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

[MamaJessie]

Even if I were Bill Gates I wouldn't set fire to $70 and that is what this fee is $70 for nothing given. I guess I am surpised in this economy that so many people think $40-$70 is no big deal? And I know some wealthy people they didn't get wealthy by throwing away their money.
Yes, we like nice meals on vacation and yes we don't like to waste money. They shouldn't have to be mutually exclusive.

I am in favor of the new rule but never said 40-70 is no big deal. I just plan on keeping ADRs I make and am willing to take that chance. I made that same gamble when I made my reservations at a condo and bought my MNSSHP tickets ahead of time.

 

[NLD]

I believe that Disney does care about the vacation experience of all their guests and that is one of the reasons they are instituting this policy.

The thing is, you do have a choice. Not every Disney restaurant is on that list. In fact, numerous ones are not. They are not forcing you to make ADR's at the restaurants on the list. There are many other options available.

Indeed. And I have already stated that cc-hold required restaurants will only be 1 or 2 ADRs out of our trip. (Most likely just one.)

Point is that if something happens on the day of that one ADR, I will not be cancelling, I will just no-show. In short, this policy will give them LESS notice than they used to get from me.

As far as caring about the customers' vacation experiences... I still have yet to see an explanation of how this policy enhances anyone's vacation experience.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Indeed. And I have already stated that cc-hold required restaurants will only be 1 or 2 ADRs out of our trip. (Most likely just one.)

Point is that if something happens on the day of that one ADR, I will not be cancelling, I will just no-show. In short, this policy will give them LESS notice than they used to get from me.

As far as caring about the customers' vacation experiences... I still have yet to see an explanation of how this policy enhances anyone's vacation experience.

You should probably write to Guest Communications and ask that. Whether you get the PR response, or an actual reply, it's going to be more accurate and official than anything you'll read here.

 

[MSLRAC]

I am in favor of the new rule but never said 40-70 is no big deal. I just plan on keeping ADRs I make and am willing to take that chance. I made that same gamble when I made my reservations at a condo and bought my MNSSHP tickets ahead of time.

I am in favor of the new rule too but I am not in favor of the 24 hours cancellation window (I think that a 2-3 hours window would be sufficient). We plan on keeping all of our ADRs too but that chance is too big for us to take because we prefer the DxDP. We would have 1-2 cc hold meals scheduled per day for our 7 day, 8 night trip. At a possible $20-$50 hit per meal, that is a HUGE risk for us that we are just not willing to take.

 

[NLD]

You should probably write to Guest Communications and ask that. Whether you get the PR response, or an actual reply, it's going to be more accurate and official than anything you'll read here.

Honestly though I don't need an official response. The question of how this policy affects guests doesn't require an official response.... WDW can tell me how they think this policy will affect guests.

What I am honestly trying to figure out is how it WILL enhance guests' experiences. There are a number of people in favor of this policy. So far, when asked why they are in favor, the responses don't point to any tangible benefit for those folks.

The one tangible benefit that has been brought up is that the policy will make it easier to get ADRs to these places. I am willing to concede this might be true, because people like me are less likely to book these restaurants now that they require credit cards. I am not convinced it's true, though, because if the main problem with booking ADRs is hoarders, this policy doesn't impact the ability of people to double-book.

Furthermore, this policy actually creates a situation where people who haven't double-booked in the past might be tempted to do so. (Particularly cases where people are unsure until close to their trip how large their party size will be.)

 

[Snurk71]

The one tangible benefit that has been brought up is that the policy will make it easier to get ADRs to these places. I am willing to concede this might be true, because people like me are less likely to book these restaurants now that they require credit cards. I am not convinced it's true, though, because if the main problem with booking ADRs is hoarders, this policy doesn't impact the ability of people to double-book.

Furthermore, this policy actually creates a situation where people who haven't double-booked in the past might be tempted to do so. (Particularly cases where people are unsure until close to their trip how large their party size will be.)

You are correct here. I'm still going to book whatever ADRs are on my "dream list" at 180+10 days. I'll just try to forecast harder during our vacation which ones to cancel at 11:59 (okay, I might do it at 11:55) the night prior. So it will only open same day ADRs, which won't help the uber-planners.

 

[Snurk71]

That horse left the barn a long time ago.

I disagree. We've been able to maintain some flexibility on our trips - maybe you haven't. This new policy is a shot against the flexibility for how we enjoy to vacation though.

 

[Snurk71]

My guess is a large majority (not all) of people are really upset that they'll no longer be able to fill their ADR dream list ahead of time then decide when they arrive, if they will work for them.

I'm still going to make my ADR dream list at 180+10 days. I'll just be canceling one or two the night before during our trip. Again, this is just taking away some of the flexibilty, and therefore, enjoyment/magic of my vacation.

Do you not think that's one of the things they're trying to accomplish with this policy change? If that family that foresees problems doesn't book the ADR, it is now left open for those who will definitely show up, or for walk-ups.

No, I don't. I think they're looking for a combination of guarantee seating and some extra cash to book with some cancellations. If I want to be really cynical I'd offer that they're adding the cancellation fee to help support the dining plan that is putting a strain on the profitability of the dining division.

Not picking on you, but this is the problem. Many people made ADRs sitting at home in front of their computer, but didn't make showing up a top priority. They want to change that way of thinking.

You are correct. Making a silly meal while on vacation left being my top priority a few years ago (it may have been at one time). And my vacations have been a lot more enjoyable since I loosened the planning strings and became more flexible. So we disagree on the value/importance of a restaurant reservation.

 

[Snurk71]

But Disney does not believe that 3 hours is a reasonable length of time.

Here's the thing, they could move it to 12 hours & some people wouldn't be happy, they could move it to 6 hours prior & some wouldn't be happy & they could move it to 3 hours & some wouldn't be happy.

As a business owner, I've learned that when you need to make a tough business decision you just make the best one you see fit. There will be some that will agree and some that won't. There will be some customers that you may lose & some you may gain. You do your best to retain them all or as many as possible, but in the end you can't stress over those ones that decide to leave. You can only move forward continuing to make those that remain loyal to you happy. You also continue to focus on attracting new customers.

And you've also probably learned as a business owner that you don't always make the best business decision and have to recant some things. Disney and the monorail running, Netflix/Quixter or whatever it was called...

Companies sometimes make mistakes and don't realize it until their customer base calls them on it. That's what some of us are doing here. It's okay if you support the policy. A lot of us don't.

 

[Euphoria027]

Many of us believe 3 hours is a reasonable length of time. It's okay if you don't. It doesn't make our belief wrong though.

Great, excellent. You've said that now, what? A dozen times? You don't like the 24 hour policy. You want 3 hours. Sorry, but that's NOT what it is and replying with WHAT'S WRONG WITH 3 HOURS will not change it, no matter how many times you repeat yourself.

It's just getting really frustrating to see that OVER AND OVER again.

 

[Colleen27]

How will this new policy deter them?

Well, there is one way... Right now you cannot double book with the same credit card number. Before we changed our dates we were thinking about a night where DH & I could sneak away to Cali Grill while my mom and the kids went to Mickey's BYBBQ and there's no way to book that online with one CC#, not even using two different e-mails/phone numbers, and the CM I talked to at WDW-Dine couldn't seem to get it to work either. I ran out of patience while on hold waiting for a supervisor so I'm not sure if a higher-up could have forced it through, but it could be one potential obstacle to double-booking once most of the desirable restaurants require a CC hold (although I assume most people do have more than one CC and aren't as paranoid as I am about using them online - I only have one I use for online/phone transactions).

 

[MSLRAC]

Great, excellent. You've said that now, what? A dozen times? You don't like the 24 hour policy. You want 3 hours. Sorry, but that's NOT what it is and replying with WHAT'S WRONG WITH 3 HOURS will not change it, no matter how times you repeat yourself.

It's just getting really frustrating.

And those of you that are in favor of this policy and refuse to acknowledge that there is another side to this debate are getting just as frustrating!

I think most of us that are against it can see why Disney is doing it, we just don't like the time frame. But those of you in favor of it seem to think that there is never, ever a valid reason to miss an ADR whether you call and cancel or not. You seem to think those of us against it are "rule breaker" that "hoard" ADRs just for kicks. That is not the case for the majority of people here.

I think this is a situation that we are just going to have to agree to disagree about but in doing so, you can't just dismiss the other side's valid arguments as rubbish because they go against your valid arguments.

 

[Colleen27]

Even in this thread, there was a FIRST PERSON account of being told to come back to Le Cellier in 45 minutes JUST TO CHECK IN (putting the time to check in at around 30 minutes past their ADR time).

Yep, that was me and it actually happened twice. We've generally had excellent luck with waits for TS restaurants but both times we got Le Cellier we checked in about 10min before our ADR only to be warned of really long waits - the first time it was 45min to be seated, so we told the hostess to cross us off the list and we walked up at San Angel instead. The second time we were told to check in again in 45min, not sure how long that would have been to be seated. We again told the hostess to cross us off, and we ended up having dinner at the ESPN Club.

I didn't even try for Le Cellier for our last two trips because of that - no restaurant is worth getting up at 6am to get a reservation 6 months in advance only to wait an hour to be seated! The new signature status and menu convinced me to give it another shot in January so hopefully we'll have better luck then.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And those of you that are in favor of this policy and refuse to acknowledge that there is another side to this debate are getting just as frustrating!

I don't recall which thread I said this in, so forgive me if I'm repeating myself: I never said I was in favor of it. I'm neutral. It's a new policy. I know it exists. I'll abide by it - give my card number to hold required reservations, and eat the cancellation fee if I don't cancel in time. Or I won't make ADRs at restaurants that have this requirement.

 

[dismommom]

Wow, really? You would force your kids to suffer thru a meal when they didn't feel well, just to somehow prove a point to Disney?That is beyond sad. It is not up to Disney to see to kids and their needs. That is the job of the parent. Their trying to run a business and keep from losing money in no way strips any parent of the responsibility of parenting. And too many posters seem to think that it does. A very sad statement on parenting, that they value a few dollars over their childs health.

I love the "it is not up to Disney to see to kids and their needs". So the time has come - change the slogan from "the Happiest Place on Earth" - to "hey we're trying to make a buck here!"

They had the year of a Million Dreams" and "What will you celebrate?" - they next one is "Eat Your dinner or Else!"

And those pumpkins you see leaving Magic Kingdom change them from "See You Real Soon" to "See you When You Can Pony up More Bucks"

 

[Mkrop]

Yep, that was me and it actually happened twice. We've generally had excellent luck with waits for TS restaurants but both times we got Le Cellier we checked in about 10min before our ADR only to be warned of really long waits - the first time it was 45min to be seated, so we told the hostess to cross us off the list and we walked up at San Angel instead. The second time we were told to check in again in 45min, not sure how long that would have been to be seated. We again told the hostess to cross us off, and we ended up having dinner at the ESPN Club.

I didn't even try for Le Cellier for our last two trips because of that - no restaurant is worth getting up at 6am to get a reservation 6 months in advance only to wait an hour to be seated! The new signature status and menu convinced me to give it another shot in January so hopefully we'll have better luck then.

We have had that same experience when we were waiting for Le Cellier as well. I think they run behind quite frequently, both times they had a CM out there telling jokes and having trivia games to kill time.

 

[dismommom]

Thank you, this is what I'm saying while $20 for a couple is different than $70 for our family. And yes losing the credit we pay for is already enough of a penalty.
I think people are sincerely not understanding this does not in anyway penalize the rule breakers/hoarders as they will be able to cancel before the mark. It only penalizes people who have a problem come up and I keep mentioning sick kids not because our kids are on death's door. I mention it because let's face it with that many people and not everyone is as bleach crazy/sanitizing as me (have to be with 5 kids and some who get sick easily) there are going to be sick kids at WDW. And someone mentioned the water, that happened to us our preschooler at the time got sick out of the blue for a few days. My mom switched him to bottled water on a hunch and yep he rebounded quick. Florida water doesn't agree with him and everytime we go down there and he forgets and drinks the tap water. I always order bottled water to be delivered now.

Just want to mention - skip ice in your drinks. That Florida water almost ruined two vacations before we realized we had to cut out ALL Florida water.

 

[Snurk71]

Great, excellent. You've said that now, what? A dozen times? You don't like the 24 hour policy. You want 3 hours. Sorry, but that's NOT what it is and replying with WHAT'S WRONG WITH 3 HOURS will not change it, no matter how many times you repeat yourself.

It's just getting really frustrating to see that OVER AND OVER again.

It's because I keep responding to the same comment OVER AND OVER again. But I'm a disappointed customer and I'm going to share it. As someone pointed out earlier - doesn't Disney read these boards? You may be the kind to bend over, take whatever is given to you, and say "yes please, may I have another" - but I'm not. So actually, we that aren't in favor as the policy stands might be able to change the policy by continuing to beat the drum (go read the late night monorail operation or the Netflix/Quixter saga if you don't think these things happen in real life). You can ignore me if you'd like - it's okay (I'm doing it to Katie).

So let's make it a baker's dozen just for you, shall we.

I don't like the day before (it's not 24 hours) policy and ask the question what's day before get Disney over a 3 hour policy? All the responses I seem to get are - cause it's Disney's restaurant and they said so. Outside of the one case where the ADR will be available first thing in the morning (which I question what value that is over the hard feelings the day before policy may cause), that's not really a supportive answer.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I love the "it is not up to Disney to see to kids and their needs". So the time has come - change the slogan from "the Happiest Place on Earth"

You have your parks confused. Disneyland is The Happiest Place on Earth.

 

[dismommom]

Just because you haven't been sat that late does not mean it doesn't happen.

2009, CP dinner ADR at 7pm. We showed up at ~6:45 and waited in line for 15 minutes to check-in. Told they were running behind. Sat by around 7:35-7:40.

Same year, Le Cellier lunch at 2:10pm. Arrive by 2pm and check in. Not told anything. Sat by around 2:45 pm.

2011, Tusker House 10am ADR. Arrive around 9:40am and wait in line to check in until 9:52. Sat at around 10:30am.

Of course, it's not the norm. Many of my other reservations were on time or early, but just because most of mine are reasonable does not mean they all are. We hear stories here every week (at least) of people being turned away and told to come back WITH ADRs. Even in this thread, there was a FIRST PERSON account of being told to come back to Le Cellier in 45 minutes JUST TO CHECK IN (putting the time to check in at around 30 minutes past their ADR time).

In other words, you're lucky and that's great. Some others, not so much. So unless under this policy Disney can guarantee that you'll be seated within 15 minutes of your ADR time, it's VERY one sided. Even if the wait is 45 minutes to get a pager, you have zero recourse but to pay the fee and go somewhere else, or wait potentially over an hour past ADR time to eat.

Again, since this is getting heated a bit, I do want to say that I am by no means disbelieving or discounting your own experiences. Just saying that your experiences aren't all there is.

I've been to Disney 30 times. Used the Dining Plan (free & Paid) everytime the last 6 or 7 years. I can count the times we were seated in less than 20 minutes on one hand.