First, Ugh.....then, Hooray!!!!

[kshattuck]

It's our 90 day mark!

Woke up this AM and got online around 6:20am (EST) to try to book online ADRs. I had played around a bit with the online system prior to this morning, so I knew what everything looked like, general navigation, etc. My only problem with online booking was and is that I do not get a drop-down menu to put the ages of my children. I resolved this by putting in 6 adults, figuring that I would contact the phone reservation system to confirm everything anyway.

At 6:52am, I had all of my information loaded, completed the credit card hold for two of my meals and submitted my requests. I was dancing in my chair....literally, as I had scored all of the restaurants, dates and times (within reason) that I had as first requests.

And then, "due to the high volume of requests" my submission did not transmit. Back to square one! Hence, the ugh.......

However! I figured that I hadn't really wasted any time, as I was jumping out of my skin to book ADRs anyway and at least I had a good idea of the dates and times that reservations might be available when I called at 7:02am.

I was greeted by a cheerful automated message thanking me for my call and estimating my wait time at 4 minutes. In less than 90 seconds, I was on the phone with the wonderfully helpful Martha Jo and on my way to scoring ADRs!

All of the times that I had attempted to book online were still available for the restaurant and date that I wanted, with the exception of Akershus, where my 8:30am online reservation turned into a 10:40am and my 2:20pm lunch at LeCellier turned into an 11:45am (which I much prefer, since it seems a dinner opening may require an act of Congress).

I had called the tour line, as I needed to book a couple of tours, which I did successfully and for the days I was hoping.

HOORAY!

My total time on the phone ended up being 1 hour and 14 minutes, as Martha Jo's system would not give her my confirmation numbers. Ended up waiting close to an hour for that to work out, which it did without problem.

Our ADRs:
9/23 Crystal Palace @ 8:10am
9/24 Akershus @ 10:40am
9/25 Boma @ 4:45pm
9/26 Ohana @ 5:10pm
9/27 HDDR @ 5pm
9/28 LeCellier @ 11:45am
9/29 Chef Mickey's @ 10:05am

Many thanks to the persistent and positive CM, Martha Jo, and to all you DIS-ers for your helpful hints and great advice on scoring the desired ADRs during free dining!

 

[NanaV]

Glad to hear everything worked out so well for you!

 

[Reagan&Co.]

I think I might just call anyway, as that online system does not seem to be working that well......

Glad you got your times. I get to make mine in another week!

 

[Joan1]

I don't know if you received a blank email or checked with the cm to make sure your online wasn't booked even if you had an error? I have read where some people checked and their ADR's did go through even though they got an error when they check out.

If you haven't checked you can easily do so by calling and suppling the phone number you used when you tried to make them online.

 

[kshattuck]

Joan -- thanks for this info. I will triple-check this!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Glad to hear you got what u wanted

 

[exit30]

I think I might just call anyway, as that online system does not seem to be working that well......

I'm thinking the same thing. I am all about the convenience of using a computer but I'm a little wary of a system that is just up and running, I would hate to get to Disney and find I have no ADR's, even with a conf. number. Of course my 90 day mark isn't until the end of July, maybe by then they'll have the bugs worked out.

 

[NiniMorris]

I used the online system Sunday morning. I was able to get all 7 of my ADRS within 15 minutes of when I wanted. I had no problems at all!

It was simple, easy-peasy to do and was great to see the options I had...even though I didn't need them. (most of the options were my back up plans...kinda neat!)

I have heard that the online system is experiencing a few gliches today...but it was working fine on Sunday! I loved it! Over and out in less than 15 minutes!

Nini

 

[familyS]

Congratulations

 

[baileybelle]

Questions about on-line ADR's:

I will be booking my DS and DIL's ADR's for their honeymoon. I booked thru AAA. Got a pin e-mail for free dining and added it on.

1. To retrieve the reservation, it says I need the confirmation # and the telephone #. Which telephone # ? Mine, the AAA office # ?

2. I need to log in to retrieve the list of ADR's. Should I use my DS's log-in or mine?

3. If I decide to call in the ADR's instead, can I retrieve the list of ADR confirmation numbers on line?

4. Do I get a list of confirmation numbers once I have finished booking that can be printed out?

Thanks for the help!

 

[kshattuck]

Questions about on-line ADR's:

I will be booking my DS and DIL's ADR's for their honeymoon. I booked thru AAA. Got a pin e-mail for free dining and added it on.

1. To retrieve the reservation, it says I need the confirmation # and the telephone #. Which telephone # ? Mine, the AAA office # ?

2. I need to log in to retrieve the list of ADR's. Should I use my DS's log-in or mine?

3. If I decide to call in the ADR's instead, can I retrieve the list of ADR confirmation numbers on line?

4. Do I get a list of confirmation numbers once I have finished booking that can be printed out?

Thanks for the help!

1) Not sure of the answer; I would ask your AAA agent. If you're able to book dining, it would be your resort confirmation # and your telephone #.
2) I did not have to log in for anything online; just had to use my resort confirmation # to be able to book 90+10.
3) When I called, I got my confirmation #s and then went online and entered them so I'd have them saved with all of my other vacation information.
4) My online booking was unsuccessful, so not sure on this one either!

I know there is a "sticky" at the top of this board that is exclusively for online booking -- maybe someone there can be more helpful -- sorry!

 

[baileybelle]

kshattuck: I think I'll just call in my ADR's. I have a post in the "sticky" and was told I couldn't book 90+10 without retrieving my reservation and since I booked with AAA TA I'm unable to do that. Thanks for your help.