What Do You Think of This ADR Rumor?

[Disneyadore]

I don't know that this idea would go over well because there are a lot of people who stay off property and it wouldn't be tied to a room ressie and what about people who do not have a CC? Does Disney really want to run off all the extra business they would be getting from people staying off property? What about the people who live in Orlando and have APs and just go over to a restaurant for dinner? There are so many off site restaurants in the Orlando area that can compete with Disney it will cause a backlash that they cannot afford. I don't agree with people making ADRs that they can't keep or don't intend to keep, but I don't agree with them penalizing people who have legitimate reasons for canceling ADRs either.

A friend of mine is at WDW this moment.
Yesterday he went to the CP for breakfast. The guest before him had 4!!!reservations for four person. He canceled three of them at the time he showed up .
So he made 16 reservations and only used four and left twelve seats empty.
How good is that for the Disney's finances?
I hope they put a free from at least 20 dollar on every reservation.

 

[Condorman]

Here's another vote for all ADRs requiring a CC with a $25 per person, 24-hour cancelation/no-show penalty that cannot and will not be excused for anyone, no matter what their reason.

ADRs are not obligatory. You do not have to make them. Yes, you absolutely should make them since we all know most places can get booked solid. But if you are already portending the end of the universe in that you will be unable to make Akershus @ 8:00 pm on Saturday, then don't book it. It's that simple. If Disney allowed any excuse whatsoever, i.e. grandma dying, Jimmy getting sick, or a bus breaking down, it would get posted on these boards, everyone would use that excuse, and the policy would be pointless. Disney is not a grade school. They shouldn't have to place a secretary in the principal's office waiting to receive a doctor's note or call the airlines to make sure all flights bound for MCO took off on time just to excuse a $25 per person charge. This is a welcome change for the better and one that is long overdue.

 

[iuki]

A friend of mine is at WDW this moment.
Yesterday he went to the CP for breakfast. The guest before him had 4!!!reservations for four person. He canceled three of them at the time he showed up .
So he made 16 reservations and only used four and left twelve seats empty.
How good is that for the Disney's finances?
I hope they put a free from at least 20 dollar on every reservation.

Our situation was just the opposite. Our daughter made the dining reservations, under her resort reservation number, for 2 of us and 4 in her party, so we could all sit together.

Our vacation begins tomorrow. Four days ago, she discovered she was unable to go and changed her reservations to December. The computer automatically canceled all the dining reservations for September since it was linked to her resort reservation number. Needless to say, we had to scramble trying to get new dining reservations for 11 nights. We have been trying everyday to get a table for 2 at Coral Reef and LeCellier.

iuki

 

[KYMickey]

Here's another vote for all ADRs requiring a CC with a $25 per person, 24-hour cancelation/no-show penalty that cannot and will not be excused for anyone, no matter what their reason.

ADRs are not obligatory. You do not have to make them. Yes, you absolutely should make them since we all know most places can get booked solid. But if you are already portending the end of the universe in that you will be unable to make Akershus @ 8:00 pm on Saturday, then don't book it. It's that simple. If Disney allowed any excuse whatsoever, i.e. grandma dying, Jimmy getting sick, or a bus breaking down, it would get posted on these boards, everyone would use that excuse, and the policy would be pointless. Disney is not a grade school. They shouldn't have to place a secretary in the principal's office waiting to receive a doctor's note or call the airlines to make sure all flights bound for MCO took off on time just to excuse a $25 per person charge. This is a welcome change for the better and one that is long overdue.

Very well worded and very true! I think what you are proposing is a very good solution. I do agree that you shouldn't have to be staying at a Disney resort to make a ADR but other than that 24 hours is plenty of time and $25 is not an unreasonable amount to charge. You are also exactly right about not allowing any excuse. If you allow one you're going to open the floodgates!

 

[racefanof88]

Great idea to charge people $25 per person per ADR . So when I have swine flu and show up and sit next to a family, that will be fine? I can become the next "Typhoid Mary". It will be much cheaper for me to show up, with a VERY contagious, potentially deadly illness, and just sit at the table coughing and sneezing spreading my germs, than to pay $150 for my family to stay in our hotel room away from other guests. I'm not being inconsiderate I am just abiding by the rules.

There is an exception to EVERY rule.

And again Disney would be excluding people without credit cards from even making an ADR. They do NOT want to push CASH paying customers away. With cash they have money in hand, they do not have to pay a service charge to the cc company if the customer is paying cash nor do they have to wait on the money. They just need to put a lock on the ADR system so a person can not make more than one ADR for a time slot nor can they make more than 3 ADRs per day. Just like fastpass.

 

[Disneyadore]

Great idea to charge people $25 per person per ADR . So when I have swine flu and show up and sit next to a family, that will be fine? I can become the next "Typhoid Mary". It will be much cheaper for me to show up, with a VERY contagious, potentially deadly illness, and just sit at the table coughing and sneezing spreading my germs, than to pay $150 for my family to stay in our hotel room away from other guests. I'm not being inconsiderate I am just abiding by the rules.

For this kind of things they invented travel insurances.

 

[maznorm]

Firstly, aren't we always being told that ADR's are not reservations as such. How can Disney charge you for something that isn't even a reservation?

Secondly, I am constantly hearing on here about people that have waited an hour plus for their table that they had made ADR's for. They eventually give up and go look somewhere else for food. Are we to expect that they will be charged the cancellation fee as well?

Thirdly, I, heaven forbid, have no credit cards. Does this mean I am excluded from the table service dining experience and confined to quick service for my visit? Sounds like a really good reason to stay offsite to me. Is that what Disney wants?

Fourthly, no one should be punished for changing their eating plans. These people are on vacation not in Hitler's Germany. Whilst travel insurance would cover cancelled flights or hotels, I am quite sure it wouldn't cover a charge for a missed restaurant booking that isn't really a booking just an ADR.

 

[Disneyadore]

Fourthly, no one should be punished for changing their eating plans. These people are on vacation not in Hitler's Germany. Whilst travel insurance would cover cancelled flights or hotels, I am quite sure it wouldn't cover a charge for a missed restaurant booking that isn't really a booking just an ADR.

If I have a VALID reason my travel insurance covers such cost without any question.
But ,and correct me if h'm wrong please, do you really think its a good idea to let people make numerous reservations without anything forcing them to keep them?

 

[disney_princess_85]

Great idea to charge people $25 per person per ADR . So when I have swine flu and show up and sit next to a family, that will be fine? I can become the next "Typhoid Mary". It will be much cheaper for me to show up, with a VERY contagious, potentially deadly illness, and just sit at the table coughing and sneezing spreading my germs, than to pay $150 for my family to stay in our hotel room away from other guests. I'm not being inconsiderate I am just abiding by the rules.

If you had swine flu, I'd hope you would stay at home, cancel your trip and claim off your travel insurance!

If you caught it while you were away though, that is obviously a different story. Imagine if you were two days into your vacation, caught swine flu (or whatever) and couldn't make it to 10 ADRs- would it be fair for you to be charged $250 for the inconvenience? No, it wouldn't. This is where the line between being penalised and not being penalised for not showing up to an ADR gets very hazy- in theory, it is a good idea. In practise, however, there are so many ifs and buts that it would be extremely difficult for Disney to control effectively.

With regards to people saying that travel insurance would cover you anyway, this would be incorrect: travel insurance only covers you for what you have paid out, i.e. for flights and accommodation. It can't cover you for something you haven't paid for, as maznorm said.

 

[KYMickey]

Firstly, aren't we always being told that ADR's are not reservations as such. How can Disney charge you for something that isn't even a reservation?

If they're not reservations I am not sure what they are. Call them what you like but they are a reservation and should be treated as such.

Secondly, I am constantly hearing on here about people that have waited an hour plus for their table that they had made ADR's for. They eventually give up and go look somewhere else for food. Are we to expect that they will be charged the cancellation fee as well?

I've never had to wait that long for an ADR but I would think part of the policy should include a guarantee of seating within a given length of time.

Thirdly, I, heaven forbid, have no credit cards. Does this mean I am excluded from the table service dining experience and confined to quick service for my visit? Sounds like a really good reason to stay offsite to me. Is that what Disney wants?

You are certainly in the minority not having a CC. If you don't have one how you guarantee reservations in the first place? Major hotels will not accept a reservation without a CC to guarantee it in the first place so guaranteeing ADR's would be the least of your problems.

Fourthly, no one should be punished for changing their eating plans. These people are on vacation not in Hitler's Germany. Whilst travel insurance would cover cancelled flights or hotels, I am quite sure it wouldn't cover a charge for a missed restaurant booking that isn't really a booking just an ADR.

You're correct people shouldn't be charged for changing their dining plans but they should be charged for failing to keep a reservation they made! The answer can not been charged for it is simple, don't make it!

As far as travel insurance paying the fee, a friend of mine is a travel agent and she told me it would be covered if you were charged a fee for it. Of course if you cancel the trip you could cancel your ADR's also so in the worst case you would only be on the hook for a couple at the most.

Face it, this charge makes sense for 98% of the visitors. It's only the 2% who tried to abuse the system that are penalized and they're the ones that should be paying it!

 

[disney_princess_85]

You are certainly in the minority not having a CC. If you don't have one how you guarantee reservations in the first place? Major hotels will not accept a reservation without a CC to guarantee it in the first place so guaranteeing ADR's would be the least of your problems.

Neither DBF or I have a credit card so we used a debit card to secure certain ADRs we made. I would guess that most people own a debit card at the very least.

 

[WDWKOOK]

With comparisons to Nazi Germany and scenarios of guests dining while in various stages of illness, death etc... How is it that Victoria and Alberts, CA Grill, The Castle, etc... and all of the dinner shows (HDD, SOA) and even all tours and some recreation such as horseback riding, archery, etc... require a credit card hold and 24 hour cancelation yet, they are still always packed and perennial favorites amongst guests?

If WDW thought they were losing any customers due to this unreasonable policy, they would have dropped it fast. The almighty (though not so mighty these days) dollar is always the bottom line for any company, including our beloved Disney.

 

[Disneyadore]

As far as travel insurance paying the fee, a friend of mine is a travel agent and she told me it would be covered if you were charged a fee for it. Of course if you cancel the trip you could cancel your ADR's also so in the worst case you would only be on the hook for a couple at the most.

What your friend told you is completely true.
I had to cancel all my reservations,resort and dining, and even got the telephone costs to call WDW refunded from my insurance.
It just a matter of looking into their cover policy before you buy an insurance

 

[mushumadness]

what about people who dont have credit cards? I refuse to have one
I dont have one, and will want to book adrs next year
plus uk debit cards dont always work in the usa

 

[KYMickey]

Neither DBF or I have a credit card so we used a debit card to secure certain ADRs we made. I would guess that most people own a debit card at the very least.

I agree and actually consider a debit card a CC for all intentional purposes. I don't know of any place that requires a CC that will not accept a debit card.

 

[KYMickey]

what about people who dont have credit cards? I refuse to have one
I dont have one, and will want to book adrs next year
plus uk debit cards dont always work in the usa

How do you guarantee hotel and rental car reservations? I would be surprised if your UK debit card didn't work here. My American one has worked every place I've ever traveled in Europe, Asia, South America, etc.

 

[racefanof88]

If you had swine flu, I'd hope you would stay at home, cancel your trip and claim off your travel insurance!

If you caught it while you were away though, that is obviously a different story. Imagine if you were two days into your vacation, caught swine flu (or whatever) and couldn't make it to 10 ADRs- would it be fair for you to be charged $250 for the inconvenience? No, it wouldn't. This is where the line between being penalised and not being penalised for not showing up to an ADR gets very hazy- in theory, it is a good idea. In practise, however, there are so many ifs and buts that it would be extremely difficult for Disney to control effectively.

With regards to people saying that travel insurance would cover you anyway, this would be incorrect: travel insurance only covers you for what you have paid out, i.e. for flights and accommodation. It can't cover you for something you haven't paid for, as maznorm said.

Of course if I had the piggie snorts before I left I would stay home.

I agree with you. And if the charge was $25 PER PERSON PER ADR for my family that would be $1250. I would just go on and make everybody in the restaurants sick, there in NO WAY I would GIVE Disney that kind of money. I would dispute it with my cc company anyway as a charge for a service I did not receive.

This is what AAA covers:

Trip cancellation or interruption insurance to protect you in the case of a canceled or interrupted trip due to an unforeseen event, such as inclement weather, illness, death, or the bankruptcy of a cruise or tour line.

Temporary health policies that provide short-term supplemental health insurance coverage. This type of coverage is especially important when traveling out of the country to ensure full coverage your health insurance may not extend to cover overseas travel.

Baggage insurance to provide reimbursement if your personal belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip.

Accidental death and dismemberment (AD & D) insurance that provides compensation if you lose a limb or an eye, as well as compensating your beneficiary if you die in an accident.

Like many travelers, you may be protected through your medical, auto or homeowner insurance policies or through your credit cards. However, some coverage may not extend outside the U.S., and some policies may include a deductible. It's advisable to always check your policies prior to a trip.

Trip insurance is for your trip. NOT your dining reservations.

 

[racefanof88]

Firstly, aren't we always being told that ADR's are not reservations as such. How can Disney charge you for something that isn't even a reservation?

Secondly, I am constantly hearing on here about people that have waited an hour plus for their table that they had made ADR's for. They eventually give up and go look somewhere else for food. Are we to expect that they will be charged the cancellation fee as well?

Thirdly, I, heaven forbid, have no credit cards. Does this mean I am excluded from the table service dining experience and confined to quick service for my visit? Sounds like a really good reason to stay offsite to me. Is that what Disney wants?

Fourthly, no one should be punished for changing their eating plans. These people are on vacation not in Hitler's Germany. Whilst travel insurance would cover cancelled flights or hotels, I am quite sure it wouldn't cover a charge for a missed restaurant booking that isn't really a booking just an ADR.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Is this where someone came up with the youtube video where Hitler can't get Le Cellier reservations? (Just look under "Hitler Wants Le Cellier".)

 

[mom3sonstt]

You are certainly in the minority not having a CC. If you don't have one how you guarantee reservations in the first place? Major hotels will not accept a reservation without a CC to guarantee it in the first place so guaranteeing ADR's would be the least of your problems.

We have frequent visitor cards (or whatever they are called) at several different hotel chains - Holiday Inn, Country Inn & Suites, Hilton, Marriott..... and often times I can make reservations and hold it with that and not have to provide a credit card. Granted, it's not everytime, but I always ask first before I automatically give them my number. All we have for a CC is our debit card tied to our checking account and it "got loose" one time and we had a heck of a time straightening things out. Fortunately most of the purchases were online services that once we notified the bank that someone had our number (not the card itself) they were cancelled and removed. There were a few physical merchandise orders that we had to sign a form saying they were not ours and wait for our money to be returned. But since it is our checking acct, we try to use the card as little as possible.