ADR & cancelling

[mapsd]

I'm assuming it's always best to make all ADR's as soon as possible.
Do need to have my lodging booked before I can make an ADR?
Will I be able to book 2 TS reservations at the same location (ie. a 5:00 and an 8:00 @ Ohana's) and then cancel one once I know my schedule?

Is there a central phone # you can call to cancel?
Can I cancel an ADR at the last minute (2 hrs notice)?
Penalty/fee for a no-show?

 

[Monty]

Disney dining has instituted a conflict system that will advise the reservations CM when you make multiple bookings for the same meal. So no, you can't [and shouldn't] book multiple ADRs for the same meal.

As far as booking in advance, you can book up to 180 days in advance. If you have a resort reservation, you can book for up to a ten-day stay 180 days from your check-in day, so having a reservation has some advantages, but isn't critical.

EDIT: sorry I missed some questions...

There are some ADRs for which you'll have to pre-pay using a credit card [or at least secure with a credit card if you're using the Dining Plan], when you book they'll tell you the cancellation policy [usually 48 hours for full refund]. If you've secured the ADR with a credit card, you'll either get no refund if you pre-paid or be charged if you're on the Dining Plan.

In North America you can call toll-free at Disney Reservations: 1-800-828-0228

 

[Tinkrbell]

We had made 3 ADRs last October & cancelled one of them before we left home. We ended up cancelling the other 2 the morning they were for before w left Pop Century.

 

[Deadmanwalking]

If your not using a dining plan you could always book your reservation for 5. and then let your spouse call and book one for 8. and get around the conflict. Because the reservations fill up so quickly at some place I've often booked multiple options simply because where I work you don't have 180 notice as to when you can get off.

Just do the rest of us a favor and cancel the one you wont be using early and not the day of.

 

[Heatherbell]

I don't think that Disney has the system in place that can tell whether you are booking a reservation for the same time you have a reservation. The only reason why i don't think so was because I made a few reservations at TS but then a few days later my husband and I were talking about eating somewhere else....so I figured I'd call and see if I could get the reservation BEFORE cancelling my other one (I didn't want to lose the one I had if I couldn't get it somewhere else and I fully intended on canceling if I booked another). So I called and made two other reservations on days that I already had a TS at the same time and they never said anything. I ended up canceling my other ones right then and there but nothing ever came up about me double booking. Anyhow, long story short...I don't think it is a very efficient system.

 

[LoriMistress]

If you're staying on property than you can make most of your ADRs at 180+10 days before your arrival. If you're staying off property than you would have to make them at exactly 180 days before your arrival. Some restaurants (like CRT, Victoria & Alberts, and some other restaurants at DTD you will have to book them exactly 180 day. Call 407-WDW-DINE call at exactly 7am (East Coast Time) to have more odds on getting the reservations you want without hassle. You can also call to cancel your reservations but there are a few restaurants (CRT for an example), that has some restrictions.

 

[cofloyd86]

does anyone know if i can upgrade to have the dining plan

 

[Monty]

does anyone know if i can upgrade to have the dining plan

You'd have to call whichever travel agent [or disney if you went direct] you booked with, but it can be added to a package. Depending on when you're going, it might be worth trying to book your ADRs before adding DDP. If you're looking at late August or September this year, you'll have a hard time getting ADRs now [that's the period that they offered free dining]. Most other times in the next 6 months you'll be able to get ADRs but maybe not exactly where or when you'd prefer. If you're planning for more than 6 months you can add DDP now without a problem, then call at the 180-day mark for ADRs and you'll be fairly sure to get what you want.

 

[CleveRocks]

does anyone know if i can upgrade to have the dining plan

Sure, if you want to pay for it, Disney will take your money. But there are some conditions. The only way to book it is as part of a package, a package called Magic Your Way Plus Dine. This means that in addition to paying for your room and paying for the Disney Dining Plan (for each person named on your room reservation), you must also buy at least a 1-day park ticket or each person named on your room reservation. Unless you are a DVC member staying on DVC points, there's no way to buy the DDP without buying a park ticket as part of the package.

Also, you must book the DDP in advance ... you can't book it when you check-in at your resort. That is one instance in which Disney WON'T take your money!

 

[CleveRocks]

To answer a different question, you don't need to have WDW resot reservations to make dining ADRs. They are completely separate things!

People who live in the area and are sleeping at home can make ADRs. People staying at the Nick Hotel can make ADRs. People driving from Key West to Jacksonville can make an ADR and stop off at a WDW restaurant on the way.

 

[Rob562]

I don't think that Disney has the system in place that can tell whether you are booking a reservation for the same time you have a reservation. The only reason why i don't think so was because I made a few reservations at TS but then a few days later my husband and I were talking about eating somewhere else....so I figured I'd call and see if I could get the reservation BEFORE cancelling my other one (I didn't want to lose the one I had if I couldn't get it somewhere else and I fully intended on canceling if I booked another). So I called and made two other reservations on days that I already had a TS at the same time and they never said anything. I ended up canceling my other ones right then and there but nothing ever came up about me double booking. Anyhow, long story short...I don't think it is a very efficient system.

From what I've heard/read, I don't think it's exactly an immediate conflict problem. Because as you pointed out, there *are* instances where you could have two ADRs for the same/similar times for a short while. (I've had to do that myself where you book the new ADR before cancelling the old one)
But I think every once in a while they run a "sweep" of all of the ADRs that weeds out the double (or more) bookings for ADRs.
I believe the hotel reservation system runs the same way in clearing out double bookings (especially room only reservations that have a 5-day cancellation policy) where only one is every intended to be used.

So if you *do* double-book your ADRs, you run the risk of having neither of them when you actually go to use them.

-Rob

 

[kurros]

The updated Dining Reservation System MontyMon is referring to doesn't roll out until later this year (unless there are some test setups already). And even then it will just make it easier for the booking cast member to see them and ask the guest for clarification, it doesn't outright disallow them. When guests mention they want to change restaurants/time/party mix it's standard procedure to complete the new reservation before actually canceling the original.

 

[Monty]

The updated Dining Reservation System MontyMon is referring to doesn't roll out until later this year (unless there are some test setups already). And even then it will just make it easier for the booking cast member to see them and ask the guest for clarification, it doesn't outright disallow them. When guests mention they want to change restaurants/time/party mix it's standard procedure to complete the new reservation before actually canceling the original.

Kybred72 here on WDWMagic posted recently that they had a Dining Reservations CM point out a conflicting ADR during a call. As you say, it may have been a test run of some sort.

 

[kurros]

Ooh thats good to hear. Maybe I'll have to bug my Resort Sales Field Manager about any new news

 

[disneydudette]

It is very easy to book multiple ADR reservations... too easy if you ask me.

Simply call, link one to your last name and your resort reservation number.
Call back, link another reservation to your phone number (different one used on your reservation, as in cell/work) and make the reservation under the same last name, or even a maiden name. Disney does NOT check IDs at the time of checking in for an ADR... you could easily put down a random last name with little to no issue. (Just remember it :animwink: )

Disney won't/can't catch it... especially if you use a different number than whats listed on your Reservation/in their system. I'm not sure of what policy their putting into effect.. but I'm glad there doing something about this. There are some people who can't even get a single ADR, while others have nearly a dozen booked, with the intention of using 6 or 7... if that.

 

[LuLaSue]

Sorry about this kinda sorta thread drift but....here we go again. IMHO nobody should be making double ADR's. It's simply not fair to other families! I don't get why people would do this :shrug: . I just booked ADR's for 11 people for the end of November and yes, I had to shuffle things around to accomodate the folks in my party but we got everything we wanted with patience and the help of some wonderful CM's without having to double book ADR's.

 

[shoppingnut]

I agree double booking is just plain wrong and prevents others from having a magical vacation.

 

[Deadmanwalking]

I agree double booking is just plain wrong and prevents others from having a magical vacation.

Of course it also allows some vacations to be magical when you go to the place the day you want to eat there and find that someone has cancelled.... I've even heard of people getting the Cindy Breakfast in the Castle because someone cancelled at the last minute. I bet their vacation was made more magical (until they tasted the food).

 

[Lindsy1052]

I don't think that Disney has the system in place that can tell whether you are booking a reservation for the same time you have a reservation. The only reason why i don't think so was because I made a few reservations at TS but then a few days later my husband and I were talking about eating somewhere else....so I figured I'd call and see if I could get the reservation BEFORE cancelling my other one (I didn't want to lose the one I had if I couldn't get it somewhere else and I fully intended on canceling if I booked another). So I called and made two other reservations on days that I already had a TS at the same time and they never said anything. I ended up canceling my other ones right then and there but nothing ever came up about me double booking. Anyhow, long story short...I don't think it is a very efficient system.

If you have 2 res's for the same day at the same time or close to it, the system picks it up after DRC closes and everything then downloads. You could run the risk of the system cancelling both res's and if the restaurant is sold out you may not get it back...

 

[Lindsy1052]

does anyone know if i can upgrade to have the dining plan

You cannot get the "dine" plan after you check in. It has to be done prior to arrival. Once there, your out of luck as the resorts have no way to upgrade your package.