Brand new to Character Dining

[Pulpit]

So my family of nine are going to WDW Nov. 19-26 this year. We would like to dine with the princesses and do a Mickey one as well.

Do I just go to the Disney site 180 days in advance to reserve the experience? What time is best to reserve, does the site open up at midnight for me to reserve the spots?

Do you experts DIS folks have any suggestions for me?

I appreciate your help for a newbie that wants to have a great time!
Pulpit

 

[casper_jj11]

Are you staying onsite or offsite? If onsite, you can book all your ADR's (up to 10 days from arrival), 180 days before your arrival date. If offsite, you can book each restaurant 180 days prior to when you plan to eat there.

As for recommendations, the princesses and Mickey are found at several locations for dining. Princesses are found at CRT at MK and Akershus at the Norway Pavillion in Epcot. Cinderella is also found at dinner at 1800 Park Fare. Mickey is found an numerous places including: Chef Mickey at the Contemporary, Ohana breakfast at the Poly, Tusker House at AK, Garden Grill (I think) at Epcot, Cape May at Beach Club Resort and I'm sure there are other places I'm missing. Have a look at the menus and it may narrow down your choices a bit. HTH

ETA: You can book ADRs at your 180d timeline online at 6am or by phone at 7am

 

[Pulpit]

We are staying offsite.

Thanks for the help! I will give them a look and decide what to do and book 6:00am 180 days prior. This helps us in our plans on where to go each day since we will most likely not do the hopper this go around.

We are wanting the Princess at the Castle Breakfast and possibly the AK Mickey breakfast at Tusker House.

I assume these are good ones?

Thanks!
Pulpit

 

[casper_jj11]

We ate at Tusker several years ago and loved it but haven't lately because DD has been diagnosed with a peanut allergy which is a bit of a problem at Tusker (big batches of peanut butter is pretty scary for us).

We ate at CRT for breakfast last August for the first time in awhile and it was wonderful. While the food is just average, the service was great and eating inside the castle just can't be beat.

 

[fi46re129]

I did the 6am online at 180 and had problems with the disney site on firefox and was freaking out I wouldnt get what we wanted but then I switched to internet explorer and had no problem (thankfully I knew ahead of time that firefox can be problematic from the boards!) Good luck with your ressie's!

 

[Pulpit]

Good to know. I cannot wait!!!