miprender
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2008
- Messages
- 4,696
To be honest the only reservations I would worry about making as soon as the dining line opens would be CRT or a reservation for a holiday time, possibly Le Cellier. Other than those there is no way I would get up at 4 am to make a dining reservation. And I have never had trouble getting what I want.
I think some folks are just getting a little too worked up over the 90 day change. I have been reading on these threads that people are calling for ADR's in March and are getting what they want. Everything will be fine. Even with the 4/3 deals and most likely free dining later this year, a lot of people are just not traveling due to the poor economy. And if they do visit WDW, things like dining (table service) etc may be the first things they skip out on to save a little $$$.
I have had the most random it seems like, restaurants unavailable for the time I wanted. For our last trip, I had to book Artist Point an hour and five min earlier than I wanted... Kona Cafe way later then I wanted... and I had issues with WCC and the Garden View Tea Room. This was at about 5-7AM pac time because it takes me a while to wake up and I didn't think these restaurants were urgent...
I made a Chef Mickey ADR yesterday for June. They are taking ADRs 180 days out for Chef Mickey's, Cinderella Royal Table and V&A...nothing else. I did have to call three times since their automated phone management system disconnected the call twice before a CM was even able to pick-up the call.
Morning All!
I got through right away this morning without a wait. I made all of my reservations and got everything at the time I wanted. I also asked about Le Chefs de France which isn't currently listed on the 2009 DDP brochure. Two different agents told me it IS included on the dining plan so if anyone is wondering, there's your answer!I made a back up ressie of Le Cellier just in case. I was surprised I got it because I did that on my third call about 20 minutes after 7. So far I am liking the new ADR system!
Now it is time for bed!
FYI, when I called back to make the back up ADR, the man on the phone refused to make any reservations for March 30. He told me he was not allowed to do that yet. I tried to tell him I just made some for the same week, but he refused. I quickly hung up and got someone else. Why aren't all agents informed? Did he not check his work email or something? lol
What is a "grand gathering"?
Grand Gatherings
Exclusive Experiences
A Grand Gathering is a group of 8 or more (ages 3 and up) staying at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels. Once your group qualifies as a Grand Gathering, you can join other Grand Gathering parties for these exclusive events.
International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception
Meet your friends and family at the Odyssey in Epcot® for a celebration of international friendship. Your well-traveled and fun-loving hostess, Auntie Roz, welcomes you to amazing tastes from around the world. Help yourself to delectable international cuisine served family-style, where everyone from Grandma to Junior is sure to find a favorite dish.
As you feast, Auntie Roz and some of your favorite Disney Characters sing, dance and tell stories sometimes they even need your help! And Auntie Roz loves birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions, so if you've got something to celebrate just give her the word and she'll give you plenty of recognition, including a special song.
After your international eating adventure, end your evening on a sweet note with a scrumptious dessert buffet and a private, reserved viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Theme park admission is required.
Price:
Adults and Juniors - $64.99, Children (ages 3-9) - $33.99 (available 180 days prior)
Schedule:
Please call (407) WDW-MAGIC for dates and times.
Safari Celebration Dinner![]()
Make dinnertime an adventure with an amazing experience. Meet your tour guide in Asia at the "Flights of Wonder" theater for an exciting tour on Kilimanjaro Safaris.
After you've returned from your Safari, continue the Disney's Animal Kingdom fun in the Tusker House Restaurant with a delicious all-you-can-eat African-inspired dinner menu served family style. Dine on a full range of delectable foods that will please even the youngest members of your family. Then, have an "up-close" experience with exotic wildlife brought to the restaurant courtyard just to meet you even get an autograph from one of the special Disney Characters who stop by the restaurant to say hello! And if you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, family reunion or other special occasion, your Disney friends will surely add their recognition to the festivities. Theme park admission is required.
Price:
Adults and Juniors - $64.99, Children (ages 3-9) - $33.99 (available 180 days prior)
Schedule:
Please call (407) WDW-MAGIC for dates and times.
Good Morning Character Breakfast![]()
Start the morning with Tony, the proprietor from "Lady and the Tramp," at his Tony's Town Square Restaurant for a fun-filled breakfast with plenty of Character. Mingle with Mickey while you enjoy the delicious dishes of an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Then sing and dance with your Disney pals or talk to them tableside. Tony will be happy to recognize birthdays and special occasions along with a special serenade of "Bella Notte" for anniversaries. After breakfast, take Tony up on his invitation to visit Mickey's PhilharMagic, one of the most popular attractions in Magic Kingdom® Park, for reserved seating at the very next show. Theme park admission is required.
Price:
Adults and Juniors - $32.99, Children (ages 3-9) - $19.99 (available 180 days prior)
Schedule:
Please call (407) WDW-MAGIC for dates and times.
Magical Fireworks Voyage![]()
Set sail with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee from Disney's Contemporary Resort. When you arrive at the Resort, check the Daily Event Board inside to see where to meet your "mateys" and start your adventure. Chow down on some pirate grub of snacks and beverages before you board the boat. Then, with a pirate as your host, sail on an unforgettable evening voyage around the Seven Seas Lagoon. Test your Disney trivia, sing songs and enjoy a magical performance of the Electrical Water Pageant. all from the perfect vantage point for the fireworks spectacular set high above Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom® Park.
As you sail back to your Resort Port, your pirate host entertains you with the story of Peter Pan, ending just in time for you to discover Pan himself waiting on shore to greet your family, sign autographs and pose for photos. Even better, if you've got a birthday, reunion, anniversary or other special occasion in your group, Pan and the pirates help you celebrate!
Price:
Adults and Juniors - $43.99, Children (ages 3-9) - $24.99 (available 180 days prior)
Schedule:
Please call (407) WDW-MAGIC for dates and times.
As part of the "What Will You Celebrate:" program , beginning summer 2009, the Magical Fireworks Voyage (under a new name) will become available to all Guests, including Grand Gathering Guests, regardless of the size of their party. Guests can begin booking the celebratory fireworks experience by contacting (407) WDW-PLAY (939-7529) beginning in summer 2009.
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Custom Events
During your visit to Walt Disney World® Resort you may want to enjoy a special meal in one of our unique private dining park locations or beautiful resort catering venues. Available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or perhaps a dessert reception - groups of 20 or more can celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or any special event. To make your event even more magical, just call our Grand Gathering Travel Planners at 407-828-3200.
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*Availability for each Grand Gatherings experience is limited. The same experience must be purchased by at least 8 Guests in your party. The pricing is per person per experience. Reservations can be made 3 to 180 days in advance, and full payment for each experience is required 45 days prior to arrival without change. Events are subject to change. All prices include tax and gratuity.
If you are under 18 years of age, you must have your parent or guardian's permission to dial this number.