CP - reservations 180 days out?

[gracelrm]

We have a post Christmas trip planned for December 2013. We got the PAP through DVC and will activate them on 12/29. My only "must dos" on this trip are CP, the MK Christmas parade and Illuminations. From past years - it looks like 12/30 is the last night for the CP and people on here have said the parade at the MK usually runs through New Years Day. We plan to do the dinner package for the CP in order to be assured of attending. But I've got some questions. Do we make the reservations 180 days out for CP or can we do this earlier? If we can only do it 180 days out - since we are arriving on the day before the last possible day to attend - could we be out of luck getting reservations because of the 180 +10 that others will have?

I hope this makes sense. I think I understand all of this and I've got myself worked up that we might be out of luck.

 

[DebbieB]

We have a post Christmas trip planned for December 2013. We got the PAP through DVC and will activate them on 12/29. My only "must dos" on this trip are CP, the MK Christmas parade and Illuminations. From past years - it looks like 12/30 is the last night for the CP and people on here have said the parade at the MK usually runs through New Years Day. We plan to do the dinner package for the CP in order to be assured of attending. But I've got some questions. Do we make the reservations 180 days out for CP or can we do this earlier? If we can only do it 180 days out - since we are arriving on the day before the last possible day to attend - could we be out of luck getting reservations because of the 180 +10 that others will have?

I hope this makes sense. I think I understand all of this and I've got myself worked up that we might be out of luck.

They don't start taking reservations until around late June. It's not 180 days. They hold tables for the packages so people booking the restaurants at 180 days can't book them.

 

[lilpooh108]

I think you'll be fine as long as you're not picky about which restaurant you're dining at.

Best part is that you can now book these online which is soooo much easier than before.

Also, there is the December cancellations board in the Dining forum. Subscribe to that if you don't get what you want. Alot of people post right before they cancel something "good" so you can coordinate with them to get what you want. I picked up 2 character meals this way last year when I didn't book early enough. Good luck.

 

[Psychodisney]

We were able to get a CP reservation fairly late last year for Dec 27. Of course, popular choices like LeCellier weren't available but we had no trouble getting Coral Reef which we really enjoyed. Enjoy the show, we loved it!

 

[AmyB2006]

As mentioned, it's usually sometime in June that they open up reservations for all of the nights available, regardless of the 180 day limit.

However, when you go onto the new website under Dining and look up the CP, it states this under the "know before you go" section...

•Advance reservations are highly recommended for the Candlelight Dinner Package and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit

So they might be changing it this year... I don't know. Time will tell I guess.

 

[gatorgirl02]

We went last year to the CP (and will go this year as well) and you CANNOT make reservations at your preferred dining location simply 180 days out, but rather, if you want the package price (which includes the preferred seating) you need to wait until they release the special reservations.

Last year they let you make reservations for the CP around the 20th of June and I HIGHLY recommend that you make the reservations AS SOON AS they open. I called 3 hours after reservations were open, and had to separate my party in order to get a reservations for my preferred date b/c they booked up so quickly.

 

[JAM113]

Of course, I would always recommend making a reservation as soon as you are able, but just to give you our experience, we didn't become DVC members until last September. We made a reservation for the week between Christmas and New Years, and then I started looking at making ADRs. We were able to get Via Napoli for 12/29, and we had our choice of restaurants. I know the 30th had availability as well, but as that was my daughter's birthday, we had other plans for that night.

 

[gracelrm]

Thanks for all the information! I'll start watching in early June - should I just check the Disney site for updates?

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for all the information! I'll start watching in early June - should I just check the Disney site for updates?

I'd check in here instead - that's what I plan to do. DIS posters find out these things and post about them very quickly. IMO, the DIS is a lot easier to find that info than the main WDW site.

 

[AmyB2006]

I'd check in here instead - that's what I plan to do. DIS posters find out these things and post about them very quickly. IMO, the DIS is a lot easier to find that info than the main WDW site.

Agreed. Disney won't give any advance notice on their site, it will just be online one morning. You have to know in advance. And I agree about doing it asap because last year I was on first thing in the morning and I got the last ressie I could get for 6 adults at Teppan Edo. They go quick.

 

[LPnerd]

My grandaughter choir is singing in this ! we are so excited! we will be ther early in the season dec 7th through 12th and we had no idea we'd be going back this year!!!! SO EXCITED..... I will be watching to see when VMCP and CP tickets go on sale... and would love any and all info on this dinner package thanks!

 

[abdgeek]

Thanks for all the information! I'll start watching in early June - should I just check the Disney site for updates?

You can also check on Allears.net. I check there every year and they always list in advance when CP dinner packages will be sold. As a PP said, call immediately on the day they open it up. For some reason, I always get Teppan Edo(which is fine) because Le Cellier is sold out. I do the 4pm ish seating for the 6:15pm show(I think that's the time). So far, I've done CP on 12/24 and the last week of December. However, I've always booked at the first available time. You will be able to get reservations at restaurants without the CP package, you just don't get preferred seating.