ADRs - call or book online?

[glm777]

Tomorrow is my 180 day mark and I have a very specific list of ADRs that I would like to get. Do you suggest I try to book online or is it better to call? I think online I can book starting at 6 and via phone starting at 7. Any suggestions, tips, advice??

 

[Robo]

Tomorrow is my 180 day mark and I have a very specific list of ADRs that I would like to get. Do you suggest I try to book online or is it better to call? I think online I can book starting at 6 and via phone starting at 7. Any suggestions, tips, advice??

On-line.

 

[missnikki411]

I always book online and have never had an issue getting what I want. Just book top priority ones first and go down the order.

 

[Accident]

I only call when I can't get it online and need somethign for a particular day (like a specific birthday meal and it has to be somewhere specific).

 

[matthewhavens]

Tomorrow is my 180 day mark and I have a very specific list of ADRs that I would like to get. Do you suggest I try to book online or is it better to call? I think online I can book starting at 6 and via phone starting at 7. Any suggestions, tips, advice??

As you noted, by going online you can start booking one hour before you could call. Even when you do call, it's not like the CMs have access to a system that you don't.

Also, be prepared to be flexible. My 180 was this past Thursday for an 11/8-11/14 trip. I couldn't get ANY BOG until 11/13. Booking at 6am 180 days out doesn't get you what it used to.

 

[glm777]

We have a party of 7. If we can't get what we want for a party of 7 - can we request to be seated next to one another if we split the party and get reservations within 15 minutes of each other?
Also - the website says that they need a credit card to book a reservation. I did not put my credit card on file when I booked. Should I call and have the credit card attached to my reservation? Or can I do it through MDE?
The last thing I want is to have an ADR available and lose it because it's taking me too long to put in my credit card info!

 

[Robo]

1. I did not put my credit card on file when I booked... can I do it through MDE?
2. The last thing I want is to have an ADR available and lose it because it's taking me too long to put in my credit card info!

1. You can do that.

-or-

2. Just type the CC info once in a word processor document or on a computer note card of some kind.
Keep that open while you're booking ADRs and copy and paste it onto the ADR screen.

 

[Lavitz]

Also - the website says that they need a credit card to book a reservation. I did not put my credit card on file when I booked. Should I call and have the credit card attached to my reservation? Or can I do it through MDE?
The last thing I want is to have an ADR available and lose it because it's taking me too long to put in my credit card info!

You can do this on MDE, I did exactly this for exactly the reason you mention. I think it's under My Profile then Payment Methods. Once you add it you can try and add a random ADR for say 2 weeks from now to make sure it's working properly, then cancel it once you know.

 

[disney world dreamer]

try online first.
generally you'll be able to look for and make your ADR's much much faster online.
be sure that you either already have a CC on file or are ready to put in your CC info as they do require it.
yes online is 6am and by phone is 7am all eastern standard time.

 

[Angeliki19]

I agree with other PPs... definitely online. Be prepared with contingency plans in case you can't get something.. I always feel so frazzled when something I was expecting to be available isn't. But I always end up loving my plan B's!!!

 

[purple figment]

We have a party of 7. If we can't get what we want for a party of 7 - can we request to be seated next to one another if we split the party and get reservations within 15 minutes of each other?

You can ask at the restaurant when you check in if you can be seated together. There is no guarantee, but the castmembers will do their best. You can also look for a reservation for 8 since in most cases a group of 7 will be seated at an 8 top. As long as at least one person shows up for the reservation, you will not be charged for the "missing" person. Be sure to include everyone in your party because of fire code regulations so look for 7 or 8 and not for 6.

As others have said, start booking online first since it opens up an hour earlier. Although you have a very specific list of ADRs that you want, you may have to be flexible. Often the harder to get places and times may already be booked by those whose arrival dates are before you so you might want to plan some of those choices for later in your trip, but book them first.

 

[Shanti]

Online