ADR Window importance?

[MarinaAndCharlie]

TourGuideMiKE hasn't released the best days for the week we are going (Dec 14-21) and my ADR window opens in four days. This is our first time on the Dining Plan and the first time doing ADRs. I understand its important to make reservations asap because of free dining but how important? I'd rather get my second choice in restaurants than be in a super busy park.

Do you think any of these will be affected greatly? Meaning I should just book it when my window opens and make my park plans around it?

Sci-Fi Dine in Theatre
Coral Reef
Akershus and Restaurant Marrakesh (although we have hoppers and we'll just hop over to Epcot WS on whatever day we can get a reservation as we plan to visit WS a lot)
Crystal Palace
Boma
1900 Park Fare
Kouzzina

Also, which AK restaurant would you recommend? We like trying new foods but it would be nice if only certain aspects of your meal were foreign... like steak with an african rice or something so we could still eat part of our meal if we didnt like it. haha.

Thanks!

 

[sanapp]

I used the hours released on the Disney Website and then compared it to Tour Guide Mike's prior year recommendations. I would suggest that you do that to plan your parks ASAP and then make your dining plans around that. From my own experience as well as comments from others you need to at least make an attempt to make your ADRs as soon as your window opens. I was up last Sunday doing the online ADRs at 5:30 (first day open) and I was still not able to get Chef Mickeys or Le Cellier. Of course I didn't want to switch around my days, but I was willing to switch times and I still couldn't get them. I ended up choosing Grand Floridian Cafe and Tepan Edo instead which I am happy with. I personally wouldn't wait and then later if you need to make changes do so.

 

[clanmcculloch]

TGM has released his recommendations for December 11-20. To find them, click on the December 1-10 link, then on the "you are hear" string near the top, click on the "Monthly Least Crowded Parks Charts Articles" link. You'll find December 11-20 at the bottom. For some reason this isn't showing up in the December 09 Express Planner, but it is showing up under the Least Crowded Parks list.

I'm in a similar boat. I'm very anxiously awaiting the rest of the year. My ADR window opens on the 18th and my vacation extends to December 29. I'm hoping to see December 21-31 come out REALLY soon.

 

[jerenaud]

In my very limited experience (I just did my ADRs this morning), I'd say that not only does the day matter, the time matters. I was up with the kids in the night and tried the system at about 2:30am - 4:30 or so Florida time. I was able to retrieve my reservation and get all of my ADRs within an hour of when I wanted them. I checked again at about 8:30am - 10:30 Florida time - and several were unavailable. Whether that's just because we're a largeish group of 6 or if all spots went that quickly, I can't say. So, I'd be inclined to make your best guess at 'the best park days' and make reservations accordingly, knowing that you can always park hop or try to make changes.

Erica

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

TGM has released his recommendations for December 11-20. To find them, click on the December 1-10 link, then on the "you are hear" string near the top, click on the "Monthly Least Crowded Parks Charts Articles" link. You'll find December 11-20 at the bottom. For some reason this isn't showing up in the December 09 Express Planner, but it is showing up under the Least Crowded Parks list.

I'm in a similar boat. I'm very anxiously awaiting the rest of the year. My ADR window opens on the 18th and my vacation extends to December 29. I'm hoping to see December 21-31 come out REALLY soon.

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[princessmom29]

I would definitely be on the phone/internet ASAP to get ADR's if it is important to you to eat at a particular place. You have a few popular places on your list, and there have been a lot of reports lately of very limited availability due to FD.