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

[brivers222]

Just saw this on facebook from another site....

looks like this is going to be interesting...

main resturants will require a 24hour cancellation or a $10 per guest on ressie fee will be charged to credit card on file.

i kinda like this idea... but i have come across several times where Disney online reservations can not find my records to post online so that I can cancel them. Makes me wonder just how many are floating around out there that I am un aware of because online doesn't list them...

[Strmchsr]

This policy won't be for all restaurants, but it will be for 1900 Park Fare, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Artist Point, California Grill, Cape May Café, Chef Mickey’s, Cítricos, The Crystal Palace, Flying Fish Café, The Garden Grill, Hollywood & Vine, Jiko – The Cooking Place, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Narcoossee’s, ‘Ohana, Tusker House Restaurant, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Victoria & Albert’s - $25 per person, Yachtsman Steakhouse.

I'm thrilled by this. I know some folks like to make multiple ADRs so they can have their pick later, but it's really not fair to book an ADR and then decide not to use it, which keeps someone else from getting in who might really have wanted to dine there. Hopefully this will help.

Oh, and if you can't see your reservations online, click on the right side the button that says "update reservations." They will usually bring them up for you. Sometimes it's a little glitch in the system that causes them to not all appear but that always fixes it for me.

[brivers222]

i am a fan of this too...

hopefully using that update will display all possible ressies... i don't want any surprises on my card lol

[AgentC]

I think this is an okay plan to prevent double (and triple) booking but I am wondering how it will be handled.

For example, I normally travel with my mom, my two kids and husband. If I know my mom isn't interested in a specific meal, I don't book it, but there have been times she decides at the last minute not to come. So, if I show up with 4 instead of 5, will I be charged $10 for her?

I also wonder if they are going to improve their mobile site to take the credit card info. I use my phone to book meals all the time. I often use it same day in the parks. The mobile site does not take credit card info and refers you to calling, so it appears if you want to book at any of these places you will have to call or use your computer. Just seems silly to not be able to book some of the most popular spots using the mobile site.

[c&d]

Hopefully this will open up more tables at the restaurants. I'm all for it.

[DizneyRox]

So... If you don't have a credit card, you're not able to make a reservation? There are TONS of people who don't have them. I don't understand it, but I know there are a lot.

And, they just take the number and hold it, or do they actually charge the card and you get a refund later. I know they charge HDD, and whatnot at the time of reservation, even though for the longest time they said they didn't.

People planning 180+ days in advance, I can see a lot of instances where the card used for the hold wouldn't be valid at the time of the reservation. For example, I don't get a replacement card for one that's expiring until like the month before. Many people change cards like their underwear to avoid fees, etc. This seems like it could be a nightmare...

Which is why I'm thinking they will charge up front, but then you have the whole problem with refunding money. That $10 guarantee actually turns out to be less than $10 to Disney once you take into account transaction fees, etc. But, as the customer, I want $10 back on my card, not $9.28... This could end up costing Disney money.

Interesting solution for sure...

[retiredfigment]

I am all for this, but hope they will be nice enough to make an exception for emergencies. For example, we missed a restaurant reservation once due to a flight delay.

[starryeyes21]

I guess I will be in the minority when I say that I don't like this policy. I think Disney should do a better job of making sure people aren't making mulitple reservations for the same day and time. I agree that it's not fair to allow people to do that, but I feel that this is the wrong way to go about fixing the problem.

Here's my question, what about people who are not trying to intentionally cheat the system? There are times when things come up and it is not possible to get to a reservation. For example, when my son was six months old my family had reservations for Ohana. On the way to the restaurant he had a diaper accident of unthinkable proportions. There was nothing to do but take him back to the room for a bath, missing the reservation. Under this new rule I would have been charged forty dollars for the adults that were unable to show up.

Just to me, this new rule seems to penalize those of us who have very small children. Life is slightly more unpredictable when your child is two as opposed to when your child is ten. I think that twenty four hours notice is crazy. My doctor doesn't even ask for that!

It just feels like Disney is picking my pocket again. Find a solution to the real problem, multiple reservations. Why add more stress to my vacations? Isn't it bad anough that I have to make reservations 180 days in advance in order to eat. Now, I have to worry about losing money if my family can not, legitimately, make it to a restaurant.

[Itchy]

So... If you don't have a credit card, you're not able to make a reservation? There are TONS of people who don't have them. I don't understand it, but I know there are a lot.

And, they just take the number and hold it, or do they actually charge the card and you get a refund later. I know they charge HDD, and whatnot at the time of reservation, even though for the longest time they said they didn't.

People planning 180+ days in advance, I can see a lot of instances where the card used for the hold wouldn't be valid at the time of the reservation. For example, I don't get a replacement card for one that's expiring until like the month before. Many people change cards like their underwear to avoid fees, etc. This seems like it could be a nightmare...

Which is why I'm thinking they will charge up front, but then you have the whole problem with refunding money. That $10 guarantee actually turns out to be less than $10 to Disney once you take into account transaction fees, etc. But, as the customer, I want $10 back on my card, not $9.28... This could end up costing Disney money.

Interesting solution for sure...

I know that recently when we booked Hoop Dee Doo review we forgot to tell them that we were on the dining plan and they charged my credit card. Once I called Disney Dining folks they reversed the charge on my credit card.

When I have booked Cali Grill in the past they never charged my credit card, they took it just in case of a no show. I am not sure what they would have charged per person in my party if we failed to show up.

My guess is if you are on the dining plan they will not charge you the full price up front.

[Strmchsr]

And, they just take the number and hold it, or do they actually charge the card and you get a refund later.

They only charge if you don't show up. No pre-charge.

Here's my question, what about people who are not trying to intentionally cheat the system? There are times when things come up and it is not possible to get to a reservation.

That concern is valid. And I had that happen last month during our visit. Mid-afternoon my son wasn't feeling well so we decided to skip the reservation and go back to the room. The solution was simple, though. I just called the WDW-Dine number and cancelled my reservation. Took about 30 seconds. I could have done it from my smartphone as well, but I had left it in the room. So, while it might be a little hassle, canceling the reservation if you can't make it is all it takes to prevent being charged and that will open up the spot for a walk-up. Also, this does not apply to all restaurants (see my list in the post above).

[McLiberal8]

I'm assuming if I already have ADRs at some of those restaurants for a January trip, I won't need to call them now and give them a CC number..?
Is this just for ADRs made from here on out?

[starryeyes21]

Strmchsr: While what you are saying is completely reasonable and what responsible people do when unable to make a reservation, as per the new dining policy one would have to give twenty-four hours notice in order to not be penalized. This gives no wiggle room for emergencies.

To me, sadly, it seems like a way to take money without providing a service. There is no way that Disney requires twenty four hours to re-book a reservation slot. People are constantly looking for walk up reservations. So, Disney double dips. They charge you ten dollars per person and then they give the table to someone else who just walked up to the podium. That person then pays for a full dinner. I'm not saying that it's not genius. I'm just saying it's not fair.

[Basket Mommy]

That concern is valid. And I had that happen last month during our visit. Mid-afternoon my son wasn't feeling well so we decided to skip the reservation and go back to the room. The solution was simple, though. I just called the WDW-Dine number and cancelled my reservation. Took about 30 seconds.

From what I read, there will be a 24-hour cancellation requirement. So, calling on the same day will still mean a charge. That totally stinks, because I have had to cancel ADRs on the same day due to illness on previous trips. I would raise holy heck if I had been charged. Do they want me to drag my vomiting child to the restaurant just so I can avoid being charged $60 (us plus 4 kids) for missing the reservation?!?

[Dave H]

I guess I will be in the minority when I say that I don't like this policy. I think Disney should do a better job of making sure people aren't making mulitple reservations for the same day and time. I agree that it's not fair to allow people to do that, but I feel that this is the wrong way to go about fixing the problem.

+1.

It should not be possible to book more than one ADR per meal slot (B,L,D) per day, except in specific circumstances which a call to Disney Dining could authorize. For example, people who want to eat "lunch" at 3:30pm and then the latest possible "dinner" - would technically be two dinners.

That's rare though, and simply not allowing multiple ADR's per slot would certainly solve some of the problems with booked-solid restaurants.

[Strmchsr]

From what I read, there will be a 24-hour cancellation requirement. So, calling on the same day will still mean a charge.

You're right. I went back and double-checked the press release. I'm guessing, however, that there will be some contingency plan for emergencies. Granted, that might open another loophole for abusing the system, but I don't think Disney wants the PR nightmare of people being charged $40+ because their child starts 2 hours before the ADR. I don't see any fine print in the release, but I'll definitely email Disney about it and see what their response is once they implement this.

[WDWhuny]

I would not mind paying $10 if I knew that when I arrived MY table would be ready. But, I don't truly have a reservation. Remember, Disney does not have dining reservations. (see info central) I will just get the first table available and as of right now Disney has over booked (its the system) and needs people to not show up. If everyone shows up the first two weeks of November when I will be there, they will be serving dinner all night long. I have had my reservations since July and have worked very, very hard to get them. I am with a group of 11 and we are eating at all of the listed restaurants. I also am dealing with an issue with Disney. On one night I have a reservation listed at O'hana and 1990 Park Fare. I have tried and tried to cancel the 1900 Park Fare reservation but they cannot get it off of my reservations. I have tried canceling myself and it will not cancel. They have assured me it is not a problem. Today, it is really looking like an expensive problem!

[Ms. Mode]

I like it! One ressie per meal should be enough, even in the planning stage.

[disneyfan328]

I am curious - I booked an ADR for 1900 Park fare and I did not give a cc (for a January 2012 ADR) so how does that work? should I have given a card? they didn't ask for one so I knew nothing about it......

[Strmchsr]

I am curious - I booked an ADR for 1900 Park fare and I did not give a cc (for a January 2012 ADR) so how does that work? should I have given a card? they didn't ask for one so I knew nothing about it......

I believe this policy is only for ADRs made on or after Oct 26. I am assuming it will not apply to ADRs already made.

[amy853]

Strmchsr: where did you see this press release? I've been looking for it online and can't find it. Thanks!