Disney "virgin" with questions about booking trip, etc..

[bdiddy]

Hi everyone!

I am a Disney "virgin" planning our first trip for this fall. I'm very excited and have been slowly digesting the massive amount of info out there.

I came across something in one of my many books I've been reading and had a couple of questions.

I am planning on booking the vacation online through Disney. How do you request a certain building at your resort? Do you get a confirmation # and then call to do that? I'm just wondering how detailed it is when you book the trip. Do you worry about the little details after?

Also, we are going for a week and leaving 2 days open with nothing planned to either hang out at the resort, go back to a park or 2 we really enjoyed or maybe go to Sea World. My question is - is it hard to get into the sit-down restaurants last minute without a reservation. We would be doing our character meals on the other days and have reservations for those but I'm just thinking ahead to if we were at a park and decided to eat somewhere that day.

Thanks for your help!

Brandy

 

[Dawn68PA]

Hi Brandy!

I can't help with the dining info as I've always had reservations save for one time. There was one day we didn't and were able to walk into the restaurant in Italy. Now this was 11 years ago and during a slow time. I assume it would depend on when you are going. If it's a busy time I would make a ressie somewhere.

I'm paranoid about booking online because of the frequent glitches on the website. I always call. That way I can talk to someone, know they have my info and any requests I may need to make. I've always had super nice CMs on the phone too. I always felt at ease and never worry about my ressie.

Hope this helps and I just know you'll have a magical vacation!

 

[wilde_oscar]

for some things the time of year is going to make a big difference. Restaurant reservations are recommended any time of year. Requesting a building... you can fax the info to the hotel about 5 days prior to checkin as that is when the REservations office turned your info over to the hotel. Unless you need an accessible room, there is an option on the web site for accessible stuff. Preferred rooms will be closer to the main buildings in most resorts, but a lot of that will vary by resort. I have always had good luck with a smile and being nice at check in to get a good location.

Again, walk ups are usually hard to find, some times of year more so then others.

when it comes to planning keep asking questions... there is a lot of info. and it is hard to bring some of it together in a logical manner with out practice.

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi Brandy and welcome!

This may help you get started: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

As far as requests go, keep in mind that Disney makes no promise to honor them. But when you call in your reservations, you can add in the request.

As far as the dining reservations go: a lot depends on the time of year, and then the size of your party. But if you're thinking of going at a busy time, those ADRs are pretty much needed.

Are you staying on site? Have you decided on the dining plan? (If that makes no sense, try the link I gave you first.)

 

[Chellymouse]

Welcome! If there are places you absolutely want to eat, you NEED to make an ADR. I've got my ADRs for August already and DH and I are in the planning process for December. It's getting very difficult to walk up to popular restaurants, especially during busier times of the year. We lucked out last August and were able to get a couple of last minute ADRs but we were also shut out of a couple of places that we would have liked to tried. I have booked my last 3 trips online, no problems! Once I've got a confirmation, I'll call back and put in a request, however, requests are NOT guarenteed. We've been very fortunate the last couple of trips, but we've also been unfortunate. The only way to guarentee a request if it's available as an upgrade for a fee.

 

[bdiddy]

Thanks for your thoughts! I am waiting to see if they offer the free dining plan. If so we will go as late as we can in Sept. If not - we'll go most likely in October, maybe early November. I am planning on making ADR for the days we will be at the parks for sure.

I'm just thinking about those 2 open days we have on the schedule. Like if we are there and really love a certain park and want to go back if we can try to get in somewhere when we are there that day not having the ADR.

Thanks for the tip on calling for the reservation. I've been checking prices online and just assumed I would do it that way but it does make more sense to talk to a live person!

And Chellymouse - I noticed you are in Cuyahoga Falls! So am I!!!

 

[breezy1077]

Hi all from Ohio!

I got alot of questions answered by booking by phone. As far as dining, I'd make the ADR's just in case. You can always cancel if you decide to do something else.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Thanks for your thoughts! I am waiting to see if they offer the free dining plan. If so we will go as late as we can in Sept. If not - we'll go most likely in October, maybe early November. I am planning on making ADR for the days we will be at the parks for sure.

I'm just thinking about those 2 open days we have on the schedule. Like if we are there and really love a certain park and want to go back if we can try to get in somewhere when we are there that day not having the ADR.

Thanks for the tip on calling for the reservation. I've been checking prices online and just assumed I would do it that way but it does make more sense to talk to a live person!

And Chellymouse - I noticed you are in Cuyahoga Falls! So am I!!!

If you are planning on being there during Free Dining then ADRs are a must. The table service restaurants will be full, full, full.