I Didn’t Think I Could Hate This Disney Rule Any More…Until This Happened

There are plenty of rules when it comes to a Walt Disney World vacation. Whether official policies or unwritten “rules”, guests following these guidelines generally have a better time at the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”

Magic Kingdom

However, there are some Disney rules that… bother us more than others. In fact, there’s one we downright HATE, or at least hate in its current form, and it all has to do with dining reservations.

Currently, Advance Dining Reservations can be booked by Walt Disney World hotel guests starting 60 days in advance of their arrival for the entire length of their stay (for up to 10-nights) beginning at 6 AM EST. Other guests can make reservations starting 60 days in advance of their visit at 6 AM.

However, our issue is with the resort’s cancellation and modification policy. According to Disney, “Restaurants offering advance reservations do not allow modifications within 2 hours of the reservation time, and most charge a $10 per-person fee to cancel within 2 hours of the reservation time, or if you don’t show up for your reservation.”

“Be Our Guest… as long as you don’t try and modify too late”

NOTE: Some Disney restaurants feature unique cancellation policies and fees. These include:

Cinderella’s Royal Table: Full cost of the experience (per person) unless canceled at least 2 hours prior to reservation time.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue: Full cost of the experience (per person) unless canceled at least 1 day prior to reservation time.
Sangria University: Full cost of the experience (per person), unless canceled at least 1 day prior to reservation time.
La Cava Experience: $50 (per person), unless cancedl at least 1 day prior to reservation time.
Monsieur Paul: $100 (per person), unless canceled at least 3 days prior to reservation time.
Victoria & Albert’s: $100 (per person), unless canceled at least 5 days prior to reservation time.
Takumi-Tei : $100 (per person), unless canceled at least 2 days prior to reservation time.
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Pre-Party: Full cost of the experience (per person) unless canceled at least 1 day prior to reservation time.
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Post-Party: Full cost of the experience (per person)
unless canceled at least 1 day prior to reservation time.
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Seats & Sweets: Full cost of the experience (per person) unless canceled at least 1 day prior to reservation time.
Rose & Crown Fireworks Dining Package: Full cost of the experience (per person) unless canceled at least 1 day prior to reservation time.
Spice Road Table Fireworks Dining Package: Full cost of the experience (per person) unless canceled at least 1 day prior to reservation time.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

In addition, the following restaurants and experiences don’t allow modifications:

Cinderella’s Royal Table
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Pre-Party
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Post-Party
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Seats & Sweets
Rose & Crown Fireworks Dining Package
Spice Road Table Fireworks Dining Package
Celebration at the Top – Sip, Savor, Sparkle
Top of the World Lounge – multiple products

Top of the World Lounge

Beyond even those caveats, this rule still drives us a bit batty. It’s not so much the rule in concept, its existence makes sense, but the limit that cancellations/modifications can’t be made any sooner than 2 hours prior to reservation time just seems like a wee bit much.

Le Cellier

After all, many things can happen during a day at Disney World theme park, including but not limited to weather-related delays, members of a party falling ill, injury, and ride delays, all of which can easily require a modification or cancellation of a reservation within 120 minutes. We think the window to cancel or modify a reservation shrinking to perhaps 60 minutes or even 30 minutes would improve the rule, while still keeping the spirit of it intact.

50’s Prime Time Cafe

While we understand why Disney has a rule on canceling or modifying dining, we think it could stand to be changed. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Disney’s rules and procedures.