Walt Disney World has announced some upcoming changes to current Advanced Dining Reservation policy. Beginning October 26, 2011, most character meal locations and all Signature Dining restaurants will require a credit card guarantee at time of booking, and all will carry a 24 hour cancellation policy. The following restaurants will now require the 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
- Hollywood & Vine
- Jiko – The Cooking Place
- Le Cellier Steakhouse
- Narcoossee’s
- ‘Ohana
- Tusker House Restaurant
- The Hollywood Brown Derby
- Yachtsman Steakhouse
- Victoria & Albert’s
Please note that if you cancel within 24 hours of your dining time, or do not show up, your credit card will be charged a $10 per person cancellation fee (Victoria & Albert’s is a $25 per person fee).
Several restaurants still require full pre-payment at the time of booking, unless you are participating in the Disney Dining plan, in which case, a credit card guarantee is required. These restaurants will carry a 24 hour cancellation policy, and the full amount of the meal will be charged if you cancel within 24 hours or do not dine.
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
- Mickey’s Backyard BBQ
Reservations can be cancelled at any Table Service restaurant podium, any Disney World resort front desk, concierge or guest relations, online at DisneyWorld.com/Dining or by calling the dining cancellation number 407-WDW-CNCL.
Jennifer says
October 12, 2011 at 8:41 amJust saw the new change to dinning reservations… what happens if I have already pre-booked some of those places for March? Do I have to call back with my credit card # or is it just for bookings not made after that deadline? Thanks, Jen
Keith says
October 12, 2011 at 8:44 amJennifer – This change only effects dining reservations made on October 26 or after, any pre-existing reservations fall under the old policy. You are just fine.
Patrick says
October 12, 2011 at 1:10 pmWe will be on the Free Dining Plan—Our reservations have already been made. Do we have to make any changes ????
Maria says
October 12, 2011 at 4:08 pmHello…what happens if we’re running late because of Disney Transportation delays. This past summer, we missed a reservation time because of the monorail going to Epcot broke down. We eventually got to the restaurant 2 hours later,and they told us that they considered it a lost reservation. We were on a dining plan. What would happen if this were to happen with the new cancellation policy? Is there a # to call to advise the restaurant that you’re running late on the day of the reservation? Thank you.
Keith says
October 12, 2011 at 6:53 pmPatrick – This new policy is only for new reservations made after October 26, any existing reservations, like yours, will not be effected.
Maria – Good question. You can always call 407-WDW-DINE to speek to Disney Dining. In a situation like yours, that would be my first call, they would be able to give you the number of the restaurant directly or be able to notify them of the problem.
Elizabeth says
October 13, 2011 at 12:42 pmKeith,
I’m so angry and frustrated with Disney. We have a reservation at AS Movies in January. I was concerned about our location and the noise level because my youngest is 1 will need a nap. This lady did more research than anyone I’ve ever had on the phone in the last 6 months! She said that I could save $500 if I switched to a 1 bed villa at Saratoga. She was checking a couple other resorts and asked to put me on hold. Instead of hold, I was transferred and I didn’t have her name. I have since gotten 3 different prices (none saving me money). I even spoke to a rude supervisor. Any suggestions about how to get someone nice to help and get the deal I was orginially quoted?
I was always told that Disney has the best customer service. In 6 months I can count on 1 hand how many people have truly helped me (I’m a first time DW visitor and have no clue what I’m getting into.)
Thanks!
Keith says
October 13, 2011 at 12:48 pmElizabeth – First suggestion, use a decent Disney only travel agent next time, you will be much happier. Disney employes aren’t there to help, they are there to book your trip. A travel agent will help you out and answer any questions you have.
Second, sounds like you got one of the pop-up deals when talking to the agent. Unfortunately, those can’t be replicated, they have to pop-up while talking to the agent. Kind of incentive to get you to move to a less popular resort.
I have never had a problem in the rooms at the value resorts with noise, only outside the rooms. I wouldn’t worry about it.
Alicia says
October 26, 2011 at 1:45 pmHello Keith, I love all your information. I h ave a question about the new dining policy and have read and been told different things. I wanted to know that if I make a reservation using the new policy (say for instance, breakfast at Ohana on March 3), and I reserve it for 8, but only 6 or 4 or us are able to come (I booked in advance with plans for family to join us, but will not know until the week of if they will be able to join us, If I make the reservation for 8, but only 4 show up, will I be charged for the additional 4 that did not come. Blogs I have read said that yes, You would be charged. I called 1-407-*W-Dine today and they said that you would not, as long as it wasn’t completely cancelled. Have you heard what is going on? Thanks!!!
Keith says
October 26, 2011 at 1:58 pmAlicia – My understanding of the policy is as Disney stated it, the fee is only charged if you are a no-show, meaning no one shows up. If only part of the group shows up, you will be just fine.
Ola says
February 22, 2016 at 12:30 pmHello and Thank You for all the info. If I’m at the park and let’s say I have an early dinner reservation at Tuckers. But we decide we would like to go later and there are reservation openings. Can I change the reservation by just changing the time and not be charged?
Keith says
February 23, 2016 at 12:42 pmOla – Yes, typically time changes like that will not incur any penalty as your reservation never cancels, just the information changes.