World Showcase now to require "downpayment" on dining with ADR ONLY!

[2Princes2Princesses]

And with "things coming up" I program the dining number into my cell and if we cannot make a ressie, I call and cancel so someone else can take it. Even if this new thing took effect, as long as you called and cancelled....they wouldn't charge you. I am curious as to what their cancellation window would be on this.....24 hours??? I mean, with the DDP, I am sure someone would take the table even if you cancelled 30 min. before you were supposed to be there. So I would be irked if it was 24 hours, at WDW, sometimes you just get stuck and cannot get somewhere as quick as you thought you could.

 

[Bouncing4Tigger]

I understand why they may charge someone when making an ADR, understand the reasoning that is. But not taking walk ins? I don't understand that one bit. I have been known to just eat at a restaurant spur of the moment. I usually only make one or 2 adrs, the rest is left to what I feel like that day. If this is true and no walk ins, I guess I will just eat at counter service, which is no big deal to me, it will just save me money lol.

 

[Pluto's Honey]

I had to give my CC for H & V and for Princess Storybook Breakfast. The PSB has to have a 48hr cancellation didn't write down the other one. It was something like 10-20 each for a no show. I also had to give one for BBB. I am very surprised that was all I had to give a CC on.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We just made ADRs at Le Cellier and they didn't mention anything.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I just booked two different ws restaurants and it wasn't in place in either of them.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Just booked Donald's Breakfast for Friday morning and nothing mentioned about a CC deposit there either.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

This definitely wasn't in effect last week when we were at WDW.

 

[MAKmom]

How will this work for those on the Dining Plan?
Will they refund the CC charge back once you show up for your ADR?

I'm not sure I like that

Y0u shoulds not get charged until you do not show up if this is true.

 

[Karnak]

How many times have you been in a Disney restaurant only to see a slew of empty tables, yet the CM's are turning walk ups away. I have no issue with the CC deposit at time of booking, I think it is a good idea and definately a deterrant for those who will "blow off" a reservation since it won't cost them anything.

I have never used the DDP. I assume you get some sort of "bill" when the TS's are taken off of your room keys, at that time a receipt could be given to you showing the reverse deposit charge on your CC.

I also think that Disney should leave a percentage of tables open for walk in's. We found that by calling WDW dining in the afternoon that we were able to get into the restaurant that we wanted for that evening without any trouble.

MamaCatNV

I doubt that the fact that there are empty tables explains why walk-ins are not welcome. It may be that there are not enough CMs on duty at all times to accomidate everyone who wants in without advance notice.

On charging in advance in general: I'm all for it, and would be more than willing to pay a reservation charge if something kept me from honoring my reservations. But then, I'm one who plans detailed workable touring days for my time at WDW. Then I follow my plans. I have never taken advantage of the fact that I could make multiple reservations and then honor only those for which I were in the mood for at the last minute.

Enjoy.

 

[jann1033]

well if this was a joke i fell for it

 

[civileng68]

So if a WS restaurant isn't full with ADR's (and this can happen in certain WS restaurants even in busy season), they won't take any walk-in's? Just find that hard to believe....

Well this is the actual in place policy. However, I am sure what they will do is simply call the walkup (placing an ADR), in terms of you show up, give your name and information to create the ADR and then they seat you.

I agree, in that Im' sure they let you in , but, I have a feeling now that this policy is going public, that the ability to walk-up may be diminished since more people will think they absolutely must make ADR's.

 

[civileng68]

well if this was a joke i fell for it

Just so you know, this is no joke, no april fools.

This information comes directly from the "Inside the Magic" podcast with Richard Brigante.

It is not an official WDW podcast but, I have listened and found this to a VERY reputable podcast and one of the few if not the only, and definately the first, WDW podcast run directly by someone who lives just outside of Disney. It's a weekly podcast 1 hour long roughly, and his popularity is growing.

He is even close to landing interviews with Imagineers. He almost had an Imagineer booked to do an interview about the POTC rehab, but, suddenly Disney forced the cancellation of the interview and then later announced they were doing their own POTC interview on their official podcast and, dont you know, the same Imagineer who agreed to do the "ITM" podcast was on the interview from WDW's podcast.

Anyways, this is where the information comes from and it is fully legit. If you want to hear it for yourself, go to www.distantcreations.com/************** and download the most recent podcast.

Take it for what it's worth, and I dont have specifics as to how it will affect DDP members, but, I will confirm that all information given ends up being factual. He does state if what he is mentioning is not fact at the moment.

Again, also, as I said, we dont know WHEN this will be implemented, or HOW LONG, as it was mentioned to be used during heavy times of traffic.

 

[abe_bb]

My wife is on the phone with Disney Dining right now (we had to add another person... my brother is going to come with us) - and the CM she spoke to said this is FALSE.

Technically, they don't allow walk in's at all. BUT, if you come in, and they have empty ADR slots within a certain time limit before or after, they put your name in there. So yes, you are just walking in, but technically you have an ADR.

Also, they are only taking credit cards for specific meals (character dining, they will charge your card if you don't show up, CRT (which I know isn't at WS but anyway) they charge the full thing up front).

 

[Kae]

It was a joke along with others such as being able to win a whole day with Johnny Depp at DL. It was in the Daily Gregtrips email on Saturday. It said AF on the bottom.

Kae

 

[civileng68]

My wife is on the phone with Disney Dining right now (we had to add another person... my brother is going to come with us) - and the CM she spoke to said this is FALSE.

Technically, they don't allow walk in's at all. BUT, if you come in, and they have empty ADR slots within a certain time limit before or after, they put your name in there. So yes, you are just walking in, but technically you have an ADR.

Also, they are only taking credit cards for specific meals (character dining, they will charge your card if you don't show up, CRT (which I know isn't at WS but anyway) they charge the full thing up front).

I think the reason she is stating it is false is because they are not using it at the moment. They may not know IF they will even implement it, and as someone in high level business, you just dont say it's happening until you know it is.

Again, I think some are failing to realize that they are talking about doing this SHOULD the need arise in terms of crowd levels.

You are correct in that they do not 'technically' allow walk-ins. Every person is an ADR, even if you show up as a walk-in.

I think this COULD be something planned for the future.

Honestly, I know CM's and know how much or lack thereof some of them know, or are informed, and with the valid information that I have received from "ITM", I'll just believe that it is something that could be in the works.

I am just relaying information, so Im not trying to start an argument. It could very well be false. However, dont simply take a CM's word for it. Many of the podcasts and/or fan sites are more accurate than MOST CM's.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Sorry if this has been previously mentioned, but,

It seems Epcot's World Showcase, because of being busy, and for those of us "in the know", most likely because of many "no-shows" on ADRS (which has been a huge problem with the "reservation" system), now World Showcase will not take walk-ins. ONLY ADR's will be allowed to dine, and most importantly, to help curb the no-shows, an amount will be charged to your credit card upon making the ADR, and if you do not show you lose out on the money.

This will help curb no-shows, including, making many reservations at multiple places at the same time (taking up slots for others wanting to dine there).

I dont know if this is permanent or just during the peak season.

I was under the impression that no tables, anywhere on property, have EVER been left open for walk ups. In fact, I went to Spoodles one night. There was NOBODY there, and they had to make an ADR for me.

As for the deposit, I can understand why they're doing it. BUT, I think it's pretty difficult to anticipate what you're going to want to eat and WHEN 180 days in advance. I don't make multiple ADRs for the same time slot. If I know I can't or don't want to keep an ADR, I try to call and cancel it. I don't like a deposit. Abuses of the system have now made it difficult for those of us that don't abuse the system.

 

[civileng68]

I was under the impression that no tables, anywhere on property, have EVER been left open for walk ups. In fact, I went to Spoodles one night. There was NOBODY there, and they had to make an ADR for me.

As for the deposit, I can understand why they're doing it. BUT, I think it's pretty difficult to anticipate what you're going to want to eat and WHEN 180 days in advance. I don't make multiple ADRs for the same time slot. If I know I can't or don't want to keep an ADR, I try to call and cancel it. I don't like a deposit. Abuses of the system have now made it difficult for those of us that don't abuse the system.

I agree with you. I've seen situations (namely Mama Melrose) where the place was empty and they had to make an ADR for me (30 minutes later). Unfortunately what they do is, if they plan on alot of people coming in I think within 30 minutes or so of your time, they keep those tables empty.

Then when they dont show up you get it.

It's really odd the way the system works and the abuse has become just rediculous. Im a little surprised when the originally made this system they didn't anticipate or plan for this.

I agree that the fee is not the greatest. I mean, I dont want to be held to that when I go. I may want to cancel with 1 hour to go (which shouldnt be a problem since walkups typically can take the spot) but, as you said.. ......those that abuse it, by making multiple ADR's for the same time, not cancelling and not showing, are the reason why this is even being discussed.

 

[civileng68]

I was under the impression that no tables, anywhere on property, have EVER been left open for walk ups. In fact, I went to Spoodles one night. There was NOBODY there, and they had to make an ADR for me.

As for the deposit, I can understand why they're doing it. BUT, I think it's pretty difficult to anticipate what you're going to want to eat and WHEN 180 days in advance. I don't make multiple ADRs for the same time slot. If I know I can't or don't want to keep an ADR, I try to call and cancel it. I don't like a deposit. Abuses of the system have now made it difficult for those of us that don't abuse the system.

by the way, congratulations on the loaf of bread in the oven!!!!

 

[tjmouse]

This was DEFINATELY an April Fools joke. I sure wish they wouldn't do that. It gets everyone all worked up!

I repeat - This WAS and APRIL FOOLS JOKE - it said so right in the PodCast.

 

[bwbuddy5]

This appeared in the annual April Fools edition of the DizNews email under YahooGroups; it's not true. It goes out to about 3000 subscribers. But, it was mentioned on Monday that it was the annual April Fools edition.