Online dining reservation abuses?

[k5thbeatle]

I am sure this has been addressed but what fail-safes are in place to prevent abusing the online reservation system? I read a lot about the system but didn't see or missed anything that addressed this?

For example; what would prevent someone from making multiple reservations on the same days and similar times for an upcoming trip and then simply go to the reservation that fits their plans best as the days activities unfold knowing they have a few choices thanks to multiple bookings?

Or, to take it a bit further; what would prevent some troll from making multiple ficticious reservations just to be malicious?

I think it's great that we will all be able to book our own reservations but I fear the door may be open to the above scenarios (or similar) that will ultimately have the effect of making adr's harder to get???

 

[mickey2000]

NO one here would ever think of doing that!

 

[dcherry]

ALL reservations if multiple reservations exist for the same (or near the same) time will get cancelled. So I understand...

 

[k5thbeatle]

ALL reservations if multiple reservations exist for the same (or near the same) time will get cancelled. So I understand...

Thanks for the reply.
Can you give any source for this understanding? I am not doubting you but I read a post where someone tried this and the only thing that occurred was a benign e-mail just reminding that several reservations seem to be close in time (I am paraphrasing). But apparently none were cancelled?

 

[Tricia1972]

Really the measures haven't changed at all, it's up to everyone's own moral compass to do what is right. Those that double book could have done so by calling 407-WDW-DINE before. Now they can do it by calling or going online.

Some CM's continue to cancel double bookings that they see, but that is no different than what was done in the past. It's been confirmed by Dining CM's that this is not an official Disney policy, but it's not frowned upon by Dining Line managers either.

It's up to you to do what feels right, same as always.

 

[dcherry]

Thanks for the reply.
Can you give any source for this understanding? I am not doubting you but I read a post where someone tried this and the only thing that occurred was a benign e-mail just reminding that several reservations seem to be close in time (I am paraphrasing). But apparently none were cancelled?

There were 2 different threads (sorry don't remember which ones) where a CM chimed in and admitted that he/she had cancelled multiple reservations and another thread where someone stated they had theirs cancelled. Maybe do a search for them.

 

[Tricia1972]

There were 2 different threads (sorry don't remember which ones) where a CM chimed in and admitted that he/she had cancelled multiple reservations and another thread where someone stated they had theirs cancelled. Maybe do a search for them.

Those were the threads that I was thinking of.

It's entirely up to each CM whether or not they do this when they see them. It's not an official policy, so there is no real rhyme or reason to this happening, nor does it happen too much. (Or Dis'ers rarely double book) because you don't read much about this happening on the boards.

 

[k5thbeatle]

Thanks again for the replies.

So in essence the real answer to my question is there are no real official safeguards other than a cm happening to catch it and deciding to cancel it and the hope that all will use some moral judgment?

I guess a better question would be is there a reference that has Disney's official stance on this?

 

[eliza61]

I think its pretty hit or miss. With a new system, I'm sure abuses are going to occur. Unfortunately since snagging ADR's has become some what of an Olympic sport (just look at the post when we get all the ones we wanted, you'd think we hit the 100 million dollar powerball) I think there is nothing to be done. Disney almost forces it.

I really hope someone would not be that silly to make an adr for a fictious person, boy would that be a sad situation but people are going to try and hedge their bets. They are trying to make their vacation as easy and as magical as possible, so if they are not sure what park they may definitely be at, they are going to make an adr at 2 different places.

My problem is I make one and never seem to be able to keep them. I make one at 5:30 and of course no one is hungry so I just skip it.

 

[Tiger926]

If you make double reservations within the same computer session, then you will get a message that says you have 2 ressies at same time, and must cancel one of them. If you make double reservations during different computer sessions, there is nothing the computer will do to cancel.

We are here now and despite me cancelling my online ADR, the computer did not do so, so when concierge printed them out, I had 2 ADRs at the same time, at 2 different restaurants.

Tiger

 

[Tricia1972]

I know of no official policy.

I do know that Disney overbooks their restaurants, allowing for some no-shows. I also know that Disney holds back some reservations for Concierge (and higher) level guests so there can be last minute availability at some places.

My feeling is that the percentage of overbookers is probably pretty small in the grand scheme of all things Disney. I also feel that if Disney were to create a true reservation system (table held for you) and a strict cancellation policy, reservations would not be easier (or harder) to obtain.

 

[Tricia1972]

If you make double reservations within the same computer session, then you will get a message that says you have 2 ressies at same time, and must cancel one of them. If you make double reservations during different computer sessions, there is nothing the computer will do to cancel.

We are here now and despite me cancelling my online ADR, the computer did not do so, so when concierge printed them out, I had 2 ADRs at the same time, at 2 different restaurants.

Tiger

This isn't exactly right. It doesn't force you to cancel the double booked reservation, it suggests that you cancel one. It will allow you to double book if you choose.

 

[Tiger926]

Just wanted to report on what we are observing - we are on Day 13, and leave tomorrow night, so 14 days in total. We eat in at least 1 TS restaurant daily.

We are seeing lots of empty tables at most restaurants, despite being sold out. These include: Chef Mickey's and Tusker House breakfasts. Have been speaking to CMs, who are saying that with the advent of online ADRs, they are getting tons of no shows - a bit more than normal. This is allowing for some walk-ups or for some of us to get into our tables a bit earlier than expected. The other night at The Wave for instance, they said they had only 1 ADR left, so pretty much a sell out, yet when we were seated, and for the next 1.5 hours of dinner, there were at least 20 empty tables in the entire restaurant - tons of no shows according to the CMs.

Just wanted to remind people to cancel their ADRs if not necessary, so that someone else can use them. Restaurants have a certain factor built-in for no-shows, but they are telling us, and we are noticing higher numbers than usual.

Hope this info helps, Tiger

 

[Tiggerfan14]

Where on line do you make dinning reservations? I checked the disney world site and must be overlooking it.

sorry never mind, Found it!

 

[dcherry]

IMO, just not worth the risk of losing all reservations (at least during free dining anyway).

 

[Tiger926]

This isn't exactly right. It doesn't force you to cancel the double booked reservation, it suggests that you cancel one. It will allow you to double book if you choose.

Hmmm...this isn't how I remember it. I could have sworn it was making me choose 1 restaurant to cancel. I inadvertently booked the same ressie 2x, so it was an error on my part.

I guess I was wrong, but I could have sworn that it was making me cancel - sorry about that.

Tiger

 

[RMulieri]

BIG shock there that people are booking on line and pulling no shows..How much you want to bet alot of them were Double booked? I really hate that because I am not one to go without adrs and then go wandering into places to see if i can get seated.If i was going solo I wouldn't care, but travelling with a small child makes that harder.But if i get seated earlier ...Cool.

 

[FireDancer]

Any system can be gamed. Even with all of the checks and balances people sill commit welfare and insurance fraud. They will collect SS money fraudulently. All of these systems are watched a lot more closely than a Disney ADR system.

When you design these kids of systems you have to balance out the convenience for the legitimate customer and the malicious intent of the gaming customer.

I think the actual amount of people doing double bookings is pretty low, much lower than the boards tend to think. The vast majority of WDW guest isn't as knowledgeable as people on these boards are. Many don't even know they need 1 ADR let alone 2.

These systems are designed for the rule, not the exception.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

interesting, when I sent in a list of reservation to be made, the CM was telling me that all ADRs are linked to my room reservation number.

She went on to say that they would be making the reservations that I requested, but warned me that if I went to the on-line system and book a "conflicting" one at a different place, or too near the time of a prior reservation, that "it" (reservation system?) is flagged for review and posible cancellation.

could be just a "story" to free up reservations?

Hmmmmmm

Need some rum to think about this!!

 

[natalielongstaff]

Good news for those trying for a walk up though