Booking Dining

[Desert Girl]

I thought I had read you could book dining 60 days out. On the website its showing just shy of that at this time. Is there a reason for that? Do I need to call to book for the 60 days out?

 

[mum2four]

I just checked the website and it looks like it is allowing ADR's through Sept. 10, which is exactly 60 days. Appears to be working for me.

 

[lalasmama]

Not sure if it's the issue you are having, but remember 60 days isn't two months, so Sept 10 or so sounds right. Two months is generally 61-62 days.

That being said, generally, there's not the WDW-rush to make ressies at DLR. We've done it 1-2 weeks in advance, and had an easy time getting into most places. But I understand the desire to get them made early. We went last year at this time, and I had my ressies made at 59 days!

 

[Desert Girl]

Ah yes you are right, I miscounted. I know its not as big of a rush, I'm just excited to get my plans finalized

 

[lalasmama]

Ah yes you are right, I miscounted. I know its not as big of a rush, I'm just excited to get my plans finalized

Totally understand! I've gone through every ressie I need to make over and over again, and we're still 5 months out! I have the appointed days and times in my calendar, so that I will be able to make them as soon as the window opens for our trip!

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

So I was looking at this since I work during normal business hours and can't really use my breaks to call in dining reservations.

It's asking me for a credit card. For a reservation. ***?

When you book with a credit card, do they charge anything up front? They would only charge you if you didn't show up and didn't cancel beforehand, right?

 

[figment_jii]

It's asking me for a credit card. For a reservation. ***? When you book with a credit card, do they charge anything up front? They would only charge you if you didn't show up and didn't cancel beforehand, right?

The credit card is for the no show guarantee. If you do not show up for the reservation or cancel the reservation after the deadline, they'll charge you a no show fee of $10 per person on the reservation. It's possible they might run a small charge to verify the card is valid at the time of booking, I haven't had that happen (that I've noticed).

 

[BryANDJessMom]

So I was looking at this since I work during normal business hours and can't really use my breaks to call in dining reservations. It's asking me for a credit card. For a reservation. ***? When you book with a credit card, do they charge anything up front? They would only charge you if you didn't show up and didn't cancel beforehand, right?

Yes, they don't charge you now...if you don't cancel by the day before they will charge you $10 a person.

You used to be able to make a reservation without a credit card but too many people were not canceling the reservations that they weren't using.

 

[KittyKat1978]

Which is easier, booking online or calling in?

When does the window open for online booking? 12:01 am PST?

When does the phone booking open? 8am PST?

Thanks

 

[madasax12]

I just called today and made reservations for our trip! BBB / GK / AG / RFC

 

[sunflare]

Which is easier, booking online or calling in?

When does the window open for online booking? 12:01 am PST?

When does the phone booking open? 8am PST?

Thanks

Honestly, I wouldn't stress about it... wait until you have a free moment and do it. Reservations rarely fill up for anything at 60 days - the only reason to try is if you have a very specific time/place you want to be at (like BTMBBQ right after the half marathon, or if you want to try for a lunchtime Blue Bayou reservation to see if you can get waterside.) or if you have a very large party. A week to a few days in advance is usually all you need for the average ADR.

 

[KittyKat1978]

I do want a lunch ressie at Blue Bayou, water side table.

Anyone know what time I can start booking?

 

[figment_jii]

I do want a lunch ressie at Blue Bayou, water side table.

Anyone know what time I can start booking?

As sunflare said! I really wouldn't worry about it all that much unless you're going on one of those extraordinarily busy days and with a large party. I've been able to get a 11:30 am BB reservation without much difficulty just a few weeks out. In terms of the phone line and online, my guess is either at 7 or 8 am. If you are really that concerned, you could try checking the online system at 6:30 am (PT) and see if it has "rolled" yet. Phone lines don't open until 7:00 am PT.

Are you a large party? I ask because there is a maximum party size limit for waterside tables. I think folks have reported that parties larger than 8 or 10 end up in the second row (I'm not sure of the party size, but it's come up in the past, so you try looking through some of the other threads talking about waterside tables if this could be an issue for you).

 

[Drinehart811]

This is DLR not WDW, you can take it easy

We don't rush for dining reservations here lol But seriously, DL is waaaaayyyyy different from this respect. DLR regulars see making a dining ressie at 60 days and this is what we're like:

This is because we literally make them MAYBE 3 days to a week ahead of time.. for me its honestly the day before and i get what I want 95% of the time

Don't stress really. This is not WDW, even if you call at 55 days everything will be available. seriously. everything.

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

I booked Surf's Up! Breakfast for Sept 10 for my son's birthday. I totally forgot to tell them we were celebrating a birthday. Do I need to call them back? Or can I just tell them at check in?

 

[sheetz]

I'm trying to think of a time when restaurants have been booked up 60 days out. Has this ever happened? Perhaps when Carthay Circle first opened?

 

[figment_jii]

I booked Surf's Up! Breakfast for Sept 10 for my son's birthday. I totally forgot to tell them we were celebrating a birthday. Do I need to call them back? Or can I just tell them at check in?

I would just tell them when you check-in. Just know that just because you tell them it's a birthday, it doesn't mean anything special will happen.

I'm trying to think of a time when restaurants have been booked up 60 days out. Has this ever happened? Perhaps when Carthay Circle first opened?

I know that the Fantasmic Dessert Party can sell out quickly. I honestly doubt anything completely books up on the first day reservations are available. Maybe Carthay for opening day (or any venue on opening day), but probably not much more than that.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I'm trying to think of a time when restaurants have been booked up 60 days out. Has this ever happened? Perhaps when Carthay Circle first opened?

I know that the Fantasmic Dessert Party can sell out quickly. I honestly doubt anything completely books up on the first day reservations are available. Maybe Carthay for opening day (or any venue on opening day), but probably not much more than that.

Holidays book up pretty quickly, but I don't think right at the 6-day mark. Thanksgiving Day meals though can be filled within the first week of availability of booking I think. Maybe Christmas or New Year's Eve are similar? I'm not sure. I can't really think of any other circumstance that would cause a restaurant to be booked up so fast at DL though.