ADR "cheat sheet"?

[maranara]

Is there someplace where I can find a "cheat sheet" for how to book ADRs? Our window opens in a week, and since I'm not a morning person (I will only be marginally awake at 6 am!), I would love to find step-by-step directions on how to book our ADRs! THANK YOU!

 

[ChasingLeslie]

1. Link a credit card to your account in advance
2. Rank your ADRs by how important they are to you and how hard they are to get
3. Decide which days and times you want to book those ADRs (IMO, it helps to consult crowd calendars and decide which parks you plan to be in before booking meals)
4. Go on the website prior to your booking window and a practice making an ADR so you know how it works

 

[loves to dive]

Get out of bed, get a cup of coffee, have your credit card in hand. Log onto MDE (I'm assuming you already have an account and your reservation and tickets are already linked, if not do that first). You do not need to have your cc info. in MDE, I don't because I don't always use the same one. You can either go through the things to do tab and hit make reservations and there will be options for you to pick park or resort, date and time preference then a list of places available will show below it will be a list of places not available during your time. If what you want isn't available, try either changing the time or date. Alternatively, you can pick up the phone and call the Disney reservation line. When you make the reservation it will ask for your cc number, this is just to hold the spot, your cc will not be charged unless you are booking something like a party or show. You can cancel your ADR up to a certain time before (I think it's 24 hours but might be less) if it's not cancelled, your cc will be charged a fee. I wouldn't worry about getting up at the crack of dawn, if what you want isn't available and your life will end unless you have it, check back every once in awhile before your trip, things open up all the time with people making ADRs and cancelling them. The only thing you really need to be aware of is if you are a uber planner and want your trip planned down to a certain degree, you will need to know what park you want to be in on what day. Most people book their ADRs first then when their FP window comes open book their FPs around their ADRs. Be aware it is possible to actually book an ADR a week, a day or a few hours in advance. You might not get that hard to get one but there is always something available.

 

[Floridaglen]

I would advise having a practice, that's what I did, so that you know how the system works. Even make a dummy booking but don't forget to cancel it straight away. You can book either on the website or on the Disney App, have a go on both and see which one you prefer best.
If you are on the website just before the reservation time opens up remember to refresh the page and keep refreshing it until the date you want to book appears.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I practice making adrs and booking FP+ on MDE a few times the week before I book (was especially helpful this time for FP+ as they had made changes since the last time I had booked). I book them then just cancel them all.

 

[maranara]

Thanks! I didn't realize you could make a practice ADR - I will most definitely do that this week! I have my ADRs planned out...I'm just nervous about the actual booking process now! Doing a practice run will be good, and I'll get my CC put in there this week too. Any other tips?