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

[pinkerbell]

We recently got back from our first trip w/ a VERY sick child. My dauther (5) had no symptoms to speak of other than a temp that fluctuated on and off over several days up to 103.8! Yes we were ice bathing her and in touch with our Dr's and First aid etc. While I can say that fist aid and the resort were EXCELLENT! We did have trouble trying to obtain Rest info while near P of the C. I wanted to call the resturant and after talking to 3 peolpe was told it was not possible. I was trying to get info on if we could push back the ressie how late could we be etc. Unless you can actually contact the rest. to obtain info I don't think they should charge a fee if you can't make it. I wish I could predict the future and know 24 hrs in advance if my daughter was going to be better.. but illness doesnt work that way.. Inor do you want to make everyone else sick by brining out a sick child this will put a lot of people in a tuff position
The other issue (and I am new to this thread so this may have been discussed) is we waited for over 30 min on 2 of our FP's. There is no time indicator for fastpasses and it seem's that there was defiantely an issue executing them since we saw people getting on rides before us who were not FP's holder but got to the attraction at the same time as us. These were very slow days and I think the FP is of best use during busy days. Or at least based on this past expereience.
ANd then there's transportation, I can't wait to red the entire thread and see how that will play into this. We usually have a car but use both methods and I have had some very long waits for busses.
We, maybe if desire for the DDP goe down, maybe they will offer it FREE when we go in APril

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Do people actually stay in their room because it's cold? It's always warmer in Orlando than home. Pouring down rain or snow would not stop me and DS from heading to the parks.

It was kind of funny in December 2010 when it was unusually cold the 1st week. In the morning at the resort, I saw people coming outside in winter hats, sweaters, and heavy coats. Where do these people live at home? The Caribbean or something? I was still walking around in shorts, t-shirt, and flip flops.

they might just be from Florida

We were there last week and relatives of ours who live in Florida thought we were crazy to want to go swimming because it was so cold ... meanwhile it was in the mid to upper 80's

 

[Lewisc]

Do people actually stay in their room because it's cold? It's always warmer in Orlando than home. Pouring down rain or snow would not stop me and DS from heading to the parks.

It was kind of funny in December 2010 when it was unusually cold the 1st week. In the morning at the resort, I saw people coming outside in winter hats, sweaters, and heavy coats. Where do these people live at home? The Caribbean or something? I was still walking around in shorts, t-shirt, and flip flops.

Last December was much colder then expected. People who didn't dress for the cold might go back to their resort rather then staying at a park for dinner. A family who went back to their resort for heavier clothing might not want to leave again for a non-park dinner ADR.

 

[Alby]

The only people this would really affect are the ones who make multiple reservations and then don't go to a lot of them.

I am an uberplanner, love the 180 days window as it enables me to start planning sooner, and I have never cancelled an ADR or held more than 1 for the same meal…
…nevertheless, I hate the new policy.
Exactly because I am a rule stickler and don’t like asking for exceptions, I would hate to have to call and ask for a fee waiving, and depend on the whim of the answering CM to get it.

Only because it’s never happened to me, I don’t think it’s impossible that next time my kid or I will wake up sick one day, will not make our ADR and have to cancel only a few hours in advance. As already mentioned, who thinks this is improbable has not read all the posts on stomach bugs and winter illnesses… and we am going in January next time!

If my kid gets sick, we’ll be already disappointed enough (it is actually something I fear very much), and the fee will add insult to injury.
I think this is not only about me, but could be the case for many families, that’s why I think the policy needs improving.

 

[maxiesmom]

We recently got back from our first trip w/ a VERY sick child. My dauther (5) had no symptoms to speak of other than a temp that fluctuated on and off over several days up to 103.8! Yes we were ice bathing her and in touch with our Dr's and First aid etc. While I can say that fist aid and the resort were EXCELLENT! We did have trouble trying to obtain Rest info while near P of the C. I wanted to call the resturant and after talking to 3 peolpe was told it was not possible. I was trying to get info on if we could push back the ressie how late could we be etc. Unless you can actually contact the rest. to obtain info I don't think they should charge a fee if you can't make it. I wish I could predict the future and know 24 hrs in advance if my daughter was going to be better.. but illness doesnt work that way.. Inor do you want to make everyone else sick by brining out a sick child this will put a lot of people in a tuff position

ANd then there's transportation, I can't wait to red the entire thread and see how that will play into this. We usually have a car but use both methods and I have had some very long waits for busses.
We, maybe if desire for the DDP goe down, maybe they will offer it FREE when we go in APril

The whole problem of people getting sick has been discussed, but as you said you are new, I will give you my viewpoint. As a parent, sometimes when you have sick kids you have to suck it up and miss out on stuff. If someone has a child that gets sick at WDW I would expect them to make a choice that has their child's best interests at heart, and not drag them out for a meal. Any parent who would take a truly sick (we are not just talking about a small sniffle) child out in order to save $10 a head is a pretty poor parent, imho. Sure it sucks to lose money, but I would wager most parents value their child's health over $10 or $20.

As far as Disney transportation to get to ADRs goes, all of my current confirmations says to give an hour and a half to get to your ADRs. Unless something extreme comes up, that is plenty of time. And as they also tell you to arrive 20 minutes before your ADR, that actually puts your time out at almost 2 hours. It is very unlikely that if someone leaves their resort almost 2 hours before their ADR that they will miss it becasue of transportation issues.

 

[Mkrop]

The whole problem of people getting sick has been discussed, but as you said you are new, I will give you my viewpoint. As a parent, sometimes when you have sick kids you have to suck it up and miss out on stuff. If someone has a child that gets sick at WDW I would expect them to make a choice that has their child's best interests at heart, and not drag them out for a meal. Any parent who would take a truly sick (we are not just talking about a small sniffle) child out in order to save $10 a head is a pretty poor parent, imho. Sure it sucks to lose money, but I would wager most parents value their child's health over $10 or $20.

As far as Disney transportation to get to ADRs goes, all of my current confirmations says to give an hour and a half to get to your ADRs. Unless something extreme comes up, that is plenty of time. And as they also tell you to arrive 20 minutes before your ADR, that actually puts your time out at almost 2 hours. It is very unlikely that if someone leaves their resort almost 2 hours before their ADR that they will miss it becasue of transportation issues.

Not true!

Two occasions we were late due for ADRs bc of transportation.

Time #1 CR to DHS for dinner. We left 2 hours before our ADR. We sat and sat at the bus stop, every other bus came except DHS. We asked a bus driver to radio, told us to sit tight, nothing. I ran back inside and said something to the front desk, oh it will be here shortly, nothing. Finally after waiting, we got the greeter from CR who was outside for some reason. He made a call and 20 minutes later we had a bus that then had to stop at the Poly and the GF. There were several different families and we were all unhappy.


Time #2 We went back to the resort to take a rest and get warmer clothes for the freezing CP we were going to have to sit through bc I could not cancel w/o a fee. We left on the monorail and we sat, and we sat, and we sat. Why? Because it was so cold that the sensor doors would not close on the monorail and allow the drivers to drive. They would also not let us off so we could have taken a taxi or figured something else out. We were late for our ADR.

 

[pinkerbell]

The whole problem of people getting sick has been discussed, but as you said you are new, I will give you my viewpoint. As a parent, sometimes when you have sick kids you have to suck it up and miss out on stuff. If someone has a child that gets sick at WDW I would expect them to make a choice that has their child's best interests at heart, and not drag them out for a meal. Any parent who would take a truly sick (we are not just talking about a small sniffle) child out in order to save $10 a head is a pretty poor parent, imho. Sure it sucks to lose money, but I would wager most parents value their child's health over $10 or $20.

As far as Disney transportation to get to ADRs goes, all of my current confirmations says to give an hour and a half to get to your ADRs. Unless something extreme comes up, that is plenty of time. And as they also tell you to arrive 20 minutes before your ADR, that actually puts your time out at almost 2 hours. It is very unlikely that if someone leaves their resort almost 2 hours before their ADR that they will miss it becasue of transportation issues.

What I was trying to illustarte is that my child's temp fluctuated over SEVEN days, multply that by our family members four and your're looking at about $300. One day normal the next 103.8! then normal again... so do you cancel and then the child turns out to be OK and then you kick yourself, also if you are on the DDP and have already paid for the meals you are also loosing and additional aprrox $100 over seven days we're talking a lot of money potentially a thousand $$$$ for meals and no show charges or more for groups of 4 or more. You may recoup some meals, but certianly not all and you will also be getting the "leftovers" of rest's and times. In aperfect world your thinking "you dont all have to miss the meal, well we are a "family" on a family vacation, I will not make one suffer twice (being sick and missing a fun meal) due to something that is not their fault. Meals we had to skip, we ate together poolside. Our Dr advised us to let her do whatever she felt up to since there were no other symptoms.

as Far as 2 hrs to get to a ressie!!! BA HA HA HA HAA!!! I love that! so does that also mean two hrs on the return?? the parks will be empty! think of all the extra rides we can fit in... also resort ressies may go down, so there may be more availability for those there is always an upside!

 

[maxiesmom]

What I was trying to illustarte is that my child's temp fluctuated over SEVEN days, multply that by our family members four and your're looking at about $300. One day normal the next 103.8! then normal again... so do you cancel and then the child turns out to be OK and then you kick yourself, also if you are on the DDP and have already paid for the meals you are also loosing and additional aprrox $100 over seven days we're talking a lot of money potentially a thousand $$$$ for meals and no show charges or more for groups of 4 or more. You may recoup some meals, but certianly not all and you will also be getting the "leftovers" of rest's and times. In aperfect world your thinking "you dont all have to miss the meal, well we are a "family" on a family vacation, I will not make one suffer twice (being sick and missing a fun meal) due to something that is not their fault. Meals we had to skip, we ate together poolside. Our Dr advised us to let her do whatever she felt up to since there were no other symptoms.

as Far as 2 hrs to get to a ressie!!! BA HA HA HA HAA!!! I love that! so does that also mean two hrs on the return?? the parks will be empty! think of all the extra rides we can fit in... also resort ressies may go down, so there may be more availability for those there is always an upside!

I think it would be rare indeed to miss every adr over 7 days becasue of illness. Not saying it can't happen, but it would not be at all common, and is an extreme example to say the least. Crap does sometimes happen, and most parents know that you can't control everything. You certainlly can't control when your child will be ill, but you do have to deal with the consequences. I'm sure you know that very well, going by your post. But if you have an ill child and don't cancel your ADRs, as the parent you should know things are chancy and your child may be fine again one minute, and feel bad again the next. However, deciding to cancel or not cancel and ADR, knowing their is a chance of paying the fee, is once again on the parent and not on Disney. You really have to look at it as "Do I want to risk this money in the hopes that my child will feel better, or will I be more mad if I am out the money?"

And you may laugh at the 2 hour ressie thing, but as I pointed out, that is the timeline Disney has set. You need to leave your resort 2 hoours before your ADR, going by their timeline! Well, 1 hour and 50 minutes to be precise. If someone decide that time is too long, and miss their ADR becasue they didn't follow it, then that is on the guest. Disney warned you, they would owe you nothing in that case.

I want to add that in the case of it being a transportation malfunction, and not just the guest not leaving enough time to get to their ADR, Disney is very good about accomodating late guests. A couple years ago they were holding ADRs at the Kona Cafe as they knew the monorail was having problems and was making many people late.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Seconding another poster that the weather reports are never wrong. Not to mention that they're also incredibly accurate in telling when those heavy rains come inland (sarcasm for those that can't read into it).

I'm sorry, but you seem pretty unsympathetic to how real life works for real families on vacation. You're out in the park all day (maybe in the cold, maybe in the rain), you go back to your room for a rest in the afternoon and quite frankly just don't want to go back out in the mess after you've warmed up/dried out. I would bet there's plenty of people like that. I'm one of those people - and have been more than once. When I have been I either A) try to get into a TS restaurant at our resort, B) order room service, or C) eat at the restaurant CS. I still had to eat, Disney just fed me at another location.

No, I'm unsympathetic to the people who book up many highly desired ADRs months in advance, then consider them expendable. If you're able to book 6 months out, & keep every ADR, good for you. OTOH, if you can think of numerous reasons you may not want/be able to go, don't book so many. There are many people who don't book trips that far in advance that can't get the ADRs they'd like, because people who booked months in advance have them all booked up. Those who book later may have loved the chance to be forced to show up to an ADR they really wanted. If you've book that far in advance, preventing others from getting restaurants they want, then don't go, you should incur a penalty. You've negatively affected someone's vacation for nothing.

I am sympathetic to those who are sick or have sick kids. Unfortunately, people have cancelled last minute or were no shows for so many other reasons that those with sick kids will also be affected. If people were only cancelling for sickness, there probably wouldn't be a need for the policy. That was probably only a small portion of the last minute cancels & no shows though. We can see that by reading this thread.

A poster suggested no shows were dramatically higher in Jan. People were trying to come up with reasons. I speculated winter related delays in arriving at WDW is one possibility. I'm not suggesting if that's good (or bad).

Not planning a TS meal your first night is one solution. Disney has to decide if it's better to have fewer guests making advance plans their first night or having higher "no shows". A person with an ADR might try to keep it, even if they're tired from traveling. That same person, without an ADR, might not bother checking for availability.

If the ADR wasn't made, it could also have gone to someone already on property that would have used it.

 

[pinkerbell]

Not true!

Two occasions we were late due for ADRs bc of transportation.

Time #1 CR to DHS for dinner. We left 2 hours before our ADR. We sat and sat at the bus stop, every other bus came except DHS. We asked a bus driver to radio, told us to sit tight, nothing. I ran back inside and said something to the front desk, oh it will be here shortly, nothing. Finally after waiting, we got the greeter from CR who was outside for some reason. He made a call and 20 minutes later we had a bus that then had to stop at the Poly and the GF. There were several different families and we were all unhappy.


Time #2 We went back to the resort to take a rest and get warmer clothes for the freezing CP we were going to have to sit through bc I could not cancel w/o a fee. We left on the monorail and we sat, and we sat, and we sat. Why? Because it was so cold that the sensor doors would not close on the monorail and allow the drivers to drive. They would also not let us off so we could have taken a taxi or figured something else out. We were late for our ADR.

I think the CM's operate on the belief that everything (with busses) is running smoothly and that people THINK they have been waiting longer than they really have. I have seen bus drivers practically call guests liars when they said they were waiting X minutes. And I know it was true! I waited too!
Our last trip our friends took DME to the airport, thier bus had a mechanical issue and the handicapped platform got stuck OUT.. they not only were not told for over 30 minutes, but their backup bus didn't arrive till 50 minutes later! They tried to get off but the bus driver kept saying I will get you there in time... They had stuff underneath and he wasnt letting them off. They got to the airport and the line for security was quite long. I tried to tell the flight attendant and podium people, but they didnt care. ANd I get that, they have a palnefull of people who have to be somewhere.. We all borded and they flight attendants were closing the overhead bins when they made it on the plane honestly just before they closed the doors!!! I think next trip they may get a car like us!

 

[maxiesmom]

I think the CM's operate on the belief that everything (with busses) is running smoothly and that people THINK they have been waiting longer than they really have. I have seen bus drivers practically call guests liars when they said they were waiting X minutes. And I know it was true! I waited too!
Our last trip our friends took DME to the airport, thier bus had a mechanical issue and the handicapped platform got stuck OUT.. they not only were not told for over 30 minutes, but their backup bus didn't arrive till 50 minutes later! They tried to get off but the bus driver kept saying I will get you there in time... They had stuff underneath and he wasnt letting them off. They got to the airport and the line for security was quite long. I tried to tell the flight attendant and podium people, but they didnt care. ANd I get that, they have a palnefull of people who have to be somewhere.. We all borded and they flight attendants were closing the overhead bins when they made it on the plane honestly just before they closed the doors!!! I think next trip they may get a car like us!

The DME bus drivers are not Cast Members. And, unfortunately, I can see the airline people not giving a hoot why you were late. I've had enough close calls with DME going back to MCO that it is making me a bit nervous about using it again.

 

[Colleen27]

I don't know anything about Mobile Magic. I do have a smartphone, but I'm one of those people who got it to make calls. My DH does more with his Iphone, but it's not attached to his hip. Are you suggesting people be able to use that, if they prefer not to make ADRs, or that it should replace this new policy & the ability to book ahead? If it's an additional tool, it sounds like a great idea.

The problem with this line of thinking is that Mobile Magic is a Verizon-exclusive app. I can't imagine Disney would make it part of any major system without first opening it up to everyone, rather than just Verizon subscribers with an Android phone. Their open-to-all mobile web site... well, it doesn't work right on any phone I've tried to access it from.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

The problem with this line of thinking is that Mobile Magic is a Verizon-exclusive app. I can't imagine Disney would make it part of any major system without first opening it up to everyone, rather than just Verizon subscribers with an Android phone. Their open-to-all mobile web site... well, it doesn't work right on any phone I've tried to access it from.

I think we agree on this one. That's interesting. As I said, I don't know anything about it. We do have Verizon, but I don't want to have to carry my cell phone around with me all day. Personally, I hope they never go to a system like this as the only way of procuring fast passes or ADRs.

 

[Colleen27]

I think we agree on this one. That's interesting. As I said, I don't know anything about it. We do have Verizon, but I don't want to have to carry my cell phone around with me all day. Personally, I hope they never go to a system like this as the only way of procuring fast passes or ADRs.

I agree, because I don't have a smartphone. I have a semi-intelligent phone that can handle very basic mobile web like the Lines app but nothing as cumbersome and graphics-intensive as Disney's official site, so I'd be left out of any mobile system at this point in time.

 

[pinkerbell]

I think it would be rare indeed to miss every adr over 7 days becasue of illness. Not saying it can't happen, but it would not be at all common, and is an extreme example to say the least. Crap does sometimes happen, and most parents know that you can't control everything. You certainlly can't control when your child will be ill, but you do have to deal with the consequences. I'm sure you know that very well, going by your post. But if you have an ill child and don't cancel your ADRs, as the parent you should know things are chancy and your child may be fine again one minute, and feel bad again the next. However, deciding to cancel or not cancel and ADR, knowing their is a chance of paying the fee, is once again on the parent and not on Disney. You really have to look at it as "Do I want to risk this money in the hopes that my child will feel better, or will I be more mad if I am out the money?"

And you may laugh at the 2 hour ressie thing, but as I pointed out, that is the timeline Disney has set. You need to leave your resort 2 hoours before your ADR, going by their timeline! Well, 1 hour and 50 minutes to be precise. If someone decide that time is too long, and miss their ADR becasue they didn't follow it, then that is on the guest. Disney warned you, they would owe you nothing in that case.

I want to add that in the case of it being a transportation malfunction, and not just the guest not leaving enough time to get to their ADR, Disney is very good about accomodating late guests. A couple years ago they were holding ADRs at the Kona Cafe as they knew the monorail was having problems and was making many people late.

first I wanna say THANKS! for such a great discussion I do agree that it is hopefully very RARE! we've been going to DIsney for years and this is the first time something like this has happened. we are very fortunate. But what I mean is I would have had to have cancelled all but our first ressie (she fell asleep at Citricos' and that is when we noticed the fever) based on teh 24 hr notice thing. so some days she would have been ok, but they would have already been cancelled then we would end up with "leftovers" as I call them and probably very late times. It's not like a ressie for a local rest. you can cancel and go the next week These are for some once in a lifetime opportunities. For a family that has had to save for yrs and then deal w/ this policy and a sick child UGH!!! .. it just doesnt give me a warm tingly. On the other hand I know it's a business.. it is tuff on all sides

 

[rchawkins72]

Yes, you will have to enter it for each reservation and it is a pain in the rear. It is sad that people have taken advantage of the ADR system making multiple reservations or not showing up at all. The system now will cancel conflicting reservations and override the earlier one if times overlap. I have seen posts on here where people are still doing it but just staggering times so they still have a choice - like one for 5:45 and another for 7pm. With the DDP Disney is trying to fill all of their restaurants, which I understand as they are here to make money. However, it makes it difficult on guests. I for one do not like to plan every detail down to each meal. I mean really, I don't know what I want to eat tonight let alone in 6 months from now.

 

[rchawkins72]

I guess I should add I am a disabled vet and have some issues that make it difficult to get around at times, and at others I fall ill with no warning. In some instances I just let my wife go to dinner with the kids. In the past, they have tried to change or accomodate us for another time/date, or refunded as in the case of CRT. I am sure they will continue to make exceptions on a case by casis basis, provided it does not get out of control as well. Things happen and Disney understands that. Now that they have added so many CC gaurentees and Prepays, they will have to work our last minute issues into the policy somewhere.

 

[rchawkins72]

It appears that it accepts cards based on their validity at time of the reservation. There are four facilitites including CRT, Mickey's BBQ, The Luau and the Hoop De Doo Revue that require prepayment in full in advance. This hampers things as for many they plan out but may not have the funds budgeted for that particular cost when the reservation needs to be made.

 

[miprender]

So opposers, make sure to make your voice heard with a note to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.

Just sent an email voicing my concerns.

I swear I must look at money differently bc even though I would accept a $10 cancellation fee begrudingly, I still dont want to part with ANY of my money for now reason. I avoid fees if I can help it like the plague.

Same here. We save up every year for our trip and though $10 might not seem like much I don't feel like just giving it away willy-nilly.

Any parent who would take a truly sick (we are not just talking about a small sniffle) child out in order to save $10 a head is a pretty poor parent, imho. Sure it sucks to lose money, but I would wager most parents value their child's health over $10 or $20.

.

But for some it is not just $10 or $20 dollars. It would be $50 for what. I wish I was that rich that $50 was play money but I hate wasting money especially when I get nothing for it.

As for some of the family eating and the others staying at the hotel, I would never do that either. This is a family vacation so we all stick together.

 

[aubriee]

I guess I should add I am a disabled vet and have some issues that make it difficult to get around at times, and at others I fall ill with no warning. In some instances I just let my wife go to dinner with the kids. In the past, they have tried to change or accomodate us for another time/date, or refunded as in the case of CRT. I am sure they will continue to make exceptions on a case by casis basis, provided it does not get out of control as well. Things happen and Disney understands that. Now that they have added so many CC gaurentees and Prepays, they will have to work our last minute issues into the policy somewhere.

You were lucky you were refunded. I woke up ill one morning and was unable to make our Akershus ADR. I sent my family on, thinking as long as the party showed up, we wouldn't be charged. Wrong! When I went online to pay my cc after returning home, I found the $10.00 charge from Akershus. When they checked in, my husband told them I was throwing up in the room, but they still charged us for one 'no show'. This was several years ago.