[bosoxx65]

With all the great Dining topics something crossed my mind. Let's say you target a list of restaurants to visit that need reservations and make them, but because it's so far in advance you change your mind or just aren't in the mood that day? I've read that some places charge you a cancellation fee. And more important, how easy would it be in September to just call the day of the visit for a reservation? September is supposed to be slower so does anything think it might work to call on the day of after we decide what we're both in the mood for?

The reason i ask is that Sandy and I have different tastes and don't always find things we both like on menu's. I don't want to force her anywhere she might not enjoy, but i'd also like the chance to get out of something at the last minute if one of us just didn't feel like it without incurring the wrath of the Disney Gods!!!

-Keith

[lovemysons]

If you are asked for a deposit when you make your dining reservation, then I believe you will lose your deposit if you wait until last minute to cancel. Other wise, no charges. But it would be common courtesy to call ahead and let them know you won't be keeping your adr, to give someone else a chance. We always wind up with a few adrs that we don't keep on our trips, but we do call and let them know as soon as we know we won't be keeping the reservation.

[alicefan]

I agree with Limsers and also.....my hubby and I change our minds a lot when we go. Call the actual resturant from your cell phone when you know what you want to do - do not talk to the dining reservation people. The resturant itself should be able to let you know right away if they can get you in. We have had lots of luck doing this.

[lovemysons]

Originally Posted by alicefan

I agree with Limsers and also.....my hubby and I change our minds a lot when we go. Call the actual resturant from your cell phone when you know what you want to do - do not talk to the dining reservation people. The resturant itself should be able to let you know right away if they can get you in. We have had lots of luck doing this.

Really??? I did not know this. Thanks for the tip!! It might come in handy in a few months.

[daisyd]

Originally Posted by bosoxx65

With all the great Dining topics something crossed my mind. Let's say you target a list of restaurants to visit that need reservations and make them, but because it's so far in advance you change your mind or just aren't in the mood that day? I've read that some places charge you a cancellation fee. And more important, how easy would it be in September to just call the day of the visit for a reservation? September is supposed to be slower so does anything think it might work to call on the day of after we decide what we're both in the mood for?

The reason i ask is that Sandy and I have different tastes and don't always find things we both like on menu's. I don't want to force her anywhere she might not enjoy, but i'd also like the chance to get out of something at the last minute if one of us just didn't feel like it without incurring the wrath of the Disney Gods!!!

-Keith

Keith, if your September dates run into the dates free dining was offered to UK residents and those that booked the 'bounce back' free dining/return program you may run into a jam as far as being able to get what you like on short notice simply because all of those people will be looking to spend their TS credits. So,worst case is that you end up sticking with the ADR you have planned

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by lovemysons

Really??? I did not know this. Thanks for the tip!! It might come in handy in a few months.

If it's really busy it might not always work but we have gotten lucky most of the time.

[Dana]

As long as your dining isn't a dinner show or one of the princess meals, you can just cancel at any time without penalty. If it is a dinner show, fantasmic package meal or one of the princess meals, you must cancel 48 hours in advance. I would not wait until the last mintue to make any ADR's in the month of september when they are more than likely going to have free dining. You will have a very hard time getting a table anywhere. Make the ADRs. If you change your mind, just cancel later. At least if you make some, you know you will have a table meal.

[dznygrl]

For Fall (with the chance of free dining) definitely make the ADRs, so you at least have something to fall back on.

I change my mind all the time though...no worries! Just let the restaurant know you're not going to make it; it's no big deal.

[beachlovers5]

Originally Posted by Dana

As long as your dining isn't a dinner show or one of the princess meals, you can just cancel at any time without penalty.

The California Grill DOES charge you if you don't show up-they have your credit card number when you reserve. It's some terrible fee too-but we went and the food was AWESOME!

[beachlovers5]

I think there's a 24 hr. cancellation policy too-but if you reserve there double check that.

[softychik]

If you are there in September then it might be hard to get a ressie because of free dining.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by beachlovers5

The California Grill DOES charge you if you don't show up-they have your credit card number when you reserve. It's some terrible fee too-but we went and the food was AWESOME!

I was no aware of that. I haven't ever been there. I would think anything that you have to give a credit card number for to book would require some kind of cancellation 48-24 hours ahead of time to avoid penalty.

Bottom line: Ask when you book what the cancellation policy is for each place you have to pay for or put a deposit down on and make sure you write it down for future reference. If you are giving out a credit card numer to secure the reservation or have to pay in full when you book, chances are you will get charged for no-shows.

[mickeymommy]

I just feel like I have to throw this out there. If you are really attached to a certain place, make an ADR, but you can play it by ear and have a great time. DH and I have never made ADRs, except for one character breakfast and have always left WDW having had plenty to eat! We just don't like planning what we do around where we're going to eat, but that's just us. Now, that being said, we haven't been since the dining plan/free dining plans started, so if/when we go again we will probably plan a couple of meals ahead. We also tend to eat in the middle of the afternoon, thus hitting slower times for most of the restaurants.

[bosoxx65]

Thanks everyone.. for all of your feedback. After re-reading my initial post i hope i didn't give anyone the wrong impression. IE: that i would make a bunch of reservations and just stiff the restaurants. It may have sounded like that. I just wanted to clarify that.

My main intention is to just play it by ear, make a few reservations ahead of time and try getting some the day of or a few days ahead of our arrival in September.

Everyone had great sugggestions. I think what i'm going to do is make a handy checklist complete with Restaurant Name, a few menu items, the date we've reserved for and their phone number and keep it in my wallet. That way i can just call them from my cell phone if we decide against going somewhere.

Thanks again everyone!
Great, great ideas.
-Keith

[hiner]

We've done that. On our last trip I had one ADR for each day, either breakfast or dinner. By about day 5 we had enough of the over eating and cancelled (Chef Mickey's-ok don't kill us for cancelling that one) without any problems. We wound up eating outside the world that night.