HELP - Reservations for restaurants

[jcf]

New DVC Member - can someone tell me how far in advance to reserve eating times and what are the best restaurants for breakfist and dinner for someone with a 6 year old.

Thanks

 

[JimMIA]

Your post is probably going to be moved to the Restaurant board, but I'll try to answer part of it.

You can make Advanced Dining Reservations (commonly called ADRs) six months to the day in advance. If you are staying onsite, you can call six months from your arrival and make ADRs for up to 10 days after arrival (commonly called 180+10). Not all of the availability is open to the +10 ADRs, so if you don't get what you want during the +10 period, you'll probably have better luck calling exactly 180 days out.

For many of the premier restaurants, you need to call very early to get the ADR times you want. Many people call at 3 months and find they can't get the restaurant they want, on the day they want, at the time they want. If you're calling for a very popular restaurant like Le Cellier, you may well not be able to get anything three months out.

Cinderella's Royal Table (AKA: Cindy's or CRT) is a special case. On the restaurant board there is an entire thread on CRT strategies. Basically, you have to call at 6:59 AM Eastern time exactly 180 days out, and be very quick working your way through the system. If you want CRT, read and heed that thread.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Jim is right, and in general, the earlier you can make them the better. That is especially true at certain times of the year. We couldn't make our November one until last week, and we found the times hard to come by and certain restaurants completely sold out for the entire month of November (Le Cellier).

 

[salmoneous]

Just to update a couple things that have been said before...

Reservations for most things start 180 days before the first day of your trip, which isn't exactly 6 months. To see when your 180 day mark is, see http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/pscalc/dispscalc.html

Since Disney has jacked up the price, it isn't nearly as hard to get reservations at CRT, but it's still best to call at the first moment.

In general, that's good advice for all ADR - go ahead and make reservations as soon as you can. Remember, they aren't set in stone. You can always call and change them later.

 

[Figment2]

You do not need to use MS to make your ADRs. You can still call the 1-407-WDW-DINE number (there is also an 800 number which someone may post).

Cyn

 

[crisi]

I just made reservations last week for dinner in October during Food and Wine.

I wasn't trying for Le Cellier or a Princess meal, and we wanted to dine early, but we had no problem getting what we wanted - even with eight people, with the exception that we needed two tables at San Angel Inn unless we wanted to wait to eat until late. We were even offered a table at California Grill during fireworks (we chose to eat far earlier).

As to what restaurants are best? Disney is very kid friendly and it depends on the kid - a well behaved six year old could go almost anywhere (I'd discourage Victoria and Alberts). Some restaurants my kids have liked (they are currently seven and eight) are San Angel Inn, Teppanyaki, Sci Fi Dine In, Le Cellier, Marrakesh any character meal. Coral Reef has a huge fish tank (but a menu that is heavy on fish which my husband doesn't like) and is a favorite of kids. Most six year olds are old enough that they can easily handle buffets - Boma is a popular one (get there early to check out the animals on the savannah) though we prefer Biergarten ourselves.