Dolphin and ADRs

[dontajo]

I called to make my ADRs this morning for my trip running 12/4-12/9. Reserved CRT and Jiko, but imagine my surprise when I could not continue making my ADRs for the additional days because I'm staying at the Dolphin - not a Disney property. I had no idea Can I just tell you how ticked off I am. Don't know why I didn't realize this would create a problem with ADRs and had I known, we wouldn't be staying at the Dolphin.

 

[goofy4tink]

Sorry you found that out the hard way. You are aware that you can't use DME either?! I have been able to get some great rates at the Dolphin...good thing because something has to offset the towncar fare I have to spend!!! But, calling each day for ADRs isn't the worst thing in the world.....we used to do it all the time no matter where we stayed.

 

[Lynne M]

Well, the Dolphin is not a Disney resort.....so you don't get all the perks that Disney provides to their resort guests.

You do get access to EMH, and use of the WDW transportation system. You don't get 180+10 ADRs, use of DME, and you can't use your room key card for charging outside of the Swan and Dolphin.

There are some other differences, but those are the big ones.

 

[dontajo]

I guess I shouldn't complain since I got a fantastic $169/nite rate. But, even though I knew they weren't a Disney resort, it never dawned on me that I would have to sit here for 5 mornings in a row to make the reservations. What can I say - I'm not a morning person! I've always stayed at Disney resorts before and I will never go this route again no matter how nice it is. I'm so miserable in the morning that it's just not worth it to me!

 

[AJKMOM]

I guess I shouldn't complain since I got a fantastic $169/nite rate. But, even though I knew they weren't a Disney resort, it never dawned on me that I would have to sit here for 5 mornings in a row to make the reservations. What can I say - I'm not a morning person! I've always stayed at Disney resorts before and I will never go this route again no matter how nice it is. I'm so miserable in the morning that it's just not worth it to me!

With the timeframe you are going, do you really need to make daily calls, especially since you got CRT, which seems to be the toughest to snag? I would think you could wait until the last day and make all the rest at once.

 

[yankeepenny]

we are going in sept and i just made 1 call at the 180 day mark- i call and make changes in the evening.

if you are already not happy you may want to think about changing resorts,(JMHO)
i did not enjoy that ME last year(it was the screaming snitch video that made me cringe) so i had no issue with getting a quiet ride to the hotel.

 

[dontajo]

Last year during the same time frame I never was able to book the Fantasmic dinner package - we were staying at the Boardwalk. When we did that package 2 years ago, I loved it and I would like to do that again with my Mom. The rest of the ADRs I want shouldn't be too difficult to get. it's just the hassle of multiple phone calls and long distance charges and/or minutes.

 

[DLo]

I am staying at the Swan in Nov. I called at the 180 mark for my first adr and was able to make all of mine for my trip (4 days out). The CM asked where I was staying so she knew the Swan and let me make all my adrs.

 

[Blondie]

I made a boatload of ADR's for our November trip and we're staying at the Dolphin. They gave me no problems at all.

 

[dontajo]

Thanks DLo and Blondie. Perhaps I'll call and try again. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[paras4ri]

Definately try again - I was able to book all mine on one call - we'll be at the Dolphin in August. I'll admit on prior stays I didn't even attempt it because I didn't think the Swan or Dolphin qualified but this time the CM asked if I had others and was happy to make them all for me.

Good luck!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

We are staying at the Swan and I had no problems making mine either. What did they say to you?

 

[Colleen27]

With the timeframe you are going, do you really need to make daily calls, especially since you got CRT, which seems to be the toughest to snag? I would think you could wait until the last day and make all the rest at once.

I'm in the same position, but since we do care where we eat I'm not willing to wait until 180 from our last day to make ADRs, especially with the limited availability at some of the Epcot restaurants because of the CP dinner package. I'm not going to be up at 7 or calling every day, because we have some meals planned that should be pretty easy to get - Shula's, Fultons, Sci-fi lunch, Plaza lunch, Teppanyaki lunch - but for Le Cellier & Coral Reef (both limited availability because of the tables set aside for CP), California Grill at a Wishes time, character meals and CRT, I'll call on exactly 180 out.

Is it overkill? Maybe. When I called this morning, I had my choice of times for Chef Mickey's for our arrival night. But still, I'd rather make the unnecessary calls than wait and not get what we want.

 

[dontajo]

Since so many of you said you were able to do 180+10, I called back this afternoon. I admit I hedged a bit on where I was staying, but I managed to reserve everything I wanted. Now I just have to wait until August for the CP and I should be golden. My 75 year old Mom will be making her first trip - just Mom and me. She is so excited whatever I have to do to make this a fab trip will be worth it in the end.

Thanks everyone for your comments - most helpful!