Should WDW Secure TS w/ CCs?

[jlewisinsyr]

I book through Open Table. Almost none of the restaurants require a CC. Here is a link. The site is awesome: http://www.opentable.com/home.aspx

I use a combination of Open Table (I have a quite a few credits earned from them) and direct bookings and almost all of the ones I tend to go to require a credit card deposit.

 

[TDC Nala]

And what if you have a sick party member or the whole group comes down with norovirus? They drag themselves and their norovirus to two or three meals that day to keep from paying a no-show fee?

California Grill doesn't have a credit card guarantee because people over book it, they have one because they had a problem with folks booking reservations just to get upstairs and see the fireworks; then they'd leave without ordering. Akershus has one; I guess princess meals had a lot of no-show problems and people clamoring to get in.

I booked one place in Vegas that took a credit card and they had a $50 per person no-show fee; they were serious. wonder what happened to the folks who lost their dinner money playing poker.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

And what if you have a sick party member or the whole group comes down with norovirus? They drag themselves and their norovirus to two or three meals that day to keep from paying a no-show fee?

California Grill doesn't have a credit card guarantee because people over book it, they have one because they had a problem with folks booking reservations just to get upstairs and see the fireworks; then they'd leave without ordering. Akershus has one; I guess princess meals had a lot of no-show problems and people clamoring to get in.

I booked one place in Vegas that took a credit card and they had a $50 per person no-show fee; they were serious. wonder what happened to the folks who lost their dinner money playing poker.

You would call & cancel.......
Hey let's face it the people that are inconsiderate about illness would go either way.

Giving walk-ins & last minute getaways a chance to go to a TS would be a step in the right direction.

To the posters that say there are other places to dine in Orlando & the food is not worth a CC hold..........many people consider part of a relaxing vacation not driving.

 

[wvjules]

I'd be in the hole if that happened... Something like 5-10$ might be ok.

Does that mean you make a lot of reservations and just don't show up?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

And what if you have a sick party member or the whole group comes down with norovirus? They drag themselves and their norovirus to two or three meals that day to keep from paying a no-show fee?

Such is life. I don't think a per person charge is necessarily needed, rather just a per reservation charge.

 

[clgwli]

You would call & cancel.......
Hey let's face it the people that are inconsiderate about illness would go either way.

Giving walk-ins & last minute getaways a chance to go to a TS would be a step in the right direction.

To the posters that say there are other places to dine in Orlando & the food is not worth a CC hold..........many people consider part of a relaxing vacation not driving.

I looked through the thread and I don't recall reading anyone saying anything about going off site. Just that the food onsite is not good enough to justify a charge to book in the first place.

I have done sit downs at WDW the last few trips but like I said we do not make a reservation. We walk up and see what is available. Oddly enough we seem to be fine for the restaurants we like most. Granted we go during lunch time which I find is easier to begin with.

I can tell you are passionate about this, but I hope you realize that not everyone is quite so about the food. If you go outside these forums you might find that many people don't really care that much about eating at sit downs. Many are quite content with the massive counter service options.

I can find pleanty to eat at WDW without an ADR

 

[Nancyg56]

Which ones, I've always needed to use Credit Cards to reserve some of the hottest restaurants (granted Disney doesn't compete here, but there is also a lot less "double booking" going on in NYC)?

I have not traveled extensively but have not needed a CC to secure a reservation on any of the restaurants in NYC

I think that the ADR system is okay, those restaurants fill up anyway. If DIsney required a CC to secure a reservation I think the number of ADR's would decrease. I also think that tehre would be chaos at the door.

 

[TDC Nala]

You would call & cancel.......

Sorry, but you can't just cancel if you're sick. There are cancellation deadlines on all of Disney's current credit card reservations of 24 to 48 hours. And they currently all have per person charges, not per reservation.

It's not like walk-ins and last minute guests can't eat. They most likely won't be able to get Le Cellier or Chef Mickey's but they'll be able to eat somewhere. I don't think the problem is so great property-wide that you need a CC guarantee on ALL WDW restaurant reservations. Le Cellier and character meals, maybe.

 

[PeterPan09]

Sorry, but you can't just cancel if you're sick. There are cancellation deadlines on all of Disney's current credit card reservations of 24 to 48 hours. And they currently all have per person charges, not per reservation.

It's not like walk-ins and last minute guests can't eat. They most likely won't be able to get Le Cellier or Chef Mickey's but they'll be able to eat somewhere. I don't think the problem is so great property-wide that you need a CC guarantee on ALL WDW restaurant reservations. Le Cellier and character meals, maybe.

When my parents moved here 11 years ago, we could get to MK at 11 am and get a table at the Castle or at Crystal Palace with no problem-even during the holidays! Just try doing that now. I got there on Sunday at 11:30 and there was zero table service available anywhere in the park for the rest of the day and it's not even an extremely busy time!

The dining plan and free dining have pretty much eliminated spontaneous dining. If people wouldn't book 3 and 4 different lunches/dinners it might actually give people who don't want to plan their meals 180 days in advance a shot at eating somewhere besides counter service. If charging them $10-$25 for a missed reservation stops that practice, I'm all for it. I don't expect people to have to call 48 hrs in advance-have the charge kick in 30 minutes after the reservation if the party hasn't checked in.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

When my parents moved here 11 years ago, we could get to MK at 11 am and get a table at the Castle or at Crystal Palace with no problem-even during the holidays! Just try doing that now. I got there on Sunday at 11:30 and there was zero table service available anywhere in the park for the rest of the day and it's not even an extremely busy time!

The dining plan and free dining have pretty much eliminated spontaneous dining. If people wouldn't book 3 and 4 different lunches/dinners it might actually give people who don't want to plan their meals 180 days in advance a shot at eating somewhere besides counter service. If charging them $10-$25 for a missed reservation stops that practice, I'm all for it. I don't expect people to have to call 48 hrs in advance-have the charge kick in 30 minutes after the reservation if the party hasn't checked in.

You have just demonstrated that Disney is responsible for this change, but you want to penalize their patrons? How about eliminating the real cause - their dining plans? Won't happen because that would hurt revenues...

 

[Halloweenqueen]

It's the 180 day window. It creates a frenzy of activity from people who haven't even firmed up dates for their vacation yet. it is very hard to know 6 months in advance what your touring plan is going to be.

I must confess I've made back up ressies last week. I made reservations for 14 nights, knowing that either our first or last day will change depending on which flight I buy. I made reservations on those days. I will cancel the extra one after I've bought my tickets. Southwest hasn't even opened flights for my dates yet.

Maybe having the window at 30 days would cause utter chaos on the computer and phonelines, but at least it wouldn't happen at the podium. Most people who have firm plans...know their dates...know their park plans...etc.

 

[TDC Nala]

Just can't imagine why anyone should be required to put down a credit card guarantee and pay a no-show fee for a reservation at Olivia's, Sanaa, Shutters, Boatwrights or Turf Club. Maybe the popular places, the character meals and MK (which doesn't have enough restaurants to meet DDP demand - especially since Crystal Palace was closed for the last month) but there are plenty of restaurants a monorail ride away, some of which are not so difficult to get into, like Grand Floridian Cafe or the Wave. Maybe just the restaurants in the parks and the character meals. But it's not necessary for ALL reservations.

On a big travel week like Presidents Day week I'm not surprised that restaurants at MK were full.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

I would love them to secure the reservations with a CC but I don't think it will happen in the non-signature restaurants.

What I would like instead is for a certain % of reservations be held back until 48 hours ahead of time. That way even if all the ADRs fill up there will be some seats that open up close to the day of the reservation for people who don't feel like planning their eating arrangements 90 days ahead of time.

I would also get rid of free dinning and never bring it back.

I agree! I'm someone who loves to plan my vacations, but frankly I don't know where I"m going to want to eat this weekend, let alone 90s days ahead of time on vacation. Therefore we are stuck eating mostly counter service and not able to get in at many TS eateries. I think leaving back a certain amount would definitely be nice.
And I agree, free dining needs to go and never ever come back.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Just can't imagine why anyone should be required to put down a credit card guarantee and pay a no-show fee for a reservation at Olivia's, Sanaa, Shutters, Boatwrights or Turf Club. Maybe the popular places, the character meals and MK (which doesn't have enough restaurants to meet DDP demand - especially since Crystal Palace was closed for the last month) but there are plenty of restaurants a monorail ride away, some of which are not so difficult to get into, like Grand Floridian Cafe or the Wave. Maybe just the restaurants in the parks and the character meals. But it's not necessary for ALL reservations.

On a big travel week like Presidents Day week I'm not surprised that restaurants at MK were full.

I'm not speaking about any TS in the MK, character meals or Le Cellier.
I'm also not speaking about "peak weeks". Our last trip which was planned 4 weeks out had no TS Epcot restaurants.

Anyone that actually cancels ADRs shouldn't have any problem with holding a table with a CC.
As far as the window for canceling, it wouldn't have to be 48 hours prior, I'm sure 2 hours is more than reasonable & also frees up the tables for walk-ins & last minute planners.

clgwli - I have stated for years that the food in Disney has gone down the hill. I am in no way passionate about the food in WDW however I am passionate about dining with my friends & family & spending quality time with them perhaps with a lovely bottle of wine or cocktail.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...Anyone that actually cancels ADRs shouldn't have any problem with holding a table with a CC...

Since you are so trusting, why not post your CC info on this forum...

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Since you are so trusting, why not post your CC info on this forum...

Your worried about someone acquiring your CC or DC #?
Then you must for everything in cash?
Hotels, restaurants, gas, plane tickets, clothing etc.
You never bank online, shop online?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Your worried about someone acquiring your CC or DC #?
Then you must for everything in cash?
Hotels, restaurants, gas, plane tickets, clothing etc.
You never bank online, shop online?

I only provide my CC info when absolutely necessary. I would never provide it for some reservation 6 months away...

 

[gina2000]

I would never book using a CC. Get rid of the dining plan. It has filled up the restaurants (a huge plus for WDW), dumbed down the menus (a huge minus for the patron) and created havoc for anyone trying to book a meal within a reasonable time frame.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I only provide my CC info when absolutely necessary. I would never provide it for some reservation 6 months away...

Thought you traveled 60 nights a year for business? Amazing you can do that without a CC.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Thought you traveled 60 nights a year for business? Amazing you can do that without a CC.

Hmmm, where have I said that I don't make hotel and flight reservations? Reading comprehension issues?

It looks like you are just looking to pick a fight...