Should fee be charged for not cancelling ADR's?

[dburg30]

Out of curiousity, if this was a pre-paid ADR like CRT that you slept thru, would you expect your money back?

Nope.

Then why not apply that to all ADR's? I liked the idea of one 'no charge' ADR missing, but after that you get charged a fee of $10 for buffet and $20 for TS if not cancelled within 24 hours of ressie.

 

[TDC Nala]

No fee.

They already charge no show fees for Akershus and California Grill and you have to pay in full for CRT. Maybe they could add LeCellier based on its popularity. No fees anywhere else.

 

[Disney Ron]

 

[highoctane]

The "valid" reasons for being a no-show are extremely few. Unfortunately, most of the time, it's just rude and selfish. If you find you can't make a reservation, call. It's not that big a deal to keep a cell phone and a small paper with the dine number on it. Our last trip I could tell we'd be cutting it close, so I called. I was lucky they were able to slip our reservation an hour, so we'd be able to make it in time. Had they not been able to, though, I would have canceled.

.........And obviously, if you're in some kind of medical crisis, totally understandable...but I don't believe for one minute that every no show has some family member in the ER.

I agree and I have Disney Dining programmed on my cell phone when we go now just incase we are unable to make it, it is not to difficult to call them while standing in line either for a ride earlier in the day or for the bus to advise you will be late or cancelling, it is something called curtesy.

 

[Barbers2005]

I wouldn't like a fee imposed for ADR's not being cancelled- it seems too restrictive. There have been a few times when we've had to reschedule or cancel (no "N" for me )- but I could think of several circumstances where we might not be able to call and cancel. Especially since dh and I *gasp* do not own a cell phone. It seems like a more practical solution to the ADR problem would be to allow a small window of time (15 minute?) after which the table becomes open for a walk in or the next ADR group.

 

[dreamergirl78]

Tia, I'm sorry but to me there is no excuse for not cancelling an ADR. Your hotels Guest Services desk could do it for you or you could just call yourself and cancel. I was an hour late for an ADR at Boma two years ago because of a storm and they still sat us.

This is all about being considerate to others. If you can't make an ADR then cancel it. It's funny but when people have to cancel a trip to WDW they cancel their hotel reservation because they would lose their deposit. I'll bet if it would cost people money they'd find a way to cancel an ADR they couldn't use.

Actually ADR's are not reservations. Your table is not really being held until you show up. At least that is how I understand the system to work. I think it gives the CMs a better understanding of traffic and crowd control. They also have a better idea of how many walk ups they can seat.
I am not saying people should not try to call if they are going to be late or have to cancel, but things do happen. And I am SURE Disney expects that to happen. Which is why I am sure they have x amount of tables as "buffers" for no-shows, walk ups, people running late, etc.
We already have to be so ruled by our ADRs the way the current system is set up I think Disney would really be shooting themselves in the foot if they charged for missed ADR's.

Kind of hard to oversleep for a breakfast ADR when you can setup a wakeup call.

I don't think that's being superior, just prepared.

Trust me, when you have a REALLY late night, the night before, it is totally possible to sleep through any alarm. Life happens. You are almost coming across as though you lead this perfect life, never make any mistakes or ever have any oversights. Sorry, but I am just not buying it. I am a very prepared person, and I still tend to overlook things from time to time. It happens.... and then I move on.

 

[marivaid]

I wish someone could explain to me how the entire time we were eating at LeCellier their were at least 6 tables open the whole time while walkups weren't being given tables? My guess is that a few people with ADR's were no shows!!!

We had lunch at Le Cellier in January. The hostess was turning people away and telling them they had nothing open for weeks.

Yet the place was half empty. All the patrons seated on 1 side of the restaurant, and the tables on the other side were not even SET.
No silverware, no napkins, nothing. No server ever approached any of those tables the entire time we were there.
Additionally we were seated at a huge table - there were only 2 of us and plenty of tables for 2 available on the other side of the restaurant,but those tables weren't prepared.

Clearly, they were not expecting anyone to use them.

I have a really hard time believing that a dozen parties all happened not to show up for lunch that same day at the exact same time.
Besides, that doesn't explain why no one bothered to get any of those tables ready if guests were supposed to arrive.

It's very possible, whether you believe it or not, that they simply CHOSE not to book the place full that day. There were only 2 servers anyway, nowhere near enough to take care of an entire restaurant.

 

[Disney Ron]

Actually ADR's are not reservations. Your table is not really being held until you show up. At least that is how I understand the system to work. I think it gives the CMs a better understanding of traffic and crowd control. They also have a better idea of how many walk ups they can seat.
I am not saying people should not try to call if they are going to be late or have to cancel, but things do happen. And I am SURE Disney expects that to happen. Which is why I am sure they have x amount of tables as "buffers" for no-shows, walk ups, people running late, etc.
We already have to be so ruled by our ADRs the way the current system is set up I think Disney would really be shooting themselves in the foot if they charged for missed ADR's.



Trust me, when you have a REALLY late night, the night before, it is totally possible to sleep through any alarm. Life happens. You are almost coming across as though you lead this perfect life, never make any mistakes or ever have any oversights. Sorry, but I am just not buying it. I am a very prepared person, and I still tend to overlook things from time to time. It happens.... and then I move on.

Tia, if I'm coming across as perfect why then did I admit to getting to Boma an hour late?

And concerning the wakeup call, everyone I've received the phone keeps ringing until I pick it up whether it's on the first ring or 12th. The phone is usually pretty close to my head so it's always awakened me.

I apologize to those who think I'm acting "superior" or "perfect", just because I'm being considerate.

 

[sherry8253]

 

[dreamergirl78]

Tia, if I'm coming across as perfect why then did I admit to getting to Boma an hour late?

And concerning the wakeup call, everyone I've received the phone keeps ringing until I pick it up whether it's on the first ring or 12th. The phone is usually pretty close to my head so it's always awakened me.

I apologize to those who think I'm acting "superior" or "perfect", just because I'm being considerate.

Oh but then you said you called and explained the storm etc etc. So you said you were late and then gave a big story about how you were still following the "rules."
Yup, it rings.. I pick it up... I hang up... I go back to sleep. It happens.

I think we ALL get how considerate you are being. We have read it quite a few times. I don't think ANYONE is being inconsiderate on purpose. But stuff happens. Do you ever let anything slide? I try to be polite, considerate, prepared, etc ... etc ... but like I said, stuff comes up! Sometimes completely out of my control.
What about this... you are on a ride, with PLENTY of time to make your next ADR. The ride breaks down and you are stuck for awhile. You get NO cell service inside of the ride. You get off the ride and rush to make your ADR time. Should you be charged then? I mean, you were in a situation you had no control over and no way of contacting Disney Dining. Then what? Have a CM write you a "tardy slip" so you can take it with you?
I think a 15 - 30 minute window is a good idea. I also think that because Disney knows crazy things can happen, they leave those buffer tables for that very reason.

 

[jodifla]

No. The place is too danged restrictive as it is. Making reservations 6 months in advance is a total PITA.'

 

[Disney Ron]

Oh but then you said you called and explained the storm etc etc. So you said you were late and then gave a big story about how you were still following the "rules."
Yup, it rings.. I pick it up... I hang up... I go back to sleep. It happens.

I think we ALL get how considerate you are being. We have read it quite a few times. I don't think ANYONE is being inconsiderate on purpose. But stuff happens. Do you ever let anything slide? I try to be polite, considerate, prepared, etc ... etc ... but like I said, stuff comes up! Sometimes completely out of my control.
What about this... you are on a ride, with PLENTY of time to make your next ADR. The ride breaks down and you are stuck for awhile. You get NO cell service inside of the ride. You get off the ride and rush to make your ADR time. Should you be charged then? I mean, you were in a situation you had no control over and no way of contacting Disney Dining. Then what? Have a CM write you a "tardy slip" so you can take it with you?
I think a 15 - 30 minute window is a good idea. I also think that because Disney knows crazy things can happen, they leave those buffer tables for that very reason.

Tia, if you've been following this thread from the start I'm not the only one talking about being courteous or considerate. Your example of the ride being stuck but still showing up albeit late for an ADR should not be charged a fee. But those who cancel their trip and don't cancel ADR's or those who make more than one a day for a certain mealtime then don't cancel the one they don't use, should have to pay something. Sorry but to me that would be the right thing to do.

Like I said previously, Disney should give each traveling group 1 ADR noncancellation without penalty per trip, then any after that should have to pay if an ADR is not cancelled.

I'm sorry if I appear to be making it personal, but that's not my intent. I do appreciate others opinions, because this is an open forum and I enjoy reading others thoughts on this issue.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Since they are not holding anything for anyone anyway I see no reason to charge a fee. Besides there is enough confusion for visitors learning about how long things take and getting place to place that holding everyone to ADRs would be rediculous, of course people should cancel when ever they can

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

We were late for ADR at Chef Mickeys (30 Minutes) and they went ahead and seated those who had come in. We were seated however at the next available table after we explained our situation. A fee for no-shows makes no sense, esp. at Disney.

 

[Paul in CT]

Disney does require a CC for reseravtions at CG. If you are a no show, they told me they would bill the card $25/person on the ADR unless you cancel more than 24 hours in advance. We made sure that we made it with our party of three.

I do think that the policy at Le Cellier is strange. The last few times we tried, we were told than they would take no walk-ups. They were totally booked for months. The CM implied that no walk-ups would be taken even if there were cancellations.

 

[dreamergirl78]

Tia, if you've been following this thread from the start I'm not the only one talking about being courteous or considerate. Your example of the ride being stuck but still showing up albeit late for an ADR should not be charged a fee. But those who cancel their trip and don't cancel ADR's or those who make more than one a day for a certain mealtime then don't cancel the one they don't use, should have to pay something. Sorry but to me that would be the right thing to do.

Like I said previously, Disney should give each traveling group 1 ADR noncancellation without penalty per trip, then any after that should have to pay if an ADR is not cancelled.

I'm sorry if I appear to be making it personal, but that's not my intent. I do appreciate others opinions, because this is an open forum and I enjoy reading others thoughts on this issue.

I still have a hard time justifying a fee. For instance: my friend and I are staying together in one room. MOST of our ADRs are together, however there are a few times where we go our own way. 2 reservations for the same time under the same package but for 2 totally different groups within that reservation. Let's say one night I don't make an ADR time and another night my friend doesn't make one of hers. According to your suggestion, we would only get one strike and we are out. How is that fair? I know many families with older kids make dining plans apart from one another. Grandma may want to do Sci-Fi with the grand kids while Mom and Dad enjoy a quiet meal at Brown Derby. Now not only do we have to worry about a CM canceling both ADRs because they are around the same time for the same party, but we also have to be concerned with being charged if something comes up and we can't make the reservation? Another thing is excuses. If people know there is a loophole to getting out of a charge, CMs are going to have a hard time deciding what is fact and what is fiction. Should CMs then be required to carry passes around (like FastPasses for broken rides) but for dining? I personally think it will create too much of a mess. But that is just my opinion.

 

[eeyore_is#1]

Let's say one night I don't make an ADR time and another night my friend doesn't make one of hers. According to your suggestion, we would only get one strike and we are out. How is that fair?

That's some pretty unlikely hypotheticals, multiple instances of severe circumstances striking multiple individuals in a group at different times, such that neither of you could get to a phone and cancel?

I still say this entire conversation doesn't even take place if they simply got rid of multiple ADR's that exceeded the number of individuals in the party. Suddenly, thousands upon thousands of bookings would open up, walk ups would be available, etc.

 

[Paul in CT]

Tia, if you've been following this thread from the start I'm not the only one talking about being courteous or considerate. Your example of the ride being stuck but still showing up albeit late for an ADR should not be charged a fee. But those who cancel their trip and don't cancel ADR's or those who make more than one a day for a certain mealtime then don't cancel the one they don't use, should have to pay something. Sorry but to me that would be the right thing to do.

I did not think that you could still make two or more ADR's on the same day at the same time. Since you give your phone number or reservation number, the CM can see this and can cancel your earlier reservation. I thought that I read this somewhere. If not, they should do so. I agree that making two or more ADR's for the same time is definitely, to quote Sam the Eagle, "unpatriotic" However, I think that it would be a mistake to take a CC number for every ADR.

 

[dreamergirl78]

That's some pretty unlikely hypotheticals, multiple instances of severe circumstances striking multiple individuals in a group at different times, such that neither of you could get to a phone and cancel?

I still say this entire conversation doesn't even take place if they simply got rid of multiple ADR's that exceeded the number of individuals in the party. Suddenly, thousands upon thousands of bookings would open up, walk ups would be available, etc.

But aren't we all talking about the what ifs of various situations? Of course mine was a blown out of proportion example, but it COULD happen. The point also being, that everyone would find some sort of loop hole to get out of paying the fee. It would cause lots of confusion, frustration, and time wasted. NOW CMs would have to deal with angry guests who were "unfairly charged."
Your next paragraph... number of individuals in a party. Ok. Someone rents the Grand Villa which sleeps up to 12. So you would be ok with 12 people in the same group making 12 different ADRs? How would that free up any space? You could either have 1 or 2 ADRs per party at a time or 12? Sorry, it doesn't add up in my book. Or are you saying that a party of 4 could not make 2 ADRs for around the same time for 4 people? What if they are inviting guests to dine with them that live in the area?
I can see why this is so frustrating for Disney. Nothing they do will ever please everyone. And no matter what changes are made, there is bound to be something to complain about.

 

[dreamergirl78]

I did not think that you could still make two or more ADR's on the same day at the same time. Since you give your phone number or reservation number, the CM can see this and can cancel your earlier reservation. I thought that I read this somewhere. If not, they should do so. I agree that making two or more ADR's for the same time is definitely, to quote Sam the Eagle, "unpatriotic" However, I think that it would be a mistake to take a CC number for every ADR.

Not if your group splits up! Technically you are all under the same reservation number. If there are 4 people in your group and a party of 2 and two singles all want to dine in different locations, I think they should be allowed! Now the question becomes, how do you control that?
But yes, making multiple ADRs for your whole party KNOWING you won't go to ALL of them at the same time is wrong.