Disney World now offers more time to cancel dining reservations without penalty

Disney is modifying its Walt Disney World restaurant cancellation policy to offer more flexibility when dining plans change.

Disney used to require day-before cancellation notice to avoid a $10 per person penalty

Guests can now cancel most dining reservations at Walt Disney World up to two hours before the booking without incurring a penalty. Before this change, guests had to cancel a reservation the day before to avoid a $10 per person cancellation fee.

This new dining cancellation policy does not apply to Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Victoria & Albert’s and Monsieur Paul. Each of these venues have their own dining cancellation policies that remain as is. Check with your dining reservation confirmation email for details of any specific restaurant policies.

Most Disney World restaurants now have the following cancellation policy:

There is a 2 hour cancellation policy. You must cancel at least 2 hours prior to the dining reservation time to avoid a $10 per person cancellation fee. If you fail to cancel at least 2 hours prior, or if you no-show, the credit card provided at the time of reservation will be charged $10 per person.

Your credit card will automatically be charged if you no-show or if you fail to cancel at least 2 hours prior to the dining reservation time.

Disney's late-notice cancellation penalty was introduced in 2011 to improve restaurant availability as demand increased

Disney introduced the cancellation penalty at table service dining back in October 2011 when it began to enforce a $10 per person penalty for failing to provide 'day before' notice of reservation cancellation. Before the cancellation fee, some guests were booking multiple restaurants at the same arrival time, reducing availability for other guests and reducing Disney's income from the restaurants.