My ADR- what are my chances?

[tgriff3]

We are going on our first WDW vacation 9/20-9/26 (leaving on the 26th) and went through a travel agent to make our arrangements. She will do the ADR for me. Should I have her do them for me or should I do them myself?

Either way, how likely am I to get:

9/20 (Sunday, day of arrival) Chef Mickey's dinner 6pm
9/21 Tusker House lunch 1:30pm
9/22 Akershus lunch 1pm
9/23 O'hana dinner 7pm
9/24 Crystal Palace dinner 5pm
9/25 Mama Melrose's (Fantasmic Pkg) 5pm

Any suggestions on how I can improve my chances of getting these? I told the agent I would be willing to swap Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's but prefer Chef Mickey's for our first night and intro to WDW. She did say it might be impossible to get the Fantasmic package, is this true?

Thanks!
Tina

 

[brendaziz]

Well- I would have her try for Chef Mickey's on arrival night- but if not available then check for the Crystal Palace night and then do Crystal Palace first night if you don't mind the swap.

Ohana could be tough to get- but it coudl be no problem. You just might not get the exact time.

My guess is the Tusker House and Akershus will be no problem. Neither will Crystal Palace most likely.

the mama's F! package might be tough- and Chef Mikcey's could be very tough as well- at least for that first night.

Though even if you don't get what you want right away, you'd be surprised at how stuff changes day to day. Call back every day and check for things and you can always make changes.

Some people love their TAs making ADRs. If you're comfortable go w/ it- and i'm sure it'll be great.
I'm too much of a control freak to let anyone help- but that's my own problem.

 

[Demi_8]

We are also off on our first trip this summer and I was more than glad to pass the ADR arrangements into the hands of our TA because she manged to get everything I asked for (Planet Hollywood, Chrystal Palace, Biergarten, Coral Reef, Tusker House, Liberty Tree Tavern, Boma, Cape May, 1900 Park Fare, Ohana, Whispering Canyon & Chef Mickey's). Also, being a work week, it would have been impossible for me to have the time. I told her we preferred to eat at around 6:00 pm, but that we would remain fairly flexible in order to dine at the places we wanted. We didn't want to eat earlier than 5:30 or later than 8:00. All my ressies are in the 5:30 to 6:30 range. We wanted Mama Melrose for Fantasmic but it was all booked, so Hollywood & Vine was fine as well for 3:45. Good luck with yours.

 

[tgriff3]

Thanks Brenda and Demi!!

I did give the TA a time slot, earliest and latest we would prefer to eat, the times I listed here were my exact preferences. Our usual dinner time around here is 6:30-7:30 so we don't mind eating later but I chose some early dinners because I thought it might help us get in at some harder to get into places. I know the Fantasmic package could be hard to get, the TA warned me, but she thought it might be ok because it was later in the week.

I'm going to let the TA handle it and if she can't get what I want I will try, try, try up until we leave!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Good Luck

 

[princessjane]

Let your TA make the arrangements. TA's can do them online now. O'hana would be the only that will be hard to get, so I suggest being flexible with days and times if you really want that one. Kona Cafe is a good alternative.

 

[tnd]

I had my TA do it and it was the best thing ever! It totally convinced me to use a TA in the future. They have an online system, so they don't need to call and wait on hold. I really didn't want to spend as much time as I have been reading people here have lately. Just make sure you give the TA your general times and back-up choices. That way they don't need to keep checking back with you and can be more efficient.

 

[tgriff3]

Let your TA make the arrangements. TA's can do them online now. O'hana would be the only that will be hard to get, so I suggest being flexible with days and times if you really want that one. Kona Cafe is a good alternative.

Thanks Jane! Kona was my back up choice for that one.

OT- I'm from VA, living in OH now and miss VA so much! I lived not too awful far from W'bg, in Varina. We went to W'bg often.

 

[tgriff3]

I had my TA do it and it was the best thing ever! It totally convinced me to use a TA in the future. They have an online system, so they don't need to call and wait on hold. I really didn't want to spend as much time as I have been reading people here have lately. Just make sure you give the TA your general times and back-up choices. That way they don't need to keep checking back with you and can be more efficient.

Thanks for that advice! I'm glad to know the TA was a good choice. I did give her back up choices and general times but I do have my heart set on a couple of those. I told her which ones I really had to have so hopefully she can get them.