Easier to get ADRs in July vs. October???

[whitney250]

Are there more dining reservations made available in July as opposed to October? I had a very difficult time finding reservations for our October trip, especially for BOG. We are 107 days out and I have been able to get PPO breakfasts and my pick of BOG times for dinner. I was even able to get a Wishes dessert party that was completely booked up right at 180 day for October. I would think things should be harder to get in July because it's a busier time of year.

 

[Colleen27]

Actually, the fall period when free dining has historically been offered tend to be the worst for ADRs in my experience because people pre-book their ADRs counting on the discount coming out. During the summer there are more people, but they're coming from onsite and off, with and without the dining plan. In the fall there are fewer guests but a larger chunk of them are on the DDP or are booking on the assumption the plan will be offered free.

Also, I think many summer guests are less willing to "commit" to a lot of ADRs because of the way heat, cold treats, and extra beverages combine to kill appetites. On cool weather trips I'm happy to have two ADRs per day and most of my plans fairly well set because I know we'll be in the parks from open to close, but at hotter times of year I want more flexibility to leave for a swim or change plans if there are storms in the forecast so I only make a few key ADRs. I'll fill in the rest with walk-ups or same-day ADRs based on where we are and when we get hungry

 

[whitney250]

Ok, that makes more sense! I was baffled at how easy it was to find them. I guess even though we went the week free dining wasn't available, people kept their reservations.

 

[Funfire240]

I was surprised the first time we switched from going in September to July also. We planned our 1st July trip 3 weeks before we left and I was able to get everything I wanted. It was nice because even the character dinners weren't crowded and the dinners seemed to give us a break from the crowds. Only problem now we switched back and going in November this year and DH can't understand why I'm so frantic about booking and hitting our 180 mark to make ADR's!

 

[whitney250]

I know! At 180 days last time we were booking things as soon as they opened and still couldn't get BOG and only 1 Chef Mickey's was available. It was insane!

 

[mare1203]

Sadly, yes, I have found it much more difficult to schedule ADR's in the fall than any other time of year. Especially anything 1 TS or with characters. Not only is it often Free Dining, but MK has shorter hours a couple days a week for MNSSHP and the parks aren't open as late. It's really frustrating as we love to visit during F&W, but still want a couple TS meals in addition to that. It's the reason I'd love to see FD go the way of the dinosaurs, but alas, that does not seem to be the case. Either way, we are always flexible and end up finding good meals.