People making a lot ADR's but cancelling the ones they don't wish to keep

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In the past I have read how guests like to make a lot of ADR's because they don't know which restaurants in WDW they would like to eat at, then when they decide where they want to eat they cancel the other ADR's. I was just wondering for the people who do that what is your time period from when you make all your ADR's & cancel the ones you don't want to keep? I am asking this because we all have to be fair for people that might have tried for an ADR maybe at the last minute & were told nothing was available. I am not flaming the people who like to do this type of thing, because I actually think it's a very good idea. I was just wondering when do you decide what ADR's you like to cancel so that other people can call & take those spots?

 

[Booknut]

I make the new reservation first and then if I get it I cancel the pre-existing one during the same phone call.

I think its very naughty (and selfish!) to keep more than one reservation given that there are thousands of people trying to make reservations (especially during free dining) and they aren't getting into the popular restaurants because people have 'block booked' various TS meals per day.

 

[P-Dust]

We have a couple of "iffy" meals. One is on our arrival day at WCC. If our DD's (5&7) are tired and cranky from the wake-up call at 4 am and traveling to WDW, we will cancell that meal but not until we get there. So,for us, we don't cancel untill the last minute. It is not worth it to take over-tired kids into a TS meal (we learned this the hard way in Dec. at WCC). And, it is not fair to the other diners.

 

[LeesyUD]

The only reasons I will hold onto a reservation that I might change/cancel:

Is if I am having doubts about a particular ADR and may want to changeit but hold to it until I decide if I definitely do so I don't cancel an ADR and then decide a few days later that I really did want it and not be able to get it. And usually these changes I make within a few wks of my initial ADR's. But I would never ever make a multiple ADR's for the same day/time at different restaurants or multiple ADR's for the same restaurant on different days...that is just a big no no to me

As far as last minute cancellations, I will only do this if I am sick or really really really cannot make due to unforseen circumstances. Last time I was in Disney I had to cancel my chef mickey character breakfast the morning of our last day bc I developed a cold overnight and would not have enjoyed it. (but at least I got sick on my last day and not my first but it was a bad plane ride home). I set my alarm for early morning when Disney dining opened to see how I felt but alas still sick so I did call an hour or 2 prior to my ADR and canceled. The rep was appreciative that I actually clld to cancel bc she most people would not. It was a sad sad phone call for me that day, but I happy to say I am going back this December and will go there for the first time finally!

 

[d96j97]

We make sure to honor all our ADR's and do enough research ahead of time to be sure of where we want to eat and times. I totally understand sometimes that it just doesn't work out for people to have the ADR and something "came up".

However, I don't want the magic of Disney to stop happening with the reservations. I mean...where else can you call 180 days in advance to have a preferred seating time at the restaurant you want. I would hate for Disney to start charging for making ADR's.

For example...Cinderella's Royal Table now must be paid in full before you can make a reservation. Although it can be cancelled prior to the reservation...I would hate to see Disney start doing this for all on-site restaurants.

With that being said...I wish people would only make ADR's for the times and restaurants they are planning on going to rather that making multiple ones. That leaves others no opportunity to make a reservation when no one is there to use the existing reservation.

 

[punkin]

I will cancel my doubles as soon as I firm up my park plans. Usually, I never overbook, but this trip I am going with another family and they are driving me crazy, constantly changing my plans around. After cancelling some ADRs and then having to rebook them 2 days later, I decided that doublebooking is not as bad as I always considered it.

 

[Karnak]

I wish WDW would require a refundable credit card payment in advance when a reservation is made. (Say $20 per person, for example.) If the reservation is canceled within a set time period (a month in advance, for example), the deposit is credited to their card, but if they are a no-show, they forfit the depost.

Makes sense to me.

Enjoy.

 

[notnothin]

It seems that Disney is cracking the whip on double bookings. We are doing an intimate wedding in December, and our wedding planner had made a reservation for us which conflicted with a reservation that I made myself at the 180 day mark. I called a few weeks ago to confirm my reservations, and the CM said "we need to take care of this double booking". At the time, I had no idea what she was talking about, but she indicated that it was made by our wedding planner. Needless to say, they are aware of the problem, and are working to resolve it.

I've read reports of others having their multiple ADRs cancelled without their knowledge as well. Here's to hoping that Disney straightens this out, as it is truly unfair to others who choose to book a single seating.

 

[PureTcrazy]

We started as a group of 5, then added 4 more, then one more than another; yet we never double booked an ADR. We make new one and cancel the old during the same phone call. There is really no excuse for it. I am sure that there are a million "justifications", but it is extremely selfish.

 

[disnut1149]

The only reasons I will hold onto a reservation that I might change/cancel:

1.) My first example: I have and ADR fro CRT dinner in mid Dec, but have heard some negative things about it and have considered changing to Narcosse's. With that said, I do not know if I really want to change so I am keeping my ADR at CRT bc if I decide not to change to Narcosse, then I will still go to CRT for dinner. But I do not want to cancel it and then decide a few days later I do want to go and not be able to get an ADR...so I am waiting til I decide for sure. Now with that said, when I say I am waiting, I mean I am deciding within in the next few days which I would rather go to and I am not traveling until Dec., so that gives plenty of time for someone else to take that spot.

2.) A similar situation I have a regular ADR for Le Cellier and I definitely want to go to that restaurant. However, when I booked it I decided against the CP package. Now that I have added another night to my stay, I am reconsidering the package, but cannot decide if I want to do it with Le Cellier or keep my regular ADR for Le Cellier and do the CP at another restaurant like San Angel Inn another night, which will most likely be my choice. So I am not going to cancel my ADR to Le Cellier bc there is really only a 10% chance I will want to go with the CP package at Le Cellier instead of somewhere else another night.

Just a side note: with the two circumstances I mentioned above, I was certain of what I wanted at the time I was making the reservations. I didn't just pick wants that I might want to do and will decide when I get there like some people due. With these two ADR's I mentioned I now I have a few doubts on, but it doesn't mean I won't go bc those doubts will probably pass me by. But if I do end up canceling either one, it will be months ahead of time. I will not be a no show and as far as:

3.) Last minute cancellations: I will only do this if I am sick or really really really cannot make due to unforseen circumstances. Last time I was in Disney I had to cancel my chef mickey character breakfast the morning of our last day bc I developed a cold overnight and would not have enjoyed it. (but at least I got sick on my last day and not my first but it was a bad plane ride home). I set my alarm for early morning when Disney dining opened to see how I felt but alas still sick so I did call an hour or 2 prior to my ADR and canceled. The rep was appreciative that I actually clld to cancel bc she most people would not. It was a sad sad phone call for me that day, but I happy to say I am going back this December and will go there for the first time finally!

Also I would never ever make a multiple ADR's for the same day/time at different restaurants or multiple ADR's for the same restaurant on different days...that is just a big no no to me

Hi Lis,
What the heck is all this ???? I'll be over your house tomorrow to go over our itinerary with your mom. See ya soon! Joan

 

[fightinfire21]

1. Put all ADR's online

2. Limit the ADR's to one per meal per reservation # (or go by party number for those that split and dine sepratly, example... 4 people can equal 2 ADR's for 2). Got two partys dining together... then you would need more than one reservation number!

This would help keep people from overbooking.

Here's my little flame! Last year we went for free dining... our first trip as adults... we didn't book adr's for some night because we didn't want to be held down... our first night without ADRs we had to walk to like 20 resturants (not kidding) with no availability... and some places were not busy at all... lots of tables... they all had people with ADR's that didn't show! we ended up at Downtown Disney's McDonald's that night Needless to say we booked ADRs for the rest of our trip early the next morning

 

[fightinfire21]

Forgot to say that I am doing free dining again this year for 10 nights and I have ADR's booked for the entire trip.. with the exception of Coral Reef one night.... it has no availbility for 2 at a reasonable time for the whole trip... Oh well I will keep trying... I have already called like 20 times LOL they are probablly sick of me

 

[Sammie]

The only reasons I will hold onto a reservation that I might change/cancel:

1.) My first example: I have and ADR fro CRT dinner in mid Dec, but have heard some negative things about it and have considered changing to Narcosse's. With that said, I do not know if I really want to change so I am keeping my ADR at CRT bc if I decide not to change to Narcosse, then I will still go to CRT for dinner. But I do not want to cancel it and then decide a few days later I do want to go and not be able to get an ADR...so I am waiting til I decide for sure. Now with that said, when I say I am waiting, I mean I am deciding within in the next few days which I would rather go to and I am not traveling until Dec., so that gives plenty of time for someone else to take that spot.

2.) A similar situation I have a regular ADR for Le Cellier and I definitely want to go to that restaurant. However, when I booked it I decided against the CP package. Now that I have added another night to my stay, I am reconsidering the package, but cannot decide if I want to do it with Le Cellier or keep my regular ADR for Le Cellier and do the CP at another restaurant like San Angel Inn another night, which will most likely be my choice. So I am not going to cancel my ADR to Le Cellier bc there is really only a 10% chance I will want to go with the CP package at Le Cellier instead of somewhere else another night.

Just a side note: with the two circumstances I mentioned above, I was certain of what I wanted at the time I was making the reservations. I didn't just pick wants that I might want to do and will decide when I get there like some people due. With these two ADR's I mentioned I now I have a few doubts on, but it doesn't mean I won't go bc those doubts will probably pass me by. But if I do end up canceling either one, it will be months ahead of time. I will not be a no show and as far as:

3.) Last minute cancellations: I will only do this if I am sick or really really really cannot make due to unforseen circumstances. Last time I was in Disney I had to cancel my chef mickey character breakfast the morning of our last day bc I developed a cold overnight and would not have enjoyed it. (but at least I got sick on my last day and not my first but it was a bad plane ride home). I set my alarm for early morning when Disney dining opened to see how I felt but alas still sick so I did call an hour or 2 prior to my ADR and canceled. The rep was appreciative that I actually clld to cancel bc she most people would not. It was a sad sad phone call for me that day, but I happy to say I am going back this December and will go there for the first time finally!

Also I would never ever make a multiple ADR's for the same day/time at different restaurants or multiple ADR's for the same restaurant on different days...that is just a big no no to me

Reason # 1: what is going to change between the time you booked both of these restaurants and a few days, that will allow you to make up your mind then, instead of when you booked them. I don't see the point.

 

[The Sweetness]

I just might make all ADRs 180 days out, for L and D. A mont before my trip, I will commit to either L or D for each day, opening up 8 TS adrs for someone who's either local and didnt plan 6 months out, or is just on a surprise, or spontaneous trip

 

[LeesyUD]

Reason # 1: what is going to change between the time you booked both of these restaurants and a few days, that will allow you to make up your mind then, instead of when you booked them. I don't see the point.

i just meant that when i booked them i was certain (or thought i was certain of what i wanted)...but those particular 2 ADR's I have reconsidered. the reason I will have a decision within a few days is bc i am sitting down with the person i am going with and we are going to do some more research to figure out what we definitely want. And again as I mentioned I just added another day on to my stay which also requires some adjustments. So if I am going to change it it will be within the next few days. And I know bc of the way I am, if I do not change any ADR's now then I will not change it, I will stick with what I have and go there. My main point was that I understand when people have doubts about ADR's and hold onto them for a week or two after they make them, before they make any changes, but it is alot different when people make ADR's they know they probably won't go to and cancel either very last minute or don't cancel at all. But i guess reading what i posted back it really doesn't make that much sense. I'll have to fix that.

 

[PureTcrazy]

What I have a problem with is that some people do not understand that when you double book 180 days out, you may be keeping someone else from getting their time/day. It doesn't make me feel better to know that someone who did not plan ahead got that reservation when you finally cancelled.

 

[notnothin]

What I have a problem with is that some people do not understand that when you double book 180 days out, you may be keeping someone else from getting their time/day. It doesn't make me feel better to know that someone who did not plan ahead got that reservation when you finally cancelled.

Oh, they know all too well that this is the case (denying others from making a reservation). The thing is, they don't really care!

 

[bavaria]

I may be in the minority, but I think that going back to 'day of' reservations would actually make things less stressful. I could see reservations for character meals, signature meals, etc made in advance, but limit TS restaurants in the parks which don't meet those criteria to day of, or 3 days out, etc.

It may actually make things less stressful for all - remember just a few years ago that was how it was done!

 

[Sammie]

i just meant that when i booked them i was certain (or thought i was certain of what i wanted)...but those particular 2 ADR's I have reconsidered. the reason I will have a decision within a few days is bc i am sitting down with the person i am going with and we are going to do some more research to figure out what we definitely want. And again as I mentioned I just added another day on to my stay which also requires some adjustments. So if I am going to change it it will be within the next few days. And I know bc of the way I am, if I do not change any ADR's now then I will not change it, I will stick with what I have and go there. My main point was that I understand when people have doubts about ADR's and hold onto them for a week or two after they make them, before they make any changes, but it is alot different when people make ADR's they know they probably won't go to and cancel either very last minute or don't cancel at all. But i guess reading what i posted back it really doesn't make that much sense. I'll have to fix that.

It makes sense. It just does not make sense to me that this couldn't have happend prior to your making your ADRs. You could have gotten with the person you are going with and made your decisions prior to booking.

If you change your mind later on, you try to change it and if not sucessful at least you did not inconvenience someone else.

I just don't see how the doubts you had prior to booking or going to change in a few days.

 

[roryc]

I think the main point is, if you're not going to use the ADR...then cancel sometime, anytime..

I was at a convention one time and an acquaintance was saying that they decided not to do Le Cellier that night. I asked if they had cancelled and they said, "No. Someone will love to get that spot." My reaction was. "Yes, if you cancel!!!!!!". Otherwise, how much time do the CMs have to determine whether or not someone is a no show 10-15 minutes. That's basically like saying someone won't mind waiting 10-15 minutes (with a screaming child, or aching back, or whatever) just because I'm too inconsiderate to pick up the phone and say, "Please cancel my 8PM Le Cellier reservation for 4". So that if there are walk-ups who want to dine and didn't know enough information to make an ADR, that they can get a table.

I don't mind if someone has 2 ADRs for a certain meal, just cancel one at least a few hours to a day in advance.

Just my 2 cents!