Rumor Alert: ADR's

[Jubilee]

Great! You'll have a better chance now that 1 person isn't taking up 5 ADRs on the same night.

I'm talking both that and not having to fully plan my day around a dining reservation (ie. having to cancel 48 hours in advance or something.)

Ways to ensure no double booking I'm fine with, but not being able to cancel in under 24 hours without a financial penalty, I don't necessarily agree with :shrug

 

[dpuck1998]

I'm talking both that and not having to fully plan my day around a dining reservation (ie. having to cancel 48 hours in advance or something.)

Ways to ensure no double booking I'm fine with, but not being able to cancel in under 24 hours without a financial penalty, I don't necessarily agree with :shrug

I don't equate CC hold with not being able to cancel IMHO

 

[lugnut33]

Like I said, if its like other places, they don't even put a hold. They just keep your card on file in case you don't show up.

Also, a quick call to tell them you couldn't' show up for "xxx" reason would likely result in no charge. We can all come up with examples of why we couldn't make an ADR and I'm sure Disney will have a system in place for those reasons. Anything that gets you to call to cancel is much better than the system right now.

So, I can make a ton of ressies, call up after the fact with an excuse and not get charged? I mean, what about the case where that person had to leave after two hours because their kid spiked a fever. I doubt calling and cancelling was the first thing on their mind that day. Are they going to have to show an doctors' excuse? Or what about the person who can't get through to the ressie line? Or those that might wait and hour on the phone to cancel, is Disney going to pay them for their time?

I bet so many of you who are saying this is a great idea are also the type who plan everything down to the minute. It's a great idea until it affects you.

 

[lugnut33]

Great! You'll have a better chance now that 1 person isn't taking up 5 ADRs on the same night.

I think like somebody else pointed out, these multi-reservation people are few and far between. I doubt it's a giant problem, but taking a CC hold would create a giant problem I don't really want to be a part of. Yeah, one more ressie for you!!!

This sort of reminds me of the people complaining about wheelchairs and ECV's, it's a problem that is getting blown out of proportion.

 

[lugnut33]

What about people that don't have credit cards? Those people actually do exist. Will they have to send in a deposit?

 

[Tink rules]

I like the idea - I just wish they would make it easier, especially from the resort to get in touch with dining without having to go through the outside line with so many "If you'd like to eat within the next 10 years... press 1")

I liked when you could just pick up the phone and get a person... so old fashioned, I know...

 

[UrsulasShadow]

So, I can make a ton of ressies, call up after the fact with an excuse and not get charged? I mean, what about the case where that person had to leave after two hours because their kid spiked a fever. I doubt calling and cancelling was the first thing on their mind that day. Are they going to have to show an doctors' excuse? Or what about the person who can't get through to the ressie line? Or those that might wait and hour on the phone to cancel, is Disney going to pay them for their time?

I bet so many of you who are saying this is a great idea are also the type who plan everything down to the minute. It's a great idea until it affects you.

Considering this whole thing is a rumor, I think many of us here are making a lot of presumptions about how it's going to work. Nobody knows for certain how Disney plans to handle this, but I'm pretty sure that if they do a CC hold with a nominal charge for no-shows, it'll work pretty much like other things they've done this with. If you call and cancel within a reasonable time beforehand, you will not get charged. If you call after you've missed an ADR with a reasonable excuse, your charge will most likely be reversed. If you have made 5 ADRs and only shown up for 1, I think you would be hard-pressed to come up with an acceptable excuse to have those 4 reversed.
It's possible that Disney's hope is that by putting a CC# with an ADR, they can flag multiple ADRs more easily. As it stands, if you don't link it to a reservation #, they have no way of tracking multiples. This sounds like it might be used as a deterrent for that behavior, as it would take a lot more work and multiple CC#s to reserve multiple ADRs.

I think like somebody else pointed out, these multi-reservation people are few and far between. I doubt it's a giant problem, but taking a CC hold would create a giant problem I don't really want to be a part of. Yeah, one more ressie for you!!!

This sort of reminds me of the people complaining about wheelchairs and ECV's, it's a problem that is getting blown out of proportion.

If this rumor is indeed something Disney is looking to implement, I can only imagine it is because DISNEY is seeing a giant problem. You may doubt what you want, and you're welcome to your opinion, but if a company takes the time and money to change a procedure, you can bet it's because the procedure NEEDS changing, because DISNEY feels that the problem is rampant, and is losing revenue on no-shows. If you want no part of it, fine. But don't attack those of us who think it's high time this change was made.

 

[lugnut33]

Considering this whole thing is a rumor, I think many of us here are making a lot of presumptions about how it's going to work. Nobody knows for certain how Disney plans to handle this, but I'm pretty sure that if they do a CC hold with a nominal charge for no-shows, it'll work pretty much like other things they've done this with. If you call and cancel within a reasonable time beforehand, you will not get charged. If you call after you've missed an ADR with a reasonable excuse, your charge will most likely be reversed. If you have made 5 ADRs and only shown up for 1, I think you would be hard-pressed to come up with an acceptable excuse to have those 4 reversed.
It's possible that Disney's hope is that by putting a CC# with an ADR, they can flag multiple ADRs more easily. As it stands, if you don't link it to a reservation #, they have no way of tracking multiples. This sounds like it might be used as a deterrent for that behavior, as it would take a lot more work and multiple CC#s to reserve multiple ADRs.


If this rumor is indeed something Disney is looking to implement, I can only imagine it is because DISNEY is seeing a giant problem. You may doubt what you want, and you're welcome to your opinion, but if a company takes the time and money to change a procedure, you can bet it's because the procedure NEEDS changing, because DISNEY feels that the problem is rampant, and is losing revenue on no-shows. If you want no part of it, fine. But don't attack those of us who think it's high time this change was made.

Sorry if you think I'm attacking you as I'm just not of the same opinion that this is a good thing. I think there are other ways to prevent multiple ressies that wouldn't include a fine for missing. Besides, this would end up being a money maker for Disney because it's not like their tables are going to be empty if some people don't show up. Full tables plus missed reservations fines equals more money for Disney, so maybe they don't see it as a problem but as a revenue enhancer?

What if you simply have to make ressies linked to a hotel reservation or an annual pass number? I also think Disney moving the make date down to 90 days was a great idea which will cut down on multiple reservations. Might even be a good idea to drop that down to 60 days.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

What if you simply have to make ressies linked to a hotel reservation or an annual pass number?

Not all people who stay offsite have APs, and I doubt that Disney would have access to other properties' hotel reservation systems or numbers. And what of those who stay with friends and family when visiting? Or rent villas? There are no numbers associated with that.

The only simple way to deter multiple reservations would be to use a CC hold.

 

[Aussiejohn]

I would definitley support this initiative.

Aj

 

[lorax123]

I think it's a great idea! I don't see the controversy tho. A few dinner shows and character meals already take a CC hold for a no show deposit.

TBH, it's not hard to remember where you made ADRs for that day. Unless of course you made 5 for that day... But this would eliminate that :>

Circumstances will always arise beyond your control, i'm sure anybody that does get charged the deposit will be few and far between. Most charges will occur mainly because they just didn't show and made no effort to cancel.

I wouldn't doubt you will be allowed to call an hour or two AFTER your scheduled ADR to cancel with NO penalty. I doubt the ADR cancellation process would be run by a cold hearted Nazi. Kids get sick and rides break and the last thing on your mind is making a phone call to cancel dinner.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

What about people that don't have credit cards? Those people actually do exist. Will they have to send in a deposit?

This was my first thought. We have only had one for the last couple of years. Before that we travelled without. We never saw the need for one. I can think of a few people off the top of my head that don't have them.

Don't get me wrong. I don't have a problem leaving a cc number for my reservations. I make the ADR's because I really want to eat in these places. But they would have to put something in place (and I have no idea what) for those that don't have cards.

 

[Flametamr]

The problem of multiple ADRs does exist. Although it may not be pampant. I have spoken to people who make ADRs for different times of the day and also in different parks on the same days so they can just go eat when they feel like it. Their justification is to blame it all on Disney. They believe that if Disney would build more resturants and have more room for walk ups they would not have to make so many ADRs. Some people are too lazy to plan.

I for one am 100 pct for CCs to hold an ADR.

 

[scotas]

I see where it may be necessary to start requiring a cc to hold a reservation. Unfortunately i am one of the "credit free" people who could then not make a dinner reservation at Disney. I would still go to Disney, I'm not one of those to fly off the handle about policy changes. I know some abuse the system. I would just have to face more counter service or hope for more walk ups being available.

 

[WickedWench]

The problem of multiple ADRs does exist. Although it may not be pampant. I have spoken to people who make ADRs for different times of the day and also in different parks on the same days so they can just go eat when they feel like it. Their justification is to blame it all on Disney. They believe that if Disney would build more resturants and have more room for walk ups they would not have to make so many ADRs. Some people are too lazy to plan.

I for one am 100 pct for CCs to hold an ADR.

Ok, not knowing what you're going to want to eat or when 3 months in advance is NOT laziness. Some of us like to relax on vacation and not be kept to strict schedules. I don't like force-feeding myself at a particular time because that's when I thought I might be hungry 3 months ago, or starving myself because I know that if I eat, I won't be hungry for my ADR.

Because of this stupid ADR business, I ate most of my meals at CS or off-property on my last trip. On my next trip, I plan to make no ADRs at all, and will just call and see what's available when I actually want to eat, and if there's nothing, then I'll be hopping in the car and I'll be spending my money off property.

I think the whole ADR thing needs to go away except for the most exclusive places like V&A's, CRT, or character dining.

 

[minie_meese]

Because of this stupid ADR business, I ate most of my meals at CS or off-property on my last trip. On my next trip, I plan to make no ADRs at all, and will just call and see what's available when I actually want to eat, and if there's nothing, then I'll be hopping in the car and I'll be spending my money off property.

I feel similar - I like vacations to be relaxing so I tend to not make ADRs except for large groups or for special meals. If nothing is available we eat CS. Generally we don't have a car so we can't easily go off site.

Some of the earlier posts mentioned that they were not sure if over-booking ADRs was a problem. I tend to think it is for restaurants that may not be someone's first choice. There have been times when I have had a hard time getting an ADR only to show up at the restaurant at the time I requested to see if there were no-shows and found the place half empty. Don't know how common but I have seen it more than a few times.

I wonder if a recent call to Disney Dining is a test of things to come with respect to credit cards and ADRs. I have an ADR on 2/13 at Narcoossee's as a special dinner for my husband and myself. The CM asked if I wanted to book it as the "Sweetheart Dinner for 2" for $150. I asked for more details and one of the things required was that you give a credit card. If you do not cancel within 24 hours they would charge $10 to your credit card for no-shows. California Grill has the package for $170 with a $20 no-show penalty.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I think like somebody else pointed out, these multi-reservation people are few and far between. I doubt it's a giant problem, but taking a CC hold would create a giant problem I don't really want to be a part of. Yeah, one more ressie for you!!!

This sort of reminds me of the people complaining about wheelchairs and ECV's, it's a problem that is getting blown out of proportion.

You have made some generalizations that are based on opinion...not fact.

There is an average of 250,000 people that visit one of the 4 WDW theme parks on any given day. Let's say 1% (or 250 people) make duplicate reservations. Thats 250 tables being held for folks that arent showing up.

Even if it's only 1%....it's a BIG problem that needs to be corrected and if Disney is losing a dime because of it.....count on it being corrected.

As for your remark about people complaining about folks in wheelchairs / ECV's being blown out of proportion....you should read my email. If even one person is made to feel bad, humilated, embarrassed or in the way because of needing assitance, then in my opinion, there is a huge problem. If you doubt that...spend the day in or pushing a wheelchair and report back about how the problem is blown out of proportion.

 

[WickedWench]

You have made some generalizations that are based on opinion...not fact.

There is an average of 250,000 people that visit one of the 4 WDW theme parks on any given day. Let's say 1% (or 250 people) make duplicate reservations. Thats 250 tables being held for folks that arent showing up.

Even if it's only 1%....it's a BIG problem that needs to be corrected and if Disney is losing a dime because of it.....count on it being corrected.

As for your remark about people complaining about folks in wheelchairs / ECV's being blown out of proportion....you should read my email. If even one person is made to feel bad, humilated, embarrassed or in the way because of needing assitance, then in my opinion, there is a huge problem. If you doubt that...spend the day in or pushing a wheelchair and report back about how the problem is blown out of proportion.

Kevin, I think there's some miscommunication here. I think lugnut33 was referring to the people complaining about the EVCs being the problem, not the people using them.

 

[minie_meese]

Kevin - 1% of 250,000 is 2,500. I make similar mistakes all the time.

I only bring it up because 2,500 people making duplicate reservations is pretty significant. Evan 1/2 of 1% - 1,250 is a lot.

As to your comment regarding the ECVs

If even one person is made to feel bad, humiliated, embarrassed or in the way because of needing assistance, then in my opinion, there is a huge problem.

- I totally agree. We beg my mother-in-law to use an ECV and she pushes back for fear of embarrassment. She looks totally healthy for someone her age but has a heart condition that would put an undue strain on her heart if she walks more than short distances. She hates the idea of being "in a chair" and would rather miss something great than to feel embarrassed.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Kevin, I think there's some miscommunication here. I think lugnut33 was referring to the people complaining about the EVCs being the problem, not the people using them.

I understood what lunut33 was saying and I repeat....you should read my email. You'd see things differently.

People in wheelchairs / ECV's (and the people assisting them) are writing and telling me that the problem of people being rude / offensive / thoughtless / mean / insensitive etc. is widespread and needs to be stopped.

And to anyone that thinks this is exaggeration.....I challenge you to spend a day in or pushing a wheelchair and report back as to how easy your day really was.