Its unfortunate but rude, selfish people have made this a necessity - they make numerous reservations and then do not have the courtesy to cancel so others waiting for reservations can get one. I used to be able to just gaurentee a reservation for CRT or EPCOT top restaurants but now you have to pay in full, in advance. I don't blame Disney here. They are a business after all and need to fill and turn tables. Their operations are costly. Of course they are making money, but again that is what they are there for. Likewise, consider how many unhappy guests are there because they cannot get the reservations they desire - or even book a table because all of the dates are occupied.
I will agree with many posters here that it is virtually impossible to plan your entire dining 6 months in advance. Once there you might have a craving for soemthing entirely differnet than what you are scheduled. That is why we have focused mostly on charecter breakfasts - its all the same) and one or two Themed dinners. Of course we also make a reservation for Rainforest, T-Rex, and House of BLues because it is just somehting we do each trip. We have also decided to stay offsite. Parc Soleil has a beautiful facility that is more spacious and about a third of Disney prices with immpeccable service and accomodations. It also makes dining options more plentiful, affordable, wider variety, and no need for planning that far in advance. Just some food for thought. Prices keep going up. Even with the
DDP, it is too dang expensive for most families. I guess it is a matter of perspective. I would rather be more comfortable and save 50% than be totally immersed, cramped quarters and pay extra for it all. Sure we do not get EMH, but the ope attractions are limited and a properly timed charecter breakfast gets us in early so we can get started while the crowds are thinner. In fact, my DD6 and DD4 have gotten to open fantsyland - tea cups with ALice for the last two years in a row.
