Newbie with questions!!!

[MRoth11]

Hello! I am hoping you all could help me with a few newbie questions. We plan to go this fall 5d/4n and stay on the resort and reserve our vacation with a dining plan and prepaid tix:
1. Do I have to pay the full amount when reserving or is there a way to put a deposit down and make payments?

2. Is there an advantage to holding out to book the vacation package (better deals closer to the time) or do I run the risk of not getting the property I want?

3. Please confirm, I can book dining reservations WITHOUT first having booked the vacation package.

4. How impossible is it to get a reservation at Cinderella's Royal table 180 days in advance?

5. Related to #4, what time do the reservations open up and what time zone? Do I have to call or can I book online?

6. When will information (dates) for Mickeys No So Scary Halloween Party be released?

*I'm sure I'll have more questions, thank you for answering those now!*

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

1. Do I have to pay the full amount when reserving or is there a way to put a deposit down and make payments?

No, you pay a deposit and pay off the rest as and when - details will be sent with your booking

2. Is there an advantage to holding out to book the vacation package (better deals closer to the time) or do I run the risk of not getting the property I want?

Book when you can - if a better deal becomes available you can always cancel your first booking

3. Please confirm, I can book dining reservations WITHOUT first having booked the vacation package.

ANYONE can make an ADR at 180 days - you don't need any kind of Disney reservation (hotel or tickets - although you will need park tickets to access a park dining reservation)

4. How impossible is it to get a reservation at Cinderella's Royal table 180 days in advance?

Somebody has to be fortunate to get them

5. Related to #4, what time do the reservations open up and what time zone? Do I have to call or can I book online?

I think its 8am Eastern for phone bookings and an hour earlier online

 

[Horizons '83]

Hello! I am hoping you all could help me with a few newbie questions. We plan to go this fall 5d/4n and stay on the resort and reserve our vacation with a dining plan and prepaid tix:
1. Do I have to pay the full amount when reserving or is there a way to put a deposit down and make payments?

2. Is there an advantage to holding out to book the vacation package (better deals closer to the time) or do I run the risk of not getting the property I want?

3. Please confirm, I can book dining reservations WITHOUT first having booked the vacation package.

4. How impossible is it to get a reservation at Cinderella's Royal table 180 days in advance?

5. Related to #4, what time do the reservations open up and what time zone? Do I have to call or can I book online?

6. When will information (dates) for Mickeys No So Scary Halloween Party be released?

*I'm sure I'll have more questions, thank you for answering those now!*

Hi There!
1. If you are booking a package with Disney, you will have to pay $200 up front and pay the full balance 30 days prior to your arrival. In between you can make payments in any increments you wish. The $200 is NON-REFUNDABLE, please keep in mind.
2. This one is a crap shoot IMO, when are you planing your trip?
3. Yes
4. Cinderella's hasn't that difficult to get for me personally but others do seem to have trouble getting this rez. Example, we are going to MK on the 23rd of January and there are currently tables available. Its pricey though.
5. Everything opens up on Eastern Time Zone 180 days out. The most success I have had is booking the day of the 180 days out or a few weeks before your arrival due to people cancelling etc.
6. I believe they released the dates in February of this year and tickets went on sale in April.

Hope this helps!

TJ

 

[MRoth11]

Thank you. We are looking at October. For Mickeys not so scary Halloween party, I know they clear out the park and then readmit those with tickets. Do you have to have paid MK admission that day too or is the Halloween party ticket sufficient for entry during party times?

 

[YozhikRoth]

1) Disney requires a deposit, with the balance due 30 days before arrival.
2) There is such variety in on-site properties that IMO there is no great reason to play games. You can get a perfect room at any of the price points. I've stayed at the All-Star Sports, Movies, Pop Century, CBR and Contemporary and loved them all. Hold out for the best possible deals.
3) Others can confirm, but I believe you can only book dining reservations a certain time out with an active reservation
4) Be Our Guest has really tempered the demand for Cinderella, I was able to get a reservation for Cindy in October for my President's Week trip. If you're going at a less crowded time, it shouldn't be an issue.
5) Absolute easiest way to book is through MDE, I was able to book all my dining without any issues. I believe 8am EST is the time the reservations open up.
6) Disney operators will best help you with this one.

 

[MRoth11]

1) Disney requires a deposit, with the balance due 30 days before arrival.
2) There is such variety in on-site properties that IMO there is no great reason to play games. You can get a perfect room at any of the price points. I've stayed at the All-Star Sports, Movies, Pop Century, CBR and Contemporary and loved them all. Hold out for the best possible deals.
3) Others can confirm, but I believe you can only book dining reservations a certain time out with an active reservation
4) Be Our Guest has really tempered the demand for Cinderella, I was able to get a reservation for Cindy in October for my President's Week trip. If you're going at a less crowded time, it shouldn't be an issue.
5) Absolute easiest way to book is through MDE, I was able to book all my dining without any issues. I believe 8am EST is the time the reservations open up.
6) Disney operators will best help you with this one.

I'm sorry I looked for acronym help but can't find it. What us MDE?

 

[YozhikRoth]

My Disney Experience, the online/mobile planning tool

 

[MRoth11]

Thank you!! I'm so excited and such a planner this is very intriguing to me!

 

[Horizons '83]

Thank you. We are looking at October. For Mickeys not so scary Halloween party, I know they clear out the park and then readmit those with tickets. Do you have to have paid MK admission that day too or is the Halloween party ticket sufficient for entry during party times?

No you don't need both MK admission and Mickey's Halloween passes. You CAN do both if you want the full day there or just opt for Mickey's Halloween. They usually let you in by 4 - 4:30PM and MK typically closes around 12AM.

 

[sxeensweet]

I can answer one thing for certain dining reservations open up at 6am eastern online and 7am eastern on the phone on your 180th day.