Making ADR's With Free Dining

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I don't know where to post this so if it may need to be moved. We are headed to WDW Dec 5-12. We were already buying the dining plan so when it came out we were really greatful that it dropped our package by 1200. My concern is getting the ADRs that we want. Last trip (Dec 2, 2007) I was able to get in everywhere we wanted but the times were a bit different than we planned. No problem we worked around our ADR times and the trip was great. But my concern is that since there is free dining and POP Warner is that week I am afraid that we won't be able to get in anywhere. Does anyone have any idea if it will be impossible to get our ADRs? Here is a list of out dining preferences and let me know if there will be a problem.

'Ohana... breakfast and dinner (2 different days of course...since we are staying at The Poly any day would work)
Crystal Palace...breakfast
1900 Park Fair ...dinner
WCC..dinner
Akershus...breakfast or lunch...doesn't matter to us
Rose and Crown...dinner..hoping for candlelight processional package

Thank so much for all of your help

[geenerbell]

I'm wondering the same thing. I'm hoping because we arrive on a Friday that will give us a day jump on others that may be arriving on Saturday. I've never been during FD but I'm sure it's going to make it tough. I'm also concerned about getting a dining package for CLP. Currently have two different days open so I can be flexible with that as well.

[Dizneydaz]

I wouldn't worry about it. I was able to get all the ADRs I wanted. Just be flexible with your dates and times. I would start with the harder to get ones (like PSB) then R&C, etc.

You should be fine.

You didn't pick any of the really hard ones so you should be okay.

I got-
CP early entry;Tuskers early entry; 'Ohana breafkast last day; PF 1900 DD's birthday dinner; 50's PTC; Kona Cafe; Raglan Road; Wolfgang Puck; Coral Reef; Le Celier; The Wave; R&C during Illuminations; Tutto Italia for DM's birthday; and Tokyo Dining during Illuminations.

I called 90 days out to book at first (online wasn't ready yet) I booked the most important ones then-PF, 'Ohanas, and Tutto. Once the online system was up (a few days later) I started booking the rest. I've played around with my ADRs, cancelling some and making new ones. Had ADRs for Les Chefs de France but cancelled, had Cape May, had Citricos, etc.

The only one I can't get, suprisingly is Brown Derby-DD's decided she wants that for her birthday instead of PF. Being a Sat. nothing much is open-we'll probably keep PF.

So don't worry, you should be fine. Also I wouldn't worry about POP Warner at the restaurants. The kids probably eat CD most of the time. :goodvibes

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Thanks. Without searching through the entire online thread what time (Eastern Time) does the online ressies start? I would like to get up very early (or stay up very late) to get a jump on them. Also, Dizneydaz, PSB was mentioned as a first book the R&C. Are there any other that I should try and get first? Finally...when I add a ADR to my 'cart' does it immediately hold it or do I have to wait until everything is booked to 'check out'?
Thank you so much for answering my questions

[Erniandbert]

Thanks. Without searching through the entire online thread what time (Eastern Time) does the online ressies start? I would like to get up very early (or stay up very late) to get a jump on them. Also, Dizneydaz, PSB was mentioned as a first book the R&C. Are there any other that I should try and get first? Finally...when I add a ADR to my 'cart' does it immediately hold it or do I have to wait until everything is booked to 'check out'?
Thank you so much for answering my questions

online ADR's start at 6:00 EST I like the online system because it automatically checks the hour before and after your request saving you a lot of time. It also automatically gives you suggestions of other restaurants that have an opening in that time frame if the location you want is backed so keep a list of back up option nearby. All the ADR's are held once you add them to your cart allowing you to keep shopping for the rest of your dates before checking out. I used the system for the Aug- Sept Free Dining and I felt it worked well. I called first at 90 days exactly then a week later the online system became available and I used it to tweak times and dates as I firmed up my schedule. You cannot cancel ADR's through the system that I could see so if in your sorting and arranging of your ADR's make sure you call the dining line to cancel ADR you don't want to keep so every one traveling during free dining time can take advantage of great ADR's.

[GOOFY4DONALD]

online ADR's start at 6:00 EST I like the online system because it automatically checks the hour before and after your request saving you a lot of time. It also automatically gives you suggestions of other restaurants that have an opening in that time frame if the location you want is backed so keep a list of back up option nearby. All the ADR's are held once you add them to your cart allowing you to keep shopping for the rest of your dates before checking out. I used the system for the Aug- Sept Free Dining and I felt it worked well. I called first at 90 days exactly then a week later the online system became available and I used it to tweak times and dates as I firmed up my schedule. You cannot cancel ADR's through the system that I could see so if in your sorting and arranging of your ADR's make sure you call the dining line to cancel ADR you don't want to keep so every one traveling during free dining time can take advantage of great ADR's.Thank you so very much. It looks like I will be getting up at 4am on ADR day. I will keep track of all my confirmation numbers so if I change them I will cancel so someone can get the ressie. Thanks

[Bete]

I really believe the POP Warner group has a tendency towards doing quick service. For one, many stay at the value resorts and the free dining is only good for quick service. You have to do an upgrade and pay for the upgrade to get the better plan.

I think flexibility is the key, here. For one, you may have to go earlier or later from your ideal time. Second, you may have to have a second choice ready as an alternate dining place. Third, you change your days as to which place you go to if it will help get you the ADR.

You're on the right track doing it early. Good Luck.

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I really believe the POP Warner group has a tendency towards doing quick service. For one, many stay at the value resorts and the free dining is only good for quick service. You have to do an upgrade and pay for the upgrade to get the better plan.

I think flexibility is the key, here. For one, you may have to go earlier or later from your ideal time. Second, you may have to have a second choice ready as an alternate dining place. Third, you change your days as to which place you go to if it will help get you the ADR.

You're on the right track doing it early. Good Luck.Thanks for the reply. I did not know that free QS dining was for value so that does ease my mind with the POP Warner kids. I am sure most of the kids and parents with Pop Warner won't know where they are during the games to make ADRs 90 days out anyway. On the other point we have quite a few resturant choices in the same general location. Since many of them are in the Magic Kingdom and MK Resort area it won't be too much of a stretch to switch around the days and times. The Epcot resturants also can change completely without breaking our hearts. The only 2 that I will be upset if I don't get is Crystal Palace Sunday morning before MK opens and 'Ohana breakfast...but this one can really be anyday before the park opens.

[TDC Nala]

I would bet that some if not most of Pop Warner teams will be on blocked group reservations. This means they won't have package reservations and they won't have the dining plan at all.

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I would bet that some if not most of Pop Warner teams will be on blocked group reservations. This means they won't have package reservations and they won't have the dining plan at all.
Thanks. So the way I am looking at it...even though there is free dining the week we are there...it doesn't seem to be changing attendance all that much. Don't get me wrong I am sure there are alot more people there than there was in 2007 but I was mainly worried about all the kids trying to get dining reservations..just because they can.

[Dizneydaz]

Sorry I didn't get a chance to answer you but glad otehrs did. (Went to DLR yesterday).

Quick thing-you can cancel any ADRS you make online whether they were made online or on the phone. As long as you have the right phone number that was tied to the ADR. I had several I made on the phone at my 90 day mark. Once I was able to access my room ressie online (they had a phone number from about 10 years ago tied to it) I was then able to access my room ressie. Then I could enter my ADR confirmation # and my current phone number (the one I gave the CM on the phone) and pull up my ADRs made on the phone.

As far as the order goes in booking, here's my thoughts.

PSB first or second
R&C first or second then...
CP
PF
WCC
'Ohana

That's what I would do. :yay:

Oh, and PP is right, your ADRs will stay in your cart until you check out. Just make sure you don't let 20 mins. go by without any activity-the system will time out and you'll have to start again.

[Aggie]

We just booked a trip for 10-1 to 10-10. I bought the deluxe dining plan because it was actually cheaper to take the AP discount on the room and pay for the dining plan. That being said, I spend 4 hours on the phone on saturday trying to make ADRs. If I didn't get the restaurant I wanted I would hang up and call back. We didn't get all the ARDs we wanted and we'll have to skip some of our favorites because everything is already booked! There are no ADRs for Fantasmic at all. I'm wondering if this was worthwhile. But then again if we wait until we get there, if we didn't have the plan and had to wait in line at every restaurant, that would waste a lot of time too. We're staying at the Poly and can't even get in to a restaurant there until the last day of our trip. GOOD GRIEF!!! What have I done? lol

[tinka-belle]

The first FD promo was announced for booking I believe in April, and covered check-ins from 8/16 through 10/03. You are running up against people who booked the FD early, many who booked FD bounceback offers last year, and the Epcot F&W Festival that tends to draw a crowd. These people jumped on their 90 + 10 date to get their ADRs.

Keep trying, things can free up as people change and cancel their plans. Lots of people tweak their ADRs as the trip gets closer. Always have a plan A and a plan B for dining choices, and use the online ADR system to check back often. It CAN be done, just takes time and checking back frequently.

Since FD is going on, I doubt if any restaurants would be taking walk ups, so your plan to check and wait for a table is not the best way to go. The only time this is feasible is if you check in right as the restaurant opens (4pm, 4:30pm, 5pm or whatever) for dinner and ask if they can seat you. Some may accomodate you, others may not. Also, check with Guest Services at your resort every day, they can pull up all openings. People often cancel the day of or just one day ahead for change in plans, sick child, etc.

[JeffZ]

What's PSB???? sorry dumb question.

[GOOFY4DONALD]

What's PSB???? sorry dumb question.This refers to the meal at Akershus. It is a Princess Story Book (breakfast, lunch or dinner)