Disney instituting Credit Card guarantee for ADRs after 10/26/2011

[DizneyRox]

The 24 hours is there to make this a revenue stream. Just canceling prior to the ADR is good enough to fill the seats, but that wouldn't add to profits.

A systematic solution to preventing multiple ADRs is the right answer, but again, that's just a cost. There's no financial incentive in doing that.

[Chic-a-pin]

I think this is a step in the right direction on Disney's part. Hopefully this will help bring back some of the quality that seems to have been lost along the way too!

[joonyer]

The 24 hours is there to make this a revenue stream. Just canceling prior to the ADR is good enough to fill the seats, but that wouldn't add to profits.

A systematic solution to preventing multiple ADRs is the right answer, but again, that's just a cost. There's no financial incentive in doing that.

Yes it's a "profit" for Disney, but human nature has demonstrated that if there is no penalty, there will be no change in behavior; that is without a penalty, most people will not be cancelling ADR's when they don't intend to show up. I agree that there should be a way to prevent multiple ADR bookings for the same time period. DIsney could use the penalty fees to pay for such a system upgrade.

[TinkerbellT421]

I might be comparing apples to oranges here BUT I work in a company where I schedule inspections based upon requirements of state law. Some people do not care or understand the responsibility and liability in this. Either way I schedule these inspections one month to two months in advance. I cannot even tell you how many people never show up for the appointment, which I have scheduled a two hour slot for and have two technicians sitting around waiting and you cannot just send them to the next appointment as those people were advised for a certain time and have done whatever they need to do to accomodate that time. Well, after no avail of reaching anyone, I have two technicians for two hours doing nothing waiting for the next thing because a customer who received a post card, email and multiple phone call confirmations decided to "blow it off". After you notice a "trend" in this behavior you have to hit them where it hurts. So we implemented a no-show charge policy. Yes, in unforseen circumstances where they call and say "I had to pick up my children from school" or even call the next day and say "I am so sorry I got in an accident and wasnt reachable at the time" THey do not get charged. But unfortunately we are in a society where people do not get it until it inconveniences THEM directly. Its almost like comparing it to a "tough love". And anytime we sent out a bill for the wasted time and effort, there were times where people called and complained and we would politely credit it and the customer got the hint.
And ironically they would never not show up again.

[faberj]

I have all my resis's booked for our trip in March, do I need to call and give them my card??? I don't want any of them canceled and I have a bunch of them at the places listed.

[Strmchsr]

I have all my resis's booked for our trip in March, do I need to call and give them my card??? I don't want any of them canceled and I have a bunch of them at the places listed.

This only applies to ADRs made or changed after Oct 26.

[Jared]

This is a very interesting development, and even after a couple days to ruminate I'm not exactly sure how I feel about the whole thing. Generally, I understand why Disney decided it needed to implement this policy, and I'm not convinced that it's solely a money grab. Maybe I'm not cynical enough, but I believe Disney acknowledged a flaw in its system and is making an effort to rectify it.

Ideally, it wouldn't have come to this, but average guests have proven they will not play honestly and fairness. Like all restrictive policies, it ends up hurting the honest folks out there. That's an unfortunate side effect.

Ultimately, though, I think the initial outcry may be a bit unfounded. I'm sure Disney will waive the fee in many situations, but perhaps the threat will serve as a deterrent.

[DizneyRox]

Probably not... There are ways around the system to book two or more ressies at the same time. This will only deter a few people. The abusers will still make multiples and will cancel them last minute (24 hours is still last minute considering they can be booked 6 months out). Walk ups may get a chance, but those that tried and failed to get their LeCellier at 5 months will have found something else and won't know of the opening' or may have a penalty for cancelling something else.

[Septbride2002]

I don't like it at all. Let me tell you why using my family as an example.

I have two small children and I try to remain extremely flexible on vacation - I book typically 2 sit down resturants a trip - sometimes 3. However things happen.

1. My 2 year old will decide not to nap. You can tell a child to lie down doesn't mean they will sleep. If my kid doesn't get a nap and I drag them into Le Celliers for our 6pm dining reservation that entire resturant is going to feel the brunt of his fury. Now under normal circumstances I would cancel the reservation that afternoon - but now I'm going to be charged $40.00 because my 2 year old decided to be stubborn?

2. People get sick. How many of us have woken up sick or with a sick child on our trips? I know I have! Now on top of being sick on vacation - I'm out $40.00.

3. Flights come in late. Our arrival day is usually one of the days we plan a sit down dinner. If my flight is delayed for whatever reason - I'm out $40.00.

4. Have you ever forgotten? Whoops! I know I have. Where suddenly you look down after waiting 45 minutes to see Buzz Lightyear only to realize you have an ADR planned that day.

5. Weather, Cars Breaking Down, Disney's own transportation not being reliable - we got stuck in Epcot once for 4 hours because there was a bomb scare on the busses. Missed an ADR at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I understand why the policy was put in place - truly I do. But are we really going to charge families for doing the right thing when their kids are melting down? sick? or God FORBID having a good time and racking up merchandise dollars in a store?

I really feel like I should write Disney a Thank You note. Because I doubt we will make any ADR's now. I'll take the $100 for the resturant trip and take my business off site or bring some groceries to the room to cook (we are DVC) for the $40.00 they would have charged me. Heck at this point I'm coming out ahead.

~Amanda

[Mousemates]

So in the last month or so we have seen monorail hours cut, the doors to the MK stores locked at closing, and new charges instituted for failing to show up for dining reservations....not exactly magical in my book.

[brivers222]

The only way i have found around this 24 hour penalty is to cut off my insane tweaking of Ressies for my december trip as of Oct 25th at 11:59pm....

If they have no card they have no way to charge me the fee

plus having this self mandated stopping point might just let me get my sanity back!!!!

[Mickey'sGirl]

I really feel like I should write Disney a Thank You note. Because I doubt we will make any ADR's now. I'll take the $100 for the resturant trip and take my business off site or bring some groceries to the room to cook (we are DVC) for the $40.00 they would have charged me. Heck at this point I'm coming out ahead.

~Amanda

Honestly, we make very few ADR's anymore, and we were able to score a couple of same day reservations when we wanted them during our August holiday. If committing to definite reservations with kids is an issue, do not despair!! We had very successful dining experiences!

[Joannelet]

They have to do something about the bookings because it has gotten completely out of hand. I know some of you are mad about this but it is really a dissapointing process when you canot get into a restaurant that you really want. Remember some people only get to go once in a lifetime and unfortunately people over booking because of whatever reason just isn't fair. Disney knows there will be exceptions to this rule but they are doing something about it finally and I applaud them. People out there abuse the system, ruin it for everyone else and something needs to be done about it.

[Disney Hungarian]

This policy was already in place for the Akershus restaurant. I booked the dinner back in August for a Sept. 24th ressie and had to provide my CC#. It was clear I would be charged $10 per person, if I was a no show. Disney also sent me 2 e-mails reminding me of the ADR at around the 48 hour mark, if I remember correctly.

[brivers222]

yeah the ones on my current ADRs that have a cancellation policy already are:

Akershus
California Grill
Cinderella's Table
HDDMR

So i made sure to not have those within 2 days of my Flights... because that is something that may be delayed giving flying in December.

[BrerGnat]

I wish they would just do away with ADRs altogether and make ALL the restaurants walk up, wait for a table.

[Mickey'sGirl]

I wish they would just do away with ADRs altogether and make ALL the restaurants walk up, wait for a table.

The best comment on here.

[Seasonscraps]

The 24 hours is there to make this a revenue stream. Just canceling prior to the ADR is good enough to fill the seats, but that wouldn't add to profits.

A systematic solution to preventing multiple ADRs is the right answer, but again, that's just a cost. There's no financial incentive in doing that.

I agree with this 100%.

I don't know how they can prevent people from making multiple ADRs unless they start limiting them to resort guests with confirmation numbers so they have unique code to track someone's entire vacation.

[crltkcagle]

I think its a good idea but don't they already have something like this established in order to prevent people from making multiple ADR's ? I know when I was booking my ADR's online it wouldn't allow me to double book anywhere. For example I had a reservation at Cape May on September 11th for 5:00 pm. I was searching for a table at Ohana's for the same time but didn't want to lose my Cape May reservation if I couldn't find a table at Ohana's. When I did find a table at Ohana's I booked it and a little window popped up and said I was already booked for that time and day at Cape May. It gave me the option to either cancel cape may and book Ohana's or vice versa. So I don't know if this new rule will help with the double booking thing. Hopefully it will get the wait time moving along quicker though.

[Joannelet]

I think its a good idea but don't they already have something like this established in order to prevent people from making multiple ADR's ? I know when I was booking my ADR's online it wouldn't allow me to double book anywhere. For example I had a reservation at Cape May on September 11th for 5:00 pm. I was searching for a table at Ohana's for the same time but didn't want to lose my Cape May reservation if I couldn't find a table at Ohana's. When I did find a table at Ohana's I booked it and a little window popped up and said I was already booked for that time and day at Cape May. It gave me the option to either cancel cape may and book Ohana's or vice versa. So I don't know if this new rule will help with the double booking thing. Hopefully it will get the wait time moving along quicker though.

No because people have already started cheating the system with the new one you mentioned in place. They are just using different accounts to book online with.