ADR can be so stressful!

[agovernor03]

We are in the process of planning and making ressies for our first DVC stay Sept 27 - Oct 2. Our BLT (home resort) wait list came through so that is really exciting! I called right at 7:00 a.m. at 90 days out to make ADR. 77 minutes later I had 4 ADR. I guess the free dining offer really clogs up the system. We got the character meals but not really at the times we wanted. Better than nothing I suppose. I did not attempt the online ADR. Maybe that would have been a better in? I have no idea. Is it always this stressful or has free dining combined with Food and Wine Fest at Epcot just makes things crazy??

 

[shortypots]

Yeah, I had a little trouble too. Going at about the same time 9/26-10/3. I keep trying every day for a ressie at Le Cellier (lunch or Dinner) but the only one I can get is on the day we leave, which doesn't work.

 

[Redbudlover]

Those of us who are staying fewer than 10 days are at a disadvantage as we can't book out as far. I will be there the same time you are fronm 9/27 - 10/2, I did the online booking after playing with it in advance for several hours to be sure I knew what I was doing. I had a bunch of ADRs to make as I had 2 character breakfasts, a character dinner during MNSSHP, and lunches I wanted to be sure to get at Epcot and the Studios. It took me an hour and I could not get La Cellier even for lunch, nor Sci Fi. I did get Chef Mickey's which surprised me and I was happy to get Donald's breakfast when I wanted it. I then ended up dropping CM when I was able to get CRT breakfast later that afternoon online. Stressful, yes, but also kind of fun. I liked the online system except that I do NOT like having to pull up reservations by the meal reservation number one at a time rather than being able to pull them all up at the same time by my resort stay number.

 

[JaysAGator]

Called this morning for our trip, check in 10/1. was able to get california grill reservations for saturday night 10/3 during wishes, but couldnt get into Ohana at all, even using the 90+10 rule. I was really annoyed.

 

[starbox]

Add me to the frustrated folks. I called early this morning - the FIRST day of my 90+10 window. I'll be at Disney October 1-3 for my birthday. I really, really, really wanted a special dinner on my actual birthday (October 2nd) which is, of course, at the tail end of the free dining. There were almost no signature dining spots open and I ended up going with my fourth choice.

I just wish that Disney would only allow a certain percentage (like maybe 40 or 50%) of restaurant ADR slots to go to free diners so that folks traveling during that time period w/out free dining packages could have a chance to eat in the popular spots too.

 

[snwwht]

Was very frustrated this week when trying for Ohana.We will only be there 1 night and are meeting people we met on a cruise earlier in the year.I was at the computer at 6:15 A.M. trying (for 9/26) for 45 minutes with no luck until 7:00 when wdw-dine opened.(the only thing it kept offering me was 8:45)I got right in at 7:00 and although the hold time said 12 minutes it ended up being more than 30.When she did come on there was nothing but 9:00 for 6 people.I feel I did everything right and where were all the normal dining times between the time I got on the computer at 6:15 and the time she finally looked at 7:30?This is the first time in all the years I have owned DVC that I was irritated that the people who spend THOUSANDS of dollars have no advantage over anyone else.Maybe it's just sour grapes but it seems like there should be some way that would be fair and yet acknowledge the DVC investment.