New Reservations Cancellation Policy

[Granny square]

Of course yon can complain. But until you get the action you want that post is correct. Like most things we don't like we either suck it up or move on.

 

[Cafeen]

WHY is that the only answer...why cant those of us who dont like the policy contact WDW and try to get it changed to something more reasonable. TS is not the only option but it was one of the reason we bought DVC and kept going back and now that has been compromised. I want WDW to know that they changed something that we the guest is not happy about.

I am truly sick of this answer.

It's just a one-liner used to shut discussion down.

While, it IS true that right now, that's the only option, we're here on a discussion board to discuss. Figure out the ins and outs of the issue, and, if needed, hone your arguments and counter-arguments to present a stronger case to Disney for whatever it is you're presenting the case for. If we only cared about the answer, then most threads would be finished after a reply or two. These types of threads are a bit different than standard informational threads (beyond the first post at least) as there isn't a real answer to be had.

Or, just come to whine and complain like I do . It helps to get it out.

Of course yon can complain. But until you get the action you want that post is correct. Like most things we don't like we either suck it up or move on.

Actually, I usually whine and complain and make snarky remarks, so there is a 3rd option .

 

[Granny square]

Lol, I've gotten too many points for snark! I'm a middle of the road gal. Both sides have points and hopefully both are heard and dealt with in the best way possible.

Eta I don't see Disney reacting too much to uproar or petitions but that may just be the cynic in me.

 

[Redcon1]

I think a two or three hour cancellation window is plenty of time for Disney to fill that empty table with another res or walk-up. Or instead of $10/pp, how about a flat $25 fee irregardless of party size if they keep it at a one day xcl.

 

[jennylyn_b]

That's great for you. Other people do change/cancel plans due to weather/fatigue, and I don't think it is unreasonable to want to cancel a restaurant reservation 'day of' with no penalty.

I realize you and others don't think its unreasonable but Disney does! Most people don't stop to think of the others that are affected by them not showing up. Yes Disney loses money but so does the server that was going to have that table. Now that server might be short to pay his families bills (just an example). One table no show is one thing but when it's 5 a night or 10 a week a server can lose some good tip money. Plus how about the poor family who didn't know to make adrs ahead? They can't get in due to it being booked but then 5 tables are empty due to no shows. With the guarantee those give tables will be release and that family has a chance to get in. These are just examples of considerations that may have led to the expanded policy.

I'm not looking for a prize or medal and I don't think the remarks as such are necessary. However, everyone can come on here and cry about how horrible the policy is and how if it's chilly they won't go to their ADR. I'm just saying we make our adrs and we attend. Period.

As far as day of cancellations, how far in advance is acceptable ? 30 mins? 2 hours? 5 hours? No matter what timeframe disney chooses people will be upset. Plus if it's 4 hours like a previous poster suggested then disney would have to have the cancellation line manned 24/7. If you needed to cancel CRT breakfast at 8 am you'd need to call by 4 am. What if when you wake at 6 and realize your child or a family member is sick? You don't have the four hour window anymore so you will be angry with Disney.

No way to make everyone happy.

 

[Disneyholic]

I think a two or three hour cancellation window is plenty of time for Disney to fill that empty table with another res or walk-up. Or instead of $10/pp, how about a flat $25 fee irregardless of party size if they keep it at a one day xcl.

How is that fair? Just because you have a bigger party you get away with less than someone in a party of 1 or 2? There are so many exceptions made for larger parties with children at a lot of places. So many places I have gone have had discounts for larger families when it was just me, DH & 1 child. We had our children 13 years apart and had only 1 child with us most of the time. DB had 3 to 4 children with him and paid the same for his family of 5 to 6 than we did for our family of 3. Same thing with daycare. The more kids the cheaper for the 2nd and so on.

Free dining is also set up better for larger groups especially those with children. DH & I do better with the Room only discounts than we ever would on the dining plans, free or otherwise.

Everything that a company does, Disney or otherwise, will always be questioned by someone. Some will think that something is unfair, but if they are still willing to still go there, then the company will do it. If they stop coming because of the changes, the company will look into ways to get them back. If not, the company will keep the changes and go on from there.

 

[mcd2745]

I think a two or three hour cancellation window is plenty of time for Disney to fill that empty table with another res or walk-up. Or instead of $10/pp, how about a flat $25 fee irregardless of party size if they keep it at a one day xcl.

Even a pre-park opening, 7:30am brekafast reservation at a place like Crystal Palace or Tusker House? How are they supposed to fill those slots with walk ups if the only people allowed in the park are those who already have reservations?

 

[Cafeen]

Even a pre-park opening, 7:30am brekafast reservation at a place like Crystal Palace or Tusker House? How are they supposed to fill those slots with walk ups if the only people allowed in the park are those who already have reservations?

Same way they fill them with people who cancel at midnight the night before .

 

[disneyfan2kids]

Several years ago (pre cc guarantee for Ohana)... I had a horrible stomach virus all day long and was hoping and praying it would subside. I ended up having to cancel Ohana dinner a few hours ahead of time. I think one of my biggest memories of that trip is my kids hysterically crying when I told them I would have to cancel. They love ohana. If I had cancelled, while laying in bed horribly sick, and THEN WDW had charged me $40 on top of the misery of being sick on vacation with really REALLY sad kids.... It would definitely had left me with a less than magical feeling about Disney. I think several hours notice should suffice. It's Disney, not a rock concert.

This is the first time I can genuinely say that I don't like the direction that WDW is headed with the 100% preplanning EVERYTHING. I feel like it's not so far away that we're going to have to pick the exact park and exact ride and exact time we want to do something...and if not, pay something of a penalty. I love the planning as much as the next person... but to CHARGE someone when plans don't work out as ideally as we'd like. I don't like it.

 

[NuJoy]

Yes Disney loses money but so does the server that was going to have that table. Now that server might be short to pay his families bills (just an example). One table no show is one thing but when it's 5 a night or 10 a week a server can lose some good tip money.

I'd like to be confident Disney intends to pay the server his missed tip out of the punitive fee collected by my no-show.

 

[Cafeen]

I'd like to be confident Disney intends to pay the server his missed tip out of the punitive fee collected by my no-show.

I'd like to think that way too... unfortunately, I'm a bit more cynical and think that no way will that happen.

 

[NuJoy]

i'd like to think that way too... Unfortunately, i'm a bit more cynical and think that no way will that happen.

I totally agree.

 

[Granny square]

I'd like to think that way too... unfortunately, I'm a bit more cynical and think that no way will that happen.

Lol, do the words "no way in hell" convey my belief on that one?!

I would hope that people could pop on the app and reserve same morning on a whim

 

[cluvsdisney]

Lol, do the words "no way in hell" convey my belief on that one?!

I would hope that people could pop on the app and reserve same morning on a whim

You read my mind!

If people are no showing or cancelling at the last minute, I am sure it will just reduce the wait time for the people do show and possibly allow for walk up. And it's also the nature of waiting tables, there is no guarantee of income.

 

[jennylyn_b]

I'd like to be confident Disney intends to pay the server his missed tip out of the punitive fee collected by my no-show.

I have never ever heard of a restaurant compensating a server for lost tips. Ever. It would be nice but I highly doubt this is done.

 

[mcd2745]

Same way they fill them with people who cancel at midnight the night before .

I think there's a much, much better chance of filling them if they are cancelled before midnight as opposed to, say, 4 in the morning. Espcially now with the app and the free wi-fi, you can check for openings before going to bed. I can't see people waking up at 4 in the morning to check for openings.

 

[Sunnywho]

With three children, the fee for us is $50 to miss an ADR. That's too much money for us. With a disability, I can't guarantee ahead of time how I will be doing on any given day, or even know at the start of the day how I will be doing halfway through. Right now I am very careful with only scheduling a single ADR that has the no cancel policy but I have a couple (Sci fi and Y&Y) that can be cancelled. For us, the old policy worked better.

 

[Eastern]

I'd like to be confident Disney intends to pay the server his missed tip out of the punitive fee collected by my no-show.

When donkeys fly...

 

[CaughtUpinTangled]

I realize you and others don't think its unreasonable but Disney does! Most people don't stop to think of the others that are affected by them not showing up. Yes Disney loses money but so does the server that was going to have that table. Now that server might be short to pay his families bills (just an example). One table no show is one thing but when it's 5 a night or 10 a week a server can lose some good tip money. Plus how about the poor family who didn't know to make adrs ahead? They can't get in due to it being booked but then 5 tables are empty due to no shows. With the guarantee those give tables will be release and that family has a chance to get in. These are just examples of considerations that may have led to the expanded policy. I'm not looking for a prize or medal and I don't think the remarks as such are necessary. However, everyone can come on here and cry about how horrible the policy is and how if it's chilly they won't go to their ADR. I'm just saying we make our adrs and we attend. Period. As far as day of cancellations, how far in advance is acceptable ? 30 mins? 2 hours? 5 hours? No matter what timeframe disney chooses people will be upset. Plus if it's 4 hours like a previous poster suggested then disney would have to have the cancellation line manned 24/7. If you needed to cancel CRT breakfast at 8 am you'd need to call by 4 am. What if when you wake at 6 and realize your child or a family member is sick? You don't have the four hour window anymore so you will be angry with Disney. No way to make everyone happy.

Totally agree!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

WHY is that the only answer...why cant those of us who dont like the policy contact WDW and try to get it changed to something more reasonable. TS is not the only option but it was one of the reason we bought DVC and kept going back and now that has been compromised. I want WDW to know that they changed something that we the guest is not happy about.

I am truly sick of this answer.

You can complain and whine all you want but honestly..

Disney is filling those restaurants to the limit. So I don't think you whining is going to be effective here. I quit going to some restaurants because the food and service sucked. Guess what, Disney didn't care they were still FULL! And unless this policy changes the amount of money they are brining in for the negative (which I can't see happening!) then they will say "we are considering your complaint" and go happily on their way.

Sorry that you think posters are reasonable for pointing out that the complaints don't address you two current options which are live with the policy or don't make ADRs. But the facts are those are your only realistic options.