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

[TDC Nala]

Sure, but everyone assumed it meant you had to cancel 24 hours before - for example, if your reservation was on Tuesday at 10:00 you had until Monday at 10:00 to cancel it. That isn't so. To Disney it appears that "one day in advance" means an entire calendar day PRIOR to the day of the reservation. To cancel the Tuesday reservation on time you have to call on Sunday. Anytime on Monday is too late and you'll have to talk to somebody about waiving the charge. We can argue about whether or not that is really what it means to us, but all that counts in this situation is what it means to Disney.

 

[aubriee]

When we checked in at the podium, the CM there was serious about finding our ADR, and checking us in, because he told us that if he didn't we'd be charged the fee. I told him that I made the ADR prior to the new policy, and that they didn't have my credit card on file.

He laughed and asked me if I had ever used a credit card at Disney, and said that they "had their ways" to find us and charge us.

This is getting crazier and crazier. It is going to be really sad to tell my son, who is at the perfect age for characters, that we can't do any more meals because of draconian dining policies.

WHAT!!!! In Feb we are taking my 3 y/o grandson down for his first WDW trip. We are on the DxDDP and made LOTS of ADRs, (all prior to the new policy). In fact, when the new policy was first announced, I made a point of going online and making sure we had an ADR for every single meal before the new policy went into effect. We plan on keeping all of them, but with a 3 y/o who knows what's going to happen. I never leave a cc on file for charging, but of course did pay for the room and DxDDP with a cc. Since all my ADRs were made prior to the new policy, I'd hate to think they could go back and find that card and charge us if we cancel less than a day before. Since I made all the ADRs prior to the policy change, it doesn't seem like they could legally do that.

For my upcoming May trip, I booked an ADR for every night, but made a point of not booking any ADRs that require a cc guarantee. I plan on taking my chances walking up at some of the Signatures. I am not a fan of CS restuarants and usually do two TS meals a day (an early lunch and a later dinner). However I really hate this new policy. With the number of TS meals I do down there over a nine day period (usually 17-18) and going 4-5 times a year those fees could add up.

 

[swift]

I don't think they can legally charge you as a no-show for an ADR you made before the policy change. If that happens you should dispute it with your credit card company.

I just looked at my confirmation emails and in the small print it says nothing about a cancellation fee (with some exceptions such as California Grill where it clearly states the cancellation timeframe and cost). I haven't made any ADRs since the policy change but I expect that the restaurants in question do now include something in the small print about the cancellation policy.

I'm not a lawyer but in my opinion your confirmation email is proof that in the terms and conditions you signed there was nothing about a cancellation fee therefore they can't enforce it.

 

[coopersmom]

Sure, but everyone assumed it meant you had to cancel 24 hours before - for example, if your reservation was on Tuesday at 10:00 you had until Monday at 10:00 to cancel it. That isn't so. To Disney it appears that "one day in advance" means an entire calendar day PRIOR to the day of the reservation. To cancel the Tuesday reservation on time you have to call on Sunday. Anytime on Monday is too late and you'll have to talk to somebody about waiving the charge. We can argue about whether or not that is really what it means to us, but all that counts in this situation is what it means to Disney.

Again, I know you are just stating the policy/position and I in no way want you (or anyone) to think I'm picking on or arguing with you, because that's not my intention. I was trying to be amusing in my previous post and I agree with you that Disney can set the cancellation time anywhere they want but, whatever that length of time is, it must be spelled out clearly in written terms in order for them to validly charge people. If the policy reads "one day" and you cancel 24 hours before your reservation and Disney still charges you a cancellation fee, I'd argue (and bet) that, that fee could be contested successfully because 24 hours IS one day.

 

[TDC Nala]

Again, I know you are just stating the policy/position and I in no way want you (or anyone) to think I'm picking on or arguing with you, because that's not my intention. I was trying to be amusing in my previous post and I agree with you that Disney can set the cancellation time anywhere they want but, whatever that length of time is, it must be spelled out clearly in written terms in order for them to validly charge people. If the policy reads "one day" and you cancel 24 hours before your reservation and Disney still charges you a cancellation fee, I'd argue (and bet) that, that fee could be contested successfully because 24 hours IS one day.

Legally I don't think that will hold any water, unless you want to raise a fuss while you are at Disney or contest the credit card charge and get the credit card company involved in which case Disney might let it go just to get you to go away and that will work only a finite number of times. I'd guess the best way to get your charge waived is probably to be really super nice to the cast member you call or talk to when you ask to have it waived.

 

[Colleen27]

Sure, but everyone assumed it meant you had to cancel 24 hours before - for example, if your reservation was on Tuesday at 10:00 you had until Monday at 10:00 to cancel it. That isn't so.

It wasn't assumed, though. It was/is coming straight from Disney - some CMs are saying 24hrs, others are saying close of business the day prior to the ADR. I've asked every CM I've talked to since the new policy was announced, including a few calls strictly looking for clarification, and the only time I've gotten the correct answer is when I pressed the phone CM to either double check with or transfer me to a supervisor. They're giving people information that will result in fees that could have been avoided, and that is a despicable lack of consideration for the guest at best and underhanded business at worst.

 

[TDC Nala]

One of the things I've learned over MANY years is that you can't go by what the phone CMs say when you ask for information. Yes, I realize most guests don't know that. But if you want to contest the policy by saying the cast member gave the wrong information about when to cancel, that might work too. Doesn't change what the policy is. I know there's a lot of discussion about what the policy SHOULD be and what people think the policy IS, but just now we are finding out the information about how it actually works - and it's the full calendar day prior, not 24 hours.

Of course it sucks that Disney can't give people accurate information but this has been a problem for YEARS - it's just that now it might end up costing people money - at least now we on the thread know what the policy actually IS. Not defending the policy, it's a messy one. They need a full and accurate listing of exactly when you must cancel a reservation to ensure no penalty, and an exact list of circumstances under which a waiver can be granted (that one could be problematic as they can't anticipate everything), but it hasn't occurred to me to find out how to contest it without asking for an "official" waiver or render it legally unenforceable. Personally I am just not going to make any more reservations at those restaurants.

 

[miprender]

I don't think they can legally charge you as a no-show for an ADR you made before the policy change. If that happens you should dispute it with your credit card company.

I just looked at my confirmation emails and in the small print it says nothing about a cancellation fee (with some exceptions such as California Grill where it clearly states the cancellation timeframe and cost). I haven't made any ADRs since the policy change but I expect that the restaurants in question do now include something in the small print about the cancellation policy.

I'm not a lawyer but in my opinion your confirmation email is proof that in the terms and conditions you signed there was nothing about a cancellation fee therefore they can't enforce it.

ITA and I can't imagine the cost involved looking for people's credit card numbers. If they started doing that I think I would be writing a letter to the Attorney General's office for fraudulent charges.

I will be able to make my ADRs in a few weeks and I am going to use a credit card that I hardly ever use that way I will notice right away if any charges show up.

 

[Lewisc]

I think the policy is nothing more then a money grab.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2845902

A poster who was 5 minutes late was charged.

BUT I don't agree with your point. Companies don't always base their policies on a 24 hour day or a 7 day week.

Rent a car from an Enterprise neighborhood location when your car is in the body shop and you'll normally be given a rate based on calendar days. Pick up the rental car Monday at 1p and return it on Tuesday at 10a and you'll be charged for 2 days.

Rent a car for 5 or 6 days and you'll frequently be charged the (less expensive) weekly rate.

Clearly Disney wants a full calendar day, plus the day of your ADR, to rebook your ADR.

"One full day" IS 24 hours. Ask anyone. That's the worldwide standard of time-keeping for, oh, the last 500 years. I know Disney World considers itself a universe onto itself, but I'm pretty sure it still follows the laws of physics and is located, along with the rest of us, on Planet Earth. They may be better able to dictate the length of a "full day" when they build DisneyVenus but right now, a day IS still 24 hours, even in Disney World.

I'm not jumping on this poster, as I know they're just repeating what they're told and not the only one, but it is illogical (on Disney's part), and I'm positive that anyone with a printed copy of their cancellation at least 24 hours prior to their reservation time and a copy of Disney's "one day" policy could get any fee Disney attempted to charge reversed by their credit card company.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Slightly OT - but made me think of this thread....

I am a special needs inclusion teacher and was helping some 5th graders (about 1/2 hour ago) and the class was reviewing fractions. The teacher actually said the words, "What fraction of one full day is 11 hours?" I didn't have the heart to tell her that according to Disney it is not 11/24; we are apparently not teaching this math correctly in our schools.

Back to your regularly scheduled discussion....

 

[rlovew]

WHAT!!!! In Feb we are taking my 3 y/o grandson down for his first WDW trip. We are on the DxDDP and made LOTS of ADRs, (all prior to the new policy). In fact, when the new policy was first announced, I made a point of going online and making sure we had an ADR for every single meal before the new policy went into effect. We plan on keeping all of them, but with a 3 y/o who knows what's going to happen. I never leave a cc on file for charging, but of course did pay for the room and DxDDP with a cc. Since all my ADRs were made prior to the new policy, I'd hate to think they could go back and find that card and charge us if we cancel less than a day before. Since I made all the ADRs prior to the policy change, it doesn't seem like they could legally do that.

For my upcoming May trip, I booked an ADR for every night, but made a point of not booking any ADRs that require a cc guarantee. I plan on taking my chances walking up at some of the Signatures. I am not a fan of CS restuarants and usually do two TS meals a day (an early lunch and a later dinner). However I really hate this new policy. With the number of TS meals I do down there over a nine day period (usually 17-18) and going 4-5 times a year those fees could add up.

A few weeks ago due to wanting to eat with friends I had to cancel an ADR at Narcossee's for that day- when I called to cancel I was told that I would be charged and I stated that I had made my ADR before the policy change and the CM told me that then I wouldn't have to worry this time but I should make sure to cancel on time in the future.

 

[Lewisc]

Think about it. The 180 day window isn't 180 X 24 hours. It's based on days. Disney would have said 24 hour notice if that's what they intended. Go back to the early posts in this thread. A couple of posters were told the information we now know is correct.

 

[miprender]

I think the policy is nothing more then a money grab.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2845902

A poster who was 5 minutes late was charged.

.

That is just terrible.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Would this work? For example let's say we have an ADR at Le Cellier for an early lunch. Then while we are in Epcot our two year old has a total meltdown and there's noway she can sit through a meal. Can we check in for the meal....then hand back the pager and say nevermind without being charged? I wonder if once they enter that you've arrived are you safe? Maybe check in..get the pager...I leave the park with the baby..DH lingers for 5-10 min and then gives back the pager? Must you complete the meal and pay the check to be safe...or simply check in for the ADR?

 

[supersuperwendy]

Ugh..forget it. With such a big party with us and a toddler I would nuts to make an ADR that requires a credit card. I just reworked all of our plans to eat at places without the guarantee. It's ok though I suppose..deep down inside I really don't like Chef Mickey's anyway. I just do it for the kids.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think the policy is nothing more then a money grab.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2845902

A poster who was 5 minutes late was charged.

And was told it was an error, and the chargers were reversed. And that they are working on fixing that computer glitch.

Again, what is wrong with a business wanting to make money? People keep commenting as if that is something out of the norm.

 

[Mkrop]

And was told it was an error, and the chargers were reversed. And that they are working on fixing that computer glitch.

Again, what is wrong with a business wanting to make money? People keep commenting as if that is something out of the norm.

I expect businesses to make money through legitmate services that they provide, dont nickel and dime me. Charge me if I am true no show, dont charge me if my kid wakes up sick at 8am and I cancel a 7pm ADR. That is money grab pure and simple, not a good business decision. They could fill that table in a heartbeat.

There are good business decisions that make money, and there are others that make money but leave your customer annoyed, they are bad business decisions.

Not every way a business decides to make/save money is a good decision. Gee lets save money by not running the monorail after parties...we will save money...uh oh now we have a bunch of guests with no way to get back to their rooms and they arent happy...money saver but bad decision!r

 

[MELSMICE]

Not every way a business decides to make/save money is a good decision. Gee lets save money by not running the monorail after parties...we will save money...uh oh now we have a bunch of guests with no way to get back to their rooms and they arent happy...money saver but bad decision!r

I know this is OT, but you can still use the buses and the water transportation, so they haven't left you with no way to get back to your resorts. The resorts that the monorail serves all have other options of transportation.

In fact, I just read this in my DVC Files Magazine:

"Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort: Members who use the Walt Disney World Monorail system for transportation to and from Bay Lake Tower while enjoying the Parks should note that Monorail trains now serve the Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot until one hour after the respective Park concludes its regular operating day. Buses and (for the Magic Kingdom Park) watercraft continue serving Guests during Extra Magic Hours."

I realize this was written in a DVC magazine, but it does hold true for all WDW guests. You can also walk from MK back to the Contemporary.

As a business I can see why they would do this. There are less people in the park, even for special parties, after closing so why would they keep something running when they can save money and still service their guests.

 

[pattyw]

I expect businesses to make money through legitmate services that they provide, dont nickel and dime me. Charge me if I am true no show, dont charge me if my kid wakes up sick at 8am and I cancel a 7pm ADR. That is money grab pure and simple, not a good business decision. They could fill that table in a heartbeat.

There are good business decisions that make money, and there are others that make money but leave your customer annoyed, they are bad business decisions.

Not every way a business decides to make/save money is a good decision. Gee lets save money by not running the monorail after parties...we will save money...uh oh now we have a bunch of guests with no way to get back to their rooms and they arent happy...money saver but bad decision!r

 

[nkereina]

On 12/10 in morning, made ADR for 12/11 6:25pm Cape May Cafe. At 3pm 12/10, called to cancel and change to a different restaurant. Was told I'd be charged the $10 fee and that I would have had to cancel on 12/9.

How are you supposed to cancel on 12/9 when you made the reservation on 12/10 The policy as it stands, with needing one full day in between cancellation and ADR, does not allow for people to cancel or change last minute ADRs like this one. I agree with others who say they should allow up until 10pm the day before the ADR, or they should just charge people who are no call no shows.