Trip planning hours/reservations

Pirate~Princess

Pirate~Princess

Member
Ok so I have been many many times but most of my trips are planned with 4 months or less to go so I can plan everything. So it looks like hours don't get posted until 180 days before and that's when reservations can also be made. I usually like to first figure out where I want to go which day (usually the park open the latest each day) and then reservations but seems like will be tough without seeing the whole week. I guess just wondering what other people do. I' like to try and do CRT and know that pretty much needs to be booked on day 180.
 
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awelpjourneys

awelpjourneys

Active Member
I plan our dining reservations based on EMH for the park. We always plan on using the morning EMH, so I will reserve a lunch (and our FP+) in that day's park. I won't know until closer to the trip which park we'll hop to in the evening, so if I make dinner reservations they will most likely be for a resort location.
 
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Pirate~Princess

Pirate~Princess

Member
Original Poster
I probably wasn't clear on that first post. I confused myself reading it back. My trip isn't until 10/2018 so I guess my main question is does anyone know when park hours get posted? Like is that generally 180 days before or is it before that. Just trying to figure out if I will have time to plan where I want to go each day before figuring reservations. Or have to figure that all out on same day
 
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Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
Pirate~Princess said:
I probably wasn't clear on that first post. I confused myself reading it back. My trip isn't until 10/2018 so I guess my main question is does anyone know when park hours get posted? Like is that generally 180 days before or is it before that. Just trying to figure out if I will have time to plan where I want to go each day before figuring reservations. Or have to figure that all out on same day
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Although some blogs and guide websites will post estimated park calendars as much as a year ahead, an initial schedule usually comes out from WDW itself about 4-5 months ahead. (Google "Disney World Operating Hours" with your month and year, to find it - look for a result that starts https:/media.disneywebcontent.com..."). I just Googled it myself, and it looks like they've been released through April 2018. Of course, that schedule will continue to be refined and edited right up until the time you visit, so just use it as a guideline, and to get an idea of what EMH will be offered on what days. The good news is that typically, the changes you'll see as your visit draws closer will only ADD expanded hours and additional showtimes, not subtract. Also, you can usually find park hours on the official WDW website for several months ahead, but take them with a grain of salt. I've seen some big glitches and mistakes in the hours listings on the WDW website before, especially for dates 6 or more months out.

If I need a calendar prior to Disney's operating hours being published (e.g., for 180-day ADRs), I've historically relied on touringplans.com's projected crowd calendars and EMH schedules, and have found them to be trustworthy.
 
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D

Dave B

Well-Known Member
Just a gentle reminder, park hours can and probably will change a week or two before you get there, based on occupancy, they will post the hours for 10/2018 in about 90 days, but those will change about two weeks prior, we had everything set with a BoG breakfast to open the park and a week before they extended hours , so our BoG was after park opening once the hours adjusted, so we dropped the reservation and rope dropped instead. Hope that helps
 
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Pirate~Princess

Pirate~Princess

Member
Original Poster
Thanks everyone. Looks like I'll be planning my days around where my reservations are since will have to most likely book dining without a firm schedule this time vs planning my reservations according to what park I had planned for the day. Will be different but I'm sure will work out.
 
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clarabellej

clarabellej

Well-Known Member
I was surprised when I just randomly looked at what ADRs are available for an upcoming trip in March. Probably around my 50 day mark. Lots of good ADRs still available. ROL dining is a big difference from last year at this time. CRT does not seem to be as hard to get as it used to be. Maybe due to FEA & Akershus? I try to come up with which parks on which day, obviously before FP window opens. This year was different bc of FOP. I was determined to get a few of those. So we will hop from AK on 4 of our 6 days. I also tend to book several possible choices for dining and then change those as our itinerary falls into place. You can always book and cancel. Good luck!
 
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clarabellej

clarabellej

Well-Known Member
You are welcome!! I have 3 BOG lunches and 2 Donald Tusker Breakfasts. Now that I have chosen my FPs, I will narrow it all down. We do just a few/sometimes only a couple of special ADRs. Don’t forget there is a new preorder system you can use for the QS restaurants. You do this from your app. It is getting good reviews. You go on the app & place your order, then when you arrive for pick up, you just click a button to say “I am here!” Several QS places are participating, including the new place in Pandora. Exited to try this out!
 
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