Reservation Change Policy

[LiveYourLife]

If something is always happening and you are changing ADRs all of the time at the last minute you are exactly why we now have the fee. I think expecting to be able to shuffle ADRs at will up until you walk in the door is ridiculous.

This. Exactly this.

OP, You lucked out and this was not a costly mistake for you. I (individual me) would be thankful the cancellation fee was refunded. Now you know and while you may not agree with it, or like the policy, it is what it is.

Also, where I live there are many restaurants who require a credit card to make a reservation and will charge a per person no show, or cancellation fee if not cancelled within a specific timeframe. This practice is common for restaurants in NYC and Vegas, as well.

In any case, I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip.

 

[mullysisters]

Everything I have read on this thread is true, from all sides. I understand the frustration of the OP and agree that cheaters have spoiled things for all.

What I take away from the "new improved Disney" is that it will be difficult to be spontaneous and relaxed any longer. Your trip has to be planned to the hour if you want to enjoy your favourite attractions and restaurants.
For some, myself included, this is taking away some of the magic we once knew (ah the good ol' days) I say, some of the magic, not all.

This years trip will probably be my last, I don't enjoy the crowds and the planning that is required to avoid them. It will be CS meals for me this trip.
Disney is doing all it can to make money, even at the expense of it's guests, I get that, and I have to choose where my vacation dollars go.

 

[Iowajes]

I agree with most of the posters that Disney DID do the OP a favor by waiving their fee. She did agree to the terms, whether she bothered to read them or not.

Still, I find it very strange that Disney enforces a 24 hour cancellation policy on reservations made less than 24 hours before the dinner. They become un-cancelable. It seems for day-off reservations (meaning, last minute reservations taking the last available spots); cancellation should be 4 hours or something.

 

[HopperFan]

We found the MDE app for dining to very functional and easy to use, and made day of ADR by location.

I do understand finding a better option for your group day of and maybe there could be something programmed to allow you to go in and "change your dining experience or time" like FP+, without booking two, as happened here (agree it was previous problem but don't think it was OPs intent) and not having a change fee. It forces you to still eat at Disney while not holding two at once.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree with most of the posters that Disney DID do the OP a favor by waiving their fee. She did agree to the terms, whether she bothered to read them or not.

Still, I find it very strange that Disney enforces a 24 hour cancellation policy on reservations made less than 24 hours before the dinner. They become un-cancelable. It seems for day-off reservations (meaning, last minute reservations taking the last available spots); cancellation should be 4 hours or something.

Yeah, you can't cancel them. I made one for the day of at Guest Relations in Epcot. She must have told me at least 3 times that we would be charged a fee if we changed our minds.

 

[fla4fun]

I was using the My Disney Experience Mobile App on an iPhone. It is completely possible that I was not using it correctly.

There have been a few times that I've tried to use the app and it didn't appear to be working the way I wanted to search. When that happens, I go to the Disney website on my iPod instead. It can be hard to read the tiny print sometimes, but it seems to work better for last minute searching sometimes than the app does, and it seems like it gives more time options than the app (but that could just be me).

I would agree that I think there should be some way to change an ADR, even if they only allowed changes to another restaurant the same day (to close the loophole of people changing to a few days out, then cancelling the new one). I know there have been plenty of days where I've had FP+ booked in a park and decided that morning to go to a totally different park for whatever reason, and changed my FP+ accordingly. It would be nice if they gave that option for ADR's as well. Unfortunately, that's not what they have chosen to do, so I make very few ADR's as a result. In fact, for my June trip, I only have one ADR, and I probably won't be making more.

 

[Sunnywho]

We have moved from a discussion about the topic to telling me I shouldn't eat at sit down restaurants.

yeah that's the solution I have found as well

we eat at 2 sit down restaurants for our 10 day trips

 

[TLSnell1981]

This mess all began with "free dining"... Ugh!!!

 

[sargenca]

The other morning I was at home, getting ready for work and trying to make 180 day ADRs. The system has been down all morning so I periodically retried tapping the ADR time I wanted on the MDE app - but it was not responding. (On another device I could see the server busy Donald Duck message). So after awhile I decided to logout, log back in and retry. When I finally got my lunch ressie I failed to realize that I had reserved a lunch FOR THAT DAY! Well there's no canceling in the app since I was within the 24 hours. I called right away and the CM moved my ADR to October. I was so glad I noticed it afterwards - otherwise I would have been charged the no-show fee. Too bad OP you didn't get the same CM I did. She could have saved you some heartache.

 

[Karlzmom]

Wow- I've been a year's long lurker; the judgement and downright anger some of you have towards the OP is eye opening.

This aspect if the ADR policy is moronic. If I find a different place to eat, I have to be charged 10$ if I don't cancel within 24hrs.....if something happens (as it always does) and I cancel 4 hrs before my ADR, Disney can charge me $10.

And get this- if we make ADR's, we have no choice but to accept those conditions. Or- be left to counter service.

While I understand why the cc# is required and the booking problems of the past. ...this isn't even resembling close to good customer service.

And yeah.....some of you should be ashamed of how you treated the OP - how you all attacked her was so un-Disney. I guess if one has a difference of opinion on on some aspect of Disney, this clearly isn't the place where one can express that opinion.

Wow. Just wow.

Welcome to posting! Know that you are not along in your feelings. Sadly the pack of dogs mentality seems to be spreading rapidly across the forums and any place that someone has an opportunity to be nasty or give a superior sounding answer they will...en masse! Apparently reading five other people jump down a posters' throat is not sufficient, as each subsequent poster needs to pig-pile on with a kick and a "YEAH!" The anonymity of the internet seems to free people to engage in rude, obnoxious and boorish behavior that would brand them as socially ******** in person. I also adore the wanna-be lawyers who spout their knowledge of contracts, disclaimers and warranties.

I am on the fence still about the whole cancel day before thing, but was able to do it on our last trip. Disney lost out on a couple of table services OOP as we had an iffy stomach that turned out to have been fine but seeing how all the risk is on my end, I canceled.

Hadn't really considered the fact that Disney has created a same day = no cancel policy for new reservations. One more way to feel the whimsy of a vacation. You can vacation your way as long as you plan everything and are willing to accept there is no flexibility to be had in your plans unless you are willing to pay and pay and pay. I maintain just because they "can" doesn't mean they "should." Disney is usually much more deft at separating guests from their money....this whole policy is a bit ham fisted.

 

[ColoradoDisney]

If something is always happening and you are changing ADRs all of the time at the last minute you are exactly why we now have the fee. I think expecting to be able to shuffle ADRs at will up until you walk in the door is ridiculous.

Why are you intentionally misstating facts of the situation? My original post clearly says it was 10 AM and I was making dinner reservations. This was hardly last minute. I was not attempting to "shuffle ADRs" as I walked into the door.

It is obvious that agree with Disney's ADR policy. I have certainly made my opinion known on the matter. There is no need to resort to harsh and at times misleading comments to support your opinion.

 

[Belle5]

Actually, we had a great trip. I have posted this review along with others in the appropriate sections of the Disboards. I posted my opinion on this one small part of our trip to warn others and publicly express my disagreement with this particular Disney policy.

I find it interesting that people said "You knew the policy" and similar statements about reading all the terms/conditions of the reservation. Frankly, I find such comments to be disingenuous. Have you read the 10 pages of End User License Agreements when you installed the last piece of software on your computer? I bet not.

My comment about the money spent on the trip was simply to illustrate the "business decision(s)" Disney makes. Small cancellation fee vs. comparative large amount of money spent on trip. Disney does not do favors. Disney makes business decisions.

Even though I would rate my overall vacation a solid A, that doesn't mean Disney is perfect. I happen to think this public social forum is a good place to raise issues in the hopes that Disney hears and it also serves as a good warning to other future visitors.

I have not read through all the replies. OP, I just want to thank you for posting your story. I have learned from it and will make sure that I don't fall into the trap that you did. I might check on my phone for the restaurant that I really want to dine at and if a reasonable time pops up, I will grab it. But, if that is not the case, I have learned from your situation that I should try as a walk-up or at least continue checking on the phone app for the restaurants I would like in the order I would be ok with...Sorry for your frustration! I could see the same thing happening to me if you had not warned me!

 

[libinatorsmom]

Sorry to say - but we all need to follow the rules and policies! And I believe they did you a HUGE favor!!!! You cancelled your ressie! You should be charged the fee! just the same as someone not showing up! just my two cents but really its no different then all of us standing in lines - if someone decided nah I don't want to follow the rules and stand in line for this ride I will just jump the gates and by pass everyone... and all the other rules and policies set fourth...

 

[Belle5]

This mess all began with "free dining"... Ugh!!!

Is this some kind of joke?

This began with selfish people who would book multiple ADRs and never cancel or cancel way too late (even using differing email addresses, etc.) and the end result was empty tables at restaurants that appears to be fully booked therefore shutting out the people who sincerely wanted to dine there.

 

[maxiesmom]

Why are you intentionally misstating facts of the situation? My original post clearly says it was 10 AM and I was making dinner reservations. This was hardly last minute. I was not attempting to "shuffle ADRs" as I walked into the door.

It is obvious that agree with Disney's ADR policy. I have certainly made my opinion known on the matter. There is no need to resort to harsh and at times misleading comments to support your opinion.

That wasn't directed at you. Just part of the ongoing conversation. I didn't mean it as an attack on you, sorry you took it as one!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Is this some kind of joke?

This began with selfish people who would book multiple ADRs and never cancel or cancel way too late (even using differing email addresses, etc.) and the end result was empty tables at restaurants that appears to be fully booked therefore shutting out the people who sincerely wanted to dine there.

Uh, it's not a joke. The multiple reservations became a problem, after free dining was offered. It wasn't an issue before

 

[darthminnie]

Welcome to posting! Know that you are not along in your feelings. Sadly the pack of dogs mentality seems to be spreading rapidly across the forums and any place that someone has an opportunity to be nasty or give a superior sounding answer they will...en masse! Apparently reading five other people jump down a posters' throat is not sufficient, as each subsequent poster needs to pig-pile on with a kick and a "YEAH!" The anonymity of the internet seems to free people to engage in rude, obnoxious and boorish behavior that would brand them as socially ******** in person. I also adore the wanna-be lawyers who spout their knowledge of contracts, disclaimers and warranties.

Omg- the wanna be lawyers are the worst.


Not one person in the thug-pack are people I would want to meet in the parks. Hey it is great we all love Disney, but blind faith is cultish and indicative of being easily led. Weak minded, selfish bores who are more than likely the same people who ram their strollers into others shins.

Bullies come in all forms.....numerous ones on this forum, it is a sad state of affairs.

To the OP- You are correct......the others who feel Disney is so perfect that it poops skittles and farts Frebreeze really deserve to be ignored.

 

[TDC Nala]

Not to be defending the policy, however, that is what the policy is and what it has been. If you cancel the same day, even if you are cancelling to take a new reservation, you are charged.

For future reference, if you do the cancellation by phone or in person at a guest services or resort concierge, you have the chance to ask them to waive the fee because all you want to do is change restaurants for whatever reason. But if you do it online, the system has no idea why you cancelled - only that you cancelled. If it's past the cancellation deadline, you get charged, no matter what reason you had for cancelling. Not much use going on about how it shouldn't be that way - that's the way it is.

I agree, Disney should be clearer about the fact that you cannot simply change restaurant reservations from one restaurant or one time to another - it's still a cancellation. Write to Disney and let them know that there is a problem. They might change things. They might not.

Unfortunatly I don't think this thread can be salvaged, even though it does serve a good purpose in warning others who aren't aware that any alteration is a cancellation, and it's going to end up in personal attack points if it is allowed to continue, so it's closed now.