180 days is coming up soon - please advise this newbie :)

[mlbrv]

hi-
i am almost 180 days out and i know that at that mark i can make dining reservations. i will be staying 4 nights in MK at the contemporary and 3 nights at the beach club.

this is my first trip to disney -we have 2 kids (10 & 7).

can you please tell me how the reservations work?

i've heard it can be tough to get them...any advice? i'm overwhelmed planning this trip, it seems there's so much you need to plan in advance.

should i try using the internet or the phone to call for ressies?

thanks so much for your advice!

 

[SwedsTbone]

I've primarily done it online. The site can be flaky, but it worked for me when doing reservations.

You can start at 6am ET at 180 days from your reservations. +10 days into your reservation as well.

As for how they work, just practice before the day happens. I know it sounds silly, but you can make reservations by picking an earlier date. Make sure to select a restaurant that isn't as popular (IOW, don't experiment with BOG). Your test won't be of much value if there are no available times. Just cancel the reservation before you actually reserve it. Once you've gotten to the people selection page, you probably don't need to continue with the res.

 

[JeninTexas]

Be prepared to call in at 7 am Orlando time if the online system doesn't work for you. My 180 + 10 started yesterday and while I can see all the available times, the online system won't let me book anything past my first day. I was able to call at 7 and get all my reservations, fortunately. There have been many reports of the online system not working for people.

Also, make sure you prioritize your reservations in order of how popular the restaurant is instead of just doing them in chronological order. If you are trying for BOG, CRT, Ohana, or something like that, do those first.

 

[shannn]

I think the internet is easier. Use the MDE website. You should be able to sign in now and see your trip already there. On your 180 day when you sign in (I think you can start at 6am online but I'm not sure about that), you should be able to click on "find a table" and starting making your reservations.

The difficulty is only for a few places. If you're trying to get Be Our Guest for dinner, CRT, a Fantasmic package, or a before park opens breakfast, be prepared to go for those first. What restaurants are you thinking about?

hi-
i am almost 180 days out and i know that at that mark i can make dining reservations. i will be staying 4 nights in MK at the contemporary and 3 nights at the beach club.

this is my first trip to disney -we have 2 kids (10 & 7).

can you please tell me how the reservations work?

i've heard it can be tough to get them...any advice? i'm overwhelmed planning this trip, it seems there's so much you need to plan in advance.

should i try using the internet or the phone to call for ressies?

thanks so much for your advice!

 

[jezebel73]

I've also heard some mixed reports on split stays like yours (2 different hotels) where only the first part/hotel worked online at 6 am. IF that happens, be prepared to call right at 7 am and they will definitely be able to book for the whole stay or whatever part didn't work that way.

Also don't be too discouraged if you don't get everything you want or at exactly the times you want. My 180 day was Monday and the online didn't work for me and then I was on hold forever and didn't get all my wish list. But by tonight, I had snagged one I couldn't get Monday (fireworks dessert party) and changed times on another dinner to make it a better fit. People make changes and cancellations all the time! I still recommend booking everything you can right at 180, but keep stalking that online site to "perfect" them all later if needed.

Oh and have a magical time!! It's the best ever. You may even love it more than your kids.