Overbooking

[CPT Tripss]

Do people really think it is rude to double book as long as you cancel as soon as you nail down your final plan say when the park hours are released??

I don't . . . I'm always pleased when something we want becomes available after it was initially unavailable. Just cancel as soon as you know.

 

[Minnesota!]

I have a few double bookings for this coming trip. Ohana and Boma one night. San Angel Inn and 1900 Park Fare another, and then Ohana/Boma again. The SAI/PF1900 is because that is my DH's bday and he couldn't decide. So I booked both and that day he can choose. The others - well, I was indecisive. I plan on cancelling 1 on each day soon.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Interesting... I enjoy reading this stuff on DIS, it gives thought to something I had not thought about before.

 

[Lynne M]

Yes, it's rude and selfish to double-book, and it simply isn't necessary. Yes, I know some of you think it's more convenient, but convenient doesn't equal necessary. And your convenience comes at the price of someone else's.

Let's say we're at 175 days out, and you've double-booked Le Cellier and Tony's. I call today trying to get Le Cellier, and I can't, because you're tying up a reservation. Now I have two choices. I can book at some other restaurant that's not my first choice, or I can call dozens of times over the next 175 days in hopes that someone will cancel Le Cellier. And why should I have to spend hours on the phone because someone can't make a simple decision about a restaurant reservation?

My point is, that canceling at some point before your trip isn't good enough. While you're making up your mind, you're denying that reservation to all the people who are trying to make plans now, just like you are.

 

[Allison]

Do people really think it is rude to double book as long as you cancel as soon as you nail down your final plan say when the park hours are released??

Yes

 

[Nancyg56]

I think it is rude to double book. I never do and don't understand why others feel that their whims on any particular day are more important than someones else's ability to book a special meal.

I booked all of our meals 180 days out and then needed to change our dates. I understand that this is not anyone's problem but mine, but I have not been able to book some of the meals my family enjoys. I am fine with that if the reason is becasue a lot of folks booked earlier than I did but it really annoys me that some folks double booked so that they did not need to make a decision and were still covered.

 

[My2Angels]

When I called to change a reservation to another restaurant, the CM booked the new one and then said okay, now lets cancel the other one...she did not give me the chance to book 2 places for one night, not that I would have anyway........

 

[Mom2OandElle]

I'm new to all this, but I'll admit I'm amazed at the ADR culture that I have discovered on these boards. I had no idea that people booked every meal for every day of their trip! And now I am realizing that some people book more than one restaurant per meal; no wonder availability is so slim! Just think of the availability if nobody double-booked and nobody held on to ADRs they didn't want! I'm afraid I do think its rather selfish to double-book for any length of time.

 

[Racknack]

I guess I'm the odd man out here. I made my plans, decided upon which park on each day, and booked my meal reservations at the 180 day mark.

I was able to get all 15 of my reservations either on or very, very near the requested times, except for Tony's which I requested for 6:10 pm one evening, but had to settle for 5:30. The other 14 reservations are all at the requested time, or within 10 minutes of the requested time.

I have done my planning this way for several years now, and never had to change a reservation, and have always arrived at the restaurant at my reservation time, usually about 15 minutes before time.

I have never missed a reservation. If I make one, I use it.

And I have never double-booked. I thiink that is very selfish, and quite unnecessary.

 

[RMulieri]

Do I think it is rude to double book?...YES, and people wonder why you have to call 180 days out to get the ressies you want? Honestly, I hate the booking a 180 days out to eat where I want, but it takes the pressure off of trying to scramble last minute to find anything.i was so ticked at my neighbor last December.Somedays she had 4 different ressies for the same time( one at each park), she wasn't even going to call and cancel,just No show.

 

[juligrl]

Do I think it is rude to double book?...YES, and people wonder why you have to call 180 days out to get the ressies you want? Honestly, I hate the booking a 180 days out to eat where I want, but it takes the pressure off of trying to scramble last minute to find anything.i was so ticked at my neighbor last December.Somedays she had 4 different ressies for the same time( one at each park), she wasn't even going to call and cancel,just No show.

But think of the three families who she made very happy when they were able to get a table as walk-ins . It's like she was spreading a little bit of pixie dust in her own way.

Okay, carry on.

 

[creativeamanda]

To answer the OP's question. . .I called to schedule a meal for a party of 8 instead of a party of 5. One meal was at CP (5), the other at Cape May(8). I asked for the CP to be cancelled, and was assured that it was. When I called two weeks later to check on my ressies, BOTH were cancelled. I caould never get either one again. I was not trying to overbook, but both of my ressies were cancelled. They will cancel double bookings.

 

[tzeitel]

You can't! That's one of the many problems with Disney's reservation system. I called to try to switch the name/phone number on some of mine for the same exact reason, when I found out it could be a problem (thank goodness for there boards), and they flat-out told me it couldn't be done.
If Disney does try to "correct" my "problem" somebody is going to hear about it. The CM I spoke with said that since I brought it to their attention it shouldn't be an issue...lets hope.

That is weird because I have been making all the ADRs for our upcoming trip and for some reason one of them was under my mom's name. She is coming with us but I am the one making all the plans/ressies etc. The CM just changed it w/o me even asking. So it CAN be done, not sure why they told you they can't - unless it is a pre-paid or you put a CC to hold the ADR.

 

[disneyfan55]

Today we "double booked" a meal. I booked Brown Derby for my daughter and Son in law, and Prime time 50's for myself and my two grandsons. They are only 10 min. apart and if either one gets cancelled I will be extreemly upset. The CM said it wouldn't be a problem, but do I need to call and put the brown derby reservation in my daughter or son in laws name, just to be safe?
Thanks.

YOur total number of people adds up to the total on your reservation. You really are not double booking, just booking 2 different restaurants for different people. The problem is when you book 2 or more reservations for the same exact people and take up space in 2 or more restaurants that you will not be going to. Yours will be fine. I would book the reservation in the name of someone that will actually be there just to be sure!!

 

[familyS]

I have never double booked and don't intend to.

I wish people would not double book. If plans change, then they can call and change the adr at that time. That is how most people handle their adrs.

However, it is nice to call and find a new opening appeared at a restaurant you have been trying to get.

I consider double booking more selfish than rude.

 

[Belle4mygrl]

The sad thing is TA's encourage the no show idea. My friend, who treated us to a trip last Thanksgiving, (our family was their unofficial tour guide) was told by her travel agent, "I booked _________ restaurant for you. If you don't want to be there, you don't have to show up."

 

[juligrl]

That is weird because I have been making all the ADRs for our upcoming trip and for some reason one of them was under my mom's name. She is coming with us but I am the one making all the plans/ressies etc. The CM just changed it w/o me even asking. So it CAN be done, not sure why they told you they can't - unless it is a pre-paid or you put a CC to hold the ADR.

Nope, no CC hold meals involved. The first night I have a Chef Mickey's for 4 and a Cap N Jacks for 3 for dinner about two hours apart. The second day I have a Little Einsteins lunch and a 50's Prime Time lunch both for 4 about 10 minutes apart. Some of us will be on DDP some will not. Maybe I should call again until I can find someone who can change the name/number for me on my two "double bookings".

The one CM I talked to was really impossible - she wouldn't verify any of my dining reservations for me. I called back and the other CM went through my ADRs day by day with me. Both said I couldn't change the names though. Anybody else changed a name on a reservation?

 

[Abharmagic]

I unknowingly double booked a few meals (had written them down wrong on a piece of scrap paper) and when I called to confirm, the CM said I was double booked and had to choose one or they would cancel one for me. As I really wasn't aware I had done the double booking to begin with, I didn't mind choosing the ADR I wanted to keep and the one I wanted to put back into the system.

So.... double bookers beware- you may loose ADRs if you double book.

BTW my parents just came out and told us they are coming the same time we are. My dad has no clue about the ADR stuff and which restaurants to go to, etc. So I called and got a nice CM who helped me add them to a few ADRs and also book them a seperate table for 2 at a few mins before or after a few ADRs I had. I was worried this would show up as double booking in their system. I stated my concern to the CM on the phone and she had me book it under my dad's name with his phone #.

Soooooooooo..... if you really wanted to double book and "get away" with it you just book it under wife's maiden name and her cell phone or something like that and the ADR system would be none the wiser.... sneaky, yes.... deceptive, yes...... do some people do it- I have no doubt in my mind they do.

Do I personally think double booking is wrong- YES!!!!

 

[juligrl]

I wish the right hand knew what the left hand was doing!!!

So I called back to see about getting names changed on my "double" bookings. The CM I spoke with changed the names no problem. Okay... maybe all the CMs could get on the same page. Anyhow - problem solved!

 

[melissac]

Don't flame me but I'm doubled booked at this time. I booked FDP at MR at 180days and then last week I booked Olivia's because we are not sure if we will purchase the park hopper add on to are already 7 day pass. I booked under 2 different phone numbers(home and cell) and I can't image they will ever find it out because when I called to place a new ressie they couldn't find it because I gave them home number and ressies are under cell. Anyway, I have never done this before and wouldn't make a habit out of it but I don't want to loss FDP if we decide to park hop. We are going to decide soon because I have to cancel 72 hours in advance the FDP to not be charged. SO IMO if you don't abuse it and cancel ASAP when you know your plans and use different # then it would be ok to double book.