Credit card to book dining if not on dining plan?

[MuchLovedMama]

The last time we went to Disney was 9/2010. We just booked for 9/2012 at POP with a 30% discount pin code. Hoping free dining will come along at some point and we'll change over to that.

In the meantime when I made the reservation the woman tried to push the dining plan on me stating that on 3/19 (which I'm fully aware of...Thanks!) I will be able to book dining reservations and if I'm not on a dining plan then I would need to use a credit card for any reservations that I wanted to make. She said the policy was changing. Is this true? I can't find any info on this. I was on Disney's site and went through the process for a date this summer just to see if it was gonna prompt me for a credit card and it didn't. I know some places require a credit card hold but are they all going to be here soon and if so do they charge your card when you make the reservation? This is gonna be a pain if so.

 

[Master Yoda]

You will be able to make dining reservations at exactly the same time and the same way regardless if you have the DDP or not. The only difference in DDP or no DDP will be in regards to dining reservations that require prepayment. With the DDP you will need a credit card to guarantee a prepaid ADR but nothing will be charged unless you fail to cancel in time. Without the DDP, your card will be immediately charged for the full price of the meal.

 

[gardenia]

At "select" restaurants the policy has changed - not at all restaurants. The new policy as stated on Disney's website is:

"To ensure consistent Guest service, a one-day cancellation policy will apply to new reservations at this dining venue beginning October 26, 2011. If a Guest cancels within one day of the reservation or if the dining party is a "no show" for the meal, a cancellation fee of $10 per person will be charged to the credit card used at the time of booking."

This policy applies to these restaurants:

Walt Disney World resort hotel restaurants
1900 Park Fare
Artist Point
California Grill
Cape May Café
Chef Mickey’s
Cítricos
Flying Fish Café
Jiko – The Cooking Place
Narcoossee’s
‘Ohana
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Victoria & Albert’s ($25 per person fee)

Magic Kingdom
The Crystal Palace

Epcot
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
The Garden Grill
Le Cellier Steakhouse

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Hollywood Brown Derby
Hollywood & Vine

Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Tusker House Restaurant

 

[MuchLovedMama]

OK so basically if I want to book Chef Mickeys or Ohana then I need a credit card either way but if no DDP then they are gonna charge credit card right away.

and if I want to book Plaza or Sci-Fi then no credit card is required either way?

The way the lady was talking made it seem as if things were about to change and i just couldn't find anything out there about it. I can live with my 2 examples above if I understand it correctly.

 

[woodardfamily]

You will be able to make dining reservations at exactly the same time and the same way regardless if you have the DDP or not. The only difference in DDP or no DDP will be in regards to dining reservations that require prepayment. With the DDP you will need a credit card to guarantee a prepaid ADR but nothing will be charged unless you fail to cancel in time. Without the DDP, your card will be immediately charged for the full price of the meal.

Are you sure about that? For our trip in April, we do not have a DDP, but our reservations for Akershus, Mama Melroses, Boma, and Ohana required a CC to confirm reservation, but we were not charged for anything. The only one that I found that required a full prepayment was Cinderella's Royal Table. :shrug:

 

[MuchLovedMama]

I think I got it now. We were leaving a post at the same time. Thanks for the info guys!!!

 

[Master Yoda]

OK so basically if I want to book Chef Mickeys or Ohana then I need a credit card either way but if no DDP then they are gonna charge credit card right away.

and if I want to book Plaza or Sci-Fi then no credit card is required either way?

The way the lady was talking made it seem as if things were about to change and i just couldn't find anything out there about it. I can live with my 2 examples above if I understand it correctly.

No. There are 2 different types of dining CC guarantees at WDW.

One is a credit card guarantee where nothing is charged unless you are a no show. This is what you will see at the signature restaurants and most character dining.

The second is a prepaid reservation which you will see at Hoop, Aloha and CRT. This must be prepaid using a CC if you are not on the DDP. If you are on the DDP you typically only have to give your credit card as a guarantee like in example one. However, there is much inconsistency in this policy. One day you will have to pay in full with the DDP, the next you will not.

The bottom line is you do not "need" the DDP. You will not be locked out of any dining by not having it.

Are you sure about that? For our trip in April, we do not have a DDP, but our reservations for Akershus, Mama Melroses, Boma, and Ohana required a CC to confirm reservation, but we were not charged for anything. The only one that I found that required a full prepayment was Cinderella's Royal Table. :shrug:

See the response above.

 

[real mad hatter]

Credit guards.

Yep,spot on.I Made three ADRS for July and CG at Contemporary was the only one they req credit card details.