Disney Require a Credit Card Guarantee for Signature Dining & some Character Meals at WDW Resorts

[Wendy]

Walt Disney World Resorts are starting a new policy effective October 26, 2011, that will require a credit card guarantee for new reservations at Signature Dining and most Character Dining locations.

Cancellations to reservations made less than one day in advance will incur a $10 charge per person listed on the reservation, with the exception of Victoria and Alberts where there will be a $25 charge per person.

A new phone number specifically to cancel dining reservations, 407-WDW-CNCL (407 939 2625) has been added for guest convenience.

The following locations will require the new credit card guarantee:

• 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
  
  
• The Hollywood Brown Derby
  
  
• Hollywood & Vine
  
  
• Jiko – The Cooking Place
  
  
• Le Cellier Steakhouse
  
  
• Narcoossee’s
  
  
• ‘Ohana
  
  
• Tusker House Restaurant
  
  
• Victoria & Albert’s – $25 per person
  
  
• Yachtsman Steakhouse

[Wendy]

Good news as far as I can see hopefully it will mean that there will be more of a chance to get a table by just arriving at the restaurant and asking the hostess

[Tink]

Let's hope so! However, there are any number of folks who don't use credit cards so I wonder what that will do to things?

[Slowhand]

That`s a great idea, they should have adopted that policy ages ago to deter folks making ADR`s and then not even having the courtesy to cancel if they fail to show up thus making it hard to get a table in many cases.

[Kate]

We dont use credit cards

Not that i have any plans in the near future to go to any of those anyway so it doesnt really matter, but thats not the point im trying to make!

[Tink]

Yep, Kate. That's what I mean. Not everyone does use credit cards.

Also, sometimes there are true emergencies and someone may have to cancel and would then potentially incur a charge.

I guess I'm ok with (as if it makes a difference to Disney what I think! ) with initial charging, but not with the cancellation fees (unless one simply doesn't show up).

I guess Disney must be at a place now where it won't matter about the bookings they won't get...

[uscwest]

Well this may certainly halt the double and triple booking problem. In addition to CCs I understand they will also take a debit card as a hold.,

[Mari]

while making ADRs this time around I had to put my cc details for Cindys and Mickeys BBQ (totally expected) and for Akerhus (unexpected!)

[Johnie]

I find it hard to believe that people going to WDW don't have a debit card that they could use. I also imagine if there were a true emergency and people did a no show then Disney would waive the cancellation fee.

I also imagine someone could buy of those prepaid Visa cards and use that.

[Tink]

There are any number of people I know who do not use debit or credit cards. Some of them for political choice reasons, others for a variety of other reasons.

The prepaid cards are notorious for malfunctioning. I've had terrible experiences with them.

Some 'insider' info. One guest was tracked through the ADR system to reveal that the guest had made SEVENTY TWO ADRs for ONE day! Now, that's a reason to step in and change things, clearly.

A high ranking official (who will remain nameless) reportedly hates the DDP and can't wait to get rid of it. The official reportedly stated that WDW is LOSING money on the program and that it's done more to bring down the quality of food and service than any other "mistake" implemented by Disney! (Hey, I coulda' told him that)!

I understand that something needed to be done. However, canceling DDP would have been the preferable choice. That would have reduced the demand on an overloaded system, and exponentially decreased the problem.