-Yes, you can book restaurant reservations without having a room or package booked, but it's up to you to figure out your 180 day mark. Disney doesn't know you need an alert if you aren't booked yet, so they can't send you one.
-If you already have a room/package booked, you will receive a booklet in the mail with the dates printed on the back that show when you may begin making reservations for dining and Fast Pass+.
-If you have an
MDE account online, when you log in, your Welcome page shows how many days you have left before your trip. I'm sure it shows you on the MDE app as well, but I barely ever use that unless I'm actually in the parks.
-If you have your room/package booked, you will receive an email on your 180th day, BUT it won't be until late morning, well after the online reservation system and the phones have already been open for awhile. The same applies to FP+.
-When you are staying onsite, at the 180th day, you can make your reservations for the duration of your trip, or up to day 10 of your trip if you are staying longer. If you are offsite (or not yet booked), you can only make one day of reservations at a time.
-You can begin making reservations online at 6am EST or by phone at 7am EST.
You can google countdown calendars to figure out your dates too. I have a countdown widget on my phone so I see how many days until my trip are left every time I use my phone. It's not just useful, it makes me smile!!
I hope this was the info you were looking for and that it helps you out!!
Good luck making your reservations, I hope you get everything you want!
