Okay a bit of time to reflect. First of all I got through right away... super happy. I followed the prompts I saw posted on TGM forum... I also really watched the Universal Time website so I called on time!
The new system is super smart, it was not accepting my reservations since I wanted to do dining for days after my stay, but after trying one it seemed to let me do it. (Remember I had two reservations... room only, then our package-- my parents have a package too) They did ask for Reservation numbers. The CM contacted a manager... she must have done something, but said she did not. I started right away wanting my much wanted Crystal Palace reservation.... the best time is 8:05, and it is a firmer and harder system to get, once they are gone, she can do nothing the CM said. I could not get 8:05 for three MK days I wanted, over 95 days out mind you! Below is a copy of the chart I started last night.
Date / Restaurant Wanted / ActualADR
Thur June 18 / Mama Melrose FDP / Crystal Palace Dinner
Fri June 19 / LeCellier 5:45 / Coral Reef
Sat June 20 / Crystal Palace 8:00 AM / Chef Mickey Dinner
Sun June 21 / Crystal Palace Dinner
Mon June 22 / The Coral Reef 5:45 / LeCellier
Tues June 23 / Chef Mickey 5:45 / Mama Melrose FDP
Wed June 24 / Cinderella's Royal Table / Cinderella RT
Time wise I got the reservations I wanted. I also got all the restaurants I wanted, but had to plug in more than one day to get them.
So I started with Crystal Palace first--- and got no 8:05, so I dropped it and moved on to Fantasmic Dinner Package- I could not get it on 6/18 all booked. CM said those are booking really fast. So I took 6/23. Then we worked on LeCellier. I stupidly was offered 6:30ish on 6/19, but got distracted about another reservation and said no, so when she checked again... it was gone, so we moved it back to 6/22. I think I had her check CRT---- I had realized last night it was actually a 90+11 day ADR, so I thought I would have to call a second day to get it. I really really wanted to eat there on this last day, since it is our actual anniversary and I thought a good last meal! I did not even check breakfast, but she quickly offered a time and I took it.
I knew Chef Mickeys was out the first few days since it had been booking at the 180 date, so I was thrilled to get a Saturday night ADR there. So we plugged in Coral Reef into my original LeCellier spot on our EPCOT day...and I realized 8:20 would not be that bad---- I tell you I have major ADR cnanges disease!
So back she went searching for the 8:20 Crystal Palace spots... and now I have two. She said we would probably be seated earlier if we got there early... they have lots of no shows-(perhaps they should charge???) and I realized the extra time walking Main Street might be great. So why two days ADRs... at first I wanted our first MK day to do this, but I am afraid we will be behind the 9:00 rush, and since we are crazy Dumbo riders, I think we will go our middle MK day. The CM warned me about my shopping cart (ADR reservations) getting too full and erasing, so we did the CP breakfasts after I checked out time one. If DH freaks about the 8:20 Breakfast ADR we will do Crystal Palace dinner, one of the two days (Saturday and Monday- I am leaning towards Monday) I have it. I am not thrilled that we do not have any ADRS two days, but oh well. I plan to cancel three ADRs to the Crystal Palace.
I am also sure that having a ADR for seven affected the success a bit! However I cannot stress I would have lots of options and plans. Also it takes a while... th CM kept apologizing, I thought the whole time I was happy to have a CM to talk to, I was thrilled to not be on hold!
More thoughts later... and a second call to WDW Dining.... I know I am crazy!
I listen to it too and it gets me in a great mood.
I hope everything goes smoothly for you, and I can't wait to hear what you end up with!
I am glad that you had back-up plans to go with -- I did, too.
I have a backup plan too and hopefully it will work! Did you find that the later into your trip the easier it was? I can't wait to see exactly what you got!
