I just got off the phone with Disney Dining Reservations. I just wanted to clarify the 180 vs 190 rule.
The CM told me that you cannot book until 180 days before your check-in date. On that day, you can book your dining reservations for up to 10 days out from your check-in date.
Since it's a little hard to understand, I'll use this example:
Your check-in date is 2/2/08. The 180 day mark to start making dining reservations is 8/6/07.
On 8/6/07, you can make dining reservations for 2/2/08 and every day of your stay up until 2/12/08 (10 days).
That's where the extra 10 days comes from. Instead of having to call back every day (ie call on 8/7/07 to book for 2/3/08....call on 8/8/07 to book for 2/4/08...etc...), you can make all your reservations in one call....provided that your check-in date is 180-days or less.
Since DISNEYRIFFIC's check-in date is on Jan 25th, 2008, they were able to book all dining reservations for their stay starting on 7/29/07 (this past Sunday).
Just needed to add that the CM told me this rule is only good for people staying onsite at Disney. If you stay offsite, you have to go by the 180 day mark from the day you want the dining reservation.
Speed