ADR Stalkers - Do you ever feel like you just missed an ideal ADR time opening?

[TiggerTrigger]

Yes, I admit I'm an ADR stalker. Why? B/C sometimes I want to add things or change it up after my day 180 choices...even if they seemed perfect for 2 months leading up to my 180 mark. And then of course there's gettng the perfect time... I mean 5, 10, 15 min off from ideal has been known to drive me crazy.

So lately I've been stalking to improve a few ADR times, but every now and then- spots disappear and then open in a manner where I feel like I may have just missed out on the ideal (or a more ideal) time.

Examples...
1. On day 180, I got my ideal 8:05a for Crystal Palace, but after 2 weeks I realized there was a better day for us to do this. So, I rebooked, but had to settle for 8:20a. After I booked that, the best time available for over a month was 8:25a until yesterday when that changed to 8:30a. By this morning, it was back to 8:25a. The reality is that someone could have canceled for any number of reasons, but I can't help but wonder if the 8:25a is now back in the system b/c someone got a better time for that morning ... i.e. I wasn't stalking hard enough and missed out!

2. I would like a 6-6:15p at LTT, but the best I've been able to get is a 5:50p. I dropped a 6:50p, then a 5:10 p, and then a 5:45p for this 5:50p slot. The 5:45 disappeared after a couple of days and then returned again...making me wonder if someone got something better and again, I missed out on improving my time.

I know I'm not the only ADR changer out there, nor am I the only stalker , and I know I'm not the only one who freaks out about 5-15 min off from ideal timing...however, please tell me there are others paranoid that they may have just missed the perfect ADR time/date upgrade as well? Oh yeah- ADR paranoia

 

[4littleones]

I wish that I could devote more time to searching ADR's. I do it in the morning and the evening and any chance I get during the day (which is usually once) and that does not seem like nearly enough. I am likely missing stuff.

 

[Three cats]

That is so funny, i know exactly what you mean! I had my ADR's. worked out long before my 180 days. A couple weeks later, I decided I needed 'Ohana a hare earlier. Thru my stalking I have been able to get it 10 minutes earlier than I originally booked but I am still shooting to shave another 10 minutes off....lol


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[TiggerTrigger]

I guess at least calling for free dining today distracted me from the mania known as ADR stalking.

 

[Aggiegrl]

I'm a stalker too. Having booked our September trip late, I HAVE to stalk ADRs to get anything decent for 8 people during free dining. We aren't even on free dining because the military discount works out better for us. I just want a few character meals.

So far I've gotten:

Two different breakfast ADRs for Chef Mickey. First was at 10:25, but I got a 9:55 AM so we switched. I think I'm happy with this one. Probably. The day is midweek so we could have this as a non-park day.

A dinner ADR for Chef Mickey at 5:30 PM. This is my preferred time, but it is on our last night. Not sure I want that. I have to choose between this and the breakfast ADR.

A breakfast ADR for Crystal Palace at 8:05 AM. Preferred time again, but it will be on our first full day and I wasn't planning MK that day. It is a Sunday and the crowds are predicted to be fairly high compared to later in the week. I could have gotten an 8:10 later in the week but it was on a EMH morning.

....SO, I keep stalking. I've found that the iPhone app is much quicker for checking availability. If one of the character meals is available, you can't see the time or make the ADR, so you have to switch over to regular internet browsing for that.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Sounds at least like you're making some progress with the stalking. I was in a similar position last August...booked ADRs thinking we'd probably go one week, but it wasn't for another month and a half that we actually booked our pkg which wound up being a week later. Our big saving grace...no free dining when we were doing it.

We had free dining coincide with some of our trip in 2010 and while it definitely impacted things, that last month or so before travel was magic for ADR stalking. Good luck!

 

[shannonstar]

You are not alone. This year I haven't been as guilty, but it is our 4th trip and I had it narrowed down very early.

I may start rethinking myself closer to the day.

For now I am still trying to work out MVMCP and stalking Wishes Dessert party reservations for November.

The CP stalking was new for me this year too.

 

[julieb5]

What is the iPhone app that you are using to check?

 

[Aggiegrl]

What is the iPhone app that you are using to check?

I don't have my phone with me, but it is the Disney Parks app. I think it might be called Mobile Magic...its the app that has the park maps, guide, and wait times.

 

[one2admire]

I'm also a stalker. And it kills me to see a late ADR open when it previously showed no availability....makes me think someone else got a better time and canceled their later ressie.

 

[Three cats]

I don't have my phone with me, but it is the Disney Parks app. I think it might be called Mobile Magic...its the app that has the park maps, guide, and wait times.

Have you been able to book an ADR on the app that requires a credit card guarantee?

 

[Aggiegrl]

Have you been able to book an ADR on the app that requires a credit card guarantee?

No. It will show availability, but not a time. When I see availability I switch over to the regular internet form to check out what is there and then book it.

It works for me because I am searching for ADRs that have no availability during my timeframe (Chef Mickey, Crystal Palace, Garden Grill).

 

[MiceFan]

I missed the ADR I wanted by seconds today!
I reworked some ressies and had TS credits leftover for our last night of vacation. Nothing has been available in MK since I started looking a few weeks ago. Today I searched for anything in the MK and The Plaza and Tony's both came up! I hesitated for maybe 2 seconds and by the time I clicked The Plaza I got a message that it was no longer available. They really can go THAT fast We're doing a water park that afternoon and the Tony's ADR was too early so I'll keep stalking.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

You are not alone. This year I haven't been as guilty, but it is our 4th trip and I had it narrowed down very early.

I may start rethinking myself closer to the day.

For now I am still trying to work out MVMCP and stalking Wishes Dessert party reservations for November.

The CP stalking was new for me this year too.

I'm in double digit trips...coming close to 20, yet I still feel this need to book- rebook and book again. I need a new hobby!

I haven't touched anything in nearly a week, but I'm getting antsy now that I'm thinking about dropping things. I keep telling myself that no matter how tempting it is to drop Le Cellier right now...I have until mid November and I may hate my WS CS/snack hopping idea by then.

Working things around MVMCP is tough. We did that back in 2010 and I gave up and did CS...well, at least that was the plan. Of course the CS I picked converted to a cookie and cocoa station, so that was our meal that evening. LOL. I know the dessert party can be tough, but I've heard it's great.

I missed the ADR I wanted by seconds today!
I reworked some ressies and had TS credits leftover for our last night of vacation. Nothing has been available in MK since I started looking a few weeks ago. Today I searched for anything in the MK and The Plaza and Tony's both came up! I hesitated for maybe 2 seconds and by the time I clicked The Plaza I got a message that it was no longer available. They really can go THAT fast We're doing a water park that afternoon and the Tony's ADR was too early so I'll keep stalking.

OK- my adr anxiety issues are growing just by reading your story. Something like this happened to me last trip. I thought it was just a system glitch, but I guess the ADR really was snapped up that quickly. Definitely keep stalking though b/c both of those come up more than the other TS options in MK. Good luck!!!

 

[Funfire240]

My stalking paid off last year. I found out about Tusker House well after my 180 days was past and was determined to eat there (I'm a big Donald lover!). I checked many different times every day and just when I was ready to give up about 5 days before we left, I got an 8:05 on the day I wanted! I was so happy!

This year I'm doing it again. Had CRT on our 1st MK day for lunch - but DH didn't want to eat lunch there and I was able to change it to a Friday dinner but now I'm wishing I wouldn't have cancelled the lunch right away because DD will be at Pirate's League a few hours before CRT and I really wanted it on the day of her BBB appt. AGH!! Why does planninga vacation have to be so stressful???
"where's the icon for pulling your hair out in stress?"

 

[MiceFan]

Whoop! Got an ADR for DH's favorite, Liberty Tree Tavern.
Sometimes the obsessive stalking does pay off

 

[phillymummer]

I just got one for LTT too! It definitely pays off!!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Sounds like lots of people having some good stalking luck of late! Hopefully some of that will rub off on me...although, I'd probably be content to keep my ADRs where I'd like to perfect the times if I could get a BoG ADR when that opens and can get that for an ideal time.

 

[phoebesmommy]

Wow! I am so relieved, I thought I was the only one! : )

Only planning our 2nd big with kids Disney trip so i'm kinda new to this whole ADR thing. But last time we went in '09 I missed out on a lot of places we wanted to go because it was free dining as well and I didn't realize you had to book so early.

So since you all are so experienced let me run a few things by you...

Got into California grill at 5:45, fireworks start at 8:00, will we still be there or will they kick us out? : )

Only places we did not get into that I really wanted to get in to were Rose and Crown, and Ohana. Any tips? Would calling be better? And how often would you recommend I check back?

Thanks!

 

[MiceFan]

Only places we did not get into that I really wanted to get in to were Rose and Crown, and Ohana. Any tips? Would calling be better? And how often would you recommend I check back?

Thanks!

I would recommend checking every once in a while now and then start checking more often right around 50 days out. Since payments are due 45 days out, lots of people wait until then to cancel their vacation. I don't think calling makes much difference, for me, it's faster & easier to arrange ADRs online. Good luck!