Does anybody have any real info on how many people really don't show up for their ADRs?
I know, we see the posts from people on the restaurant board who boast about making multiple reservations, or say there's no need to cancel. But these are the "commandos". Is it really that many in the big picture?
I'm not sure the cc guarantee would make an appreciable difference. And if they also make it a hard reservation, the decrease in no-shows might be offset by the overall decrease in volume due to empty tables being held. They'd probably have to take fewer reservations overall.
I still think that in the big picture, it works better as is. Our experience has been that waiting 15-30 minutes is on the high side. Its ususally not that bad. Also, I'm sure margins will have to be maintained (if not increased). Since holding tables is going to decrease volume, prices will have to increase.
I'm just not sure that those who want the hard reservations for personal reasons are really thinking it all the way through. You very well might end up paying more with reservations being no easier to come by. The only benefit would be getting seated immediately.
From Disney's pov, they do the reservations as "first available" to keep the tables full, and this is a case where I think I agree that from both a customer service and resource utilization perspective, that makes the most sense.
Of course, that would exclude off-site guests and locals.
Wouldn't be the first time. But, yes, good point.
More importantly, it would make it a pain if a family with old kids, or an extended family tried to book two different locations for two different groups at the same time.
Also a good point.
I guess using booking numbers to solve the problem has quite a few challenges.