Help! A few ADR-making questions

[dspads]

Hi,

MY ADR day is coming up fast and I have a few questions. We haven’t done the dining plan since 2004 and I am not used to making so many ADRs!

• We are staying in DVC with my parents. Do they have a special number to call or I can I make the reservations online (even though it is under her name)? I rather do them myself but I am not sure how.

• Do you make ADRs for the Fantasmic! package and Candlelight Procesional at the same time? I don’t even think the CP package info is available yet (?). How do I know what time to book?

• These are the ADRs I am going to try and get, any thoughts?

-12/1 – Ohana dinner 6pmish
-12/2 –Mama Melrose (would like to do the Fantasmic! Package) time?
12/3 –offsite (going to see Harry Potter at US!)
12/4 –Chef Mickey breakfast (MVMCP) 10amish
12/5-Teppan Edo 6pmish
12/6-T-Rex or Paradiso 37 5pmish
12/7-Le Cellier (Spoodles or Coral Reef as back up) 6pmish

Any more tips? Should I have more back-ups in mind when we call?

 

[Cafeen]

Hi,

MY ADR day is coming up fast and I have a few questions. We haven’t done the dining plan since 2004 and I am not used to making so many ADRs!

• We are staying in DVC with my parents. Do they have a special number to call or I can I make the reservations online (even though it is under her name)? I rather do them myself but I am not sure how.

• Do you make ADRs for the Fantasmic! package and Candlelight Procesional at the same time? I don’t even think the CP package info is available yet (?). How do I know what time to book?

• These are the ADRs I am going to try and get, any thoughts?

-12/1 – Ohana dinner 6pmish
-12/2 –Mama Melrose (would like to do the Fantasmic! Package) time?
12/3 –offsite (going to see Harry Potter at US!)
12/4 –Chef Mickey breakfast (MVMCP) 10amish
12/5-Teppan Edo 6pmish
12/6-T-Rex or Paradiso 37 5pmish
12/7-Le Cellier (Spoodles or Coral Reef as back up) 6pmish

Any more tips? Should I have more back-ups in mind when we call?

1) DVC uses the same process that Cash Resort reservations use. Under normal circumstances, it shouldn't matter who's name the reservation is under, so long as you have that info along with the confirmation number. However, lately there have been reports that the online system is not liking DVC reservations for the 180+10 perk, so you may have to call. I don't know if the phone CMs allow it or not. (Though, you could proceed through the menus as if you are your mom, which may work if you have the right info )

2) F! packages may or may not be loaded during your time frame. It tends to be up in the air a lot. You can try for them, but if nothing comes up (or it errors out), then chances are they aren't loaded yet. For CP, they typically have released the information in mid-late June, with ADRs opening up in late July. F! packages do usually eat a bit early for dinner, or late for lunch (e.g. my MM lunch ADR is at 1:25pm, and many dinners are in the 4-5pm range). Not sure about CP package timing.

3) The 12/1 Ohana may be tricky to get, it's the most difficult ADR to book now a days, so prepare to have a backup for that one. The rest shouldn't be too bad at all. Also, there are some issues with some Epcot restaurants right now, so just be aware that they may error out (for you or the CM if you're doing it over the phone). If that happens, you'll just have to keep checking back to see if they're loaded/fixed yet.

 

[thelionqueen]

I agree with the PP, but I personally did not like Ohana for dinner at all. The meats were dry and tasteless, the sides were not very good at all IMO. If you can't get Ohana, I would suggest Kona Cafe for both Breakfast & Dinner. Best breakfast on property and usually not very crowded..much easier to get an ADR. Really love all the other options you have listed, all great!!

 

[gabzee]

I just wanted to let you know that Spoodles no longer exists. It was replaced by Kouzzina. You should be fine but for a backup to Le Cellier I would suggest Via Napoli or one of the Epcot resort restaurants.

The rest looks good!

 

[TDC Nala]

If you're thinking of Le Cellier for a CP package, last year they only had lunch available - no dinner packages. I was also going to mention that there is no longer a Spoodles, but that's been addressed.

 

[dspads]

Thanks for the input! I am leery about Ohana due to the mixed reviews, but I am going to see if I can get it –the type of food and activities seem great for my kids (and the adults, too). If I don’t get it I will assume the bad reviews are correct and move on.

I will try for Kona or Tonys as back-ups. We will probably get to MK around 1pm (after a quick lunch at our resort). I figure it’ll be crowded, so we can do what we can, enjoy dinner, and then EP & Wishes.
I think I will leave it up to my mom, I will just have to make a clear list for her and hope she understands all the back-ups and exceptions, lol. I won’t go crazy - we will get something.

So should I just make my ADRs at the restaurants I want for Fantasmic! And CP and then just wait for the packages to be loaded and then switch? How do I know when they will be loaded?

Thanks so much!!

 

[dspads]

I just wanted to let you know that Spoodles no longer exists. It was replaced by Kouzzina. You should be fine but for a backup to Le Cellier I would suggest Via Napoli or one of the Epcot resort restaurants.

The rest looks good!

Ooops, I actually knew that and have been wanting to try Kouzzina, just used to calling it Spoodles

 

[purple figment]

So should I just make my ADRs at the restaurants I want for Fantasmic! And CP and then just wait for the packages to be loaded and then switch? How do I know when they will be loaded?

You have to reserve the dining packages specifically. You cannot make a res then just switch it.

The Fantasmic! Dining Package can be reserved online. You choose which of the 3 restaurants you want and choose Dining Event. As Cafeen mentioned the times tend to be late lunch or early dinner time and it is tied to the first showing of F! for that night. If you're unable to book online you can phone because the F!DP often isn't loaded at the 180 day mark.

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages had to be reserved over the phone last year starting on July 26. Again the time you dine will be linked to show you want to attend that evening.

 

[dspads]

You have to reserve the dining packages specifically. You cannot make a res then just switch it.

The Fantasmic! Dining Package can be reserved online. You choose which of the 3 restaurants you want and choose Dining Event. As Cafeen mentioned the times tend to be late lunch or early dinner time and it is tied to the first showing of F! for that night. If you're unable to book online you can phone because the F!DP often isn't loaded at the 180 day mark.

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages had to be reserved over the phone last year starting on July 26. Again the time you dine will be linked to show you want to attend that evening.

So should I just make an ADR that I'd like in case I can't get the package I want (since I won't be able to book the packages at the time I make my ADR)? I can then cancel my ADR if I get the package.

 

[Cafeen]

So should I just make an ADR that I'd like in case I can't get the package I want (since I won't be able to book the packages at the time I make my ADR)? I can then cancel my ADR if I get the package.

That's probably the safest bet, yes.

 

[thelionqueen]

Thanks for the input! I am leery about Ohana due to the mixed reviews, but I am going to see if I can get it –the type of food and activities seem great for my kids (and the adults, too). If I don’t get it I will assume the bad reviews are correct and move on.

I will try for Kona or Tonys as back-ups. We will probably get to MK around 1pm (after a quick lunch at our resort). I figure it’ll be crowded, so we can do what we can, enjoy dinner, and then EP & Wishes.
I think I will leave it up to my mom, I will just have to make a clear list for her and hope she understands all the back-ups and exceptions, lol. I won’t go crazy - we will get something.

So should I just make my ADRs at the restaurants I want for Fantasmic! And CP and then just wait for the packages to be loaded and then switch? How do I know when they will be loaded?

Thanks so much!!

Another "mixed review" restaurant that I actually love is Liberty Tree Tavern @ MK. Just to add to the confusion