New WDW Dining Reservations Policy

[Cheshire Figment]

Disney has just announced that effective October 31, 2013, the reservations guarantee policy that has been in effect for selected restaurants will be in effect for all table service restaurants in the Parks and Resorts, and will include operating participants as well as Disney owned and operated.

Here are some questions and answers:

Why was my credit card charged?

As of October 31, our cancellation policy expanded to all table-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort (including operating participants). When booking a reservation at these restaurants, Guests are required to provide a credit card to hold a reservation and will be notified they will be charged $10 per person if the cancellation isn't made at least one day in advance. Other locations, such as Hoop-Dee-Do Musical Revue or Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, require pre-paid reservations. Guests are reminded that the restaurant will charge the full pre-paid amount for each person in the party if the Guest is unable to cancel the reservation at least the day in advance.

What is your cancellation policy?

Beginning October 31, all table-service locations will begin using the cancellation policy already in place at select restaurants on property. When booking a reservation at these restaurants, Guests will be required to provide a credit card to hold a reservation and will be charged $10 per person if the cancellation isn't made at least the day in advance. Pre-paid locations will continue to retain the full, pre-paid amount if Guests are unable to honor the reservation and are unable to cancel the reservation one day in advance. Special dining events and packages such as Fantasmic! packages, New Years Eve dinners, Victoria & Albert's reservations may have different cancellation requirements.

When is the latest I can cancel my reservation without being charged a fee?

Guests can cancel up to 11:59 p.m. the day prior to their reservation without being charged.

Why have you expanded your cancellation policy?

Our policy reduces the number of no shows at our restaurants and ensures all of our Guests will have more opportunity to dine at our table service locations.

I am dining at a location after Oct. 31, but I booked it prior to the location utilizing the cancellation policy. Will my credit card be charged if I do not cancel within the cancellation window or do not honor my reservation?

Reservations booked on or after October 31 will be required to adhere to the cancellation policy. Guests who booked reservations before Oct. 31 were not informed of the policy or asked for their credit card information; therefore, these Guests will not be charged if they do not honor their reservations or cancel outside of the cancellation window. However, if the Guest makes modifications to the reservation on or after October 31, he or she will be informed of the cancellation policy, asked for credit card information, and must adhere to the cancellation policy.

How do I cancel a reservation?

A special phone line that only handles dining cancellations is available for Guest convenience: 407-WDW-CNCL (939-2625). Alternatively, dining reservations may be booked or cancelled by visiting any table-service restaurant podium, Walt Disney World Resort Hotel concierge or calling 407-WDW-DINE (939-3163) or DVC Member Services (for Members only). Guests may also make and cancel reservations by visiting www.DisneyWorld.com/Dining

 

[beer dave]

sounds fair to me. Free up some res's.

 

[saskdw]

This does sound fair, however I now expect to be seated at my reservation time not have to wait to be seated.

 

[patsal]

Works for me and sounds fair as well. This may make walk ups easier since people will not be holding multiple reservations.

 

[monique5]

Works for me too. I do hope this will cut down on wait time with reservations.

 

[Hopediamant]

Some restaurant already had this policy. So noting new but staying on club level concierge can overrule this.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

So, previously there were some table-service restaurants that didn't charge you for not showing up?

I had no idea.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~I'm really not surprised. No shows have been an issue for quite some time -- and I've seen the empty tables firsthand.

 

[Postal68]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this policy. People making reservations, with really no intent to use them, just for the sake of having them irks the hell out of me.

Honestly, for the high demand dining experiences I wish they would charge each person DOUBLE if they don't show up without cancelling.

 

[BeerMe]

It's about time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mcd2745]

I think this expansion of the original CC guarantee proves two things. First, that no-show rates were (and probably still are at the restaurants that require a CC guarantee) out of control and were a huge problem for Disney. secondly, that the initial policy they implemented a couple of years ago at the most popular venues has been very successful. ADR availability is better now than it was before the CC guarantees went into effect a couple of years ago. That is indisputable (although I will concede the decreased frequency of free dining offers is a small contributing factor - albeit well behind the CC guarantees IMO). So it just makes sense to expand on such a successful policy.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Some restaurant already had this policy. So noting new but staying on club level concierge can overrule this.

As a resort concierge, and sometimes on Club Floor . . .
1) Actually, the concierge can "try" to change it - they can't overrule it.
2) They have to call the eatery and ask the eatery manager to remove the charge.
3) If not, then the concierge might remove it, himself.
4) BUT, the concierge needs permission, because then THE HOTEL pays for it.
5) This comes right off the P&L of the resort, not the eatery.
6) Only the restaurant manager can make the fee truly "go away".

 

[wiigirl]

sounds fair to me. Free up some res's.

 

[theparsons]

When is the latest I can cancel my reservation without being charged a fee?

Guests can cancel up to 11:59 p.m. the day prior to their reservation without being charged.

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This is MY favorite part....finally they put in writing exactly what "day prior" means. The reports of varying rules about what "day" or "2 days" means has been disconcerting. Now we know it's basically by midnight the calendar day before your reservation.

I'm also loving that this means they're going to have more accuracy of how many people will actually be dining and walk ups stand a chance!

Thanks CF for keeping us informed!

 

[mikek]

I'm not sure how to fix it but dining is a complete nightmare.

they've ruined any ability to just walk up and eat at a table service restaurant, you have to wait 3 days. Even having a ressie only means the wait is close to reasonable.

Not sure how to fix it, but i'm not sold that this does anything to address that.

I'd rather walk around the parks, enjoy ourselves, and when we get hungry find a place to eat with a reasonable wait that serves more than emu legs.

even counter service has gotten to be a nightmare.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I think this is a great idea and I thought back when they initially rolled this our for a select few places that they should have done it for EVERY place. It will free up some reservations for ppl who are SURE.

 

[Farps]

Should be a little easier to get an ADR a bit closer to your vacation. Hurray for the non abusers !!!

 

[snoopy352]

so do i have to re-enter my cc online for every ressie? seems like the disney adr page never retains my info.

 

[lugnut33]

Lately I had only been making reservations at the places that didn't required a credit card, mostly because I was too lazy to enter in the CC info. Also, I think it's silly. For the record, I never missed an ADR at a restaurant that didn't required a CC hold.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Great idea except for 1 day notice of cancellation. That would stink if you wake up and a kiddo is feeling under the weather. I would think if the restaurant got at least a few hours notice they would have time to open up the table to walk-ins. Maybe it's too difficult in their systems- I'm just thinking out loud.

Skipping reservations is common everywhere, not just Disney. I called a restaurant back home to cancel and the hostess was so thankful I took the time to notify them.