Changes to ADR Requirements

Until now at Walt Disney World, only a few select dining experiences (such as Cinderella's Royal Table) have required a credit card to hold your Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR). But with the prevalence of free dining, it has become harder and harder to get a dining reservation around the World--partly because those diners were grabbing ADRs right and left (trying to use up those credits!) with no consequences if they did not use said ADRs.

Disney recognizes the problem, and they've come up with a solution: beginning October 26, more restaurants will require a credit card to secure a dining reservation. And if you miss an ADR and fail to cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled meal, your card will be charged $10 per person in your party. Here's the list of restaurants/events requiring a credit card (the first four had previously required a credit card to secure an ADR):

• Cinderella’s Royal Table 


• Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show 


• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue 


• Mickey’s Backyard BBQ


• 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 


• Le Cellier 


• Narcoossee’s 


• ‘Ohana 


• Tusker House 


• The Hollywood Brown Derby 


• Victoria & Albert’s (will charge a $25 per person fee for no-shows)


• Yachtsman Steakhouse

Now, I know some people will see this as a major deal...a huge issue. Personally, as one who doesn't use the Disney Dining Plan, I see it as a necessary minor inconvenience that prevents guests from making a dozen ADRs for one day, simply so they can choose one at the last minute, preventing other guests from snagging those ADRs. I'm rather intentional about the ADRs that I make, so I've never made one that I didn't keep (however, I have made changes to get a more desirable time/day...well before our arrival). And it's worth it to me to take a minor risk of offering my card to secure my reservation if it means there will be more dining options available.

In addition to the 407-WDW-DINE number, Disney has set up a special number just for ADR cancellations, 407-WDW-CNCL. You can also cancel reservations at any Guest Relations or resort front desk.