ADR novice -- help please!!!

[dimndgal1]

I admit I'm not used to 'needing' ADRs -- we usually travel off-season -- but going for summer I realize it's better to make them. I'm still a-ways out but am trying to get all my logistics down so I can jump the day we open up for ADRs. I'm coordinating with in-laws who have never been to WDW and are not adventurous with food.

My question is - do you recommend making them in a 'demand' order? Like, I'm hoping to swing CRT or Akerhaus (just need to see the Princesses once), so I would assume I should try to set that up first -- right? We are looking at possibly doing Garden Grill, California Grill, and Kouzzina(?) as well as trying to eat in Morrocco and/or Mexico. I gather from reading it would be good to get rezzies for GG, CG, and K but do I need them for Marakesh or San Angel Inn? We used to be able to walk up to those, but I'm worried now!!!

Finally, we were hoping to do CG on our rest day (no park) but I wanted to try to see the fireworks from CR... do they post the schedule for parades/fireworks that far in advance? How do you anticipate the timing?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Wild4Walt]

I'd recommend ADRs for all the restaurants you have listed. Morrocco may be the only one you could walk up to.

Yes, I would do your ADRs in want over - so if you prefer CRT over Akerhaus then I would look at CRT 1st and if you can't get that one go for Akerhaus. And so on...

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Absolutely do CRT first, especially if you have a specific date/time you'd like to do it.

 

[mwmom]

1. Yes, do them in order of preference.
2. I would make ADR's for all of the restaurants. There are only a couple like CRT that require a credit card so you can even cancel the day of if you walk up and get a time at that restaurant earlier than your reservation. I always call if that is the case so it opens it up for someone else, but usually, we stick with the reservation time.
3. The calendar is posted right now through April, but be aware that times can change. Last year the EMH's changed on us a couple of months out which totally messed up my ADR's, but we just went with it and it was fine. If you click on the park, calendar, choose the month and then click on the specific date it will give you fireworks and parade times.
4. Another tip...I had all of my times on a calendar with alternates listed and logged on 10 min before online reservations opened (be sure and allow for time zone where you are to get the right starting time). I started clicking away and got all of my times I wanted. Since I am staying on property I was able to make up to 10 days of reservations at that 180 day mark so I had them all done within 20 minutes. As a backup, I had the phone and phone number all ready to go in case there was a glitch with the online system. Over-prepared, yes, but didn't want to miss anything in case something went wrong.

 

[dimndgal1]

I greatly appreciate the info!

1. Yes, do them in order of preference.
2. I would make ADR's for all of the restaurants. There are only a couple like CRT that require a credit card so you can even cancel the day of if you walk up and get a time at that restaurant earlier than your reservation. I always call if that is the case so it opens it up for someone else, but usually, we stick with the reservation time.
3. The calendar is posted right now through April, but be aware that times can change. Last year the EMH's changed on us a couple of months out which totally messed up my ADR's, but we just went with it and it was fine. If you click on the park, calendar, choose the month and then click on the specific date it will give you fireworks and parade times.
4. Another tip...I had all of my times on a calendar with alternates listed and logged on 10 min before online reservations opened (be sure and allow for time zone where you are to get the right starting time). I started clicking away and got all of my times I wanted. Since I am staying on property I was able to make up to 10 days of reservations at that 180 day mark so I had them all done within 20 minutes. As a backup, I had the phone and phone number all ready to go in case there was a glitch with the online system. Over-prepared, yes, but didn't want to miss anything in case something went wrong.

This is awesome -- I really appreciate all of your helpful hints! I've only done ADRs once (for CRT 5 years ago!) and am just going crazy trying to get the logistics nailed down.

More questions - do you find the website pretty easy to navigate at the 180 mark? Does web traffic overload? Also, will the rezzies confirm right away or do they email you? And, finally, for CRT - do you put a credit card down online or do you need to call?

Thanks again!

 

[mwmom]

1. I found the web site very easy to navigate. I have read where others have had fits with it but, again, I was making them for the week of T'Giving, so that is a busy time and had no trouble. I highly suggest playing around with it right now even though it won't allow you to make reservations to get comfortable with how to find a specific restaurant, dates and plug in how many guests.
2. I used Safari on a Mac but I know some browsers have trouble, so click around on it.
3. It will confirm and give you a confirmation number, so write it down. It will follow up with an email and if you are staying on property will add it to your reservation. Oh, that reminds me. If you are staying on property, sign in first so it attaches your ADR's to your room reservation. That way when you log in later you can see your room ressie and ADR's.
4. Yes, I put in a credit card number for CRT online. Be sure and have that CC handy so you don't have to hunt down the number.