ADR's - Newbie Questions - First Time at WDW with Kiddos

[dismommy2]

We are visiting WDW in early December...for the first time with our 2 little girls!!!! I'm so excited!!

I just booked our trip and did not get the dinner reservations I wanted...
I know I booked our vacation at the 137 day mark so I know I was late...

But, I read that you can keep checking to see if ADR's open up...
Do most people call or check online to see if there are new ADR's?

I have called the dining reservation line twice and both times I didn't think they were overly helpful..

Just curious what the veterans do...
Thanks!!

ps. Are there any special events/things that Disney does for "first time" visitors? Or somewhere I can read about it? Thanks!

 

[kdunkle904]

I go online to check availability twice a day. 7 AM and before bed. I have found great stuff this way! You just have to be vigilent. I also call about once a week just in case you never know! Just in the past 2 weeks I have found a Le Cellier reservation, a Ohanas resevation and Les Chefs de France.
Also check here on the DIS boards under dining reservations Dec cancel thread. A lot of members post their dining cancels and when they will cancel so you can snag them on disneys website!

As far as special things for first timers, make sure to stop at guest relations at any of the theme parks and ask for a celebration button that says it is you 1st time. They will write your name on it and you can wear it your entire trip. Make sure to place it where everyone can see it! You never know if a cast member sees it what "pixie dust" might come your way!

Have a great trip! You are going to have a blast!!

 

[budbeerlady]

I would check often online. You dont know when someone might cancel?

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/

You might have better luck trying to find "off" dining times. Like a late lunch or early dinners?

Or leave the WHERE part blank, put in table size, date and time to see what all is open.
Just playing for Friday Dec 3 at 6pm for 4 people:
50's prime
Biergarten
Boatwrights
Boma and 40+ other places.

 

[brooklynnbaby]

KEEP CHECKING!

We *just* booked our trip on Sunday. As in, three days ago - for first week in December, which is well within the 180 day ADR window. I figured we'd just take what we can and call it good.

I've been able to score some hard to get ADRs, including CRT (!!!) and a Fantasmic package I'm thinking I've used up all my luck, lol. But I have been checking every chance I get, just because I'm obsessive like that.

So keep at it - hopefully something turns up!

 

[dismommy2]

KEEP CHECKING!

We *just* booked our trip on Sunday. As in, three days ago - for first week in December, which is well within the 180 day ADR window. I figured we'd just take what we can and call it good.

I've been able to score some hard to get ADRs, including CRT (!!!) and a Fantasmic package I'm thinking I've used up all my luck, lol. But I have been checking every chance I get, just because I'm obsessive like that.

So keep at it - hopefully something turns up!

Wow, I have hope now!!
Have you been checking frequently online for reservations to pop open?


I'll have to start doing that a couple times a day...LOL!

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions! I hope I can change some of mine into more desirable times

 

[brooklynnbaby]

Yes, just check whenever you think about it. It's engrained in me, now, even after just a few days. LOL! My kids are like, "MOM, are you on the computer again?!?!" THey don't know we're going so I have to be a bit sneaky, but I think I might have to actually spend some quality time with them today. HAHA!

ETA: And yes, with a bunch of ADR, you have the option to add a special celebration, and First Visit is one of them! I don't know exactly what they do, but I've labeled that and Birthdays on some of our ADRs.

 

[su_A_ve]

yup - keep checking. I've been calling every other day to have them run a search for Le Cellier during Xmas week. They can do a day long search, instead of having to do the hourly search you have to do on the web site.

I finally found a dinner on Xmas eve.

 

[mcd2745]

Keep checking. Just this morning I snagged a dinner reservation for Le Cellier on 9/1.

 

[dismommy2]

Thanks again for your advice.
I have checked online a couple times today and was able to get a better time for one of our reservations!

I'll have to continue to keep checking!!

I think it is much better to check online than to call.