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

[NLD]

Thye just did.

Not really. They just instituted a policy to discourage no-shows and same-day cancellations.

It seems more reasonable to me that if in fact the policy succeeds at reducing no-shows, there will be less walk-up availability, not more.

 

[maxiesmom]

Not really. They just instituted a policy to discourage no-shows and same-day cancellations.

It seems more reasonable to me that if in fact the policy succeeds at reducing no-shows, there will be less walk-up availability, not more.

Not if they are assuming that some restaurants will not be booked to capacity. Maybe they are assuming they won't be, and will therefore be able to make more guests happy by taking walk-ups.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Not really. They just instituted a policy to discourage no-shows and same-day cancellations.

It seems more reasonable to me that if in fact the policy succeeds at reducing no-shows, there will be less walk-up availability, not more.

The way I see it more people will now cancel 24 hrs. ahead leaving more room for last minute ADRs & walk-ups. People will get burned on the fee only so many times, before changing the way they do things. They won't continue to say, "The heck with WDW. If they're going to charge me, I won't show up." They'll eventually start taking measures to assure they don't get charged in the first place. That could mean making less ADRs or planning their day around the ones they do make.

 

[mcd2745]

Not really. They just instituted a policy to discourage no-shows and same-day cancellations.

It seems more reasonable to me that if in fact the policy succeeds at reducing no-shows, there will be less walk-up availability, not more.

Let me rephrase....They just did, indirectly.

Hopefully, once this policy goes into effect, they will no longer overbook restaurants. They will only book up to exactly 100% of capacity. Then, once there are no-shows (even a much-reduced number of no-shows), those tables can be made available to walk-ups. Currently, because of how they overbook, trying to guess how many no-shows they will end up having, they can rarely accept walk-ups.

Unlike some others who are in favor of the policy, I don't think there will suddenly be an explosion of availability for walk-ups at popular spots. But I think it will be marginally better than before as a byproduct of the policy. Which again, the chief reason behind it has to be to drastically reduce no-shows which will allow them to better allocate resources . And if as a an added benefit of it, more guests are able to get a last-minute ADR or walk-up table, and/or restaurants not on the list get a bump in bookings, it's a total win for WDW.

 

[Cafeen]

Anyone who thinks there is any bigger reason for empty tables other than no-shows is kidding themselves. Probably because acknowledging that no-shows are the biggest reason for empty tables hurts their arguements against this new policy - whose main purpose is reducing the no-show rate.

You're making a large assumption here. No where does it state that the main purpose is reducing the no show rate, only to provide a more consistent guest experience. What the actual reasons behind it are, I have no idea, and with such a vague description, I can only guess and use logic to deduce possibilities.

The fact that there are empty tables and they're turning away walkups and having larger backups for those with ADRs suggests that the number one reason for empty tables is not no shows, but staffing and/or planning. Now, before you (or anyone else) pulls that as me saying it's the only reason, it's not. I'm sure that no shows and unexpected CM happenings (e.g. CM calls out sick) also factor into it, and I'd say no shows do factor in highly. I simply disagree that they are the biggest and only (as some others make it sound) reason.

There is no way they are only accepting ADRs for just 80% of a restaurant's total capacity. They would be accepting walk-ups then. I'm sure they accept more than 100% of total capacity for every restaurant. They're turning away walk-ups because they are assuming guests who made reservations will show up, even if their ADR time has just passed.

Not necessarily. Just because a restaurant can FIT 300 people, doesn't mean it can SERVE 300 people.

If the restaurant only has enough cooks, servers, and hosts to serve 240 people at a time, then the restaurant will have 20% empty tables. They will not be able to take walkups either, as they have reached the maximum serving occupancy which is often lower than the maximum seating occupancy.

There are other factors that some of us have gone into great detail about and how they tie in, but suffice to say that the fact that there are still long waits even with an ADR, they're not taking many (if any) walk ups at all, and the servers are more rushed and frazzled than they've ever been suggest that they aren't letting empty tables sit waiting for a family.

As for staffing....it's possible they may be asking servers to cover more tables than before. But it doesn't make a lot of sense when you consider how small a salary the servers get. Cutting a couple of servers saves them very little while leading to potential backups and potentially slower table turnover - which will likely cost them more than they saved. And now...(as we already learned in this thread) not only is every other child in WDW getting sick, a very high percentage of restaurant servers are too!

Salary is only a portion of the cost of employing anyone. Plus, as the old adage goes, a penny saved is a penny earned.

As for getting sick? It's more common for vacationers to get sick when they're not in their normal environment. That's a fact. Drink the water in Mexico or India and see how you feel The locals do it just fine though.

Unlike some others who are in favor of the policy, I don't think there will suddenly be an explosion of availability for walk-ups at popular spots. But I think it will be marginally better than before as a byproduct of the policy.

This, I totally agree with you on! (Though, replace "will" with "may")

 

[Lewisc]

That may be true for a specific shift but in general a restaurant won't have more tables then the kitchen can handle.

Character meals are either buffet, plated meals or family style. There shouldn't be an issue with the kitchen.

Signature restaurants are a different story. Even then the menus are limited.

Servers are paid a very small hourly wage. The bulk of their compensation is tips. Restaurants (WDW) don't generally have more then one hostess. I guess Disney could cut back kitchen help and drop a server (or two) if bookings were very light.

Using text messages to promote dining availability seems like an easy solution.

Not necessarily. Just because a restaurant can FIT 300 people, doesn't mean it can SERVE 300 people.

If the restaurant only has enough cooks, servers, and hosts to serve 240 people at a time, then the restaurant will have 20% empty tables. They will not be able to take walkups either, as they have reached the maximum serving occupancy which is often lower than the maximum seating occupancy.

There are other factors that some of us have gone into great detail about and how they tie in, but suffice to say that the fact that there are still long waits even with an ADR, they're not taking many (if any) walk ups at all, and the servers are more rushed and frazzled than they've ever been suggest that they aren't letting empty tables sit waiting for a family.


Salary is only a portion of the cost of employing anyone. Plus, as the old adage goes, a penny saved is a penny earned.

As for getting sick? It's more common for vacationers to get sick when they're not in their normal environment. That's a fact. Drink the water in Mexico or India and see how you feel The locals do it just fine though.


This, I totally agree with you on! (Though, replace "will" with "may")

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Using text messages to promote dining availability seems like an easy solution.

Do that many people really carry their phone around with them all the time at WDW? I guess I'm way behind the times. I might have my phone with me, but won't have it on while I'm enjoying vacation time with my family. I can't imagine checking often for a text message to come through, but that's just me.

ETA: I personally don't see any policy that requires a guest to be connected to electronics on vacation a solution to anything.

 

[Lewisc]

Do that many people really carry their phone around with them all the time at WDW? I guess I'm way behind the times. I might have my phone with me, but won't have it on while I'm enjoying vacation time with my family. I can't imagine checking often for a text message to come through, but that's just me.

A lot do. Not everyone, not even a majority, have to carry a phone. Just enough guests who are looking for an ADR.

You might carry you phone, and check for messages, if you were hoping for last minute dining availability.

 

[Snurk71]

That may be true for a specific shift but in general a restaurant won't have more tables then the kitchen can handle.

Character meals are either buffet, plated meals or family style. There shouldn't be an issue with the kitchen.

Until the kitchen experiences an unexpected absence too.

Restaurants (WDW) don't generally have more then one hostess. I guess Disney could cut back kitchen help and drop a server (or two) if bookings were very light.

Not in my experince - usually at least 2 if not 3 people usually checking people in. And that doesn't include the seaters taking you to the table sometimes.

 

[Snurk71]

Do that many people really carry their phone around with them all the time at WDW? I guess I'm way behind the times.

Based on my recent trip experiences, yes - you are way behind the times.

Seems like I see every other person texting or playing something on their phone standing in line.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

A lot do. Not everyone, not even a majority, have to carry a phone. Just enough guests who are looking for an ADR.

You might carry you phone, and check for messages, if you were hoping for last minute dining availability.

Then that wouldn't benefit the majority just a few. I can see why they didn't try this first. They obviously don't see it as a viable solution. FWIW, neither do I.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Based on my recent trip experiences, yes - you are way behind the times.

Seems like I see every other person texting or playing something on their phone standing in line.

I haven't really noticed that many people using phones continuously, but to each their own. I guess that's not what I go on family vacations for.

 

[Snurk71]

But you were still in the system - so to some degree, yes they assumed you were still coming. And they sat you. They're not going to completely stop seating people until you show up.

Yes, I was still in the system. And I suspect if it were a lunch ADR and I showed up at 8:00 I would still be in the system. They weren't expecting me (almost seemed shocked to go up that many screens) and they didn't hold my table open for me - which flies in the face of the theory that there's all these open tables because of no-shows. I was a late show (not even a no-show) and my table was apparently seated right on without me.

1 + 1 = 2, except when it comes to open tables at WDW - for some reason 1+1= 3 there. Having open tables with busy-as-ever servers just doesn't add up to holding tables for no-shows. If the servers were all standing around with the open tables, then it would make a little more sense. But it doesn't add up.

 

[Snurk71]

I haven't really noticed that many people using phones continuously, but to each their own. I guess that's not what I go on family vacations for.

Neither do I. But I see it a lot.

It's worse at DL. Go there with so many locals and I would guess it's close to pushing the majority having phones there - it's not really the vacation destination that WDW is.

 

[mom2rtk]

Do that many people really carry their phone around with them all the time at WDW? I guess I'm way behind the times. I might have my phone with me, but won't have it on while I'm enjoying vacation time with my family. I can't imagine checking often for a text message to come through, but that's just me.

ETA: I personally don't see any policy that requires a guest to be connected to electronics on vacation a solution to anything.

Well, all the cool kids do. Which explains why I don't.

Besides, my 2007 flip phone does not lend itself well to much other than making phone calls! Well, there's always that 1/3 megapixel camera......

 

[TDC Nala]

I carry my phone. I need it to find my friends.

The resorts will text you when your room is ready. Not sure how that would translate to restaurant reservations. probably means you have to stick near the restaurant and not go to another park, because it's not quite the same as room reservations.

I think Disney's working on going "mobile" which means a whole set of new abilities will open up to those who carry smartphones. Unfortunately my phone isn't all that smart.

 

[Snurk71]

Then that wouldn't benefit the majority just a few. I can see why they didn't try this first. They obviously don't see it as a viable solution. FWIW, neither do I.

I think Disney has been a slow adopter to social media, which is fine with me too. I don't have a Facebook or Twitter account, nor do I want one. But a lot of people do and I would think this would be more successful than either of us would estimate.

 

[disneyworld1977]

Very interesting policy now, but I see what they are getting at. I didn't put much in this post but I wanted to haven't been on in a while and have a new signature too. HAHA. Sorry wasting your time reading this.

Basically, make your reservations and stick to them. I have seen people do stuff like this outside of Disney, make double reservations whether it's restaurants and hotels, and just pull an no show. So you can see where they are coming from.

 

[Lewisc]

Then that wouldn't benefit the majority just a few. I can see why they didn't try this first. They obviously don't see it as a viable solution. FWIW, neither do I.

Disney uses text message to tell guests when their room is ready. I suspect a majority of guests have their cell phone with them. My point is for the purposes of using text messages to fill restaurants Disney doesn't need all guests using their cell phones.

I have no idea if Disney even cares about coming up with a system to match potential walk up diners with restaurants who have openings.

I suspect generating revenue from guests, DDP guests in particular, may be one goal. Disney tells those guests to make sure they make ADRs.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have no idea if Disney even cares about coming up with a system to match potential walk up diners with restaurants who have openings.

Say you're in Epcot. You can go up to Guest Services while you're in the park and ask which restaurants have openings. If you're at your resort you can ask the lobby concierge. Not sure what other kind of system they need.