ADR strategy

[oommggitskait]

So my ADR date is fast approaching (next Sunday!) and this is the first time in years I've planned a trip to WDW far enough in advance that I've been able to book ADRs 180 days out. It's the first time for my boyfriend with ADRs period, so he is of minimal assistance... aside from telling me what sounds yummy!

Being the organizational nutso that I am, we've picked out our top 5-6 restaurants, decided if we'd prefer lunch or dinner, and created a list of "back-ups".

What else should I do? What do you guys do? Is there a good "plan of attack"? Can we both be on seperate laptops booking ADRs under same room reservation? Is online better than the phone?
Holy moses I have a lot of questions, but any advice is appreciated!

 

[SpoonOfSugar]

I like doing it online, I think its just easier. One thing to do is think about which ones are going to fill up fastest. If you have Cinderella's Royal Table and Sci-Fi on your list for ADRs, Book CRT first!

 

[mickeysshoes]

When booking at 180 days out you should not run into not getting your first choice. You might not get the exact time but date should not be a problem. My plan is to start at 6am est with online and if i have any trouble then come 7 am i will call. As far as you both doing at the same time I dont think it will be a issue...but not 100% sure. Your plan sound great to me...good luck...BTW my date is the Sunday following yours!!! I am very excited and cant wait to set the alarm on a Saturday night!!!!

 

[plaz10]

I agree. Book Cinderella's Royal Table and Le Cellier first.

If you are booking ON your 180 day mark...you should be able to get everything else you need. But yes book your most important ones first!

I booked a few weeks after my 180 day mark and was still able to get everything I wanted but I wasn't looking for CRT or Le Cellier Dinner (But Lunch I did get!)

I wouldn't worry. You seem prepared! Good Luck!

 

[oommggitskait]

You guys are making me feel better about my crazy planning! I'm not sure if that's good or bad hahaha.

We actually aren't going to try for CRT of Le Cellier. I was more worried about Boma, Cali Grill etc. Sounds like if we are up and at 'em at 6am (which is totally the plan, can't wait for setting the alarm on saturday night either!) we should be good!

I'll try out the two laptops at the same time thing, just for fun to see if it works. The competativeness in me just can't help it! haah

 

[wm49rs]

Go online first, get the ADRs you can. Just make sure to keep track of the ADR numbers and the date/time of each. Any reservations you can't make online I would say then give WDW Dining a call and see if they can work some magic for you.

 

[mickeysshoes]

P.S......I take the time to print the screen thats gives me my ADR # and all the info. First open up word! Then once you get the screen with all the info on it center it on your screen and press the "PRINT SCREEN" key on the keyboard. Then go to word and copy it there and print!! Much easier...I think anyway then tring to write it all down.

 

[oommggitskait]

Go online first, get the ADRs you can. Just make sure to keep track of the ADR numbers and the date/time of each. Any reservations you can't make online I would say then give WDW Dining a call and see if they can work some magic for you.

Excellent idea thank you!

P.S......I take the time to print the screen thats gives me my ADR # and all the info. First open up word! Then once you get the screen with all the info on it center it on your screen and press the "PRINT SCREEN" key on the keyboard. Then go to word and copy it there and print!! Much easier...I think anyway then tring to write it all down.

Would have NEVER thought of this. I would have frantically been trying to write all the numbers down and keep moving. I will without a doubt be doing this.

 

[NYwdwfan]

I'll try out the two laptops at the same time thing, just for fun to see if it works. The competativeness in me just can't help it! haah

OK - admit it - how many of us are thinking of trying this the next time we make ADRs? Only on a WDW forum would someone obsessively plan "just for fun" (and have support from us fellow nuts on their strategy!!) :lol:

 

[ShadyLady]

i think you can do online an hour before the phone lines open. i got up EARLY on my 180 day mark - this is the first year i actually called ON the 180 day mark, and i did not have ANY problem getting any ADR - and we are on the deluxe plan DURING free dining, so i figure its a busy time.

relax - im sure you will be able to get any ADR you want! its an exciting time to be prepared @ the 180 day mark!

 

[Dwarful]

I think you have it under control. We didn't know for sure when we would be going. We were within the 120 mark and were still able to get all dining we wanted with our group of 10 and that included Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast (had 3 times available for our first date choice), Le Cellier - lunch, and the Luau dinner were some of the ones my sister-in-law really wanted to do and we were able to do all of those and our favorite Kona Cafe' without any problem. We just added one more to our group on Monday of this week and had no problems adding a discounted room or adding one more on to all of our dining plans. Good luck and I hope you get all the ones you really, really want!

 

[EvilQueen-T]

i do similar to you as well. i'm a planner so i eliminate my own stress by having a back up plan for each reservation (sometimes i even have two backups lol) and i start with ones i think will be hardest to get. usually i do mine online but have at times done mine via phone.

 

[WDW_Emily]

P.S......I take the time to print the screen thats gives me my ADR # and all the info. First open up word! Then once you get the screen with all the info on it center it on your screen and press the "PRINT SCREEN" key on the keyboard. Then go to word and copy it there and print!! Much easier...I think anyway then tring to write it all down.

Definitely do this! It also helps if the place doesn't get your info somehow then you have proof that you made an adr.

 

[oommggitskait]

I feel so much better about this, thanks everyone.
And I will report back on the dual computers experiment :lol:

 

[Zummi Gummi]

You should be totally fine, give you're not trying for something like Le Cellier or CRT. Based on what you said, I would secure Cali Grill first, especially if you want to be there during the fireworks (and I recommend that).

 

[oommggitskait]

You should be totally fine, give you're not trying for something like Le Cellier or CRT. Based on what you said, I would secure Cali Grill first, especially if you want to be there during the fireworks (and I recommend that).

I am going to try to be there for fireworks. Any insight into time frame for this? What is a good reservation time so we can be seated or out on the deck for the fireworks?

 

[momto2boy]

Would recommend online booking

If you are anything like me, as the time gets closer, I start to go crazy and change my plans. With online, it is super easy to change times, and location (of course based on availability). If you are not able to get a specific restaurant, try & try again. I was able to get LeCellier for lunch (still only one credit) for late March...I thought it could not be done!

 

[oommggitskait]

OK - admit it - how many of us are thinking of trying this the next time we make ADRs? Only on a WDW forum would someone obsessively plan "just for fun" (and have support from us fellow nuts on their strategy!!) :lol:

Got my ADR's this morning. And for the record.... the two computer trick worked! My laptop can be hit or miss anymore, so it was nice to have a back up. We wound up getting our ADR's in probably half the time. I recommend it !!

 

[ShadyLady]

I am going to try to be there for fireworks. Any insight into time frame for this? What is a good reservation time so we can be seated or out on the deck for the fireworks?

We made an 8:00 reservation & it worked out perfectly - except our kids literally fell asleep on the table before desert!