Anyone Else Worried About New Adr System?

[aljack33]

Is anyone else worried about the new ADR system? I don't see much talk about it. We are planning an April 2009 trip I booked the hotel and ticket package but I didn't book a dining package. Normally, we would book deluxe as we did this year. I am just hesitant now to book a DP because of the new ADR system and being able to get the ADR's I want.

If they go to 90 day out ADR's, it's going to be harder to get into restaurants. I think I have to wait to schedule my CM and CRT on October 17 (180 days out), but what if that is all I can get with the ADR system?

Anyone know any information that could ease my mind and book my DP now or do you think I should wait to book it until I know I get my ADR's? Seeing that we are going over the spring break time, ADR's are going to be really hard to get as it is. Last year, we went at the same time, I booked all my ADR's right at the 180 day mark no problem, but for next year, I'm worried.

 

[DebbieB]

There's no advantage to book the dining plan far in advance, so I would wait if you are not sure. Since you are not going until April, you will be past the initial rush when the system changes over. No one else can book more than 90 days ahead so I don't see what difference it would make if you call when they are first available.

 

[aljack33]

I think more people are sure of where they want to eat 90 days out as opposed to 180 days out. I think it will more of a rush with the 90 days out. More people are booked. More know where they want to eat. I think ADR's are going to be a lot harder to get then with the 180 day window.

I Know a lot of people like the 90 day window for that reason - they know where they want to go. I guess I am spoiled - I liked having the ease of getting all my ADR's at 180 days out.

I think I will just wait to see what happens when the "flood gates" open when the new system is in place and then make my decision on whether to get the DP or not.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Up until a couple of years ago, they didn't take ADRs until 90 days out, and I never had any problem getting what I wanted. Except for CRT, but that seems easier to come by now since they raised the price so much.

 

[aljack33]

I am thankful that CRT is still 180 days out. I can book that one at least. We have always went to lunch there but next year, I wanted to try breakfast. Hopefully, I can get that. And CM is important because we are staying at the CR, so we want to do breakfast and dinner there.

I'm still a little worried. But I have my 90 day mark ready in January to get calling or apparently, maybe getting the computer to book them. It's good to know that it used to be 90 days. We just started going when it was 180.

 

[BillSears]

I'm worried since I'll be going the first week in March. 90 or 180 isn't the problem for me. The problem is the bringing up the system all on one day, we'll have months of people trying to book reservations all on the same morning. It'll be chaos!

 

[CarolA]

As I understand this everything is happeing so they can implement online booking


It's Disney's IT shop..

BE VERY AFRAID!

This IT shop cannot run a hotel reservation booking system and now they want to make dinner reservations.

RUN!!!!!

 

[SnwflkCts]

This is just me asking - I understand worrying about getting ADRs - thank goodness I was still in the 180 day window of allowance but ...

If everyone has to wait 90 days ... why would it be any different than calling 180 days. I'm just confused

If I am arriving April 15th after paying my taxes (ha ha) and I call 90 days in advance, won't I just be calling when all the other April 15 people call?????????? The only people ahead of me would be the people who arrive a week or so before April 15 and are staying thru that date. Is that the worry - that those people will get the good places that are staying thru? I just can't figure out how it would be that many more people or maybe us 180 day obsessive planning folks have a jump on the procrastinators?

Anyway - giving all of you a little pixie dust in hopes you get the ADRs you want! !

 

[Somnia]

When does this start? We're going in Feb, but have not booked yet (doing that in a week). Can I make reservations now or do I have to wait till the 90 day mark?

 

[aljack33]

Thanks for the Pixie Dust! To answer your question, I think more people know where they want to eat 90 days out than 180 days out. So, there will be A LOT more people calling in at that 90 day window then there would be at the 180 day window for the same day.

180 days out I had a few weeks even a month to kinda "tweek" my ADR's. I won't have that luxury at the 90 day window.

And I am really concerned about booking them on the computer. I agree the IT department has a lot of problems. It's gonna take months if not longer to get everything ironed out.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Another kind DISer posted the below elsewhere & it was helpful to me since I was told to call in October for my Feb 9 trip. Based on the below, I called last Wednesday and got my ADRs for this trip.
---------------------------------------------
Beginning November 21, 2008, the launch of a more robust reservation system for dining, recreation and tour bookings will replace the current Dining Reservation System. With the launch of the new booking system, reservations for dining, recreation, and tours may be conveniently secured during one interaction instead of the multiple transactions required today. This supports our commitment to leverage technology to enhance the overall Guest experience. The upgrade to the new system begins July 21, 2008, with minimal impact expected to the booking window. As the application upgrade occurs, the latest reservation date Guests are able to secure with the current systems is February 22, 2009. Once the upgrade is completed the booking window will expand back to the normal 180 days.

-----------------------
aljack - I agree that obtaining ADRs using their website scares me - I don't trust the WDW vacation website- I ALWAYS call once I decide my dates and see the price.

& PS - NOW I GET IT. I don't usually tweak my ADRs so I never thought of the impact 90 days would be! Plus anymore, I am going to the more mundane restaurants for lunches vice dinner - I was lucky enough in past trips to visit the popular ones!

 

[aljack33]

I guess time will tell. I worry too much. Maybe everything will go smoothly. Who knows. I wonder if you will still be able to call to get your ADR's or if they are going completely by the computer. You would think they would have to keep the phone lines open as a lot of people do not have computers? ANd what will be faster, a few clicks on the key board or talking to a life person to get the ADR's you want?

I like to do lunches too instead of dinners! My biggest concerns are getting the characters meals for my dd's. I can deal with alternating our other TS meals. It's the character ones that I am most worried about. Although, with CM and CRT still at the 180 day mark, that is a relief.

 

[Tricia1972]

I agree with a PP, getting through will be chaos when it opens back up and the window goes to 180 days immediately.

However, the good news is that even though it'll be hard to get through on the phones, you will only be competing with those that are there with you for your dates. (Even though the people from March, April and May will be calling - the people from May won't affect another persons ADR's in March)

I think that it will be chaos, and I am very glad that we went in April 2007, March 2008 and are NOT going in March or April 2009.

I doubt that the 90/180 day will make a whole lot of difference. I think that some people know about ADR's and those that do call at 180 days. Those that don't know about ADR's probably call at about 45-30 days out.

Good luck to EVERYONE calling - it's going to be nuts, but I bet that you'll get what you want despite the chaos.

(Now whether the new system can handle this and keep your ADR's - that's another question. )

 

[disnut8]

Maybe everything will go smoothly.

It's a computer upgrade and/or replacement. I'm sure it's in a Beta testing phase right now but I have not experienced one single computer upgrade or replacement that has ever gone smoothly with absolutely no bugs at all.

I have been saying this for months. Once that system goes live, all hell is going to break loose. And there will be tons of posts on this board (and others) about how stupid the system is or "I used to be able to do this before, now I can't!"

 

[Inkmahm]

So I can't call until November 21 to make ADRs for my March 17-24 trip?

 

[CarolA]

It's a computer upgrade and/or replacement. I'm sure it's in a Beta testing phase right now but I have not experienced one single computer upgrade or replacement that has ever gone smoothly with absolutely no bugs at all.

I have been saying this for months. Once that system goes live, all hell is going to break loose. And there will be tons of posts on this board (and others) about how stupid the system is or "I used to be able to do this before, now I can't!"

Well since Disney's "tested" system's don't work.... I agree. This is a going to be ugly!

 

[eliza61]

I don't make a lot of ADR's to begin with so can't really say that I'm worried. I do agree with pp in that computer upgrades are notoriously bad in the best cases and disney is far from the best case.

I really feel bad for the poor dining reservations cm's. They are going to take the full brunt of irate customers.

 

[aribelle]

So I can't call until November 21 to make ADRs for my March 17-24 trip?

Your 180 day window for March 17 would be September 18.....on that day you can (and SHOULD) still call and make ADRs for Cinderella's Royal Table, Chef Mickey and Victoria & Alberts. And if you are staying onsite, then on September 18, you can actually book any of those three places for the duration of your trip (resort guests can book 10 days worth of ADRs at their 180 day window).

Any other ADRs, yep, you'll have to wait until the new system is open....I'd certainly calendar November 21, but keep in mind that October 24 was the date when the original announcement was made, so November 21 may change again. Watch these boards as it was reported here long before any of the websites updated the new date, lol.


And be sure to calendar some extra patience if you are planning to call the first day they open.....by then there will be about 4 months worth of guests all trying to call in at once. I think it safe to say that many people will be on hold for quite a while!

 

[aribelle]

As I understand this everything is happeing so they can implement online booking

That was my understanding also......but I was lambasted on other thread that this is just a rumor and there has been no official word that it involves online booking, that it's just an improvement to their internal system which now requires you to make multiple calls to book your trip.

I really felt like I read something that made it seem more of a sure thing than just a rumor....but I can't remember where. Do you have anything more concrete? (Ok, I'll admit I really want to know so I can go lambast back, lol)

 

[Inkmahm]

Your 180 day window for March 17 would be September 18.....on that day you can (and SHOULD) still call and make ADRs for Cinderella's Royal Table, Chef Mickey and Victoria & Alberts. And if you are staying onsite, then on September 18, you can actually book any of those three places for the duration of your trip (resort guests can book 10 days worth of ADRs at their 180 day window).

Any other ADRs, yep, you'll have to wait until the new system is open....I'd certainly calendar November 21, but keep in mind that October 24 was the date when the original announcement was made, so November 21 may change again. Watch these boards as it was reported here long before any of the websites updated the new date, lol.


And be sure to calendar some extra patience if you are planning to call the first day they open.....by then there will be about 4 months worth of guests all trying to call in at once. I think it safe to say that many people will be on hold for quite a while!

Thanks for the info! Luckily the March trip is just DH and me and we aren't planning at eating at any of those 3 so I won't have to call in September. November 21 though is another story. I don't know if I'll call right when it opens but I'll have to make a note to try to get in sometime that day.