advantages of booking ADRs 180 vs 90 days??

[tami82]

Can someone tell me what the advantages are when they switch over to 180 days from 90 days. Does it just give you more time to play around or is there a method to this? It is great though to be able to make our ADR way earlier for next year.

 

[emacek]

My bet is that free dining type offers will be announced at something less than 180 days out so that customers who are paying full freight will have already had a chance to book their ADRs.

Also it looks to me like when we return to 180 days, all the names on the reservation will need to be submitted in advance and they *may* require credit card guarantees. My guess is that it's an attempt to get folks to honor their ADRs rather than making multiples.

 

[williamson_ja]

I think the advantage of being able to reserve 180 days ahead is that a lot of people don't even book their trips 180 ahead, which means I will have a better shot at getting some of those elusive dining reservations that I never seem to be able to get. lol I am happy about the change.

 

[Doingitagain]

I think it will spread out their phone calls because a lot of people don't book that far in advance. With 90 days, it goes crazy in the morning when bookings open up.

 

[ugagirl]

I think it's a bad deal for us going in early February. I have to wait until Oct 27, even though 6 months out would be now. So I'm going to be calling with a ton of people on that day, competing to talk to a customer service rep with people who are going as far out as April.

 

[vicki_c]

Less competition, because not everyone is a DISer.

Aside from the fact that I have to book mine on the day that they start it - Oct. 27 - I'm really looking forward to the return of the 180 day window. Very good for planners, and DVC members.

 

[livinlife25]

My only problem with it is if they dont announce hours or deals @ 180 days...For instance I would prefer not to do the dining plan on my next trip in Dec 2010, but if that is the only available promotion available I will obviously take it. My ADR's would be different if I am doing the dining plan. I wont know which to plan for?

 

[wisnieea]

My bet is that free dining type offers will be announced at something less than 180 days out so that customers who are paying full freight will have already had a chance to book their ADRs.

Also it looks to me like when we return to 180 days, all the names on the reservation will need to be submitted in advance and they *may* require credit card guarantees. My guess is that it's an attempt to get folks to honor their ADRs rather than making multiples.

I would appreciate this. My cousin (no matter how much I argue) will make 2 or even 3 reservations for the same night so she has "options". Honestly last trip they went on they have 19 reservstions and honoured 6.

It makes me soooooooooo frustrated.

 

[vicb]

I think it's a bad deal for us going in early February. I have to wait until Oct 27, even though 6 months out would be now. So I'm going to be calling with a ton of people on that day, competing to talk to a customer service rep with people who are going as far out as April.

My only problem with it is if they dont announce hours or deals @ 180 days...?

I agree. This is stressing me out for my Feb. trip as well. Over on the theme park forum someone responded to my inquiry of when the Feb. hours would come out as possibly being right at the Oct. 27 day, wow that doesn't help at all.

I guess I will look at last years hours and emhs for my week and make a tentative plan. Hopefully I will get some of my first choices for ADRs. Atleast there is no free dining during my time so that should ease up the ressie crunch a bit.

 

[v_gan]

I personally liked getting all my reservations done super early so I had less to worry about during the months leading up to our trip. I'm glad they're moving it back to 180 days.

 

[dvcdisney]

I am, also, glad that it's back to 180 days.

I'm an early planner as well. And with the hours released at 180 days also, it will be great. I believe it will spread out the calls as well (if calling).

However, I am nervous about how busy it will be on Oct 27th as well. I'll be joining lots of people online that day, hopefully the system won't crash.

 

[Broncobilly83]

See, in my case, I would prefer it to remain 90 or even move to 30 days out. I am the type of person, I can change my mind from the morning as to what I want for dinner that night, and WDW is expecting me to have an idea of what I might like to eat 90 days from now?!?

However, I am pragmatic and realize the strain on the systems in place to handle ressies that close to the arrival dates. But on the other hand, is it a good idea to take ressies 180 days out, when the trip itself does not need to be paid off until 45 days out? That could be a lot of cancellations at the last minute, etc.

 

[Doingitagain]

Less competition, because not everyone is a DISer.

Aside from the fact that I have to book mine on the day that they start it - Oct. 27 - I'm really looking forward to the return of the 180 day window. Very good for planners, and DVC members.

The wait might be longer on the phone and the computer might be slower, but remember that you are still only "competing" with the same number of people for your reservation dates, others are booking for different dates.

 

[livinlife25]

I decided that I wish deals/ hours would come out at 180 and the ADR's can be made at 120

 

[gelebean]

Ok, I have been super busy and out of touch with all things Disney lately....

I know they moved the window to 90 days before but now they have moved it to 180 again? When did they do that?

We are going Feb 6 for a few days so I can't make my reservations till October 27th even though I am within 180 days now??

I am so confused!

 

[siskaren]

We are going Feb 6 for a few days so I can't make my reservations till October 27th even though I am within 180 days now??

I am so confused!

Yes, because October 27th is the date that they're changing the window from 90 days to 180 days, so on that day anyone whose arrival date is between 90 and 180 days will be able to book.

 

[vicki_c]

The wait might be longer on the phone and the computer might be slower, but remember that you are still only "competing" with the same number of people for your reservation dates, others are booking for different dates.

That's a good point - that's really what I'm concerned about. I really don't stress over ADRs too much (as in "my whole vacation is ruined because I can't eat at ______") - not really that important to me.

But I hate to wait on the phone for an eternity - I'll be trying the online thing this time. It seems to be my luck though - one trip in 2008, my booking window opened the same day that they opened the bookings for ALL the Candlelight Processionals! It was forever on the phone!

 

[donnajean17]

So I am clear, when they change the ADR booking back to 180 days on 10/28 they will also be releasing park hours 180 days out also??

 

[MusicMouse]

So I am clear, when they change the ADR booking back to 180 days on 10/28 they will also be releasing park hours 180 days out also??

Yes, they are supposed to release the park hours, too - but the changeover date is 10/27, not 10/28. Online reservations usually open before the phone lines. Some people have reported them being available as early as 3AM Eastern Time. Looks like it will be a sleepless night for a lot of us Disers!

 

[Doingitagain]

In the FAQ there is a link to how to do online reservations, and it links to a report where one DISer took the time to write a very detailed step by step, including starting out making coffee! I found it very helpful and it was so nice of them to write it!