New Reservations Cancellation Policy

[BigAlsGal]

While I am for this change (in a sense) I see some issues.

1. It seems the likelihood of a walk up would go right out the window. If the restaurant is booked and a CC is holding the reservation they won't be taking walkups.

2. I have never double booked or cancelled a reservation but if a legitimate reason arises I am not going to be a happy camper.

3. Does anyone else foresee a lot of possible vomiting in the restaurants? Catching illnesses? Some people I'm sure would just drag their sick selves to the restaurant because they don't want to lose their money and just pass it to everyone else.

 

[Candl]

I thought I saw somebody ask this before, but I do not remember seeing an answer...

What about DP reservations? Is Disney going to require a CC# when reserving a TS on DP?

 

[Disney_Princess83]

In a perfect world, you wouldn't have to wait. No matter how diligent and efficient a server is, there's no restaurant anywhere that would have a server come to your table and say, put your forks down, your time's up, leave now. Some people like to sit around and drink, talk, eat casually, wait for fireworks, wait for FP return times to get closer. Obviously, Disney has a no show problem that's not comparable with any other restaurants.

We have several restaurants that limit a table to two hours (unless it's a large party) I think certain restaurants on property could implement this if long waits are being encountered on a daily basis. Honestly, for the majority of meals, 120 minutes is long enough.

 

[jimim]

Ehhh no. My money talks and the more we pay the more credit we get. This has nothing to do with the restaurants but whit our wishes.

im sorry but that is a completely snobby comment. Talk about feeling entitled.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[3pletprincesses]

I'm so pleased to see this. I also like the fact that you have until 1:59pm the day prior to cancel .I'm guessing it will be the same for all the previous restaurants that we had to cancel 48 hours in advance. At least I hope!.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

And when everyone starts cancelling claiming illness or whatever how long will charge exceptions be made?

I am not questioning everyone else and if they use illness as an excuse. Honesty is the best policy, I was raised this way. You can't control others or question what could happen in the future, when it hasn't happened. As far as I know they have not taken away charge exceptions as of this date. It is still valid.


I think we all agree cancelling is common courtesy, requiring a day's notice to cancel is what seems to be the issue at a theme park.

I agree with you that most consider cancelling in advance common courtesy. I thought it has always been 24 hours notice. I didn't think that has changed. If I was incorrect in my knowledge, I apologize.

I thought everyone was upset because the rule had expanded to almost every table service restaurant on property.

 

[rachellm]

3. Does anyone else foresee a lot of possible vomiting in the restaurants? Catching illnesses? Some people I'm sure would just drag their sick selves to the restaurant because they don't want to lose their money and just pass it to everyone else.

Along the same lines I was thinking that you may see even more crabby kids.

If someone knows their kids aren't up for a meal (over-tired, crabby, whatever) but they know they'll be charged a fee for cancelling the same day ... guess they'll drag their crabby kids in!

As for the DP questions - I assume it would work the same regardless of if you're on the DP or not. That's how it currently is. The policy is you need a CC to book .... whether you have DP or not.

 

[kristenrice]

As for the DP questions - I assume it would work the same regardless of if you're on the DP or not. That's how it currently is. The policy is you need a CC to book .... whether you have DP or not.

I agree...having the dining plan should not exempt you from the credit card guarantee. The dining plan has increased the demand for ADR's significantly and filling the TS restaurants was a big reason why Disney started it in the first place. If having the DP exempted you from a credit card hold, than I, as a DVC member, would simply add it to my reservation (and pay for it), make my ADR's, and then cancel my dining plan. (OK, I really would not do that, but I wanted to point out the way around it.)

 

[cluvsdisney]

I'm not a fan but I kind of expected it would happen one day. I understand the need to get the ADRs under control but at the same time it's annoying to pay a cancellation fee for a place like Captain's Grill because of a flight delay or illness when that's generally listed as a restaurant that's easy to get last minute ADRs.

 

[Hopediamant]

im sorry but that is a completely snobby comment. Talk about feeling entitled.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

You are absolutely right. We never had the urge to get what we payed for but after many many years seeing entitled "disabled" people go on a ride three times while we were waiting for ONE ride we just want to get what we payed for. We never could explain to our children en now grandchildren that children with no boundaries ore rules even spitting, biting other guests could get FOTL access.
Call me crazy but We want to do what we want for a thousand Dollar per night.

 

[Granny square]

Ehhh no. My money talks and the more we pay the more credit we get. This has nothing to do with the restaurants but whit our wishes.

Lol, whatever. Pseudonyms make it possible to claim so many interesting things.

 

[GrammyJudy]

I made our Dar at 180 days, some had cc guarantee and some did not...will they now use that cc for the remainder? I do not have a problem with this policy as we only make Dar we plan to keep.

 

[Crystal824]

I'm ok with it. I think Disney will work with you if you call and cancel. On our last trip, DD got sick and we didn't make it to our 1900 Park Fair reservation. We called about 3 hours prior and let them know. They didn't charge us. I think as long as you call, they are likely to be understanding.

 

[saskdw]

. . . this is not everywhere else, this is Disney
. . . people frequently sit longer than expected due to A/C & cool-off or relaxing after walking
. . . these are not restaurant reservations
. . . these are ADR's, and when you make them you agree to the terms
. . . of course, you are free to patronize off-site eateries

I can see from your posts in this thread that you are the cheerleader for all things Disney. I think you are missing the point.

It doesn't matter that this is Disney. Being Disney doesn't exempt them from acceptable customer service.

They weren't restaurant reservations before, but they are now. Requiring a CC to secure makes this an official restaurant reservation, not a spot in line. I expect to be seated in a timely fashion like any other restaurant that requires a reservation like this. The fact that it's Disney makes no difference.

Free to eat at offsite eateries? How about free to just spend all of my vacation money somewhere else. The dining service is a key part of WDW business and service. It's one of the things people will consider when deciding whether to take another vacation to WDW or go somewhere else.

Just for the record I am in favor of them making changes to the ADR system. It is ridiculous that people can make multiple ADR's for one day and then no show most of them. I'm merely stating that by increasing the level of commitment like this there will be an increased expectation in the level of service for most people. I'm all for it, but if you are using my CC to secure this and attaching a 24hr cancelation rule, that makes this an official reservation and I expect to be seated in a timely manner.

 

[saskdw]

In a perfect world, you wouldn't have to wait. No matter how diligent and efficient a server is, there's no restaurant anywhere that would have a server come to your table and say, put your forks down, your time's up, leave now. Some people like to sit around and drink, talk, eat casually, wait for fireworks, wait for FP return times to get closer. Obviously, Disney has a no show problem that's not comparable with any other restaurants.

You are correct. However this new policy means they don't have to over fill the place either and should have tables set aside for the reservations. Yes, they can still get backed up sometimes, but I expect it to be much better.

 

[saskdw]

a lot of talk about waiting for tables with ADR's. I seriously have never waited longer than 5 mins for my table in the 15 plus years we have gone. The only place ever I waited longer is the castle. I think if u avoid the family places like in the park you don't have to deal with this. The sign places are never like this from what we have experienced.

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We don't wait everytime, but it does happen. Maybe you go at slow times of year? We only go in mid/late December and its busy. I would say 50% of the time we are seated in 5-10 mins, but there are longer waits. Last time at Le Cellier which was a CC secured reservation we waited 45 mins to be seated. That is ok for a simple ADR at a popular place I guess, but not really acceptable for a CC secured reservation.

 

[Granny square]

I can see from your posts in this thread that you are the cheerleader for all things Disney. I think you are missing the point. It doesn't matter that this is Disney. Being Disney doesn't exempt them from acceptable customer service. They weren't restaurant reservations before, but they are now. Requiring a CC to secure makes this an official restaurant reservation, not a spot in line. I expect to be seated in a timely fashion like any other restaurant that requires a reservation like this. The fact that it's Disney makes no difference. Free to eat at offsite eateries? How about free to just spend all of my vacation money somewhere else. The dining service is a key part of WDW business and service. It's one of the things people will consider when deciding whether to take another vacation to WDW or go somewhere else. Just for the record I am in favor of them making changes to the ADR system. It is ridiculous that people can make multiple ADR's for one day and then no show most of them. I'm merely stating that by increasing the level of commitment like this there will be an increased expectation in the level of service for most people. I'm all for it, but if you are using my CC to secure this and attaching a 24hr cancelation rule, that makes this an official reservation and I expect to be seated in a timely manner.

I think that poster works for the mouse.

If the dining isn't what you want for vacation you have every right to move on. In your place will come the person who hates plannin 180 days out and had backed away or decide it was too much of a hassle who will schedule a vacation.

 

[aaarcher86]

You are absolutely right. We never had the urge to get what we payed for but after many many years seeing entitled "disabled" people go on a ride three times while we were waiting for ONE ride we just want to get what we payed for. We never could explain to our children en now grandchildren that children with no boundaries ore rules even spitting, biting other guests could get FOTL access.
Call me crazy but We want to do what we want for a thousand Dollar per night.

You stay classy with your '$1,000 per night' vacations.

 

[saskdw]

I think that poster works for the mouse.

If the dining isn't what you want for vacation you have every right to move on. In your place will come the person who hates plannin 180 days out and had backed away or decide it was too much of a hassle who will schedule a vacation.

Time will tell.

It is possible WDW will provide the service I'm looking for, but it hasn't been stated anywhere. I'm going into this with an open mind and see how it works out. I was just stating what is obvious to me:

If you expect increased commitment from the customer they will expect icreased level of service in return.

I really don't think their objective here is to turn all the TS places to walk-up. I think they are hoping a certain number of people will make ADR's and keep them.

 

[aaarcher86]

I can see from your posts in this thread that you are the cheerleader for all things Disney. I think you are missing the point.

It doesn't matter that this is Disney. Being Disney doesn't exempt them from acceptable customer service.

They weren't restaurant reservations before, but they are now. Requiring a CC to secure makes this an official restaurant reservation, not a spot in line. I expect to be seated in a timely fashion like any other restaurant that requires a reservation like this. The fact that it's Disney makes no difference.

Free to eat at offsite eateries? How about free to just spend all of my vacation money somewhere else. The dining service is a key part of WDW business and service. It's one of the things people will consider when deciding whether to take another vacation to WDW or go somewhere else.

Just for the record I am in favor of them making changes to the ADR system. It is ridiculous that people can make multiple ADR's for one day and then no show most of them. I'm merely stating that by increasing the level of commitment like this there will be an increased expectation in the level of service for most people. I'm all for it, but if you are using my CC to secure this and attaching a 24hr cancelation rule, that makes this an official reservation and I expect to be seated in a timely manner.

Actually, even the restaurants requiring a CC now were still a placeholder not an actual reservation as you'd get in your hometown.

And of course, you're always entitled to spend your vacation money somewhere else as you stated.

I'd like to know when your next trip is so I can watch how successful you are when you voice your expectations. Expectation and reality aren't the same thing. This change works for Disney. It may not work for you, and it's up to you to decide how to go about that. It's not a knee jerk decision. They've done it for several restaurants and it worked to their liking.