"New" ADR policy - LOVE!

[Basket Mommy]

We just returned yesterday from a week in the World. I have to say, I LOVE the new dining policy that prevents people from making multiple ADRs for the same time.

I did make one TS ADR per night of our stay at our 180-day mark just so we'd have them. But, we went w/o the dining plan this time and that left some room for us to make extra plans while we were there. One more than one occasion we were able to secure ADRs on the SAME DAY for places we wanted to eat that night. On the 24th, we left MK and went to the GF to show the kids where we spent our honeymoon 16 years ago. While we were there we decided to check on availability at 1900 Park Fare for dinner. We thought we'd have to wait for sure, but we were seated immediately. I can't say that we would have been able to get into the more popular spots (like 'Ohana or Le Cellier) but we were pleasantly surprised at our luck getting the ADRs we got. That has not been possible for a long time, and believe me, we have tried!!

[Melanie]

Glad you had an easy time!

I agree, this new policy is working and I couldn't be more thankful! Long overdue, but glad it was finally done. We've had some great success as well.

[Mary Chase]

I'm with you on that one! I was hoping that the new policy would make it a little easier to get ADRs closer to the vacation. Wonder if the super popular places are still filling up as fast.

[sixshot19]

Great news, can't wait for our May trip.

[Melanie]

Wonder if the super popular places are still filling up as fast.

My experience is no, as we got Le Cellier dinner reservations for January in December.

[tarheelmjfan]

I'm with all of you. I think the new policy will benefit the average guest. It's about time they did something.

[Disney Hungarian]

I am still seeing availability at Le Cellier for both lunch and dinner seatings on my upcoming trip a week from today. I have not got one ADR planned and I am happy as a lark that I will find a place to eat when I want to eat on this trip. I am frankly fed up with all of the planning for ADRs.

[Dopey's Girl]

I'm loving it too! Got Le Cellier dinner for tomorrow about a week ago. Can't wait!

[buzznwoodysmom]

I just thought of something and maybe you guys will know the answer. Let's say I have Via Napoli booked in Epcot, but the day of we decide, for whatever reason, we want to eat Mexican instead. Let's say we are able to change our ADR from Via Napoli to La Hacienda while in the park. Would we be charged the fee for canceling within 24 hours? I bet we would, but was wondering if there is an offical policy on changed ADRs.

[Basket Mommy]

I just thought of something and maybe you guys will know the answer. Let's say I have Via Napoli booked in Epcot, but the day of we decide, for whatever reason, we want to eat Mexican instead. Let's say we are able to change our ADR from Via Napoli to La Hacienda while in the park. Would we be charged the fee for canceling within 24 hours? I bet we would, but was wondering if there is an offical policy on changed ADRs.

I think they only care if you don't show up w/o cancelling. I know they say 24 hours' notice, but I think if you cancel, rebook and then actually show up to the new ADR, there shouldn't be a problem. And, if you are charged, I think you could successfully argue that the charges be reversed. They're just trying to prevent no-shows and having to turn away walk-ups. If your ADR is cancelled and they know they can take a walk-up in your place, I think it should be fine.

[TinkerbellT421]

Love this new policy!!! We were able to call the morning we decided to do cape may and got in! we did try to change O'Hanas from Friday to Tuesday for the past month with no luck so after checking again while we were there with no openings except for 9:30's adjust stuck with our Friday reservation. We tried walking up to lecellier for anytime and were shut down miserably though

[Janmac]

I just thought of something and maybe you guys will know the answer. Let's say I have Via Napoli booked in Epcot, but the day of we decide, for whatever reason, we want to eat Mexican instead. Let's say we are able to change our ADR from Via Napoli to La Hacienda while in the park. Would we be charged the fee for canceling within 24 hours? I bet we would, but was wondering if there is an offical policy on changed ADRs.

The two restaurants used as examples here are not on the secured-with-a-credit-card-list.

If these two example restaurants were on the list, I am thinking that if you called at least mid-afternoon and asked for availability at La Hacienda, and then cancelled the Via Napoli that you would not be charged.

For most of the restaurants on the list, I'm thinking that the fee is charged to no shows that didn't call to cancel. Not sure what they'd do with reservations changes at the signature restaurants that were on the list already.

Jan

[tarheelmjfan]

I just thought of something and maybe you guys will know the answer. Let's say I have Via Napoli booked in Epcot, but the day of we decide, for whatever reason, we want to eat Mexican instead. Let's say we are able to change our ADR from Via Napoli to La Hacienda while in the park. Would we be charged the fee for canceling within 24 hours? I bet we would, but was wondering if there is an offical policy on changed ADRs.

As has been mentioned, these restaurants don't require a CC guarantee. However, from everything I've read, you would not be able to switch restaurants that are affected by the new policy without incurring a penalty.

I think they only care if you don't show up w/o cancelling. I know they say 24 hours' notice, but I think if you cancel, rebook and then actually show up to the new ADR, there shouldn't be a problem. And, if you are charged, I think you could successfully argue that the charges be reversed. They're just trying to prevent no-shows and having to turn away walk-ups. If your ADR is cancelled and they know they can take a walk-up in your place, I think it should be fine.

From everything I've read, this isn't the case. You must cancel by 10:00 pm two nights before your ADR to prevent being charged a penalty. (For example, if you have a 3:30 pm ADR on 1/31, you need to cancel by 10:00 pm on 1/29. This is when the dining line closes.) You need to cancel a full day ahead of your ADR. I agree this isn't 24 hrs., & is quite confusing. They need to do a better job of explaining exactly what the policy is online. This does appear to be the policy though.

I've read of one couple being charged, even though the man had to be taken to a medical clinic. They were staying at a WDW restaurant, & the call for the ambulance was made by a Disney CM. They knew they weren't making up an excuse to get out of paying the penalty. I'm sure they could fight it by going up the ladder, if they chose. If they were charged under those circumstances, I think they are serious about the cancellation window & will charge guests for not cancelling within the time frame they set.

My guess is they may become less rigid with the policy eventually. If they started out soft, people would take advantage making the policy totally ineffective. Unfortunately, a few will always ruin things for everyone. For now, there doesn't seem to be any leeway in the policy. Personally, I'm fine with that. I think the policy was necessary. If I there's a chance chance we may not make an ADR, I just won't make one. We'll take our chances as a walk-up.

[brivers222]

As has been mentioned, these restaurants don't require a CC guarantee. However, from everything I've read, you would not be able to switch restaurants that are affected by the new policy without incurring a penalty.



From everything I've read, this isn't the case. You must cancel by 10:00 pm two nights before your ADR to prevent being charged a penalty. (For example, if you have a 3:30 pm ADR on 1/31, you need to cancel by 10:00 pm on 1/29. This is when the dining line closes.) You need to cancel a full day ahead of your ADR. I agree this isn't 24 hrs., & is quite confusing. They need to do a better job of explaining exactly what the policy is online. This does appear to be the policy though.

I've read of one couple being charged, even though the man had to be taken to a medical clinic. They were staying at a WDW restaurant, & the call for the ambulance was made by a Disney CM. They knew they weren't making up an excuse to get out of paying the penalty. I'm sure they could fight it by going up the ladder, if they chose. If they were charged under those circumstances, I think they are serious about the cancellation window & will charge guests for not cancelling within the time frame they set.

My guess is they may become less rigid with the policy eventually. If they started out soft, people would take advantage making the policy totally ineffective. Unfortunately, a few will always ruin things for everyone. For now, there doesn't seem to be any leeway in the policy. Personally, I'm fine with that. I think the policy was necessary. If I there's a chance chance we may not make an ADR, I just won't make one. We'll take our chances as a walk-up.

In december we were talking to some people on the monorail to epcot and they told us that as long as you call Dining and switch your ADR there, you won't get charged a fee for switching. They said what happened was a member got sick and they didn't want to get charged a fee so they called dining and switched to a new ressie 2 days later. When they got back to the resort they simply cancelled the ADR (2 days away) and didn't get hit with a fee.

Now they also said they did actually switch from Ohana to 1900pf the day of and the CM on the phone at dining said since they are switching (or modifying) an ADR they wouldn't be hit with the $10 free.

it all came about because i was complaining how i wanted to book different restaurant because we were in a different park but I didn't want to get hit with the fee because it was for later that day

So just some food for thought

[tarheelmjfan]

That's interesting, & is the first time I've heard of anyone being able to do that. I guess we'll know for sure, when we start getting more reports from those who have tried.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

I'm loving it too! Got Le Cellier dinner for tomorrow about a week ago. Can't wait!

I've seen a few posts on LeCellier being available on short notice (or even at all) and possibly attributing it to the new ADR policy.

I'm thinking it might be more likely its because LeCellier is now a 2TS entitlement on the DDP (at least I think that's in effect now). I would think that has more to do with availability. While a good restaurant, it certainly doesn't merit 2TS.

[MstngDrvnDsnyLvr]

I think it depends on WHO you deal with. We had friends that decided to "test" the new policy. They not cancel til AFTER the 24 hr period. And switched ADRs. They were charged $20 ($10 per person) on their credit card statement. They called the powers that be to dispute the charges and after talking to a supervisor, it was told to them that the new policy is explained and that by making the credit card hold ADRs you are accepting the policy and therefor the charges were not removed.

Now, they were fine with the charges as they wanted to "test" the new policy and they found that it indeed was being enforced for their instance.

[badkitty]

So is it a bit disconcerting to anyone else that so many people have double-booked reservations in the past that popular choices are now showing availability with the new policy? Double-booking just never would occur to me since it seems so rude to other guests.

[Melanie]

So is it a bit disconcerting to anyone else that so many people have double-booked reservations in the past that popular choices are now showing availability with the new policy? Double-booking just never would occur to me since it seems so rude to other guests.

Oh, but unfortunately, we live in a selfish society.

[spinnerf]

Another satisfied diner! We too we able to get Le Cellier the day before, although I think it going from 1 to 2 credits coupled with the new reservation system is the reason.