Should fee be charged for not cancelling ADR's?

[Disney Ron]

You certainly don't seem to be enjoying it. You seem to be jumping down the throats of anyone who dares to disagree with you or offer a different point of view.

Sorry you feel that way Tricia, but I do feel it's very easy to cancel an ADR when any Guest Services desk can do it, if staying on property you can do it with the Dining button on your inroom phone, or you can just simply use your own cellphone to get it done.

I just can't believe all these hypothetical situations happen regularly to people at WDW that would make them NOT be able to cancel.

 

[lilyv]

I do feel it's very easy to cancel an ADR when any Guest Services desk can do it, if staying on property you can do it with the Dining button on your inroom phone, or you can just simply use your own cellphone to get it done.

I just can't believe all these hypothetical situations happen regularly to people at WDW that would make them NOT be able to cancel.

It's such a simple thing to do-pick up the phone, and cancel. I saw so many folks attempt to walk into nice restaurants during my early/mid-Aug visit. A cancellation would give some of these folks a chance.

Maybe we need to think of this more as just being kind and neighborly to our fellow guests. If you can't make a reservation, make a call. Allow someone else to enjoy a great meal, rather than have the restaurant keep the table open in case you happen to show up late.

 

[marivaid]

Maybe we need to think of this more as just being kind and neighborly to our fellow guests. If you can't make a reservation, make a call. Allow someone else to enjoy a great meal, rather than have the restaurant keep the table open in case you happen to show up late.

It's a nice idea. The problem is that canceling an ADR a few hours in advance will not get any walk up in.

Disney overbooks, so much that even with an ADR you may be waiting half an hour for your table.
They expect no-shows and therefore canceling on the same day as your ADR will make NO difference. No-shows are factored in.

If every party with an ADR would show up, that restaurant would be in big trouble. They'd have to start asking for volunteers to give up their seat, like airlines do when flights are overbooked.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Thanks for opening my eyes Hippie, I wasn't even thinking of FL residents, that brings in a big kink because they would not have a hotel stay and could use multiple phone numbers (home, cell, DS cell, etc.) to book multiples for the same meal time. So in a sense there is no way to control any of this other than requesting a cc or maybe a room number and advise the person either a fee will be charged or a TS credit will be removed. if they no show without canceling, and a question to everybody how many hotels can you book in advance without a guarantee, the answer is no majors and only a hand full of privately owned ones. If you are worried about credit card fraud, get a preloaded debit card for such occasions.

Someone made a point about getting refunds on credit cards, Disney can just hold the card number until the date of the reservation then run through the system to see who actually showed and charge the ones who didn't

I can't speak for all locals, but I don't believe that most locals are making multiple ADRs under multiple phone numbers. We also are not usually making ADRs 180 days in advance. The furthest out I have ever made an ADR (since I've lived here) was about 8 weeks, and that was for our anniversary. I made one about three weeks in advance last month because I knew I would be having visitors. But for myself personally, and I would guess most other locals, we are making ADRs usually just days in advance (sometimes on the same day), just taking what we can get, since we can be extremely flexible with times (I have an ADR for this Saturday that I made last Saturday) I would guess that not even 10% of Orlando locals eat at WDW regularly (I know we are the minority who do).

WDW already requires a CC to hold the most coveted spots--V&A's, special events like NYE, character meals, etc. Maybe they should add a few others to that list, like Le Cellier. But on the whole, requiring a CC for all ADRs is ridiculous. First of all, the reservation system itself would have to be flawless (twice in the past few months I have shown up to find that my ADR was "lost" somehow). Second, it would cost WDW to write software to put a cancellation fee program together, hire people to maintain the program, etc., and thus prices on tickets or on meals would have to go up.

WDW-DINE already will check to see if your given phone number has multiple ADRs for the same time. People who want to cheat the system and give a different phone number will always find a way to cheat the system no matter what, because they want to be cheaters and that is what cheaters do. I agree that if you don't show within an amount of time (I would say 20-25 min. is more realistic than 15 min., given that most vacationers are using WDW transportation), that you forfeit your spot. I really always thought they did this, anyway. And yes, if you know that you are going to miss an ADR, you should definitely call to cancel, go to Guest Services, or any TS podium to cancel. It's just plain rude not to.

WDW is making money at their restaurants whether or not Disney Ron or anyone else shows for their ADR or cancels ahead of time. There are always walk-ups to take those tables, and they do overbook ADRs anyway. As a business, they are not going to spend money on fixing something that to them is not broken.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

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.

I don't think "considerate" is the word I would use. To me, your posts sound judgemental and one-sided. Not sure why you posted this thread as a question when you obviously don't want to hear what others say unless they are in full agreement with you. And to answer your question, no I don't think Disney should charge for missed ADR's. As the previous posters said, life happens.

 

[Tricia1972]

Sorry you feel that way Tricia, but I do feel it's very easy to cancel an ADR when any Guest Services desk can do it, if staying on property you can do it with the Dining button on your inroom phone, or you can just simply use your own cellphone to get it done.

I just can't believe all these hypothetical situations happen regularly to people at WDW that would make them NOT be able to cancel.

I feel the same way you do. You SHOULD cancel your reservation, which I said later on in my post, I just was saying you seem defensive about your position. Like if others don't agree with you they're wrong.

 

[Disney Ron]

I don't think "considerate" is the word I would use. To me, your posts sound judgemental and one-sided. Not sure why you posted this thread as a question when you obviously don't want to hear what others say unless they are in full agreement with you. And to answer your question, no I don't think Disney should charge for missed ADR's. As the previous posters said, life happens.

mom, it's not being considerate to cancel an ADR to a popular restaurant as LeCellier so that possibly someone like yourself can have a chance to eat there if you'd like? As judgemental as some think I am, there are those like yourself who are just as judgemental of me.

BTW, this entire thread has turned into a Disney making revenue string when in reality I started it as a thread so people would cancel ADR's they're not using so others who are also on vacation may have the possibility to eat in sold out venues.

Like I have stated outside of an emergency, there is absolutely no excuse for not cancelling an ADR. I'm willing to bet all those who say "life happens" would find a way to cancel an ADR, if they knew they were going to pay a fee if they didn't!!!

Sorry but the rest of our's vacation are just as important to us, as yours is to you.

 

[marivaid]

I feel the same way you do. You SHOULD cancel your reservation, which I said later on in my post, I just was saying you seem defensive about your position. Like if others don't agree with you they're wrong.

Or, apparently, even if they agree.
It always baffles me when some posters have such a holier-than-thou attitude that they manage to alienate even those who agree with them.

 

[Disney Ron]

I feel the same way you do. You SHOULD cancel your reservation, which I said later on in my post, I just was saying you seem defensive about your position. Like if others don't agree with you they're wrong.

Tricia, it works both ways. It's like to those I don't agree with I'm wrong.

 

[Disney Ron]

Or, apparently, even if they agree.
It always baffles me when some posters have such a holier-than-thou attitude that they manage to alienate even those who agree with them.

marivaid, if being considerate to other WDW vacationers is a holier-than-thou attitude, then I'm guilty as charged.

 

[Tricia1972]

Tricia, it works both ways. It's like to those I don't agree with I'm wrong.

I agree it works both ways. I didn't post to them because I didn't see anyone who said you were wrong also say that they are enjoying reading your viewpoint. Nobody should ever be attacked for having and expression their own opinion.


AGAIN - I AGREE WITH YOU - people should always do their very best to cancel. It's common courtesy. However, I don't think that charging across the board is the best way to achieve this. PERHAPS for Le Cellier, but overall I don't think it's the best way. As many have said, it may be complicated and could maybe get messy. It may require more staffing and other things that we don't know about because we don't work for Disney. We just love going there, but ultimately we do not know how it's run.

My opinion - it'd be better to take the pressure off of the obsessiver over planners and make the ADR window shorter. Again this is just my opinion of the situation and I probably do not know enough about it to even come to that conclusion.

 

[Disneynut71]

they are asking for credit cards for certain restaurants now. I had to use a credit card to hold my ADR for Chef Mickeys and CRT.

I think it is a great idea. It is only fair to make people acountable. If you make the ressie you should call or at least go to guest relations (they are just about everywhere) and cancel.

 

[marivaid]

marivaid, if being considerate to other WDW vacationers is a holier-than-thou attitude, then I'm guilty as charged.

Do you realize that the only person calling you "considerate" in this entire thread is YOURSELF ?
Others have chosen slightly different adjectives. . Even those who agree with you... take a hint.

It's all about attitude. You can make your point and not sound like you're chastising everyone from up there on your pedestal.

I happen to agree with you about canceling ADRs.But your attitude is so conceited that it makes me really wish I could disagree.

 

[Lewisc]

marivaid, if being considerate to other WDW vacationers is a holier-than-thou attitude, then I'm guilty as charged.

I think most of us agree guests who know they aren't going to be using an ADR should cancel it. Many of us don't think that guests who either don't have an opportunity or forget to cancel should be charged. Right now I can just go to any restaurant podium or pick up a Disney phone and cancel. As soon as there is a credit card attached to my reservation I have to get the CMs name and get a confirmation number for my cancellation. Plans change. Some kids have a "melt down" and the family decides not to use an ADR. A family is having a great time at a park and decide to stay. The lines go slow and the family wants to ride Soarin.

Any cancellation penalty ADR would probably require cancellation 24 hours in advance so Disney has a chance to give that ADR to another guest. Disney can just wait 10-15 minutes and give the table to a walk up.

The fact that you saw a couple of empty tables doesn't really tell us anything. There isn't any reason why a restaurant couldn't take a walk up if the restaurant has too many no-shows. My guess is Le Cellier was overbooked the rest of the night and Le Cellier didn't mind having a few empty tables for part of the evening.

 

[dburg30]

I'm still on your side Ron!!!

Maybe as a middle ground, CC ressies needed for all TS returants, but buffets can still be booked with no CC.

Anywho, is it the internet crowd that came up with ADR's? I saw someone earler say they werent reservations, but doesnt ADR stand for Advanced Dining Reservations? Is this not a WDW term?

 

[Disney Ron]

they are asking for credit cards for certain restaurants now. I had to use a credit card to hold my ADR for Chef Mickeys and CRT.

I think it is a great idea. It is only fair to make people acountable. If you make the ressie you should call or at least go to guest relations (they are just about everywhere) and cancel.

I agree totally Disneynut71.

 

[lilyv]

I don't think 24 hours is necessary. I realized two hours before our ressie we'd be cutting it close. (August at Disney is hotter than heck, and I wanted to at least clean up before going out...)

So, I called Dine folks, and asked if they could slip our reservation an hour. They had an 8:15 avail, and problem solved. At that moment, my 7:15 was canceled, so whoever needed it it was avail. There is a steady stream of callers and walk ins. (If they couldn't change it I still would have canceled, and then made other plans.)

It's all on computer, and changes are made immediately. This doesn't need to be over complicated. Call and cancel if you can't make it, chances are very good there is someone who'd be happy to take the space.

 

[highoctane]

I can't speak for all locals, but I don't believe that most locals are making multiple ADRs under multiple phone numbers. We also are not usually making ADRs 180 days in advance. The furthest out I have ever made an ADR (since I've lived here) was about 8 weeks, and that was for our anniversary. I made one about three weeks in advance last month because I knew I would be having visitors. But for myself personally, and I would guess most other locals, we are making ADRs usually just days in advance (sometimes on the same day), just taking what we can get, since we can be extremely flexible with times (I have an ADR for this Saturday that I made last Saturday) I would guess that not even 10% of Orlando locals eat at WDW regularly (I know we are the minority who do).

WDW already requires a CC to hold the most coveted spots--V&A's, special events like NYE, character meals, etc. Maybe they should add a few others to that list, like Le Cellier. But on the whole, requiring a CC for all ADRs is ridiculous. First of all, the reservation system itself would have to be flawless (twice in the past few months I have shown up to find that my ADR was "lost" somehow). Second, it would cost WDW to write software to put a cancellation fee program together, hire people to maintain the program, etc., and thus prices on tickets or on meals would have to go up.

WDW-DINE already will check to see if your given phone number has multiple ADRs for the same time. People who want to cheat the system and give a different phone number will always find a way to cheat the system no matter what, because they want to be cheaters and that is what cheaters do. I agree that if you don't show within an amount of time (I would say 20-25 min. is more realistic than 15 min., given that most vacationers are using WDW transportation), that you forfeit your spot. I really always thought they did this, anyway. And yes, if you know that you are going to miss an ADR, you should definitely call to cancel, go to Guest Services, or any TS podium to cancel. It's just plain rude not to.

WDW is making money at their restaurants whether or not Disney Ron or anyone else shows for their ADR or cancels ahead of time. There are always walk-ups to take those tables, and they do overbook ADRs anyway. As a business, they are not going to spend money on fixing something that to them is not broken.

I appologize if I stepped on yours or any other locals foot, I should have not used that term because it is more Cheaters that would be the one to find a way around you are correct they will always find a way around the system. I was just trying to state that the only way they could hold people to making one and only one reservation is to use a card. I don't like to give mine out over the phone or internet, but in my work I take cards everyday so if I expect somebody to trust me I have to trust them. Again I appologize, maybe they do need to look at adding additional places to the short list, and not include all places, I know usually my favorite place is available the morning I want eat there, I am like most folks I don't like to plan where I am going to eat lunch the day before much less six months in advnace.

 

[marivaid]

they are asking for credit cards for certain restaurants now. I had to use a credit card to hold my ADR for Chef Mickeys and CRT.

Are you going to Chef Mickey's on Christmas day ? I made 2 ressies for CM yesterday and neither required a CC#. Come to think of it I wasn't asked for a CC# to confirm our WCC Christmas reservation, thought that was weird. Isn't a card required for holiday bookings ?

 

[Disney Ron]

Do you realize that the only person calling you "considerate" in this entire thread is YOURSELF ?
Others have chosen slightly different adjectives. . Even those who agree with you... take a hint.

It's all about attitude. You can make your point and not sound like you're chastising everyone from up there on your pedestal.

I happen to agree with you about canceling ADRs.But your attitude is so conceited that it makes me really wish I could disagree.

Go back through all the posts. There are alot who talk about being courteous and considerate.

BTW, you just personally attacked me. Where have I done the same to you?