Please cancel ressies for restaurants

[RobnRud]

Not sure if this has been addressed, but just back, and from what I heard and experienced, it seems like some are making ADR's and then cancelling trips (and not cancelling ADR's), or just no-showing for their ressies. Perfect example, tried to get into Olivia's for their Thanksgiving feast, and was told it was booked all evening. We stayed there, so at about 5:30 and 7:30-8:00p walked by and the place had tons of empty tables. Talked to the hostess who said they had a large number of no-shows and could have seated us immediately (we already made other arrangements). Anyway, just thought I'd mention it, for people to try and be courteous and cancel if they truly aren't going to use their ADR's.
Thanks

 

[koolaidmoms]

Not sure if this has been addressed, but just back, and from what I heard and experienced, it seems like some are making ADR's and then cancelling trips (and not cancelling ADR's), or just no-showing for their ressies. Perfect example, tried to get into Olivia's for their Thanksgiving feast, and was told it was booked all evening. We stayed there, so at about 5:30 and 7:30-8:00p walked by and the place had tons of empty tables. Talked to the hostess who said they had a large number of no-shows and could have seated us immediately (we already made other arrangements). Anyway, just thought I'd mention it, for people to try and be courteous and cancel if they truly aren't going to use their ADR's.
Thanks

 

[mcvixen]

I agree - even if it's last minute, it could make someone happy!

We had to cancel several ressies on our last trip - Ohana's & Boma's, and did it very last minute (we all had the flu). But instead of being annoyed in any way, the CM thanked us several times and mentioned how it makes life easier for everyone - people hoping for walkups as well as the staff at the restaurant too.

 

[6mouselovers]

Not sure if this has been addressed, but just back, and from what I heard and experienced, it seems like some are making ADR's and then cancelling trips (and not cancelling ADR's), or just no-showing for their ressies. Perfect example, tried to get into Olivia's for their Thanksgiving feast, and was told it was booked all evening. We stayed there, so at about 5:30 and 7:30-8:00p walked by and the place had tons of empty tables. Talked to the hostess who said they had a large number of no-shows and could have seated us immediately (we already made other arrangements). Anyway, just thought I'd mention it, for people to try and be courteous and cancel if they truly aren't going to use their ADR's.
Thanks

i couldn't agree more!!!!!!! i have had to cancel a few a few times, once on the bus on the way there and dd got sick.... and the cm's are always SURPRISED and very thankful. a little common courtesy could change the world!

 

[ppony]

We just got back and I even cancelled a ressie I knew we wouldn't be able to get to (LONG story beyond my control) only 20 minutes before the time. It was an 8am res and the phone only open at 7:30. So I did my best. Had they been able to answer at 2 am when I discovered my "problem", I wouldn't have cancelled sooner. I try to be considerate. Do unto others....

Next time I'll let DH make the ressies. gumble grumble (yes, that's the long story I'm still chapped about)

 

[jlcd]

I always try to cancel if I know we won't be there. I have to say however, that there have been a couple times that it has taken Disney Dining so long to answer the phone that I had to give up..........

 

[mlittig]

Thanks for the thoughtful reminder about how we can all be courteous even on vacation or maybe more precisely, especially on vacation

 

[RMulieri]

Totally agree I think what is also happening is people are double booking on line purposefully or had booked online during one of the glitches...I called disney dining after another poster had mentioned her booking for 8 went thru 4 times for the same date,time frame and restaurant.Lo and behold...I had 4 different bookings for 3 people for the same date and timeframe at the same restaurant .So that was 9 seats that opened up because of me checking ahead.

 

[TDC Nala]

Be careful if you have a reservation for which prepayment or a credit card hold was required - if you don't cancel that within the amount of time alloted for that particular reservation, you will be charged the no-show fee.

 

[unbroken chain]

So are there often some empty seats for walk-ins, then? I can't get a reservation for one place I want to go (Chef Mickey's) but I wonder if I just show up extra early (4:30ish, even) and wait, would they probably have a few seats anyway, if it's not uncommon for people to just not show up?

 

[RobnRud]

All I know is that last week we were told Boma was booked, and we were able to walk up and get in, as well as my Thanksgiving day story. I did however talk to 2 separate people who stated that they were able to get into LeCellier and Chefs at Epcot (not sure of times) by walking up!!

 

[serene56]

I often wondered how many people book mulitple ADRs for around the same time and only go to the one they are closest to and not cancel the others.
Very rude IMHO.

 

[unbroken chain]

Thanks, RobinRud. I wouldn't want to try it if there were almost no chance (don't want to get kids' hopes up) but if there's a so-so chance, I would try. We will be at Disney the week up to Christmas though, so I know it will be crowded.

Serene56, I wonder if the on-line reservations makes the multiple reservation problem worse. If you have to talk to a real person to make a reservation, then at least someone making multiple reservations would have to call a bunch of times to make multiple reservations on the same night, and maybe the person would be deterred by concern that the reservationist might look up the other dining reservations and see that there were more than one per night. But with online reservations, not talking to a real person, I wonder if people figure what the heck, and just make one reservation per park, or whatever. Or they see something they want more, because it's so easy to check for reservations on line, and they grab it, but never cancel the first.

 

[serene56]

can a person practice online for ADRs?

I think i would feel more comfortable talking to a real person

 

[ncc1701]

So are there often some empty seats for walk-ins, then? I can't get a reservation for one place I want to go (Chef Mickey's) but I wonder if I just show up extra early (4:30ish, even) and wait, would they probably have a few seats anyway, if it's not uncommon for people to just not show up?

Always check when you get there if you were unlucky before leaving home.I tried before leaving to get lunch at the Rose & Crown no luck.On day 2 of our trip I checked at our hotel and had my choice of the next day at 1:00 or 2:00 or following day at almost any time

 

[unbroken chain]

Thanks ncc1701! Does anyone know if they can check for me at Swan/Dolphin? I know they are not completely Disney resorts, but I think you get the extra magic hours with them, so I wonder if they can do reservations and such.

 

[serene56]

Thanks ncc1701! Does anyone know if they can check for me at Swan/Dolphin? I know they are not completely Disney resorts, but I think you get the extra magic hours with them, so I wonder if they can do reservations and such.

anyone--even people who are offsite can make a reservation for dining in the world

 

[TiggerStac]

when we were there last month, I called and cancelled a reservation for about an hour later. We were suppose to go over to epcot for dinner, but the kids weren't cooperating.

The CM on the phone thanked me several times for being kind enough to cancel. Hopefuly another family lucked out and got into Le Cellier!!! I was bummed, but it would have been a miserable dinner!

 

[autumnpalm]

Absolutely. I am just about to cancel some ADRs for February because we are switching out itinerary. It is so easy to cancel, especially online, that I think it is unfair to other families to keep multiple ADRs for the same day or ADRs you don't plan on using.

We have definitely benefitted many times from people cancelling and have been able to walk up to restaurants like Le Cellier and be seated. Just a bit of magic that makes the trip *that* much better!