Online Reservation Times

[draybook]

Ok, so tomorrow is our 180 window beginning. I recently switched us from October 4-11th to September 20-27th. The lady on the phone said that I would be able to start making online reservations beginning right after midnight. I was under the impression that you had to wait until 6 or 7am EST. Can anyone clarify this?

 

[G00fyDad]

That's exactly what we did and are hoping for. It feels like we are waiting later this year to hear possible fall dates. I'm starting to get nervous. We've never gone without the free dining, so it would be a big change for our family. On a side note, (I trust your opinion as I usually agree with all your posts), what would be your pick between Pop, CBR or another moderate (not Riverside as we'll be doing that a lot when our 3rd kid is over 3)?

In the moderate category many people will tell you Riverside, but since you do not want that one try French Quarter. My Mod choice is CBR though. I love that place. Gorgeous! Pop is pretty awesome too. I am sort of torn right now. We only stay at values these days because we don't spend too awful much time at the resort so it doesn't really matter to us, but we stayed at Pop last time and loved it. However, this trip we are staying at the All Stars Movies since we have never stayed at that one before.


Oh, and as for the FreeDDP promo.... I doubt it will be released, but don't let that keep you from going. There are other discounts available that can still save you a bunch. Not quite as much as FreeDDP, but close. As I told Draybook, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

 

[draybook]

We've only stayed at Pop and French Quarter, so FQ wins by a landslide.

 

[KCheatle]

Having just been through this (we are going Sept 14-21), here's my experience:

(1) You begin online booking at 7 am EST
(2) You can call to book beginning at 8am EST (but I would recommend calling before that and waiting because there is a "line" to speak to a rep)
(3) The time slots offered online are not the only ones available. You can get different/more options through the phone booking.
(4) Online only gives you 180 days from that day (i.e., it does not allow you to book your entire trip). The lady I spoke with said this is a giltch they are trying to figure out in the system. But, in order to get the dining reserved for your entire trip at 180 days from your first day, you must call.
(5) Some of the restaurants time slots are still unavailable, even over the phone, until it is actually 180 days from the day you plan to dine (my example was The Hollywood Brown Derby - I had to wait until 180 days from the day I planned to eat to get my fantasmic dinner package at a decent time).

 

[G00fyDad]

Having just been through this (we are going Sept 14-21), here's my experience:

(1) You begin online booking at 7 am EST
(2) You can call to book beginning at 8am EST (but I would recommend calling before that and waiting because there is a "line" to speak to a rep)
(3) The time slots offered online are not the only ones available. You can get different/more options through the phone booking.
(4) Online only gives you 180 days from that day (i.e., it does not allow you to book your entire trip). The lady I spoke with said this is a giltch they are trying to figure out in the system. But, in order to get the dining reserved for your entire trip at 180 days from your first day, you must call.
(5) Some of the restaurants time slots are still unavailable, even over the phone, until it is actually 180 days from the day you plan to dine (my example was The Hollywood Brown Derby - I had to wait until 180 days from the day I planned to eat to get my fantasmic dinner package at a decent time).

Correction, Disney is EST and you can start online at 6am, and calling at 7am.

 

[GSP Guy]

I ended up calling. The online part is a joke now. It would bring up the 180 + 10 days on the calendar but it would show no availability for ANY of the days/times I tried. I spent 30 minutes on hold but I was able to get everything I wanted at the times I wanted, even BoG dinner on the 22nd.

Glad to hear it all worked out! Do you mind sharing your ADR lineup with us?

 

[KCheatle]

Correction, Disney is EST and you can start online at 6am, and calling at 7am.

Ahh!! Thanks for the correction I'm in CST, so I think I got that messed up

 

[G00fyDad]

Ahh!! Thanks for the correction I'm in CST, so I think I got that messed up

I never could keep it straight when I lived in Colorado (MST).

 

[draybook]

Glad to hear it all worked out! Do you mind sharing your ADR lineup with us?

Sure thing!

Rainforest Cafe-AK on the 21st at 6:30pm.
Be Our Guest on the 22nd at 6:10pm.
Sci-Fi Drive In on the 23rd at 12:10pm.
Crystal Palace on the 24th at 8:10am.
San Angel Inn on the 25th at 6:00pm.
Cinderella's Royal Table on the 26th at 8:05am.

 

[G00fyDad]

Sure thing!

Rainforest Cafe-AK on the 21st at 6:30pm.
Be Our Guest on the 22nd at 6:10pm.
Sci-Fi Drive In on the 23rd at 12:10pm.
Crystal Palace on the 24th at 8:10am.
San Angel Inn on the 25th at 6:00pm.
Cinderella's Royal Table on the 26th at 8:05am.

You better get in line for BoG right now.

 

[Luvmydisney]

Sure thing!

Rainforest Cafe-AK on the 21st at 6:30pm.
Be Our Guest on the 22nd at 6:10pm.
Sci-Fi Drive In on the 23rd at 12:10pm.
Crystal Palace on the 24th at 8:10am.
San Angel Inn on the 25th at 6:00pm.
Cinderella's Royal Table on the 26th at 8:05am.

I'm literally cracking up right now as we have 5 of the 6 same restaurants you chose. I told you we must think alike.

We've only stayed at Pop and French Quarter, so FQ wins by a landslide.

Thanks for the suggestion of French Quarter. I keep hearing great things about it, so this may be the year to give it a try!

 

[draybook]

French Quarter is not only a gorgeous resort, but it's the smallest moderate, so it's never crowded. Also, it has the wonderful water taxi to DtD, which we love!

 

[GSP Guy]

Sure thing!

Rainforest Cafe-AK on the 21st at 6:30pm.
Be Our Guest on the 22nd at 6:10pm.
Sci-Fi Drive In on the 23rd at 12:10pm.
Crystal Palace on the 24th at 8:10am.
San Angel Inn on the 25th at 6:00pm.
Cinderella's Royal Table on the 26th at 8:05am.

Thank you sir! I still have 42 days til I make ADRs but I have been monitoring other people's success with all these changes Disney is making so I at least know what to expect but so far it seems people on here are doing ok. Thank you again.