How soon should I be making reservations?

[Missouri Disney Fan]

Hello! I am planning my first "family" trip to Disney World for September this year. Since there are a lot of this time around (my friends are bringing their families, too) we thought we might need to make reservations for ALL of your meals instead of just one or two. My husband thinks I'm nuts to even be thinking about it five months ahead of time. Any thoughts? I'd love to tell him that I'm not the only one who plans this far ahead.

I'm excited about this trip. This is the first time I've gotten to share Disney World with the rest of my family. Don't laugh, but I've even ordered my first box of Disney checks so that I can think about my trip all the time. It keeps me from spending too much while I shop, too. I just keep reminding myself that if I save money now, I'll have more to spend when I get to Disney World.

 

[oybolshoi]

You can make reservations 180 days in advance of your arrival date.

If you have a large party and you're going to be at WDW in September, which I believe is when they are offering the "free dining" promotion, then I'd suggest making dining reservations sooner rather than later.

My hubby and I usually visit WDW in October and even for the two of us if there is something we have our hearts set on doing I make the reservation at exactly 180 days. It's easy to cancel later if you change your mind but sometimes it's very hard to get into certain restaurants if you wait until the last minute.

Just my two cents.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[mousehouselover]

I called today to make our ADRs for Sept. The CM stated several of our choices still had really good availability; unfortunately, a few things were booked solid for the week and I think I got the lat ADR for OHana one night (9pm sitting........)

I agree with the pp, if you are going with a large group, call now! If you wait too long, you may not get in at some places. I called 5 mos out for ADR's for our trip in May and we had to split our group at a few places so we could all be seated at the same time.

Have a great time planning, it's half the fun of going to the world!

 

[choirfarm]

Call NOW!!! Tell your hubby it may be too late for some places. I couldnt' get some of the places we wanted for Sept and I started a month ago.
Christine

 

[truedisneyfan]

I agree call now. I just called to see about Chef Mickey's for dinner on Sept 20 and the earliest they have is 8:50pm. We have reservations for sometime after 7pm, but we would like to get in earlier. That's for a party of 4.

 

[Missouri Disney Fan]

Thanks everybody. I'll finish my wish list and call this afternoon.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you are going in September, make ADRs as soon as possible, and anticipate off-peak times for popular restaurants.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Hello! I am planning my first "family" trip to Disney World for September this year. Since there are a lot of this time around (my friends are bringing their families, too) we thought we might need to make reservations for ALL of your meals instead of just one or two. My husband thinks I'm nuts to even be thinking about it five months ahead of time. Any thoughts? I'd love to tell him that I'm not the only one who plans this far ahead.

I'm excited about this trip. This is the first time I've gotten to share Disney World with the rest of my family. Don't laugh, but I've even ordered my first box of Disney personal checks so that I can think about my trip all the time. It keeps me from spending too much while I shop, too. I just keep reminding myself that if I save money now, I'll have more to spend when I get to Disney World.

I, too have Disney checks to remind me what I should not be spending my money on now!

As for your ADR's, I agree that you should call now. We went 4th of July week for our first family trip and DH gave me a really hard time about planning so far in advance. He was very happy when we were there & got to walk in to nice air conditioned restaurants when others were being turned away as walk ups! After that trip, he has supported all of my planning efforts!

Definitely get an idea where everyone may like to eat & start calling ASAP. You can always cancel later but at least you will know that you have something. I knew we would be there during free dining this year (at least bounceback as it hadn't been offered to the public yet) and I called 180 days out at 7am to get ADRs for DS and I. I'd rather be safe than sorry. I have made a few changes since, but overall our plan has stayed in tact.

 

[momandseandodisney]

NOW - I booked our Sept trip 2 weeks ago, and some dates were already all taken for the ADR's we wanted

 

[MHTeacher]

Definitely call now!!!!

I hope you have luck getting everything you want. We are going during free dining and have a party of 10. I made my ADRs the week before free dining was released. It is not so easy to get tables for large parties.

 

[DISNEYNY]

Definitely call now!!!!

I hope you have luck getting everything you want. We are going during free dining and have a party of 10. I made my ADRs the week before free dining was released. It is not so easy to get tables for large parties.

You should definitely book now especially if you are going to be there for free dining. I made my ADRs on April 7 when I booked my trip.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

People arriving in early September could start booking ADRs in early March. So, over the last 8 weeks or so the restaurants have been filling up. SEPTEMBER IS FREE DINING! People who don't normally make ADRs are going to make them for September. You need to call ASAP and make your ADRs

 

[Bertie131]

I have just booked my September WDW vacation today. The last time I was at WDW was 20 years ago, so I am planning to research a ton. However, I am new to this message board and see about making reservations inadvance. What does ADR mean? And what is free dining? Do you recc. Ohana dinner and HoopDee Doo Revue? Any and all responses will help! Thank you!

 

[homeboycartel]

As Soon as Freakin Possible!

 

[MagicMe]

I have just booked my September WDW vacation today. The last time I was at WDW was 20 years ago, so I am planning to research a ton. However, I am new to this message board and see about making reservations inadvance. What does ADR mean? And what is free dining? Do you recc. Ohana dinner and HoopDee Doo Revue? Any and all responses will help! Thank you!

Okay, ADR is an Advanced Dinner Reservation. If you plan to use the table service restaurants, you may want to start making them now as many of the restaurants book up (especially if you're going during free dining). Now, about free dining. Disney is offering free dining again this year (between 8/22 and 9/20 I believe). They do this as a promotion to get people to visit during a basically slow time (since many schools start up during that time period and people don't take their children out of school at the beginning). If you book a package with them (room and tickets), you could be eligible for free dining. I'm not sure about prior to 8/22 but I know that if you check-in on 9/20, you are still eligible for the free dining for your stay (my son is going on 9/20 and checking out on 9/26 and they get free dining the entire time). If you fall within that timeframe and have a package booked, it would be worth calling to see if you can get it. He and his GF saved about $600. The dining plan offered gives you one table service (i.e sit down restaurant), one counter service and one snack per person for each night of stay.

Hope this helps.

 

[holly7347]

Our trip isn't until October 8th and I've already booked all of our ADR's so you are definitly within the 180 range. I would book as soon as possible if there are some meals you really want.

 

[DrDeb]

Going on Sept 4 and have ALL my ADR s... did it in March-- so stop writing and get on the phone.....

 

[DISNEYNY]

I have just booked my September WDW vacation today. The last time I was at WDW was 20 years ago, so I am planning to research a ton. However, I am new to this message board and see about making reservations inadvance. What does ADR mean? And what is free dining? Do you recc. Ohana dinner and HoopDee Doo Revue? Any and all responses will help! Thank you!

What dates are you going in Sept? If you are staying on site and are buying tickets you may be eligible. The Free dining dates are Aug 24 - Sept 20. As stated before if you check in on 9/20 or before you can get the FDP for your entire trip.