Overbooking ADR's without cancelling

[mickeyfan2]

I love it! It's the "No one's perfect, so let's all do whatever we want and no one can tell me I'm wrong" theory!

It's a great theory isn't it!!!!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Here's an idea. When a person calls to make an ADR, they only get to make 1 per meal per day per room (they do know the names of who youre traveling with) (1 b, 1L, 1D etc). Get the persons name, and when they come in to eat, check their ID. No ID~ Either wait, or move on to CS... Have a lovely evening

The only problems I see with this is A) not everyone stays in WDW resorts therefore they can't go by rooms alone unless they only want to allow ADR's for those staying on property- the uproar you hear now is real. LOL and B) even then they would only know who you're staying with onsite- they wouldn't know what other family you may be travelling with and may want to make ADRs for the entire family even though you have friends/family staying offsite on that trip.
etc.
I see problems there.

No, I don't book multiple ADR's for meals. Yes, I do think it is inconsiderate to do so. I would not mind a CC hold for restaurants at Disney. I don't buy the "I don't know how my kids are going to be" arguement either. In all of our Disney trips with 3 young children I have never missed a dinner ADR. We also decide where we want to eat and then plan our park days around those restaurants. It's not really that hard to do. The park hours come out 6 months in advance, people know what days are EMH, etc. I don't understand why people have to make 3 dinner ADR's for the same day.

I agree with the above quote. I don't buy the I don't know how my kids are going to be thing either. We've gone with three kids ranging in age from starting at 2yrs old to 12yrs old... if something happens (illness/whatever) and we can't eat where we planned (our ONE ADR) then we'll call and cancel. We're not going to make multiple ARD's and blame it on the kids indecisiveness. LOL

Here's what I'm thinking- how about Disney only allows ADRs at the same restaurant/same meal period (not limited to one table though in case you are making the ADR for your family/friends at the same time/same restaurant)- meaning they won't allow you to have an ADR for 7pm at one park and an ADR at another park at 8:30pm for the SAME party (ie: party of 6 or whatever- it's a different thing to have one at 7pm for DH/DS and one at 8pm at another restaurant for DW/DD and such) -and that be the standard UNLESS... you agree to putting a CC down in case you no show. That way if you want more than one ADR to keep your "options" open- you're willing to put your CC to hold them and you'll be more inclined to cancel within 24hrs for the ones you don't intend to keep.

That still won't solve ALL the problems (because it still would hold ADRs that others couldn't book way ahead of time) but it would help some on getting cancellations within 24hrs so others could make ADRs on short notice and/or they could allow walk ins to take those tables. That atleast would help with the walk ups. It's really sad that people that don't know about making ADRs way in advance can't find a place to eat because others who do know are making multiple ADRs and not cancelling the ones they don't use until an hour before (if at all). (we've been there. Our very first trip we didn't have a clue and didn't even know about ADR's. We were lucky to be able to get princess breakfast at Epcot during our trip but the rest of our trip was all counter service- couldn't get in anywhere for any meal we tried)

What's REALLY sad is that this causes empty tables sitting around waiting for people who aren't intending on showing up since they booked multiple ARDS and didn't cancel the ones they didn't want to show up to- while walk ups are turned away. That's sad all the way around- for the families that could have eaten there, the wait staff who lost income, the restaurant that lost income. etc. I'm wondering if the prices of everything, especially buffets will go up up up because of the empty tables being held for people who don't show up (and don't cancel).

 

[stauncie]

ARGH! I thought I had a solution to our ADR problems.
DH and DD want mexican. I don't like mexican, and neither does the other DD. So, make two ADR's, right? One for them, and another for us. We plan on keeping BOTH ADR's, with 2 people dining at each restaurant. I forgot that some people make ADR's with no intention of keeping them. I will be SO upset if one of ours is cancelled. (Well, I would be LESS upset if they cancel San Angel, lol, since *I* won't be eating there anyway)

 

[mickeyfan2]

(Well, I would be LESS upset if they cancel San Angel, lol, since *I* won't be eating there anyway)

Make that one first.

 

[battlecat533]

Originally Posted by battlecat533
Just to let you all know...I am going down there for the first time in 20 yrs from Dec 3-9. It will be me, my gf and her 6 yr old daughter. I am unsure of where we want to eat. SO this was my solution

I made a reservation at EVERY restuarant in the WDW property, parks and hotels. I did this for each 30 minute increment from opening to closing. I was not sure what we wanted to do..so this was the easiest solution. I for one do not think this is rude...I just do not want to plan ahead and if someone wanted to do this, they could do this to.

OH yeah...if you havent figured out the sarcasim so far, I also made reservations for every seat on every airline I could find because I am not sure where I want to sit yet on the planes.


LOL. ur sOoOoo! clever.


/snark

ETA: Is the problem you have with the fact that it's therefore harder for you and others to get ADRs or that the person doesn't want to plan the days out this far in advance, allowing for some flexibility? I'm truly unsure.

ETA, again: Talking to others about this, I should revise what I've written. I think if someone said, "I made lots of ADRs at the same time because that makes it more difficult for others" - that is rude. But otherwise, I dislike the practice but don't think it's rude.

Yea..i thought it was pretty funny It is time for people here to get over themselves and see that This is a place for fun. Not to bicker and not to try and get one over on everyone else.

needless to say...making Tons of ADRs for times you know cannot be possibly made is unfair and is "RUDE" to those who are shut out. But then the response is "well they can call at 15 minutes till and find if there is an open spot"

If you think this way...why if you do not know what you want to do, dont you wait till 15 minutes till or when you Have decided, then you can call or walk in to get an ADR

 

[The Sweetness]

I cant help but to wonder if anyone has ever made lunch and dinner res, only intending to keep 1. This being done to be sure to be able to enjoy a meal with a very small child whoose behavior 6 months ahead of time cant really be determined... I am not saying that I did or will do this, but I am glad that I can. As far as not getting the ADRs I want goes, I'll make my call on the day I am allowed, and will get the best Adrs I can, according to what I want

 

[faindrops27]

I only read the header, and the OP. I must say that with this planning 180, days out. I have changed, alot of ADR's . Well, i called the other day, and things I had told CMs, previousley to cancel. Were still open ADR's. Well, supposedly the cm, that I got the other day did cancel, the multiple ADR'S I had on same day. Per my request. I do not wish to hold another wanting diner up because I had multiple ressies. And did not cancel. That is just not right.

 

[kcrew]

I didn't single anyone out, I responded to a variety of comments that I found to be interesting. I never personally attacked anyone or singled anyone out. I do find it amusing that you stated that you never singled anyone out, because *clearly* that's what this post was all about.

why can't people put back a few ADR's so others can share them? [/QUOTE

Let's check back.... My 1st post quoted noone, and addressed noone's specific comments. YOU then quoted ME and made it personal!
But now you deny singling anyohe out? OBVIOUSLY in my 2nd post I was addressing you and THOUGHT it was obvious when I stated that I never singled anyone out that I was referring to my initial post.

Please reread this entire thread and show me an instance of anyone EVER stating that thet have left an ADR uncanceled, or that they intend to. Most of those who have voiced dissent on this thread are playing devil's advocate because the all of self righteousness and whining are too much to stand....

 

[Anewman]

Please reread this entire thread and show me an instance of anyone EVER stating that thet have left an ADR uncanceled, or that they intend to.

Did you read the second post in the thread????

 

[mickeyfan2]

Did you read the second post in the thread????

Post #2 edited it, but post #5 has the original wording in it.

 

[DCDisney]

Since an ADR doesn't reserve a specific table I think they count on a certain percentage of no shows at each restaurant so if 100% of the people started showing up it would be a problem. We were travelling with another party and we each made some ADRs and did have some overlap. When I called to try and cancel a LeC for the same day they said not to bother that they won't rebook that table anyway that they count on having no shows. I'm not saying double book by any means, but just saying if you double book and then cancel same day you probably really aren't giving anyone that table. We don't double book but we do have a tendency to over book thinking we can eat more than we can so we end up cancelling a meal here or there. I do call and cancel as early as possible.

Yvonne

 

[Caren]

The root cause of this problem is that there aren't enough restaurants to go around. People make ADRs for meals they may not show up at because they know they won't be able to get them later. This of course, makes it even more difficult for other people to get last-minute seatings, leading them to also make advance ADRs they may not show up for, in a never-ending vicious cycle.

I'm attending a conference at WDW in August where I can't predict with any accuracy who I'll want to be eating with and when. I suppose I could just make a ton of ADRs, but instead I'm just making a point of having a car so we can eat off site. A minor inconvenience compared to the ADR nightmare.

 

[kcrew]

Did you read the second post in the thread????

Considering the edit I guess this thread has reformed her (not).

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I didn't single anyone out, I responded to a variety of comments that I found to be interesting. I never personally attacked anyone or singled anyone out. I do find it amusing that you stated that you never singled anyone out, because *clearly* that's what this post was all about.

why can't people put back a few ADR's so others can share them? [/QUOTE

Let's check back.... My 1st post quoted noone, and addressed noone's specific comments. YOU then quoted ME and made it personal!
But now you deny singling anyohe out? OBVIOUSLY in my 2nd post I was addressing you and THOUGHT it was obvious when I stated that I never singled anyone out that I was referring to my initial post.

Please reread this entire thread and show me an instance of anyone EVER stating that thet have left an ADR uncanceled, or that they intend to. Most of those who have voiced dissent on this thread are playing devil's advocate because the all of self righteousness and whining are too much to stand....

Okay, since other posters have taken care of the second part for me(thanks, guys ) I'll address the beginning. By quoting you and responding to something you said, I did NOT make it "personal". That is how a discussion board works. That's not singling out.

Now you're saying that when you said you never singled anyone out you meant only your first post, not your second. What you did qualifies as singling out much more strongly since you went back and quoted every response I made, took them out of context and tried to insinuate that I called others selfish when I said the behavior was selfish.

Let me explain why I will be ignoring your further posts:

You have told me I was judgmental (judging me).

You have told me I was wrong for telling others that their actions were wrong.

You have told me that you didn't single anyone out like I did, and then said you only meant up until you singled me out.

These are three instances where you singled me out, and attacked me for things that you did. You have resisted answering my questions about the original topic to me indicating that you are more interested in arguing than in addressing the topic. I will not enable that by responding to you, especially if you're just "playing devil's advocate".

This is way off topic and we should not allow this to continue. This is supposed to be a discussion about multiple ADR's. Thank goodness most people agree that multiple ADR's are wrong and are considerate enough to limit themselves to what they will use and cancel the others so others can have a chance at them.

On that note, I just cancelled an August 26th res for Kona Cafe for dinner at 6 if anyone wants to call!

 

[brerrabbit]

It's a vacation people! If I was as compulsive as some people here about planning my ADR's then I could never enjoy my vacation because it would drive me up a tree. Thank goodness I have never used the DDP and from everything I have read here I never plan to. I think a lot of the disagreement and downright arguments about ADR's stem from the DDP. Since you get a TS meal everyday people using the plan feel like they are leaving money on the table if they don't have an ADR for everyday of their trip. The posters say that they book multiple ones to give themselves flexability when I say they are doing just the opposite. They are limiting their flexability because they have to be at a certain place at a certain time. Isn't that the exact opposite of what a vacation is designed for? When I am on vacation I don't want to have to strictly hold to a rigid schedule because of where I am eating. When we go we usually schedule three ADR's for a week long trip. We are going from July 14 thru 21 and we will eat at Ragland Road, the Garden Grill, and Teppenyaki in Japan. Thats it! And we will make it to all three meals. One of the realities of having ADR's is that you have made a commitment to be at a certain place at a certain time and due to the size and transportation options at WDW you sometimes have to not get in line for that one last ride before your scheduled ADR. It's the choice you made. What I hear is that some people want the ultimate flexability and have ADR's at multiple times and locations so they can take that one last ride.

Try this, don't use the DDP, book fewer ADR's, and commit to being at the right place at the right time. Less stress, less hogging of ADR's, the flexability you seek, and a lot less stress on your vacation, which is after all what its all about.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

I just read through this entire thread for the first time.

I didn't read a single post where anyone defending or justifying making multiple ADR's had an argument that held even a thimblefull of water... other than "I want my way to the detrement of someone else."

*sigh* I sure do miss civility.

 

[Mickey1122]

To all those who insulted the practice of a few extra ADRs:
Let's start by saying that I am a boy, not a girl. (kcrew, you jumped to a conclusion) I make frequent trips with my family that are planned at very short notice. We make ADRs two weeks in advance. If no one has taken them at that point, I think it's safe to say they are up for grabs. I don't try to annoy other vacationers. I like some flexibility, and a couple of extra ADRs don't hurt.
To Have2getaway-No I don't have small children. I'm 15, and am part of a family with younger syblings. We also eat dinner after seven always. You jumped to a false conclusion.
kcrew-I editted my original post to stop all the hate mail. It's ridiculous. There is no need for you to jump to conclusions. Just go calm down.
It is MUCH more "Rude" to call me names, call me selfish, and wish me misfortune than to book a couple of extra ADRs. (That means you, "TheRustyScupper." That wasn't at all becoming."
There was a lot of uneccesary bickering on this thread. When I book double ADR's just days before my trip, I don't think I'm destroying people's vacations.
Thanks for jumpingg down my throat guys. You really made my day with your unpleasantness.

 

[brerrabbit]

Mickey 1122, just some observations:

If you are in fact 15 years old then most likely your parents are making the ADR's, not you, secondly -you do sound like a 15 year old because as was the case with my kids when they were 15, they make a contriversial statement and then when they get called on it they back up and start giving a lot of reasons to back up said preivious statement. Third, I would really like to know if in fact your parents do make multiple ADR's or you just thimk they do. Lastly, since literally thousands of people go to WDW each day without any knowledge of the ADR system and would like to just walk up to a TS resturant or potentially make a same day ADR then how could you ever say that if you make them two weeks in advance then they are "up for grabs"

Saying you are 15 does make sense now. Your immaturity shines through in your last post.

By the way I am not slamming you, sending you hate mail or wishing bad thoughts upon you. I am merely pointing out the fact that you have some growing up to do.

 

[The Sweetness]

Thats one thing I think most of us can agree on. It doesnt do anyone any good to get all bent about someone making 3 dinner ADRS 2 weeks before their trip, so that they can choose on the day of. Personally, I dont see the need, but with ADRs being available 180 days out, it is first come, first served. I still dont know whether I will book L& D to cover my bets next year. If I do, I can assure you (If anyone even cares) that I will make a decision a couple of weeks before my arrival, and cancel either the L or the D for each day. Its just impossible for me to decide what my 15 month old will be more comfortable with when she is 27 months. When she is 26 months, it will be much easier to choose.

 

[jjarman]

I have done this somewhat, but not 2 or 3 for the same hour.

DS10 and I want to got to ESPN Club one night, but I have a back up ADR at Spoodle's. If we can get into ESPN Club without a long wait, I'll walk over to Spoodle's and cancel.

We also want to go to the Offical All Star Cafe at the Sports Complex, but have an ADR for Olivia's. Should we decide the wait is doable at All Star I'll ask the person at the podium how to cancel Olivia's.

I kept the one for dinner at Tony's, but made one for the same day at 1900 Park Fair for breakfast. If no problems with breakfast, I'll stop at Tony's when we get into MK and cancel.

I do have 2 ADR's (dinner) for older son and his friend, an hour apart at Ragland Road, but they know they need to let me know during the day which one they want to keep, so I can cancel the other one.

I do something similar to this. I will most likely make 2 ADRs for each day but we will know before lunch where we will be that night so I can easily cancel in time for someone else to take advantage.

I also know that when we were there in March, 2005 when it was very busy we had little trouble getting some ADRs at the last minute, like within a couple of hours of the meal time. So having more than one ADR for a day must not have that much affect at least on some of the restaurants.