cc hold category. People are so up in arms about this new policy and their need for flexibility. I'm just wondering, if you bought tickets to La Nouba and you were "too wet" to go or someone got sick, would you expect La Nouba to refund your tickets? Or if you bought tickets to MVMCP? If you really want to go to La Nouba or MVMCP or MNSSHP, you make a serious financial commitment and, I would imagine, people plan out their days to make sure they make it to those events. WDW is now asking us to make a similar level of commitment when making ADR's at some of their more popular restaurants. I just don't see this as a big deal.

I guess I don't see them the same. La Nouba and MVMCP start right on time every single night they are offered. At an ADR you can be kept waiting up to an hour to even be seated. To have guests treat it with an equal degree of commitment would necessitate in my mind that Disney offer the same in return.

While I actually have thought they should do this for some time, as I've seen it discussed here, I'm starting to have second thoughts. It's beginning to look more like a money grab.

If they seriously penalize a party of 4 for showing up with 3 because someone went back to the room with a headache, then they have clearly branded this as a money grab.

 

[mom2rtk]

In 35 years of going to Disney, I've missed one meal - 'Ohana in 2010 when my son got strep. I am traveling to WDW with a large group next year and was hoping to take them to 'Ohana. Well, sorry to say, if we are hit with strep the day of again, we will be going. I'm not throwing $130 out the window.

I do think that will be an unfortunate byproduct of this change.

And I think it will cost them a fair number of larger party bookings for this reason.

So with all this new cash flowing in, I wonder how soon we can we expect the menu prices to go down?

 

[MSLRAC]

I guess I don't see them the same. La Nouba and MVMCP start right on time every single night they are offered. At an ADR you can be kept waiting up to an hour to even be seated. To have guests treat it with an equal degree of commitment would necessitate in my mind that Disney offer the same in return.

While I actually have thought they should do this for some time, as I've seen it discussed here, I'm starting to have second thoughts. It's beginning to look more like a money grab.

If they seriously penalize a party of 4 for showing up with 3 because someone went back to the room with a headache, then they have clearly branded this as a money grab.

I agree with you and I don't see them the same either. You're talking hard ticketed events verses character and signature meals. There is no way on this earth I would book La Nouba or one of the parties for my family at this point for various reasons but I would book Ohana or Cape May or Cali Grill.

 

[Cafeen]

Ok, I’ll add my own random thoughts based on reading this thread:

• +1 Disney on this new policy
• +1 on cancel phone number... put it in your contacts/address book.

I'll agree on both of the points, though more of an "A" new policy over "THIS" new policy.

• I say that 24 hours to cancel is the ideal window with the policy intent to be any cancellation equals a good cancellation (even at the actual time of the ADR)… by anyone, hoard'er, ill’er, loss of appetit'er, overstimulat'er, second thought’er

If any cancellation = good cancellation, then why isn't a 3hr cancellation as good as a "full day" cancellation? If I cancel the morning of a dinner, I'm charged. Why should I bother canceling then? If Disney doesn't think enough of me to do this, why should I think enough of them to "do the right thing"?

• More posters stating they are going to make less ADR in favor of OOP, good deal.

Good deal for you maybe. Not such a good deal for those who put more value in their dining, and not such a good deal for Disney who relies on those who put said value in their dining.

• I love the post about ‘feeling’ it’s a Cash Grab but then links to their blog for a full write up… an obvious traffic grab.

Whether or not someone has a blog link in their signature doesn't matter. I say it's a cash grab too. After all, they're getting the money from shorter term cancellations while still being able to fill that spot. Thus making $10pp on the cancel, and STILL selling food to someone who's there.

The probable (I say probable because it's how the current system works) fact that they'll likely charge even for partial parties makes it even worse. A party of 4 going to 3 isn't preventing anyone from getting that dining reservation, but they're still taking an extra $10.

• This is the same problem with any new policy instituted by a business, there is an expected backlash from those that are already accustomed to the ‘old’ policy but the hordes of new/first timers will accept it as just that, the policy.

They'll accept the policy, they're just going to be hurt by it more than those it was intended to affect. Alternatively, they'll bring down the dining experiences to all because they felt they had to show up sick, tired, or melting down.

• With an estimate 50 million a guests a year (a conservative estimate from ask.com)… even the industry leader is going to have issues with the management of integrating walk ups.

The issue isn't the total guests in the parks, it's the total guests per restaurant. I'd highly doubt that even 'Ohana serves nearly 50 million meals a year, and Citrico's, Artist Point, and Narcoossee's certainly don't reach anywhere near that number.

• Ultimately, those who disagree, you should vote with your wallets and feet

And that's what many of us are saying. By making fewer ADRs and eating off site more, we are voting with our wallets. Doesn't mean we have to bend over and think Disney is 100% right to do whatever they want.

• Those having problems with juggling or being tied to multiple ADRs due to policy should consider a single ADR per day… another win for everyone, even the hoarders.

Not sure where this comes from. Those of us who make (or used to make) several ADRs in a day would do so legitimately with every intent on making every single one. Something stuff happens and it's not possible for a day (or at the very least, not desirable). So now, instead of knowing that there's a little flexibility, we're either stuck, or will choose not to spend the money in the first place. I know that I'd rather not spend the money.

• Hasn’t Disney figured out how to implement a "fool proof system", come on already!

Huh?

• If you are charged for a baby who can’t eat, please call guest services. And moving forward, don’t include them in the head count.

And what's guest services going to do? Besides, the policy is to include them in the head count, and by not doing so, you have a chance to have one of your party members turned away.

If I made reservations for 4 at 'Ohana, including a 2 year old, and said 2 year old weren't able to go for whatever reason, I'd be charged $20 (since the 2 year old couldn't stay by themselves). That's how it works now. Why do you think Guest Services would have anything else to offer? The fact that they currently do this for the tiny portion of restaurants requiring this means that it's not likely to change once they incorporate the bulk of the restaurants geared toward children.

The flip side to the scenario is that if I made reservations for 3 (not counting the 2 year old) and showed up with 4, I very well could be told that there is no way to seat 4 and one of us would have to dine somewhere else. It DOES AND HAS happened.

So it's risk $20 or risk not having my (fictitious) family not all eat together (or risking $40 for them to do so by all going elsewhere).

• If this generates additional revenue for Disney, Great, I want WDW around to take my grandchildren and not closed down due to lack of profitability.

Everyone reaches the point where value < cost. This point is when they stop going (or reduce their cost). This is but one facet in the value to cost ratio declining over time. The trend is worrisome as guest experience is being placed second to profits, when that happens, things start to slide.

• If you follow the rules/law then don’t worry about those that don’t. There will always be those who attempt to gain the system… that shouldn’t change your own actions.

I don't care about those who don't. I care about those who follow the rules and STILL get punished for it. I also see that those the policy is intending to crack down on (ADR hoarders mostly, those who make 2-3-4 reservations per meal and then don't show up) are simply going to work around it. It's going to catch those who make 1 reservation for a meal, have something unexpected come up and have to cancel the same day. They will be charged and labeled as a "rule breaker" (we see it here already). I guess I'm just too much of an idealist to think that people should give a crap about others being penalized for nothing they did wrong, while letting those who abuse the system off with a minor inconvenience.

Disney already has this policy in place for some restaurants and dinner shows and they are extending the policy to include other, popular restaurants. The majority of their TS do not fall under the cc hold category. People are so up in arms about this new policy and their need for flexibility. I'm just wondering, if you bought tickets to La Nouba and you were "too wet" to go or someone got sick, would you expect La Nouba to refund your tickets? Or if you bought tickets to MVMCP? If you really want to go to La Nouba or MVMCP or MNSSHP, you make a serious financial commitment and, I would imagine, people plan out their days to make sure they make it to those events. WDW is now asking us to make a similar level of commitment when making ADR's at some of their more popular restaurants. I just don't see this as a big deal.

Some = 2. This policy is in place for TWO restaurants. The pre-paid policy is in place for 1 more. The dinner shows, La Nouba, parties, etc. are all ticketed events and not general dining. They do require more planning than your every day meal, since it's likely that a party may do ONE of them over their entire trip. Not one per day (or more!).

The policy will now be adding ALL character meals and ALL signature experiences. That is two categories of dining that is now blocked from people either too worried they'll have to pay the fee, or otherwise unable/unwilling to provide a CC hold.

---

So, again, us against the policy are the "rule breakers" even though many of us here have no desire, inclination, or even history of breaking the rules. It's fun to be labeled by people who know nothing.

 

[MonorailMagic415]

As a former CM (who worked at a very popular table service restaurant) and HUGE Disney fan, I can see how this is really going to benefit a lot of us. So many times where I worked we would have to start our night off not taking walk ups, purely based on the number of reservations we had. Then when these people did not show up, we sincerely felt bad about having to send people away. Even if this new policy keeps just a small percentage of people from making multiple ADRs, it can make a HUGE difference in the restaurant's chance of taking walk ups.

In the end, Disney will still be Disney, and will make exceptions when it needs to. I think they will be strict in the beginning so people take the new policy seriously, but I cannot see any manager telling a family whose child got sick that morning that they need to pay $50 for an unfortunate circumstance. THAT is NOT the Disney Guest Service!!

I am a fan of the new policy.

 

[Snurk71]

As a former CM (who worked at a very popular table service restaurant) and HUGE Disney fan, I can see how this is really going to benefit a lot of us. So many times where I worked we would have to start our night off not taking walk ups, purely based on the number of reservations we had. Then when these people did not show up, we sincerely felt bad about having to send people away. Even if this new policy keeps just a small percentage of people from making multiple ADRs, it can make a HUGE difference in the restaurant's chance of taking walk ups.

In the end, Disney will still be Disney, and will make exceptions when it needs to. I think they will be strict in the beginning so people take the new policy seriously, but I cannot see any manager telling a family whose child got sick that morning that they need to pay $50 for an unfortunate circumstance. THAT is NOT the Disney Guest Service!!

I am a fan of the new policy.

Would you be a fan if the cancellation policy was 3 hours too - wouldn't you still know at opening how many ADRs and how many openings you have for the seating if all cancellations had to be processed by 2:00 for a 5:00 opening?

 

[MamaJessie]

Would you be a fan if the cancellation policy was 3 hours too - wouldn't you still know at opening how many ADRs and how many openings you have for the seating if all cancellations had to be processed by 2:00 for a 5:00 opening?

At that point the problem for breakfast still exists, yes?

 

[ScoJo15]

Ok...so...if people who don't hoard reservations are happy with the new policy...

...and...

people who do hoard reservations are going to still do it anyway...

why is there any sort of argument?

Is it the fact that the hoarders actually have to take some time now and cancel 24 hrs before their reservations?? Previously, they just would not show up and not worry about it.

Seems that the hoarders are the ones complaining about the issue..not the non-hoarders who really aren't affected by this change.

As far as the sick, tired or not hungry issue goes...a commitment to eating somewhere is just that...it's a commitment. Just like a hotel reservation, a park ticket, etc.

With that said...this policy is largely a DETERRENT to the non-DISboards people...a deterrent to say that if you make a reservation, you're going to be held to it. The great people on this board know so many of the ins and outs that it really won't affect any of us.

I'd love for a representative from Disney to actually come forth and speak to the reason(s) why this policy is going into place and how they feel it will be a better experience.

As for me? I will continue to make ADR's to the places I want (just like I have the past 5-6 years), show up when expected and not worry about anything.

 

[tedisney]

...that Disney is a business, and makes decisions that are good for business. Which means that one or more of these are true:

1. Guests responding to surveys mentioned restaurant availability as a reason for either dining off-property or not returning to WDW
2. Guests complaining about dining availability reached a critical mass
3. WDW crunched the numbers and found that tables were sitting empty because of no-show reservations (or the union did)

I'm generally in favor of this change, although we cancel a few reservations each trip, since we have two young kids. We will just have to do it earlier now when dining at the restaurants on that list (just another data point for the trip over planning spreadsheet). I'm sure the list will eventually expand to all TS restaurants if this improves efficiency for WDW.

 

[Snurk71]

At that point the problem for breakfast still exists, yes?

Not sure yet - I don't think we have a definitive on what canceling "at least day in advance means". As discussed a page or two back, that could mean 11:59 pm of the previous day - which wouldn't help the first seating of breakfast at a park not offering EMH that morning (pretty small slice of the entire restaurant operation, yes?).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Then speak with your wallet and stop going to Disney. Or continue going and only do counter service. ADRs are not mandatory. You don't have to make them and you don't have to eat at table service. Yes, you can't get into many places without an ADR, but that's not Disney's fault for having very popular venues.

I don't understand why anyone is complaining about this new policy. If you make an ADR, stick to it. If you can't, don't make it. But if you already know or believe or expect that your child is going to become deathly ill within 45 minutes of your Le Cellier dinner, then you've got bigger problems in the world and you should probably cancel that rez right now and seek some medical help. I'm not joking. It amazes me how people are already forecasting a death in the family, an ill child, or a broken down car to prevent them from making to an ADR that they were not forced to make.

If you can't keep your promise, don't make one. There, I just solved everyone's problem. So simple. You can thank me later.

OMG - Can I thank you NOW????

 

[Snurk71]

Ok...so...if people who don't hoard reservations are happy with the new policy...

...and...

people who do hoard reservations are going to still do it anyway...

why is there any sort of argument?

Is it the fact that the hoarders actually have to take some time now and cancel 24 hrs before their reservations?? Previously, they just would not show up and not worry about it.

Seems that the hoarders are the ones complaining about the issue..not the non-hoarders who really aren't affected by this change.

As far as the sick, tired or not hungry issue goes...a commitment to eating somewhere is just that...it's a commitment. Just like a hotel reservation, a park ticket, etc.

Wow, have you read nothing that a large group of us has posted across the past 5-6 pages????

 

[Cafeen]

At that point the problem for breakfast still exists, yes?

Yes, but to a lesser extent than the current system while allowing proper flexibility, guest service, and "ahead of time" knowledge to the restaurants.

Since the phone lines open at 7am Disney time, this would mean that cancellations would be called in for times up to 10am by that point. Thus giving guests the ability to call up and check before any of the in-park restaurants open. If they feel like going online at 6am, that's also possible and they'd see any new openings.

As a former CM (who worked at a very popular table service restaurant) and HUGE Disney fan, I can see how this is really going to benefit a lot of us. So many times where I worked we would have to start our night off not taking walk ups, purely based on the number of reservations we had. Then when these people did not show up, we sincerely felt bad about having to send people away. Even if this new policy keeps just a small percentage of people from making multiple ADRs, it can make a HUGE difference in the restaurant's chance of taking walk ups.

In the end, Disney will still be Disney, and will make exceptions when it needs to. I think they will be strict in the beginning so people take the new policy seriously, but I cannot see any manager telling a family whose child got sick that morning that they need to pay $50 for an unfortunate circumstance. THAT is NOT the Disney Guest Service!!

I am a fan of the new policy.

Part of this has me thinking it's a scheduling thing, a way for Disney to cut staff even more. Maybe that's the pessimist in me (which is why I haven't mentioned it), but the CM's own words above have me thinking that even more.

If Disney knows the amount of reservations a full day ahead of time, they can decide to cut staff for the day, rather than prepare for the level including the no shows. This ties in with the cash grab side of things too. This is one thing that WOULDN'T be possible with a 3hr window. It would also mean that walk-ups would be no more likely to happen than they do now, and potentially less likely. (Since they now assume more correctly that this 80% occupancy will show up, there will be fewer no shows, and thus less chance to squeeze someone in).

If a restaurant plans for 90% capacity (including a 10% overbook rate and 20% no show rate), then they will schedule accordingly. If this same restaurant now sees they only have 80% capacity, they can tell a server, cook, and host to take the day off/come in later/leave earlier (as an example), thus making the 80% capacity now their max, preventing walk-ups and saving the restaurant more money.

Of course, this is all conjecture and I'd like to believe that they treat their own CMs better, but that's what the "Full Day" is now suggesting to me when paired with the CM's comment above.

Would you be a fan of the new policy if it meant potentially having your hours cut here and there due to lower than expected occupancy? (This is hypothetical, since you no longer work there and aren't affected).

Editing in here... as I thought about it after the last edit .

The fact that you think Disney will make all sorts of exceptions isn't what we're seeing with the current policy. They don't do it now, why would they do it under the new policy? The hub information posted that it would be only under "Extreme Circumstances" and would be flagged on the guest's record as a "Guest Recovery" situation (which could prevent other issues from being properly resolved, or past issues could prevent these issues from being resolved).

 

[ScoJo15]

Wow, have you read nothing that a large group of us has posted across the past 5-6 pages????

Oh I guess not..silly me...not reading the thread...did you not see that I had posted a few times earlier?

Not sure why the personal attack.

 

[Cafeen]

Oh I guess not..silly me...not reading the thread...did you not see that I had posted a few times earlier?

Not sure why the personal attack.

Because the people being hit with the penalty are NOT the ADR hoarders that everyone actually has an issue with. It's going to hit your typical family who encounters unexpected issues with their trip.

The policy makes no concession for these people who intend to use the system correctly and have something pop up the day of (and potentially, the day before!) That's what many of us take issue with and why we think a 3hr window would fit Disney's stated goals as well as work with these families much better.

 

[ScoJo15]

In reading through this thread...I also don't get why it's an issue if people get sick. Ok..so let's assume a party of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) is vacationing...someone wakes up sick in the morning and they cannot make their evening ADR because of the illness.

I'm further assuming that if they cannot make their reservation, it probably means they cannot do any park touring and are probably hanging at the resort.

So...why is it an issue that they now lose $40 for the ADR that they were not able to cancel, but is not an issue that they're losing appx $50 (that's a very appx number due to the variety of tickets) x 4 people = $200 in park tickets? I don't see them pestering Disney for a refund of that money?

The 'need to cancel same day' is really a very one off and minor issue in my opinion.

Of course I'm sure now that I'll get sick on my next trip LOL but hey...losing $10 for my ressie is nothing compared to the $2000 or so I spend for the vacation.

 

[ScoJo15]

Because the people being hit with the penalty are NOT the ADR hoarders that everyone actually has an issue with. It's going to hit your typical family who encounters unexpected issues with their trip.

The policy makes no concession for these people who intend to use the system correctly and have something pop up the day of (and potentially, the day before!) That's what many of us take issue with and why we think a 3hr window would fit Disney's stated goals as well as work with these families much better.

The funny thing here is that you are saying I'm the person who should be angered by this policy and I am not.

I do not hoard, and I intend to use the system as it's designed.

I have no problem with Disney charging me $10 if I don't cancel 24 hours out. If I'm that sick, $10 is the least of my worries.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Part of this has me thinking it's a scheduling thing, a way for Disney to cut staff even more. Maybe that's the pessimist in me (which is why I haven't mentioned it), but the CM's own words above have me thinking that even more.

If Disney knows the amount of reservations a full day ahead of time, they can decide to cut staff for the day, rather than prepare for the level including the no shows. This ties in with the cash grab side of things too. This is one thing that WOULDN'T be possible with a 3hr window. It would also mean that walk-ups would be no more likely to happen than they do now, and potentially less likely. (Since they now assume more correctly that this 80% occupancy will show up, there will be fewer no shows, and thus less chance to squeeze someone in).

If a restaurant plans for 90% capacity (including a 10% overbook rate and 20% no show rate), then they will schedule accordingly. If this same restaurant now sees they only have 80% capacity, they can tell a server, cook, and host to take the day off/come in later/leave earlier (as an example), thus making the 80% capacity now their max, preventing walk-ups and saving the restaurant more money.

Of course, this is all conjecture

Good. Because many of the Disney CMs are unionized; plus I can't see a company that needs the daily level of staffing WDW does, regularly changing schedules on a daily basis.