ADR question

[momtotaryn]

Does everyone make ADRs at the 180 day mark? Will I be out of luck if I can't do it exactly at 180 days? I'll be out of town when the park hours become available for our trip, and those park hours will determine which restaurant and the time we would like to schedule. What is the best approach I should take?

 

[Nadjalu]

It really depends on what time of year you are going.

For this upcoming trip we didn't know we were going until about 150 days out and I was able to get everything we wanted including, LeCellier, Ohana and Chef Mickey's. All dinners and at the times I wanted.

My advice is just make them as soon as you can.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

It really depends on what time of year you are going.

For this upcoming trip we didn't know we were going until about 150 days out and I was able to get everything we wanted including, LeCellier, Ohana and Chef Mickey's. All dinners and at the times I wanted.

My advice is just make them as soon as you can.

Good advice to make them as soon as the OP can.

 

[momtotaryn]

It really depends on what time of year you are going.

For this upcoming trip we didn't know we were going until about 150 days out and I was able to get everything we wanted including, LeCellier, Ohana and Chef Mickey's. All dinners and at the times I wanted.

My advice is just make them as soon as you can.

Yes, I do plan to make our reservations as soon as I can. That is probably a given. It's encouraging to know that you were able to get everything you wanted at 150 days out. We'll be there late May/early June, so I'm thinking it may be a busier period???

 

[TDC Nala]

If you're going at a very busy time and/or you want an ultrapopular restaurant, 180 days is a good idea. Otherwise I don't think it's crucial. But I would have anything I wanted for sure put in at least three months prior.

 

[momtotaryn]

Thank you for those who took the time out to post.

I bet people may think I'm an idiot by starting this thread, but I know it's common sense to make reservations as early as possible. I guess I am wondering if everyone is just counting days, hours, minutes until that 180 day mark to call in or go online to do so. OR, are the majority laid back and wait until they are satisfied with their plans, but still are able to get most of what they want, if not all of what they want?

 

[chloelovesdisney]

There are a handful of places that are best made at the 180 day mark, but you will be able find adrs afterwards. That will be a busy time I think so would make the adrs as soon as possible afterwards, but you'll find places available. It's much easier now that you can see the availablility online, imo. We don't plan our vacations that far in advance, so I never make them till about the 120 day mark.

If you can't get a toughie, make a back up and then keep checking to see if anything opens up. We couldn't get Ohana last week and ended up at our back up adr, Kona Cafe. I was very disappointed at first to not be able to get Ohana, but we loved our dinner at Kona so it all worked out well.

 

[cluvsdisney]

For anything super popular, you have a better chance at 180 days. But cancellations happen all the time so even if you don't get what you want, keep checking since you never know.

Personally, I don't think we have ever made ADRs more then 3 months out and but we usually make them 6-8 weeks out. Once we had to switch our WCC day but otherwise we have been pretty lucky getting them for our preferred day close to our preferred time. I should note we don't have an interest in Le Cellier, Cinderella's Table, Chef Mickeys which I know are pretty tough to get.

 

[momtotaryn]

Thank you for your suggestions! I guess I'll need to read up on this board to figure out which are the restaurants that are super popular. We are sure that we want to do the Mickey's Backyard BBQ dinner show, and I'm assuming that is one that we should book right away. Other than that, Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's are on the agenda too, but I haven't figured out what days/times yet.