Reservation cancellation q

[SwanVT2]

I want to make a dining reservation for our first night at Captain's Grille at the YC, however we are travelling in February and I'm nervous that if there is a delay due to weather with our plane, I don't want to miss a reservation and get charged! Is there any leeway or should we play it safe and do counter service at Hurricane Hannah's the first night?

 

[Haygar2]

If you are worried about getting to an ADR on time, I would make it for another day. They don't have to give you a "leeway". You could be charged the no show fee.

 

[DJFan88]

I agree with not making the reservation for that day. But, depending on when you are getting in, I probably wouldn't go with hurricane hannahs. There are plenty of other better options in walking distance on the boardwalk or even the picabu at dolphin. Once when we got out of illuminations, HH was already closed. Also ESPN Club and BRG are sit downs that don't take reservations, but can get busy depending on timing

 

[purple figment]

Many recommend not making a TS reservation on arrival day because if there is a flight delay, you will be charged the $10 per person no show fee so only make the res if you are willing to pay the fee. Otherwise you can eat at counter service, eat at one of the restaurants that doesn't take reservations like ESPN or Big River Grill, go to one of the restaurants at Swan & Dolphin or DTD or check online or the app after you arrive in Orlando to see what is available. On one of our trips we made a reservation while on the DME bus and another time we made one after arriving in DW.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Never on arrival day. Try getting it when you land, walk up or do QS. You can also book and just risk the surcharge if you're late.

 

[georgina]

If you do decide to make an ADR and miss it due to weather, it would be worth a try to call and explain. They don't have to waive the fee, but they might. Depends on who answers your call.

 

[Jhondy210]

We missed our plane last year and so we missed an ADR on our arrival day. As soon as I realize we weren't going to make it, I called and explained the situation to Disney and they cancelled my reservation and didn't make me pay the $10 per person no show fee.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

I think if you call and explain as soon as you know that you are going to miss your ADR time and why there is a good chance that Disney will waive the no-show fee. If you can give them an idea of when you will arrive they may be able to issue you a later ADR time that you could make. I found that if you are sincere about wanting to eat at a restaurant and have to cancel due to things beyond your control that Disney is pretty understanding. We had to cancel an ADR for LeCelier about 3 hours before our scheduled time because my DD got sick. I went to the concierge at our resort and explained and he cancelled it for us. I was fully expecting to be charged the no-show fee but it never appeared on our bill. If the no-show fee won't break your budget I would go for it. Cheers!!!!!

 

[cluvsdisney]

You can keep the ADR and if there is some sort of delay, you can call disney dining and ask to reschedule the ADR to another day/meal and you won't get charged a no show fee. Or you can try going as a walk-in.

 

[Fizban]

I wouldn't make any reservations on arrival day because it just adds unnecessary stress to what should be a relaxing and fun vacation. Hit DTD and do a walkup restaurant.

 

[supersnoop]

We missed our plane last year and so we missed an ADR on our arrival day. As soon as I realize we weren't going to make it, I called and explained the situation to Disney and they cancelled my reservation and didn't make me pay the $10 per person no show fee.

It's likely they'll work with you, but it shouldn't be expected.

You can keep the ADR and if there is some sort of delay, you can call disney dining and ask to reschedule the ADR to another day/meal and you won't get charged a no show fee. Or you can try going as a walk-in.

They're wise to this loophole, and will likely charge the no-show fee when you reschedule.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) If you miss an ADR or do not cancel by midnight the previous might, you are liable for the penalty.
2) However, whether to apply the penalty or not is up to the individual eatery manger (at the end of the day).
3) A weather or travel delay may or may not be permitted by the manager.
4) If missed, call the manager and plead (very nicely and politely) for an allowance.

 

[goodeats]

Eh, it's only $20 on a how many thousands of dollars vacation?

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't even need a reservation at CG anyway. You probably could just walk in.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I would put a note on my calendar to review the ADR in light of weather predictions a few days before the trip. You'll have a better guess at that point about what the weather will do. At times, I have accepted the risk of a cancellation fee for the potential payoff of eating somewhere special to me the first night.

 

[lovin'fl]

Eh, it's only $20 on a how many thousands of dollars vacation?

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't even need a reservation at CG anyway. You probably could just walk in.

I agree with this exactly. You could also (if it's a table for 2) just make resie for 1 and then when you get there add the other person (they have to seat 1 person at table for 2 anyway)...same if a table for 4 (just make resie for 3)...to minimize the fee if you do miss it.

 

[purple figment]

You could also (if it's a table for 2) just make resie for 1 and then when you get there add the other person (they have to seat 1 person at table for 2 anyway)...same if a table for 4 (just make resie for 3)...to minimize the fee if you do miss it.

If you book for fewer people than the actual group there is the risk that the extra people will not be seated. While castmembers will do their best to seat everyone there is always the possibility that the restaurant is at capacity or for some other reason extra people are not seated. We were at a DW restaurant that was running far behind schedule so no extra guests, late arrivals or walk ups were being seated.

 

[bumbershoot]

2) However, whether to apply the penalty or not is up to the individual eatery manger (at the end of the day).

Exactly. First they have to say yes, and then they have to remember at the end of the day that they said yes.

 

[Jennasis]

We have an ADR at the Wave on our arrival day. If something happens and we miss it, I'll pay $20. No big.