Will they ever require a CC for all reservations?

[ilovesugar]

What are the chances that WDW will require people to give a CC when they book reservations? It is so annoying when you cannot get a reservation only to find out that people make multiple ones, and then don't even bother to cancel the ones they are not planning on going to. Then that table sits empty and someone that wanted to eat is out of luck.


I really wish that they required a CC to book and only charge the CC if you are a no-show.

 

[Cafeen]

If the amount of money lost via no-shows exceeds the amount of money gained from reservations (or a certain percentage at least), then maybe.

However, there'd be a lot of pushback against this. I know I would likely cut back on reservations made and dine at far more QS locations than I would otherwise plan on. Heck, it'd be a lot cheaper too that way .

 

[ilovesugar]

If the amount of money lost via no-shows exceeds the amount of money gained from reservations (or a certain percentage at least), then maybe.

However, there'd be a lot of pushback against this. I know I would likely cut back on reservations made and dine at far more QS locations than I would otherwise plan on. Heck, it'd be a lot cheaper too that way .

That is what I don't get. If you plan on going to the meal when you make a reservation or at least cancel it if you decide not to go, then why would it deter you from making reservations? You would only be charged if your a no-show. Why do you think there would be pushback against it?

 

[mcd2745]

that is what i don't get. If you plan on going to the meal when you make a reservation or at least cancel it if you decide not to go, then why would it deter you from making reservations? you would only be charged if your a no-show. Why do you think there would be pushback against it?

amen!!!!!

 

[gr8tdame]

What are the chances that WDW will require people to give a CC when they book reservations? It is so annoying when you cannot get a reservation only to find out that people make multiple ones, and then don't even bother to cancel the ones they are not planning on going to. Then that table sits empty and someone that wanted to eat is out of luck.


I really wish that they required a CC to book and only charge the CC if you are a no-show.

I agree. It would not deter me from making reservations. If we decide we can't make a reservation or change our mind I always cancel.
If it is the same day I simply go to the concierge and do it or stop at customer service at the park.
Making reservations 180 days out is crazy..

 

[ilovesugar]

Or if your on the DDP, you lose a credit if you are a no-show. I would think this would deter people to either not double book reservations, or actually cancel their reservations instead of just not showing up. Make people show some responsibility because right now, there are no consequences for not showing up.

Let's face it, there are WAY more people who could'nt care less about someone who was not able to get in than there are people who cancel so that someone can have a chance at getting their spot. We live in the 'I don't care about it if it does not affect me' society.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think the chances are slim to none that a CC guarantee and no show fee will be required for ALL restaurant reservations.

There would be pushback against it because in case of illness or someone deciding not to join the party at the last minute, there's a risk you will lose money.

 

[ilovesugar]

I think the chances are slim to none that a CC guarantee and no show fee will be required for ALL restaurant reservations.

There would be pushback against it because in case of illness or someone deciding not to join the party at the last minute, there's a risk you will lose money.

I am talking about the entire party not showing up. If one person is missing but the rest of the party shows, I guess I don't consider that a no-show.

 

[Tricia1972]

I am talking about the entire party not showing up. If one person is missing but the rest of the party shows, I guess I don't consider that a no-show.

Disney does consider it a no show right now. If you show up with less people than on your reservation at The Princess Breakfast in Norway, they'll charge you the $20. Even if that person misses the reservation because they are ill.

So if Disney stops this policy and allows for some people to be sick or not show, where does it stop? Everyone gets sick and doesn't show, are they charged? Everyone in your party is sick except for you, do you need to go alone so as to avoid the charge? There is a lot of cost for Disney associated with administration if they institute something like this.

I have to agree with Cafeen and TDC Nala. If they start requiring a CC hold for all reservations there will be a push back and that Disney will only start doing this if their restaurants aren't full and they are losing money because of no-shows.

Disney has a method in place that accounts for no-shows and ensures that their restaurants are full. If that method starts to fail, then Disney will look to make a change.

 

[gr8tdame]

Back in the old days prior to the Dining plan you could call or see the concierge in the morning and get preferred seating at any restaurant.
It was the same as reservations.....
Oh that was the good old days.

 

[Cafeen]

That is what I don't get. If you plan on going to the meal when you make a reservation or at least cancel it if you decide not to go, then why would it deter you from making reservations? You would only be charged if your a no-show. Why do you think there would be pushback against it?

Because stuff comes up and plans change at the last minute. With the current CC hold "rules" you must cancel within about a day (or two) in order to not pay the no-show fee. If I get sick the day of a reservation, under those current policies, I'd be charged money. (And since I go solo, there is no "well if part of your party shows up..."). Currently, that's a risk in very limited locations (none of which I happen to be going to on my next trip). If expanded, that risk would outweigh the reward of going there and thus pushing me to spend less money at said locations and eating QS/Off-site for most of my meals.

Now, for certain restaurants, sure, go right ahead. It's appropriate for the seriously in-demand places (Le Cellier, Ohana Dinner, Chef Mickey breakfast, CP Breakfast), but nowhere near appropriate for other locations.

Now, I will say that I intend to use all the reservations I made (or cancel them if I should happen to not use them), but I do not agree with being tied down to them via my wallet.

I'm sure there are many others who would be sketchy about giving out their CC information online or over the phone as well. Granted, we're all going to Disney so chances are we've given it to them once, but limiting exposure to the smallest amount is definitely not bad practice. (Note, I don't particularly feel this way myself, I take precautions when I can and do a lot of online shopping, but I understand why many others would be skittish).

So, to recap. Placing CC holds on "everywhere" is not appropriate and an overreaction. Only a very few (albeit more than currently) really need this sort of reservation restriction. I'd not be opposed to adding several more that are super popular, but adding them all would be going way too far.

ETA:
Also, in regards to the current no-show policy and partial parties. This would cause havoc with the odd-number parties who are very limited unless they grow an invisible infant. Would you really want to see every party of 1,3,5,7,9 charged $20 per meal because that mystery infant didn't show? (Yes, even if the missing person is an infant, they'd be charged the no-show penalty, at least at fixed-price locations right now (CG is a little different)). That right there would drive the amount of reservations down, and the general attitude toward the system much further away than it is.

(One of these days, I'm going to make a restaurant that has all odd number shaped tables, just to stick it to the "man"!... though a table for 1 may be tough since there is no 1 sided polygon, other than a circle, and that doesn't count because I said so)

 

[MAYNARDS99]

Your ADR does not hold a particular table for you, therefore no table goes unoccupied if you do not cancel. Cancelling an ADR just helps the system run more smooth and accurate.

The ADR system predicts when a table of your size will be available. After checking in, the system allocates the next open/cleared table to your party.

Other than at opening, no tables are "held" for reservations. In addition, NO tables are held for walk ins.

The ADR system is not always accurate with its projections, for instance, maybe it starts to thunderstorm, guests eating dinner are apt to stay at their table for longer than usual. Sometimes guests eat very quickly, and this opens that table much sooner than expected.

This is why, sometimes, you have to wait ten or twenty minutes past your ADR time.