New Reservations Cancellation Policy

[Masonmj84]

I'm okay with this but think they should make an exception to the 24 hour policy for flight delays and cancellations (I'd argue that this exception should even apply to full credit card pre-pays like CRT and dinner shows).

In order to qualify for the exception, they could require you to book the ADR for at least 3 hours after the scheduled flight arrival time. You would be required to provide the flight number, length of delay (or time of actual arrival), and some sort of proof (e.g., boarding pass) that you were on the flight.

If this became widely abused (or too onerous for Disney to administer), they could limit the exception to onsite guests using Magical Express (and market as a "perk" for staying on site).

 

[MELSMICE]

I'm a walk up kind of gal. I love the new policy.

 

[rachellm]

I would love to do more walk-ups (and I'd be willing to wait a reasonable amount of time) but with small children I don't want to risk that we won't find a place accepting walk-ups, the waits will be unreasonably long, etc. I'd hate to drag them all over looking for somewhere to eat only to be unsuccessful.

I doubt this policy will make a huge difference in walk-up waits (though I could be wrong.)

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm not opposed to it, I just hope that Disney is willing to make exceptions due to unforseen circumstances.

We (like many others!) like to have a TS meal on our travel day. We don't go to the parks and like to relax and have a nice meal. Already we make sure not to book something with the CC guarentee in case we have travel delays. Now that it's extended to all TS, our only option is to take the chance, or not have a sit down meal.

Our last trip we cancelled O'hana the day of because our flight was cancelled and we ended up flying into Tampa, renting a car and arriving hours later than planned. Luckily this was before the policy - but I would assume they would have made an exception.

Yeah, this makes sense to me. I agree with the policy, but hope if you're calling from an airport where you're snowed in that they make some sort of concession for that.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Did it mention if there was any change to the policy around if you show up to an ADR with fewer people than the ADR was made for?

For our upcoming trip I had made a number of ADRs for 10 people but for some, we now know only 6 of us will make it. I called up the dining line and asked if there was an issue in showing up with less than the ADR number and was informed that the restaurant might charge us $10 per person that didn't show up (so in our case $40) - she said it depended on the restaurant

So given this effort to standardize things, just wondering if this aspect is being standardized as well.

 

[gina2000]

How will Disney dining plan reservations be handled?

 

[thisismyusername]

I would like to see them implement use of the MBs for reservations: Allow one slot a day for a dining FP+ dining reservation. If you choose not to use it, you lose it. (Caveat: if a person is on the deluxe dining plan, increase the number of dining FP+ reservations they can make.) If they can make reservations for rides, I don't see why they can't use the same technology and algorithms for the restaurants.

While I'm all in favor of it, I'm also not: It's vacation. Things happen. The kids beg and beg for ice cream at 2:30 p.m., and I'm unable to say no since it's vacation. Therefore, they're not hungry for our 5:15 ADR. Or someone gets motion sickness on Star Tours and isn't up for dinner. Or we're just big-meal, sit-down restaurant-ed out (has happened) and want a light salad or sandwich for dinner instead. Each time something like this has happened, I've always canceled to ensure the restaurant knew they'd have availability for someone else, but oftentimes, you really can't predict things like this a day before... Without question, I'll be making fewer ADRs and relying more on same-day ADRs or crossing fingers for walk-ups.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

ADR "NO-SHOW" CANCELLATION FEES:
As of October 31, 2013, ALL table service eateries, both Disney
owned and non-Disney owned will be convered by this policy.

1) The rule says you are charged $10 per person for "no-show" ADR's.
. . . penalty applies when none of the party appears for the ADR
. . . penalty does not apply as long as some guests in party appear
2) The "no-show" penalty procedure
. . . podium person lists ADR as no-show (checks "On Hold" box in computer)
. . . usually after 30-minutes tardiness you are marked as a "no-show"
. . . once listed as "no-show", your name and number of your guests are listed
. . . the computer is reviewed by a manager at the end of the operating day
. . . the eatery manager SOLELY determines whether or not to charge you
. . . if charged, the cost penalty is on your credit/debit card immediately
. . . there are NO exceptions for missing ADR's for such things as later flights
. . . if worried about late/delayed flights, don't book a TS meal until well after arrival time
3) Exceptions - policy
. . . penalty is not assessed for cancellations made the day before ADR
. . . the ADR must be cancelled by 11:59pm the previous day to avoid a no-show penalty
. . . for pre-paid meals, there are 24-48 hour cancel periods (eg. CRT, HDDR, Luau)
4) Exceptions - not policy, and at manager's discretion
. . . cancellations for lunch/dinner made early in the same day
. . . you come to the eatery ANYTIME during the same day and apologize
. . . a few minutes tardy, podium person usually will not denote you as "On Hold"
5) Trial Period Backstory
. . . this was done on a trial-basis for 4-weeks in Epcot
. . . cut down no-shows by over 75% at Epcot eateries
. . . Le Cellier cut daily no-shows to 1-page from 2-3 pages
. . . now a policy, as no-shows greatly can reduce eatery revenue
. . . a no-show takes a ressie someone else might have kept
. . . the policy was then trialed for charcter meals and signature meals
. . . being so successful, it is not across-the-property for all table service emeals


NOTE: During busy periods, there might be a grace period and
late-is-late, and they might even cancel your ADR. However, whether
the ADR was canceled due to tardiness or not, the penalty fee will
not be imposed, as long as you showed at the podium.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . While I'm all in favor of it, I'm also not: It's vacation. Things happen . . .

1) Sounds good, but not valid.
2) It might be YOUR vacation, but it is DISNEY's business.
3) Additionally, missing an ADR takes a space someone else might have wanted.
4) By you ADR, they were no able to plan in advance.
5) Pretty unfair and rude to others.

 

[tecdavidt]

What about the reservations already made for trips scheduled after this policy goes into effect? I know we have ADR's for our NYE's trip already and no credit card was given because the policy was not a policy when my husband made them.

I do like the policy as long as Disney understands when people arrive late on property due airline problems causing late arrivals or when people get sick. If you cancel because you just are not hungry, well, pay the penalty. If you just don't feel like going, pay the penalty.

I know one year I was sick and just my DH and DD could go eat. We always do TS for lunch and dinner due to my food allergy.

Thanks Kathy

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Generally ... I have no problems with this. It will prevent lots of people from booking meals all over for the same time frame, just because they don't know what park they will be in.

I vacation solo. But what about that time that I woke up one morning at WDW with the stomach bug in full swing? That would really be adding insult to injury to charge me $10.00 for needing to cancel dinner only 8 hours in advance instead of 24 hours. Perhaps if the restaurant manager heard me vomiting?

 

[Magalex]

Not a problem for us (just three) but in June 2015 we will be traveling with multi-families at different age groups. Plus during the summer season major storms can roll in and it might be best to leave the park with little ones.

 

[karmacats]

What about the reservations already made for trips scheduled after this policy goes into effect? I know we have ADR's for our NYE's trip already and no credit card was given because the policy was not a policy when my husband made them.

This is from CF's original post:
"Guests who booked reservations before Oct. 31 were not informed of the policy or asked for their credit card information; therefore, these Guests will not be charged if they do not honor their reservations or cancel outside of the cancellation window. However, if the Guest makes modifications to the reservation on or after October 31, he or she will be informed of the cancellation policy, asked for credit card information, and must adhere to the cancellation policy."

So, you will not be charged if you cancel the day-of or don't show up, but if you modify your reservations you will have to give a CC number and will then be charged if you're a no-show or cancel too late.

Personally, I'm happy to see the policy as it will cut down on no-shows and double-bookings, but I really do hope CMs are flexible for cancellations due to illness, etc.

 

[thisismyusername]

1) Sounds good, but not valid. 2) It might be YOUR vacation, but it is DISNEY's business. 3) Additionally, missing an ADR takes a space someone else might have wanted. 4) By you ADR, they were no able to plan in advance. 5) Pretty unfair and rude to others.

Um, it's rude and unfair that I cancel an ADR? No one is allowed to have a change of heart on the day of vacation?

 

[jodifla]

Hate it. I always cancel reservations, but sometimes only a few hours before as I see how the day is unfolding.

It's not like there aren't more people to eat in their restaurants.

But no worries. We have a DVC kitchen and will use that more.

 

[aaarcher86]

And that's exactly why they put the policy in place. These kinds of choices were obviously costing them money in the long run. You've contributed to Disney's decision to implement this.

 

[jmrothermel]

I'm thoroughly confused - I booked my ADRs back in May or June - and was told this policy and my CC info obtained. What changed?

 

[aaarcher86]

I'm thoroughly confused - I booked my ADRs back in May or June - and was told this policy and my CC info obtained. What changed?

Some of the restaurants has this policy throughout the year (mostly character and shows), now ALL of the TS restaurants are doing it.

 

[tallen429]

I'm confused about the people complaining about reservation "hoarders"...
You can't.
When you try to make a res within two hours of an existing res, you either have to cancel or change.
No one can do the multi res gig they could do a few years back.
I might have one res for dinner on a certain day, but certainly not two, three or more.
The system doesn't allow it.
If, however, I want to cancel the single dinner res I have on that day at 4 pm because my children are worn out, there is a part of me that resents the idea of being charged for it.

Oh well, Disney will see a plummet in their evening reservations, and either they will re-think this or they will not be affected because walk ups will fill the void.

 

[scdak]

I love the new policy and hope that it is enforced but I do hope that exceptions can be made within reason (ie illness, travel plan snafus etc) but in reality I also realize that there are some that would still abuse the rules for exceptions. I don't double book reservations, I cancel any that need to be cancelled but I would have liked to have seen the time frame to be a set number of hours before the reservation instead of 11:59 the day prior to the meal. But that would require a computer system that worked well and we all know how unreliable Disney's system is!