New Table Service Cancellation Policy

[EvianCay]

I just found out this information from a friend that select table service locations will now charge you if you don't cancel your reservation. The new policy will start October 26, 2011. You will be required to provide a credit card when making a reservation and if the reservation isn't canceled at least one day in advance you will be charged $10 per person on the reservation.

The restaurants included in this new policy are:

1900 Park Fare
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Artist Point
Brown Derby
California Grill
Cape May Cafe
Chef Mickey's
Citricos
Crystal Palace
Flying Fish
Garden Grill
Hollywood & Vine
Jiko
Le Cellier
Narcoossee's
Ohana
Tusker House
Yachtsman Steakhouse

Victoria & Albert's has a $25 per person cancellation fee.


There is a new phone line that will handle dining cancellations, 407-WDW-CNCL. You can also cancel online.


Thoughts?

 

[bomzar]

about time!!

 

[3pletprincesses]

I like the idea. I can just imagine how many people book and do a no show and forget to cancel. A lot of those restaurants are popular and hard to get.

 

[tavettava]

I wonder what they are going to do with all the adr's that have already been made. I just made adr's for 7 of those places and never had to use a cc.

 

[Pumbaa_]

unless and until confirmed, moving to the rumors board

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I would assume this would apply only to adrs booked on that date and going forward? i.e. theoretically with the whole 180+10... it could be mid April 2012 before every adr booked in the system falls under this policy since 180 day bookings made on Oct 25th wouldn't be bound by this.

I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand it should help eliminate a lot of no shows and free up dining slots for those that want to get in for a meal, but on the other hand, we've all had that day where things just didn't go as planned and dinner ends up being crazy. For example- back in Dec of 2010, we missed a meal at 'Ohana b/c the monorails broke down and things were pure chaos. I'd hate to be charged $40 b/c of something like that which was totally out of my control. Which raises another important ?- you are required to book the total # of your party even if it involves kids under age 3. We already know those youngsters are factored in when automatic gratuity is involved, but it would really bite to be charged a $10 no show fee for a kiddo who would just be sitting in a high chair eating Gerber's latest delights vs. the menu items.

There are also a few restaurants that didn't make it in that list that kind of surprise me...as well as some that shouldn't be on the list. Cali Grill and Akershus already have similar no show policies, so why put those on the list? And considering Rose & Crown's popularity for Illuminations as well as popular spots like Coral Reef and Teppan Edo...surprised places like that aren't on there as well. IDK- guess I'll need to see more info on this before I can truly have an opinion.

 

[Oglet]

Hopefully this is true! It's about time.

Edit:
I can confirm this is 100% true and correct. It is posted under advisories on the HUB for Cast Members to view.

 

[nytimez]

Does this include people on the dining plan? I hope so...

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

Great. Now instead of being next to impossible to walk up to a TS restaurant, it will just be regular kind of impossible. -sigh-

 

[Oglet]

Does this include people on the dining plan? I hope so...

It makes no mention of people on the dining plan, however I would hope it did.

 

[nytimez]

Great. Now instead of being next to impossible to walk up to a TS restaurant, it will just be regular kind of impossible. -sigh-

I think it will dramatically cut back on those "placeholder" reservations to overplanners/free dining folks love so much.

I wish they did this for all TS restaurants, with a little more flex for the more inexpensive ones (like the ability to cancel up to 90 minutes before, freeing up tables for walk-ups).

 

[Pumbaa_]

What a nightmare! things happen, esp with kids on vacation.

Can you imagine the angry folks who can't make it due to transportation? or my favorite, i have been inline waiting to check in, what do you mean i lost me reservation and have to pay

There are also many people that do not have and do not want credit cards. Should be interesting!

 

[Oglet]

I posted some text and then deleted it after reading it again, I didn't feel comfortable leaving it up since it was written with some internal things mentioned.

I will say that there are procedures in place and it appears certain situations that will allow you go get out of the fee. Quite often when there are transportation breakdowns such as the monorail places are notified and guests are still able to make use of their reservation.

There is also mention of a process in place for guests who believe they have been charged unfairly.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Thanks Matt for the update. Glad to know that there are contingencies being built in

still hope they change their mind!

 

[justanothermark]

I think it will dramatically cut back on those "placeholder" reservations to overplanners/free dining folks love so much.

I wish they did this for all TS restaurants, with a little more flex for the more inexpensive ones (like the ability to cancel up to 90 minutes before, freeing up tables for walk-ups).

I don't think it will make much of a difference in overplanners/free dining folks that use "placeholders". I expect most people doing this get a bunch of reservations will reserve their place with a CC and then 2-4 weeks out cancel reservations that they don't need and avoid the no-show fee. It is almost a requirement with the fact dining has to be decided 180 days out without any knowledge of park crowds and hours.

It will help for those inconsiderate people that just don't show up and never cancel but I would expect most overplanners and people that go to disney and make lots of reservations eventually cancel in time for others to get and enjoy the dining.

 

[nytimez]

I would expect most overplanners and people that go to disney and make lots of reservations eventually cancel in time for others to get and enjoy the dining.

I suspect that's not the case -- and I think if it was, Disney wouldn't be adding the cancellation fee.

Disney is not going to make tons of money on $10 cancel fees -- but they're losing money if restaurants aren't taking walkups, as is often the case with the restaurants on that list, because they're fully booked... but then some of the people who booked don't show.

In other words, they don't want the $10 fee -- but they do want to make sure they get the $150 dinner checks.

 

[disfountainofyouth]

So with this new policy, do I get to charge Disney when I have an ADR and
have to wait 45 minutes for my table??? Seems one sided to me!

 

[Oglet]

So with this new policy, do I get to charge Disney when I have an ADR and
have to wait 45 minutes for my table??? Seems one sided to me!

No more one sided than dealing with airlines.

 

[nytimez]

So with this new policy, do I get to charge Disney when I have an ADR and
have to wait 45 minutes for my table??? Seems one sided to me!

Yes, just like you can charge Disney when you have to wait 45 minutes in line for a ride and 30 minutes for a bus.

 

[firecracker725]

I like this idea. I don't even know how many trip reports I've read where folks openly admit to making early ADRs just to get into an empty park.