No-Show Charges for all Table Service ADR's

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

I just heard that Disney is planning to expand the current $10/person cancellation charges for Table Service no-shows from the current list, to all TS ADR's.

Although I've always tried to cancel my ADR's as soon as I've realized I can't/won't use it, I guess there is still an issue with no-shows, and this will help, as well as make a bit of extra $$ for Disney. But, I also remember the morning when we woke up and realized that no one felt well enough to be going anywhere fast ... it would have been rotten to be charged $40 on top of everyone not feeling well.

[JerseyDad]

.....it's becoming the new theme at 'the world' ......"Pay to play ...and pay not to play".

[SBETigg]

I'm not loving that. We like to be more spontaneous. But on the other hand, this might free up more dining reservations and make it easier to enjoy our favorites without having to book so far in advance. People will be more hesitant to book 180 days out if they know it will cost them to cancel. The people who make it a habit to routinely overbook might change tactics.

[gerald72]

Is it a cancellation charge or a no-show charge?

[disneynarula]

UGH....

We always cancel our reservations if we aren't going to use them. However... we like to be able to change our minds the morning of or even a few hours before the ADR.

It's for this reason I never book at the places that require a deposit.

I long for the day you could walk in at most of the places. A Disney vacation is becoming too much work to plan.

[missymouseworld]

A Disney vacation is becoming too much work to plan.

I agree....

[MrPeetrie]

Last year, we unknowingly attended Epcot during its Food & Wine Festival's soft opening. We had ADRs at Flying Fish that night. Our DS (then 2) was sleeping in his stroller. My wife asked me to call and cancel our ressies (which weren't for another 90 minutes) and eat at Food & Wine instead of waking our son. The Cast Member did not charge us a cancelation fee, but not without resistance. Initially, she told us she'd have to charge us the cancelation fee because it was too close to our time and a sleeping child is not a good enough reason. After a few minutes, however, she changed her mind.


FYI: soft opening was terrific!

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

Is it a cancellation charge or a no-show charge?

I'm sorry for being confusing. From what I've heard, it will be a no-show charge, or if you cancel on the same day as the ADR.

[TheVBs]

I totally get why Disney implemented this, but I can see a lot of people getting charged for not making a meal due to circumstances beyond their control.

[faline]

It will make me even more inclined to make very few, if any, advance dining reservations and, instead, decide to make reservations (if available) on the fly.

There are times when I have canceled reservations I do not want to keep BUT I always to cancel. I remember the time we were staying at Wilderness Lodge and Gene had a cold. We had a reservation in either the Boardwalk area or Downtown Disney (I forget which) and we just did not feel like traveling there. We canceled just a few hours before the reservation and ate at Whispering Canyon instead. If we were to be charged for a same day cancellation, I would have felt forced to travel to that dining establishment.

Yup - I think dining on the fly is definitely in my future!

[BrerGnat]

Ok, never making an ADR again unless it's within hours of the meal. Our trips are WAY too prone to changes to have to deal with this.

[DonaldDuckUSA]

Ten dollars a person?!?

Initially, she told us she'd have to charge us the cancelation fee because it was too close to our time and a sleeping child is not a good enough reason.

That's terrible!!!! Completely unwelcoming! "No sorry, you must take your sleeping child out of his slumber so you can have dinner with us on the Boardwalk. Have a magical day!" That's the way to treat guests at a family destination resort!

We made ADRs on one trip and we said "never again," but I see how this could get frustrating. It's the lack of customer service in MrPeetrie's situation that would infuriate me.

[Dulcee]

If you have extenuating circumstances they usually work with you. We had to cancel two hours before an ADR and explained a party member was ill. We canceled and we were not charged.

[Scar]

As someone who never, or at least very rarely makes ADR's other than same day, I'm seeing this as a good thing. Should free up more same day/walk-up space.

[Opus X]

I agree 110% for charging a person a NO show.
Canceling a ressie wont cost anything, and that allows another person to take your place...
But, a no show? sorry. pay up.
We usually book 2 adr's...When we book we show up.
If something "comes up" thats not WDW's fault.
Its my responsibility to be there on time.
If not...10.00..no big deal.

[Opus X]

As someone who never, or at least very rarely makes ADR's other than same day, I'm seeing this as a good thing. Should free up more same day/walk-up space.

Agreed. There is a reason for this...alot of folks book ADR's, then pick and choose which ones to show up for.
We also, make alot of SAME day ADR...Just do it early in day and dont try to eat Supper at 6pm.
We will eat at like....730. and usually get it.

[Belle of the Ball 051411]

I guess I'm in the minority here and see this as a good thing. It will free up a lot of ADR's. Exceptions will be made for extenuating circumstances (i.e., someone is sick).

[Opus X]

If you have extenuating circumstances they usually work with you. We had to cancel two hours before an ADR and explained a party member was ill. We canceled and we were not charged.

Yep..

[Opus X]

I guess I'm in the minority here and see this as a good thing. It will free up a lot of ADR's. Exceptions will be made for extenuating circumstances (i.e., someone is sick).

You arent in the minority.
MOST folks understand and most folks have been wanting this for a long time.
A FEW folks always has an excuse for not showing up on time or at all...This will keep folks from making alot of ADR's intending on only using a few.

[Melanie]

You arent in the minority.
MOST folks understand and most folks have been wanting this for a long time.
A FEW folks always has an excuse for not showing up on time or at all...This will keep folks from making alot of ADR's intending on only using a few.

There are 2 sides to this...make no mistake. While it will be nice to have more availability day of (and probably when making 'advanced' ADRs), there are also many situations which arise, which are NOT excuses. Whether this is a good thing or not really depends on how it's handled by Disney when there is a legit reason for missing or canceling at the last minute. As has been relayed in this very thread, there have been mixed reactions from CMs.

But again, this is just another check in the box as to why a WDW vacation is becoming less and less desirable for me.