Out of luck without 180 day ADR?

[GoofyDan]

We're busily planning our very first trip to the World for this fall. We're going to get in on the free DDP, but we haven't finalized our reservations and I'm getting nervous about making ADRs.

We're about 120 days out right now. Are we too late to get at least a few choice reservations? I realize I won't know until I start calling, but does anybody have a feel? I'd hate to lose those table service credits!

We have absolutely no dining preferences as of yet -- other than we'd like to go to the Spirit of Aloha show at the Poly.

 

[mynonnie]

We are going in August and I've been making ADR this week without any trouble. I was even able to book breakfast at the Castle.

 

[figmentmom]

Get on the phone and start making those ADR's! And - if at first you don't succeed, remember that vacation plans change every day. If you don't get the ones you want right away, try again in a few days. Persistence pays!

 

[disneyfankev]

you could use 2 credits on hoop dee doo

 

[progroupie]

I don't think you'll have any problem, I've been able to get walk-in reservations at a few places in the middle of summer.

 

[Iknewagirlnamed]

I believe it depends on what time of year you're going. For example, making an ADR for Christmas Day would be extremely more difficult VS in January. Figure out where you want to go. Make the ADRs ASAP. Be flexible.

 

[elizs77]

Go ahead and call right now! I usually end up calling 5 or more times as the trip gets closer trying to make changes, so just go ahead and get some nailed down.

I called in February for May ADRs, and I was easily able to make changes up to a month prior to leaving.

 

[KingStefan]

If you're 120 days out, then you are going in Sep, right? That's a slow season, but high for restaurants because of the free dining incentive.

I've never tried to book or dine during free dining, but I hear that it's best to book way ahead of time, so I'd take the advice of others who have said call now.

On the other hand, how picky are you? The most popular times at the most popular restaurants will be booked, but early or late times, or times right between lunch and dinner should be available sometime during your vacation at all but the very most popular places, and even those you may get into if you are flexible on your days and times.

First figure out which parks you really want to be in at different times during the week. Try to have first and second or even third choices where possible. Then call and start planning!

The rep on the phone will be very friendly and helpful, and even have suggestions. As with anything else, there are some that are better than others, so if you don't get along with the person you get the first time, then simply politely say you'll have to do a little more thinking and planning and hang up and call back.

But don't wait. At least you'll have something. You can always change later. But you'll have more choices the earlier you call.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I've just been reading The Unofficial Guide and they say that you're usually ok making ADRs between 60 - 90 days out (depending on season)

 

[KingStefan]

I've just been reading The Unofficial Guide and they say that you're usually ok making ADRs between 60 - 90 days out (depending on season)

Which UG do you have? I have 2007, and it says 3-5 weeks. I think 60-90 is more accurate, if not more.

Also it notes CRT breakfast and lunch, HDDR, and V&As as exceptions. I'd add to that list Le Cellier, Akershus lunch, Brown Derby, and Spirit of Aloha (unless you want to sit way in the back). Also, some more popular restaurants if you're picky about the day and the time of day you eat: Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern. And Cali grill during fireworks.

 

[PotteryGal]

We decided to add the DDP to our June vacation at the very last moment (45 days out), and were able to book two more TS restaurants without any trouble. I would imagine it all depends on where you book. :shrug: We had already booked others, but I know we didn't book as far out as 180 days.

 

[polynesiangirl]

Maybe I just keep getting extremely lucky, but I just made a reservation today for about two weeks from now and still got exactly what I wanted. Now, granted, I'm only making reservations for two people, not a big group, but I wouldn't worry too much. Still, if you have the time now you might as well start making ADRs, knowing you can always cancel stuff if you change your mind. Good luck!

 

[KingStefan]

Maybe I just keep getting extremely lucky, but I just made a reservation today for about two weeks from now and still got exactly what I wanted. Now, granted, I'm only making reservations for two people, not a big group, but I wouldn't worry too much. Still, if you have the time now you might as well start making ADRs, knowing you can always cancel stuff if you change your mind. Good luck!

Wow, that's great! Congratulations! I'm happy for you.

How lucky you were depends on the restaurant and the time and day you wanted. If you wanted Le Cellier on 27 May at 6:30 PM, a popular day for Epcot, you were very lucky. If you wanted Boma on 28 May at 3 PM, which is at a resort, not a park, probably not much luck was needed. You see?

 

[polynesiangirl]

Wow, that's great! Congratulations! I'm happy for you.

How lucky you were depends on the restaurant and the time and day you wanted. If you wanted Le Cellier on 27 May at 6:30 PM, a popular day for Epcot, you were very lucky. If you wanted Boma on 28 May at 3 PM, which is at a resort, not a park, probably not much luck was needed. You see?

Yeah, you're absolutely right -- it was at a resort, and that's almost definitely a huge part of why I got it. Nevertheless, it was for a Saturday and at 6PM, and still during Memorial Day Week, and at a relatively popular place, so it was kind of surprising to me.

By and large I always feel like if there are certain places you *really* want to eat at, or if you're planning a trip for a big group, then reserving ahead is definitely a good idea, if not mandatory (depending on the time of year you visit, especially.) But, I'm glad it doesn't seem to be totally hopeless for those of us just hoping to snag the odd reservation here and there for smaller groups.

 

[catne]

Book Immediately!

Please disregard advice about other times of the year...the free dining program is completely different and books up completely (like 100% booked.) On many of the very popular restaurants there are not times available day after day during Free Dining.) What somebody booked recently for 2 weeks from now is not the same deal at all. And the Unofficial guides (I have both 2007 & 2008 editions) do NOT cover the difference that Free Dining is having on the reservations availability-all of their advice applies to non-Free Dining times.

If you are flexible you may still be able to get some of your choices. You can book restaurant ADR's before you book your hotel--as long as you know your dates, you're o.k. so go ahead and get some of your choices, at least.

By the way, last year during free dining, there were NO walk-up seats available at table service restaurants (not early, not late, not at all - they'd put signs out front early in the day.) Disney actually had to allow people to use table service credits at counter service restaurants because there were more people than seats available in the table service restaurants. So, don't delay, and don't count on stories about "I just booked for next week..." it just isn't the same situation at all.

 

[lilclerk]

I've just been reading The Unofficial Guide and they say that you're usually ok making ADRs between 60 - 90 days out (depending on season)

I'd generally agree with that, but during free dining I'm not so sure.
Yeah what catne said :lol:

 

[polynesiangirl]

By the way, last year during free dining, there were NO walk-up seats available at table service restaurants (not early, not late, not at all - they'd put signs out front early in the day.) Disney actually had to allow people to use table service credits at counter service restaurants because there were more people than seats available in the table service restaurants. So, don't delay, and don't count on stories about "I just booked for next week..." it just isn't the same situation at all.

Oooh, I completely missed the FREE part of the original poster's question. Oops. I really wasn't trying to minimize the hassle it can be, I didn't realize they were talking about the free-dining-plan-times. My bad.

 

[KingStefan]

Please disregard advice about other times of the year...the free dining program is completely different and books up completely (like 100% booked.) On many of the very popular restaurants there are not times available day after day during Free Dining.) What somebody booked recently for 2 weeks from now is not the same deal at all. And the Unofficial guides (I have both 2007 & 2008 editions) do NOT cover the difference that Free Dining is having on the reservations availability-all of their advice applies to non-Free Dining times.

If you are flexible you may still be able to get some of your choices. You can book restaurant ADR's before you book your hotel--as long as you know your dates, you're o.k. so go ahead and get some of your choices, at least.

By the way, last year during free dining, there were NO walk-up seats available at table service restaurants (not early, not late, not at all - they'd put signs out front early in the day.) Disney actually had to allow people to use table service credits at counter service restaurants because there were more people than seats available in the table service restaurants. So, don't delay, and don't count on stories about "I just booked for next week..." it just isn't the same situation at all.

This is absolutely correct - I have not been there during free dining, but I have heard this from many places.

Some comments still apply, however. If you book now, you should be able to get most restaurants you want if you are flexible on your date and time. If you want the more popular restaurants, try to book those first, because you will have to be even more flexible. Some restuarants, notably Le Cellier, CRT, and a few others, may be difficult to get at all, but you should be able to find something.

The key is, the longer you wait, the less successful you will be. Try to book off times (like early or late or in-between normal meal times). Also, it is probably a good technique to try to book the restaurants at the "parks to visit" according to touringplans.com, although the reservation agent will be able to very quickly look at the time span for your entire trip for any given restaurants and give you a choice of times.

Good luck!