180 days out. How important?

[Jays2013]

It's been six (will be seven) looooong years since our last Disney trip. While we did do the dining plan back then, it was in its infancy and I keep hearing how much more difficult it is to make some ADRs now.

In fact, I've been playing around with the online reservation system as dates become available ... and have been startled by what seems to be unavailable, still a long way out.

I have every intention to be online at 6 a.m. the first day we can make our ADRs. (I don't mind doing that; I'm a mad planner anyway.) But how frantic will it be to try and get, say, Chef Mickey or Cape May dinner for a decent time on the day we want it? Am I just being paranoid? (I tend to be.) Is it better to call?

I'm probably overthinking this.

 

[Cafeen]

It's been six (will be seven) looooong years since our last Disney trip. While we did do the dining plan back then, it was in its infancy and I keep hearing how much more difficult it is to make some ADRs now.

In fact, I've been playing around with the online reservation system as dates become available ... and have been startled by what seems to be unavailable, still a long way out.

I have every intention to be online at 6 a.m. the first day we can make our ADRs. (I don't mind doing that; I'm a mad planner anyway.) But how frantic will it be to try and get, say, Chef Mickey or Cape May dinner for a decent time on the day we want it? Am I just being paranoid? (I tend to be.) Is it better to call?

I'm probably overthinking this.

If you're online at 6am on your 180day mark, then you'll likely get what you want. The only exception to that may be 'Ohana dinners, as those move very quick (it's the toughest ADR to get right now, at least before 9pm). I'd still go based on priority ('Ohana > CRT > Character Meals > Any non-flexible times > In-Park > Popular Resort > Else), but it shouldn't be too bad at all.

As for calling vs. going online, doesn't matter so much. They pull from the same inventory, so really whatever you feel most comfortable with. Online does get an hour head-start through, if that's important to you.

I booked my trip late this year (at around the 130 day mark) and got everything I wanted and nearly when I wanted it. Now, I didn't try for 'Ohana (no interest) and I doesn't have any character meals or other highly popular locations, but it illustrates that beyond those super popular meals and times, it's nowhere near frantic .

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

If you book at 180 days out you should be able to get everything you want. Some of the toughest ones to get are:

Ohana at supper...this is the hardest one I think to get
Crystal Palace before the park opens
Chef Mickeys
Calif Grill during Wishes
LeCellier at lunch...but if it becomes 2 credits in Jan will be easier I'm sure to get
BOG as it is new

If you want these just book these first & then book the other ones & you should be fine. Sometimes restaurants like LeCellier aren't put into the system till later so you can't book it at 180 days out. I couldn't book LeCellier or Coral Reef till later this time.

 

[elaine amj]

Yeah - don't panic if you don't get it at 180 days. It does happen that sometimes restaurants don't release all their seats at the exact moment.

Just keep trying. I can't imagine having 6 months and being absolutely unable to get a coveted reservation.

I got a Castle bfast ressie at 4 months out with no problems - granted it was low crowd season (Labor Day weekend) but that's still free dining.

Now I don't travel peak season so my experiences are skewed...but I've never had a problem getting the ressies I want. Sometimes I have to stalk it and sometimes the times are not 100% ideal - but I always get what I want.

 

[Haley]

It depends- Chef Mickeys do asap.

But I just booked Biergarten for myself for next week and had lots of times to choose from...

 

[MadameMim]

I got a Castle bfast ressie at 4 months out with no problems - granted it was low crowd season (Labor Day weekend) but that's still free dining.

Same here! Got breakfast at CRT at only 9 weeks out.

But for the same week I was totally locked out of Chef Mickey's. There was no availability on any day at any time, period. I didn't stop trying to grab a cancellation until we left property!

 

[Jays2013]

Ohana dinner is the ADR DH wants more than any other. (And he doesn't ask for much.) Hmm.

Now, we weren't planning to eat there our first night. You can make ADRs for your entire stay from the first night, correct? So once I put that reservation number in, I can go for Ohana even if it's more than 180 days out?

 

[MadameMim]

Ohana dinner is the ADR DH wants more than any other. (And he doesn't ask for much.) Hmm.

Now, we weren't planning to eat there our first night. You can make ADRs for your entire stay from the first night, correct? So once I put that reservation number in, I can go for Ohana even if it's more than 180 days out?

From what I gather, the answer is YES, if you are staying on site and for up to ten days of your stay.

 

[Jays2013]

Thanks! I'm going to do my best.

 

[elaine amj]

From what I gather, the answer is YES, if you are staying on site and for up to ten days of your stay.

My TA warned me that it happens regularly that restaurants do not release all their tables for the +10 portion - so don't panic if you don't get it. She actually made me wait until 180 days to make my ressie!

Also, it's often worth trying for a walkin for a coveted reservation.

Last year we were with another family and at the last minute (the day of) they decided they would like to join us for HDDR. We called several times all day long to no avail. By mid-afternoon, we even called the restaurant itself and no-go. When we walked in and asked, it was no problem. Unfortunately it was too late by then for our friends to come over to join us as they were doing other things.

Also, I tried the day of to change my 50s Prime Time lunch but no-go - place was fully booked. I walked in at opening and it was no problem to seat me right away.

 

[Jays2013]

That's very good to know! Thank you.

Right now, we want Boma, Chef Mickey dinner, Cape May Cafe dinner, Ohana dinner, Hollywood & Vine breakfast or lunch ('cause DS2 loves Jake), Coral Reef ... and one more, probably Crystal Palace.

Wish they had a Phineas & Ferb character meal. We all love them!

I'm going to be calling a few days after attempting to make my reservations online anyway, because we want to do the Pirates & Pals cruise April 27. I'm pretty sure that has to be made by phone, and no more than 180 days out ...