Question re: Candlelight Processional Cancellation Fee

[PrincessCin]

I have an ADR for a Candlelight Processional Dinner package and my parents plan on joining us. My mom tends to have knee pain that flares up once in a while and with all the walking in Epcot, I'm a little worried.

If my mom doesn't feel well enough to join us for dinner and she decides not to go with us the day of our CPDP ADR, will they consider her a "cancellation" and charge us the full amount for her dinner? Or will they understand if we have one less person in our party and not charge us?

I want to be prepared to give her a guilt trip (or not) if she decides to back out and I get charged

 

[snykymom]

When we went to Disney with my MIL, she also couldn't walk the parks like we could. We rented a wheelchair for her each day, she walked until she didn't want to anymore, and then rode. (The chair also held all our park "stuff", too!) She really liked the arrangement; she got to decide when she'd had enough walking, she didn't miss any time with us, and she didn't feel guilty forcing anyone to miss anything because of her.

Would your mother consent to anything like that?

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I'm leaning towards yes, because I believe a 24-48 hour cancellation is required. Also, if you think about it, even if they don't charge you the price of the package, your mom is not getting in the show with you guys. I'm not sure if that is a concern for you.

 

[two-foxes]

We ran into this on our last trip this past December. My mom came down with a virus the day of our LeCellier CP ressie. She wasn't sure if she would make it or not until right before we left, where she wisely decided to stay in the room. I explained the situation to the CM upon check in and to the server. Both were very understanding and we were NOT charged for my mom. The server specifically said, "Goodness no, you don't have to pay for her...she is not here!" So they had no issue switching our reserved party of 4 to 3. If that was out of the ordinary or against policy, I have no idea, but we were not charged for my mom not attending.

 

[snykymom]

LeCellier is different; it doesn't have a particular cancellation policy and they didn't take your credit card when you booked the ADR.

 

[aribelle]

We had CRT reservations where you have to actually pay in full in advance....and one of our party could not make it. I didn't explain the reasons, simply said that our party of 5 was now 4......they refunded the pre-payment on a Disney gift card (I don't know if they'd have done it to my original credit card as I didn't ask....they presented me with the gift card at the end of the meal).

I think the cancellation and/or prepayment policy is more to prevent no-shows.....not to force you to pay for meals that aren't eaten. OP is not talking about the whole party not showing up, but about being one person short. I seriously doubt that they'd charge the cancellation fee if the majority of the party shows up and explains that an elderly woman was too tired to attend.

Realize however, that if she skips the meal, she won't have a ticket to sit in the special section for CP later that night (they give those out after the bill is paid, so I wouldn't expect that you'd get one for a meal not purchased). If you're saying she'd be missing CP too, then it doesn't really matter, but just wanted to be sure you realized since some of the meals are hours before the show (we have a 1:40 ADR for the 5pm show).

If it were me.....I'd go ahead and rent a wheelchair for her that one day....missing a meal is no big deal if you're worn out....but I wouldn't want her to miss Candlelight Processional because she was too tired. The wheelchairs aren't nearly as expensive as the ECV, so long as someone in your group is strong enough to push her around. It would be expensive for everyday, but one day so she doesn't miss something that special would be worth the extra expense (and I'm known for being cheap, lol).

 

[two-foxes]

LeCellier is different; it doesn't have a particular cancellation policy and they didn't take your credit card when you booked the ADR.

Yeah, they did. It was booked as a Candlelight Processional Dinner package (tier #3). My Credit Card ## was taken at the time of booking in the late summer as it wasn't a regular ADR, but it was a CP dinner package.

 

[snykymom]

Sorry, my mistake; missed that part.

 

[PrincessCin]

Thank you to everyone for your input!

I have thought of renting a wheelchair and an ECV but unfortunately my mother is very STUBBORN. She would never use them. She was a nurse so you'd think she would but no, she's stubborn. The only person she'll listen to is my brother and he won't be with us.

Knowing my mom, if she misses the CP dinner she would also miss the CP show too so that was never a concern for me.

I really hope she paces herself and can make it with us. She hasn't been to Epcot since 1993 and I'd love for her to see how it is, especially during the holidays.

 

[aribelle]

Thank you to everyone for your input!

I have thought of renting a wheelchair and an ECV but unfortunately my mother is very STUBBORN. She would never use them. She was a nurse so you'd think she would but no, she's stubborn. The only person she'll listen to is my brother and he won't be with us.

Knowing my mom, if she misses the CP dinner she would also miss the CP show too so that was never a concern for me.

I really hope she paces herself and can make it with us. She hasn't been to Epcot since 1993 and I'd love for her to see how it is, especially during the holidays.

Well, since I know that type I understand.

If CP is important to her, perhaps she could stay at the hotel in the morning relaxing and you all could go back at lunch time to get her. THen it would be a half day for her so she'd not tire as easily. Or...if she's too stubborn to be the only one staying behind, make it a resort day....swim (pools are heated I understand...I stay offsite so I'm not positive)....tour the decorations, and limit the walking for the first half of the day.

CP is one of those "not to be missed" events, so hopefully she'll be willing to make the effort to be able to attend. If she were my family member and didn't take that advice....well, I'd wish her well and tell her I'd take a few photos for her!!!