ADR cancellation policy

BranRan

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
I've used a DAS pass for a few years and have never had a problem getting where I need to go or do what I want to do. BUT I always have a nagging thought about my ADR's. I know you can't give me a definitive yes or no, but can you share experiences when you had to cancel an ADR due to medical reasons, outside of the normal cancellation window, and what the outcome was? THANK YOU SO MUCH!
 
I don't think the DAS has any bearing on ADRs and cancellations, as a DAS return-time doesn't expire so it can be used after the ADR. But I don't think that's what you are asking. If you have a medical issue arise that prevents you from arriving at your ADR on time, or need to cancel, I suggest calling the ADR line and explaining the situation. I don't have first-hand experience but have read others were not charged the cancellation fee due to illness. Also, if others in your party will still keep the ADR, there is no cancellation fee as long as someone shows up.

Enjoy your vacation!
 
I don't think the DAS has any bearing on ADRs and cancellations, as a DAS return-time doesn't expire so it can be used after the ADR. But I don't think that's what you are asking. If you have a medical issue arise that prevents you from arriving at your ADR on time, or need to cancel, I suggest calling the ADR line and explaining the situation. I don't have first-hand experience but have read others were not charged the cancellation fee due to illness. Also, if others in your party will still keep the ADR, there is no cancellation fee as long as someone shows up.

Enjoy your vacation!

Oh, I was mentioning my DAS just to lay the groundwork that I understood how the majority of the process operates.
It's just my husband and I so it's all of our party or nothing!
 
If you can not make an ADR Disney will charge you for missing it, ( just like everywhere else ) you can try to explain why and hope they will refund your money ( I have known some that they did not get charged and a few that were)

Can you do something to make or to have a better chance of making it. not knowing your medical problems but things like not making a lot of ADR, not doing too much the day you have your ADR, being in the area that your ADR is well before your ADR
 
One of my friends recently cancelled an ADR within the park and didn't get charged. It wasn't a medical reason, it was "because the people I am with are dumb." (it was a rocky start to a family trip and she was already done with them.) She just walked up to the podium and cancelled.

I think a lot depends on who you talk to when you cancel among other factors (how full it is, etc.) I'd expect to be charged for any of the character meals, but some of the other may have more leeway.
 
Another option is to reschedule your ADR for a later time or date during your trip. Rescheduling does not incur a cancellation fee.
 
If you can not make an ADR Disney will charge you for missing it, ( just like everywhere else ) you can try to explain why and hope they will refund your money ( I have known some that they did not get charged and a few that were)
Can you do something to make or to have a better chance of making it. not knowing your medical problems but things like not making a lot of ADR, not doing too much the day you have your ADR, being in the area that your ADR is well before your ADR

I don't have the majority of my large intestine which has its own complications, one of which is chronic pain, but sometimes I have pain that knocks me to my knees. It comes out of nowhere. Nothing I can do will predict or keep it from happening. My sense of hunger is also random so ADR's help build excitement and a distraction while I eat (hello Hoop Dee Doo!) Making solid plans for dinner also helps to keep me grounded. When you're sick, you look for any kind of control you can get.

I like the idea of just rescheduling for later. Will it let me reschedule after the cancellation window has passed?
 


Another option is to reschedule your ADR for a later time or date during your trip. Rescheduling does not incur a cancellation fee.

Is it a loophole if I reschedule for another day and then cancel THAT reservation, so I don't get charged?...
 
My last trip I got super bad motion sickness from Space Mountain, and had to cancel our reservation at Be Our Guest. I walked up to the podium to let them know, and we did not get charged the $10 per person fee.
 
Is it a loophole if I reschedule for another day and then cancel THAT reservation, so I don't get charged?...

It's kind of a loophole. We did that earlier this year (quite by accident) when I suffered a huge flare during our trip. My daughter rescheduled for the next day, and then we realized late that night that I wouldn't be going anywhere the next day, and so she cancelled that ADR plus another one for the next day that we had for lunch. We had, however rescheduled that more than 2 hours prior; not sure what would happen if you waited until right before the ADR was originally scheduled...

On another trip last year, we had to cancel an ADR at the last minute due to a family member who had a travel-induced upset tummy (about an hour before the appointed time) and I called the restaurant directly, explained that she was ill, and we would not be able to keep the ADR. I apologized, and told them that I hoped they could fill the table (it was Sci-Fi, I *knew* they could LOL) and she told me not to worry about the cancellation fee, that she hoped we could enjoy the rest of our stay at Disney World, and that was that.
 
I've always found, now I know that's not the case for everyone, Disney CM are a helpful understanding bunch of people, so if you do have a problem I would like to think they would try to help.

Although if you do get charged you could always think of it this way - as if it's just the two of you that would be a cancellation charge of $20 but considering how much a meal cost you actually saved money overall lol :rotfl:
 
I don't have the majority of my large intestine which has its own complications, one of which is chronic pain, but sometimes I have pain that knocks me to my knees. It comes out of nowhere. Nothing I can do will predict or keep it from happening. My sense of hunger is also random so ADR's help build excitement and a distraction while I eat (hello Hoop Dee Doo!) Making solid plans for dinner also helps to keep me grounded. When you're sick, you look for any kind of control you can get.

I like the idea of just rescheduling for later. Will it let me reschedule after the cancellation window has passed?
There are some QS places that I find cooler then table service. Like the pandora place. Not sure if you can reached after your windo has passed

Also Disney keeps a note on everything. If you miss one or two ADR then you might get away with a no charge but missing a lot you might not be so lucky Also I have heard you can show up late and still be settled you might wait a while
 
On our most recent trip, DS got sick with flu like symptoms. We ended up cancelling several ADRs within 24 hrs (actually right before the reservation time). I called and spoke with CMs who were very accommodating. In fact, each time they said they would waive the cancellation fee without me having to ask. If you need to miss one, just call and I bet you'll find them very helpful.
 
Disney has no problem accommodating real needs. Just let them know as soon as you can. They put the policies in place for people who are discourteous to others, not for people who are courteous enough to keep their sickness at bay from other people or take care of their personal health needs as they should.
 

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