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.”
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.”
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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What are your thoughts on Disney’s policies? Let us know in the comments below.
I agree with the rule, but Disney can be understanding if you are cancelling for a serious situation, even if it is less than 2 hours. Last September we had a dinner reservation for six at Shiki-Sai in Epcot for 7:00pm, but three members of our party really started feeling ill (fever, congestion, etc.) around 6:00pm and we ended up going back to the room, so we called Disney dining and explained to them the situation and they were glad to accommodate us and allowed us to cancel the reservation without paying the cancellation fee. Ended up we all had COVID and didn’t know it until we tested when we returned home from Disney. It will just depend on the restaurant and the person you talk with and your situation.
I think the first comment is 100% correct. Unfortunately people out of greed are booking reservations at multiple times and at multiple locations. Then trying to cancel at the last minute when they decide.
Most people are not canceling their reservation because of an injury or illness its usually becasue they booked 17 all at once and are inconsiderate. If you are person who must plan every detail of your day then make a plan and stick to it. the window allows us non planners to snag a meal without having to plan a Disney trip a year in advance. I mean who does that? Wait don’t answer. Instead live more, be spontaneous!
I think you are wrong in disagreeing with the rule. What Disney should allow is for the reservation maker to provide proof of reason for cancelling for example: injury, ride issues, not sick as anyone can say they are sick). This would ensure that a truly responsible person would not be charged and the “nonchalant -oh I have something else I want to do person” pays the fee and learns to be responsible.