What happens if you have a dining reservation and the park closes due to capacity?

[cwnhokie]

We've never gone during a busy time before but are going to be in Tampa next week and just decided to go to Disney for one night. If I make a dining reservation for a restaurant in EPCOT and it closes can we still get in? If not, do we get charged for not cancelling the reservation?

Do parks generally get that busy the week before Easter? Thanks

 

[SPOERLX3]

We've never gone during a busy time before but are going to be in Tampa next week and just decided to go to Disney for one night. If I make a dining reservation for a restaurant in EPCOT and it closes can we still get in? If not, do we get charged for not cancelling the reservation?

Do parks generally get that busy the week before Easter? Thanks

Everyday is showing to be a 9 out of 10 crowd level which is extremely crowded. If it closes due to crowd levels, the only guests allowed in the park are ones staying at a Disney Resort. Your reservation must be canceled 24 hours in advance or you will be billed $10 per person.

 

[maxiesmom]

If the park is totally shut down for capacity, you will not be allowed in, and you will have to pay the $10 per person fee. Note that there are 4 stages to closings, and you will be allowed in up until it hits the final stage.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

This is more likely to happen at MK and not Epcot. So you should be fine. And I speak from experience having been to Disney the past 2 Christmases, New Years and 4th of July. I will also be there this Easter. We always go to Epcot on holidays as it is the least likely to close due to a capacity issue.

 

[Luckybee]

If the park is totally shut down for capacity, you will not be allowed in, and you will have to pay the $10 per person fee. Note that there are 4 stages to closings, and you will be allowed in up until it hits the final stage.

If that were to happen you would be in extremely good shape to dispute the charges with your CC company based on non performance by Disney. If they don't let you in they cannot legally chg you for the res.

 

[Cadets74]

If that happened I would call disney reservations to cancel and explain what happened. When we were at MK we had some issues with our BOG reservations and we ended up eating lunch an hour later then expected. I had reservations at the plaza like 2 hours after we finished lunch. I called them and explained why I needed to cancel and they waved the fees. So I am assuming for your situation, as long as you called and didn't do a "no show" they would probably wave the fee.

 

[maxiesmom]

If that were to happen you would be in extremely good shape to dispute the charges with your CC company based on non performance by Disney. If they don't let you in they cannot legally chg you for the res.

The terms and agreement when you make your ADR state you must have a valid admission to that park. If you are shut out for capacity reasons you do not have a valid park admission. It is up to you to make it to your ADR. And you agree to those terms when you make it.

 

[Luckybee]

The terms and agreement when you make your ADR state you must have a valid admission to that park. If you are shut out for capacity reasons you do not have a valid park admission. It is up to you to make it to your ADR. And you agree to those terms when you make it.

Absolutely correct....you must have a valid admission to the park. Which means that you must purchase a ticket. If you fail to purchase a ticket or you choose not to then you would be responsible for the fee. If Disney prevents you from doing so whether it be for reasons relating to capacity, or otherwise then they cannot chg you for that adr...well they could but they wouldn't be correct legally in so doing (not that anyone would sue for $10.00...lol).

 

[maxiesmom]

If Disney prevents you from doing so whether it be for reasons relating to capacity, or otherwise then they cannot chg you for that adr...well they could but they wouldn't be correct legally in so doing (not that anyone would sue for $10.00...lol).

Yes they would be. Your ticket does not guarantee you will get into a specific park, only that you will get into one of the parks. It is up to the ticket holder to make sure they are at the right place when their ADR rolls around.

 

[Luckybee]

We'll have to respectfully disagree since I don't wish to start comparing credentials

 

[STXMom]

Everyday is showing to be a 9 out of 10 crowd level which is extremely crowded. If it closes due to crowd levels, the only guests allowed in the park are ones staying at a Disney Resort. Your reservation must be canceled 24 hours in advance or you will be billed $10 per person.

Where would one go to find out crowd levels? We're going for the first time May 12-16, and I wanna get a feel for what we are walking into as we get closer to our trip.

 

[aaarcher86]

As far as the charges being reversed for capacity, you could ask, but I wouldn't count on it. It's no different then having a base ticket and being refused entry to a second park and missing your meal.

Where would one go to find out crowd levels? We're going for the first time May 12-16, and I wanna get a feel for what we are walking into as we get closer to our trip.

The parks and resorts will have signs up if they are reaching capacity. You can also call the main booking line and they can tell you.

 

[SPOERLX3]

Where would one go to find out crowd levels? We're going for the first time May 12-16, and I wanna get a feel for what we are walking into as we get closer to our trip.

There are several websites out there that attempt to give you an idea of the crowd levels. I look at all of them for comparison and they all have some great information. I am sure there are more but these are the 3 that I depend on the most.

There are 2 are free:
www.easywdw.com
Here is their May calendar (make sure you read all of the entries, it includes alot of information that will help you understand) http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/05-may-2014-crowd-calendar/

and www.undercovertourist.com

IMHO, the one that is the most helpful (and has been the most accurate for our trips in the past) is www.touringplans.com
With touring plans, there is a charge ($12.95 for a 1 year subscription) but there are codes all over the internet that will let you subscribe for under $10.
For us, it is well worth it especially during the most busy times of year.
It also lets you look at historical data from last year and the year before to see what they predicted and what the actual crowd level was and to me that has been the most helpful.

Good luck!!! and have fun!!!

 

[cwnhokie]

Thanks for all the replies. I decided not to risk it and went to Mickey's Backyard BBQ instead and had a great time.