ADRs 180 days out?!!

[new mom11]

Our annual WDW trip is always in the fall. Athough I spend endless hours on this site when I'm planning, the rest of the year, I just don't have the time. Just booking our November trip and was in shock when I realized ADRs are now booked 180 days out! I remember hearing about the 10 day window change, but I guess that doesn't do any good when you're trying to book only 4 months ahead. We'll be finalizing our ressie this week, but I haven't even thought about ADRs. I'm afraid of what they'll tell me. (I'm one of those on the phone at 7am each day for the week knowing exactly where I want each meal!) Has everyone already booked for November or do you think there'll be a chance for some? I'm sure many like the 180 instead of 90 day window, but not me. We usually only book our trips 4 or 5 mos in advance. Oh, well, my husband will be happy. He thinks I spend way too much time planning the meals. Thanks in advance!

 

[thunderbird1]

I'm sure many like the 180 instead of 90 day window, but not me.

I second this. We have always been, and always will be, huge Disney fans, but this planning of meals 6 months in advance is just insane. And I'm not even talking about during free dining--it's anytime. Maybe, maybe it makes sense for stuff like the dinner shows, but for regular meals? It's turned me into an overplanning nutcase! I know we're going to end up changing things once we get down there (and want to enjoy a little spontaneity on our vacation), and that we'll end up being locked out of some restaurants that we really wanted to experience. It's a shame, too, because I think it will sour the vacation for a lot of first-timers.

This is one change that was for the worse, if you ask me.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

It was nice at first but now it has turned into a big hassle. We live close enough that we can't just go over for a day spontaneously and expect to eat at a TS place. There needs to be some balance for this.

 

[DebbieB]

It was nice at first but now it has turned into a big hassle. We live close enough that we can't just go over for a day spontaneously and expect to eat at a TS place. There needs to be some balance for this.

I don't think 180 or 90 days would make a difference for spontaneous trips. I think the big difference for that is the dining plan.

I think 180 days is too long for most places, 90 days is enough.

 

[auntsue]

I just got off the phone with DVC Member Services. I wanted to make reservations for our January trip. The girl said that starting Jan. 1st it is going back to 90 days. She could not make any reservations. She said up until Dec. 31 it is 180 days, starting Jan. 1 it will be 90. I guess it was too crazy that far in advance and I guess there were too many changes. That far out it is difficult to really know what you are going to be doing, often, the park hours to plan around are not out that early.

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

I just got off the phone with DVC Member Services. I wanted to make reservations for our January trip. The girl said that starting Jan. 1st it is going back to 90 days. She could not make any reservations. She said up until Dec. 31 it is 180 days, starting Jan. 1 it will be 90. I guess it was too crazy that far in advance and I guess there were too many changes. That far out it is difficult to really know what you are going to be doing, often, the park hours to plan around are not out that early.

well i was able to make adr's for jan 1 and jan 4

 

[mello]

It really would be nice if:
1) ADR's couldn't be made until after the park schedules are published
2)They would save a certain percentage for walk-ups

But then, a small part of me has to admit that it's fun to have something to plan between booking the trip and getting there, and planning adrs and making them does fill that gap nicely lol.

 

[auntsue]

Thanks for the info. I am going to call again. It's always interesting to me that the people on the DIS often know more than the CMs. The girl I was talking to was very helpful, took her time and was very accommodating. I felt that she was reading the info right from the computer screen, so I assumed it was correct. I will get back to you when I call dining directly. I used the DVC service so maybe that was the problem.

 

[ryanally]

Our annual WDW trip is always in the fall. Athough I spend endless hours on this site when I'm planning, the rest of the year, I just don't have the time. Just booking our November trip and was in shock when I realized ADRs are now booked 180 days out! I remember hearing about the 10 day window change, but I guess that doesn't do any good when you're trying to book only 4 months ahead. We'll be finalizing our ressie this week, but I haven't even thought about ADRs. I'm afraid of what they'll tell me. (I'm one of those on the phone at 7am each day for the week knowing exactly where I want each meal!) Has everyone already booked for November or do you think there'll be a chance for some? I'm sure many like the 180 instead of 90 day window, but not me. We usually only book our trips 4 or 5 mos in advance. Oh, well, my husband will be happy. He thinks I spend way too much time planning the meals. Thanks in advance!

Hi it looks like you are arriving the same day as us 11/3!!! I made our character meal and Le Cellier ADR at the 180 day mark. As for the rest well maybe today is the day. Here's hoping we all get what we want.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Yup gotta say that I also didn't love the 180 day thing. We always book our trip like 9 months in advance so that isn't the issue. The issue is that it REALLY contributes to my "obsession" over Disney planning when I really have to plan out our days 6 months in advance so I know what days I'll be at what parks to make ADRs

 

[emh1129]

Thanks for the info. I am going to call again. It's always interesting to me that the people on the DIS often know more than the CMs. The girl I was talking to was very helpful, took her time and was very accommodating. I felt that she was reading the info right from the computer screen, so I assumed it was correct. I will get back to you when I call dining directly. I used the DVC service so maybe that was the problem.

We made all of our ADRs already- all the way up through Jan.12th

 

[auntsue]

I called WDW-Dine and as usual, you guys got it right. I was also able to make all my ADR's through January 12. I don't know how the first CM could tell me that I couldn't. It would have been a nightmare if I had waited until October. We probably wouldn't have gotten anything we wanted. As it was, I had to take 3:30 for the Brown Derby Fantasmic package. That's all they had for eight people. I will call once a month to see if I can't get a later ADR.

Thanks again for the heads-up. I would have been kicking myself if I had waited. You guys are the best!

 

[3dog2kidmom]

I called WDW-Dine and as usual, you guys got it right. I was also able to make all my ADR's through January 12. I don't know how the first CM could tell me that I couldn't. It would have been a nightmare if I had waited until October. We probably wouldn't have gotten anything we wanted. As it was, I had to take 3:30 for the Brown Derby Fantasmic package.

Aunt Sue, what day are you doing Brown Derby? I can call for my ADRs tomorrow and we want to book that for January 11. I am wondering how late they will let me make it.

Thanks!