Why do people cancel ADR's?

[rugrats2001]

What is the point in cancelling run-of-the-mill ADR's? Is there some type of penalty/fee if you just don't show up? I was under the impression that, with a few exceptions, ADR's don't mean that a restaurant is actually holding a table for you, and if you don't show up, it would just reduce the wait for some poor family that is hoping to eat on 'standby'.

And no, I'm NOT referring to the kind souls who make their ADR's available for other board members, but to the people who decide to change their plans for that day, and call to cancel today's ADR.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[webray]

It is a courtesy to all people going to WDW..if someone wants to book a particular restaurant and they are sold out for the evening..if someone cancels instead of just not showing up, someone else has a chance to get a reservation if they desire to do so.

So, basically common courtesy.

 

[rugrats2001]

It is a courtesy to all people going to WDW..if someone wants to book a particular restaurant and they are sold out for the evening..if someone cancels instead of just not showing up, someone else has a chance to get a reservation if they desire to do so.

So, basically common courtesy.

Don't the walk-ups deserve a chance to eat there as well? Doesn't this increase their chances of getting a seat?

 

[nbodyhome]

I think it's kind to do for those who are wanting to book ahead of time.

 

[michygoomy]

Don't the walk-ups deserve a chance to eat there as well? Doesn't this increase their chances of getting a seat?

I would think same-day cancelling would still benefit the walk-ins, because not many people are trying to make same-day reservations. Prior to the same day, it only frees up a space for someone else trying to book.

I just canceled and ADR today for 6/8 at Boma, because I needed to reschedule it for later.

 

[rugrats2001]

I think it's kind to do for those who are wanting to book ahead of time.

Well, yes, of course, but I mainly meant cancellations for the same day's meals.

 

[ilovefh]

Don't the walk-ups deserve a chance to eat there as well? Doesn't this increase their chances of getting a seat?

yes and no. If the restaurant is booked for the night they won't take walkins, if they do they will be very few. If you are there at the right time (ie someone does not show for their ressie and the wait time currently is slow enough to allow walk ins) then it will give you a shot. You would have the best if someone cancelled their ADR that day and you called and booked an ADR. Otherwise, if the restaurant is booked there is a good chance you'll have to wait to see if they will even be taking any walkins that night. This happened at Le Cellier to us in Feb. We arrived right before opening and were told we'd have to wait 20 is or so to see if they would even be taking any walkins that night.

 

[nbodyhome]

Well, yes, of course, but I mainly meant cancellations for the same day's meals.

Oops, I missed the last paragraph. Next time I'll ready everything!

There are a lot of people who look for PS's early in the day. So it's kind to them too! I don't know that it's a big deal same-day, I sometimes do cancel though.

 

[Allison]

Don't the walk-ups deserve a chance to eat there as well? Doesn't this increase their chances of getting a seat?

No, it doesn't. Many restaurants don't take walkups these days because they are scheduled full with ADR's. If you call and cancel, someone who calls the Dining line looking for a place to eat later in the day has a chance to get in.

 

[rugrats2001]

Thank you to to everyone for the great information - I didn't realize that Disney would close out the restaurants altogether for walk-ins if they were full-up with ADR's.

 

[Allison]

Thank you to to everyone for the great information - I didn't realize that Disney would close out the restaurants altogether for walk-ins if they were full-up with ADR's.

It was really interesting when we were there over President's weekend in February. We were having dinner at LeCellier in Epcot on Saturday night. The CM's were telling everyone looking for a table that all the Epcot restaurants were completely full for the evening and none of them were taking walk-ups. The CM's were recommending counter service in Mexico.

 

[nbodyhome]

Yes - that happens a lot in the MK, Le Cellier, and some other restaurants. I expect that Disney overbooks slightly to make sure that a restaurant stays full, allowing for some who don't show up.

If you don't show up to Le Cellier, I don't think they'd accept walk-ups (when full as they often are). So for a restaurant like that, I'd cancel. Some restaurants don't tend to be as full - like Morocco, Biergarten - not cancelling there probably won't matter as much.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In December 2004 my family and I had scheduled two ADR's for dinner at Boma. However after we came back from the 1st one I felt sick and threw up a few times. Because we thought it was something I had at Boma we decided to be on the safe side that we should cancel our 2nd ADR there. Later on I realized it was from a Hot Dog that I had for lunch a lot earlier in the afternoon, but the main point was that we cancelled the 2nd ADR because at the time I thought I got sick from Boma and it was the right thing to do. I am not sure if someone was able to get our ADR because it was scheduled for the very next night, however if no called and got our time slot then there was an opening for a walk-in.