Changes to table service dining cancellation policy - credit card requirement expands

[wdwmagic]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Resorts/Wal...-the-requirment-of-credit-card-guarantees.htm

 

[janoimagine]

About time.

 

[Victoria]

Wow. I guess this was a long time coming. This move should definitely help with availability for those restaurants. That being said, I am glad I already made a bunch of ADRs and don't have to worry about getting charged if I forget to cancel an ADR I'm not gonna go to.

 

[rsoxguy]

Should I feel a sense guilty pleasure that this news makes me happy? Perhaps people will now feel the pain of their inconsiderate behavior.

 

[NewfieFan]

I'm ok with this! I have always canceled my ADRs in advance (only twice did I cancel right before b/c there was someone sick in the group).

Are some of those restaurants going (or have gone) signature or is Disney just calling them signature for the sake of the credit card guarantee? I don't recall Chef Mickey's, O'hana, etc. being signature!?!

 

[Disaddict]

They ought to do this with all table service places. I can't stand hearing about people booking three and four places because they cannot decide where they want to eat. Tough. Make a decision like the rest of us and free up some tables for those that want to walk up. :brick:

 

[Dwarful]

I'm ok with this! I have always canceled my ADRs in advance (only twice did I cancel right before b/c there was someone sick in the group).

Are some of those restaurants going (or have gone) signature or is Disney just calling them signature for the sake of the credit card guarantee? I don't recall Chef Mickey's, O'hana, etc. being signature!?!

I wondered the same thing....last time we ate at Chef Mickey's it def. wasn't signature!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I'm ok with this! I have always canceled my ADRs in advance (only twice did I cancel right before b/c there was someone sick in the group).

Are some of those restaurants going (or have gone) signature or is Disney just calling them signature for the sake of the credit card guarantee? I don't recall Chef Mickey's, O'hana, etc. being signature!?!

Based on all the official information on the dining plan for next year, only the current signatures will require 2 credits. It looks like they just called them this for this policy, but it shouldn't have an affect on credits or prices.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Can't say I didn't see this coming. It'll be interesting to see what impact it has.

As for calling those restaurants 'signature', gotta have a sense of humor there. Of the 2 signature-signature restaurants I've been to at WDW, I'd call neither even credit-card-guarantee signature. Just have yet to be wow'd and find one that's truly deserving of that label and the price to dine there.

 

[COProgressFan]

Due to abuse of the system, I unfortunately think this might be necessary.

However, I wish Disney would just allow for more walk ups to fill the places of the no-shows. They already likely have a pretty good calculation of how many people won't show up to their reservations, so they can certainly plan to allow an appropriate amount of walk ups for the day. This keeps tables full, and more casual visitors (folks who don't plan what they having for lunch 180 days out) happy.

The problem I see is the 24 hour cancellation policy. Plans can certainly change in that window. What if I wake up sick one morning and can't make it to a reservation later that night? Or get caught in a soaking Florida rain storm and would rather go back to my hotel than go to a dinner I reserved? As long as you notify that you won't be able to make it, this frees up your spot for another family and the table is likely to get filled anyway. It just seems a little bit harsh, considering there are many legitimate reasons a reservation might get cancelled in that time frame.

 

[NoChesterHester]

This definitely will change some habits. I have to admit, we have been lacsidasical about it on past trips. We would be across property and get tied up in doing something and think nothing of missing.

I understand the change and glad they made it. We will adjust accordingly.

 

[menamechris]

The problem I see is the 24 hour cancellation policy. Plans can certainly change in that window. What if I wake up sick one morning and can't make it to a reservation later that night? Or get caught in a soaking Florida rain storm and would rather go back to my hotel than go to a dinner I reserved? As long as you notify that you won't be able to make it, this frees up your spot for another family and the table is likely to get filled anyway. It just seems a little bit harsh, considering there are many legitimate reasons a reservation might get cancelled in that time frame.

This. And as someone who lives in Orlando, there have been plenty of days that I have made a reservation at Cape May's - and like you said, plans changed or something came up - and I went back and canceled the reservation the day of. Unfortunately, now it also guarantees that when a location is booked, there will be no last minute cancellations to be found on the reservation system. Why am I going to bother canceling if I am going to be charged anyways?

 

[steve2wdw]

While it may not help the system itself within the 24 hour window, it will surely help free up space for those that are wishy-washy with their ressies, as they will hopefully cancel those un-needed seatings further out. Being in the hospitality business, it has always irked me to hear of people that would make reservations (or worse yet, multiple reservations) and not bother to show up, or worse yet, not even call to cancel. Unlike merchandise that can be sold tomorrow if it wasn't sold today, restaurant reservations, room reservations, doctors appts, etc....can't be recouped. Once that time has passed; an empty table, empty room or a no-show Drs. appt, can't be made up....it's gone for good. I wish Disney would apply this policy to ALL it's restaurants, then guests might start taking some responsibility for their actions.

Sorry to rant....I'm just glad that something is being done!

 

[RSoxNo1]

Is 'Ohana a signature restaurant? If so, I'm not sure how you can actually save any money with the Dining Plan.

 

[TheBeatles]

This decision is good/bad.

I like that there is accountability, but it's only for signature dining, which the average visitor tends to ignore.

I can also see this frustrating Guests who have legitimate reasons to cancel day of.

However, you got to start somewhere.

 

[wdwmomof3]

While it may not help the system itself within the 24 hour window, it will surely help free up space for those that are wishy-washy with their ressies, as they will hopefully cancel those un-needed seatings further out. Being in the hospitality business, it has always irked me to hear of people that would make reservations (or worse yet, multiple reservations) and not bother to show up, or worse yet, not even call to cancel. Unlike merchandise that can be sold tomorrow if it wasn't sold today, restaurant reservations, room reservations, doctors appts, etc....can't be recouped. Once that time has passed; an empty table, empty room or a no-show Drs. appt, can't be made up....it's gone for good. I wish Disney would apply this policy to ALL it's restaurants, then guests might start taking some responsibility for their actions.

Sorry to rant....I'm just glad that something is being done!

You are right, and I am so glad that something is being done about it. I remember being in line somewhere at Disney a couple of months ago and I over heard someone say that they won't be able to make it to the 7:30 ADR but they would make it to the 8:30 one. I was thinking really?:zipit: I've heard about it, but I never thought I would really witness someone doing it.

I hope that this new policy works. It's a step in the right direction anyway. Thanks Disney!

 

[menamechris]

This decision is good/bad.

I like that there is accountability, but it's only for signature dining, which the average visitor tends to ignore.

I can also see this frustrating Guests who have legitimate reasons to cancel day of.

However, you got to start somewhere.

True. I wouldn't have such a sour taste in my mouth if it was simply if you did not show up or did not cancel. The buffets or character dining restaurants typically have people waiting at the restaurant with no reservation hoping to get in. There really is no loss of money for Disney from that standpoint. And with the exception of CA Grille (which has required a credit card guarantee for years) the other signature restaurants do not fill up their reservation spots unless it is a peak season (and even then you can usually get in somewhere if you are flexible with time). It may be me being cynical, but I think this is just a way for Disney to make an extra $10-50 every night. And they will make a ton of money every night from it. Otherwise, it would only apply to no shows - not to people who would make a concerted effort to cancel even within the 24 hour period.

 

[thehowiet]

I am happy to hear this and think they should do it with all table service restaurants. I totally understand and can see why some would complain about it, but I just think it's gotten to a point where this might be necessary.

 

[mickeysshoes]

For the most part I am ok with this change...but part of me is not. As you see much in life...some who take advantage of something make the rest of us pay in the end. Making ADR's 180 days in advance is hard and once we get there and the day play's out we are not always able to make it to our ADR for what ever reason. So now when this happens I cant call and cancel one ADR and see what is open to change to what works for us without being charged $10 per person. That really stinks....might there is expections to this rule change????

 

[devoy1701]

I think some people might get a rude awakening as they plan future trips! They're going to be sitting on the phone or at their computer making 3 or 4 ADRs for each day, ignore that little disclaimer, then see surprise charges on their bills.

I definitely hope this improves the dining situation at the parks.