payment required at booking for dinner shows?

[jenjen212]

i called today to try to book hoop dee doo for our trip, and they tell me that full payment is now required at the time of booking.

when did they do this? does anyone know why they started doing it?

i don't like it! we usually save up our money for the trip right before we go, so that we have all of our money fot the trip then. what about those that live on a budget? does this mean that they can now not be able to go?

i have a family member that, like many other people, plan their disney trips around their bonuses that they receive from work. so, they can not do any of the shows that they normally do.

anyone else with thoughts on this?

jen

 

[markey]

I just booked the dinner package for the Candle Light Processional, paid in full at time of booking required. I think it is because too many people would book and not show up. People who wanted to book could not and Disney ended up with empty spots.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

This is from the 9/15 Mousesaver's newsletter:

Walt Disney World Dining Payment Policy Changes
The Walt Disney World Resort has changed the payment policy for three popular dining experiences. Payment in full is now required at time of booking for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Disney's Spirit of Aloha and Mickey's Backyard BBQ dinner shows.

Guests may cancel up to 48 hours in advance and receive a full refund. This change will streamline the experience for guests as they pick up Dinner Show tickets from Walt Disney World Resort Guest Service locations.

Guests booked on packages that include dining at a Disney Dinner Show must provide a credit card to guarantee their reservation. The credit card will not be charged unless the reservation is cancelled within 48 hours, or the party is a no-show.

 

[Local_Girl]

Yep, I just read about this recently as well, and I think it stinks too! I guess I understand Disney's reasons for adopting this policy, but the bottom line is we are thinking twice about booking HDDR, because we don't want to pay $200 upfront for a trip next year...nor do we want to wait until next year to book HDDR and run the risk of having a less-than-desirable table. Darn, we were hoping to take DMIL there for her first WDW visit too... .

 

[tmli]

We recently made a reservation for th Luau and didn't have to pay at booking. We got an invoice and payment was due 45 (I think) days before the date of the show.

 

[gigi1313]

i don't care when they make me pay, HDDR is a MUST DO for our trips!

i realize that this is a pita for many, but i also understand their reasoning... people are getting shut out and others are not showing up... doing it this way makes it fairer to those that want to go and cannot get a ressie... personally, i find it easier on my budget to pre-pay things a little bit at a time, rather than incur all my bills when trip-day is upon me... i'm seriously considering overpaying my disney visa as a 'savings plan' 'cause i am sooo bad about saving!

 

[wdisneyaholic]

I booked HDDR in early August and all I had to do is give a cc to hold the reservation. I think they started doing this around August 15th, I am glad I got my ressie in before that. We aren't going until July and would not have wanted to pay almost $200 a year in advance.