How to make reservations during busy spring break time

[nicki.momof3]

So I am new to the DDP. We just purchased the traditional dining plan package (1 TS, 1 CS, 1 Snack) and want to make a number of character dining reservations. I know it has to be done 180 days out.

Do I just call and list off what I want and they will give it to me?

Will I be able to get through or are the phone lines packed?

How fast do the character dining experiences fill up?

We have gone to Disney 2 years in a row. This will be our 3rd trip but first time with the DDP and character dining - please help .

Any tips would be appreciated . We are only planning on doing the dining experieces that are at the parks - not the other resorts.

 

[World Bouncer]

So I am new to the DDP. We just purchased the traditional dining plan package (1 TS, 1 CS, 1 Snack) and want to make a number of character dining reservations. I know it has to be done 180 days out.

Do I just call and list off what I want and they will give it to me?

Will I be able to get through or are the phone lines packed?

How fast do the character dining experiences fill up?

We have gone to Disney 2 years in a row. This will be our 3rd trip but first time with the DDP and character dining - please help .

Any tips would be appreciated . We are only planning on doing the dining experieces that are at the parks - not the other resorts.

The system is actually changing, you will not be able to make ADR's until 90days out starting with dates in Jan 09. I think there is an exception for Cinderellas Royal Table and that one will continue to be 180.

The system is fairly easy to use, you just call, give them a date and location and a preferred time, they will check availability for you and give you the closest time to it that they have. You can do as many reservations in 1 phone call as you want. We actually made 30 ADR's in one call for our Sept. trip.

The phone lines are usually fairly quick to get thru on, I have been lucky and had a max. 5 minute wait.

As far as how quick they fill up... some of them fill up extremely fast, such as Chef Mickeys and Cinderellas Royal Table. You will want to make your ADR's as soon as you can to help get the dates and times you want. Of course if you want the prime times, they fill very quickly for almost all locations.

Good luck to you and hope your vacation is full of magical moments!!!

 

[nicki.momof3]

Thanks for the reply. How did you hear about the 90 day change? I have searched the Disney website for info. on this topic and have not seen the change.

What are the seating times for breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?

We like a late breakfast or early lunch but have not been able to locate the times on the website.

Thanks again

 

[World Bouncer]

Thanks for the reply. How did you hear about the 90 day change? I have searched the Disney website for info. on this topic and have not seen the change.

What are the seating times for breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?

We like a late breakfast or early lunch but have not been able to locate the times on the website.

Thanks again

There have been several reports of people trying to make their 6 month ADR's for late Jan. only to be told recently that they would not be able to make them til late October due to the change. It was also discussed on the DisUnplugged show last week.

Breakfast can start pretty early at places all different times.

Lunch at most locations begins from 11am to 11:30am

Dinner starts anywhere from 4pm to 5:30 for first seating and you can get some pretty late seatings at many of them 8:30pm and later, all depending on park hours since you will be eating in parks.

You can check out the menus here and they give you an idea for most places of the times, though they are constantly changing, so the only way to really know the accurate times is to call.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm

 

[GatorLady]

The system is actually changing, you will not be able to make ADR's until 90days out starting with dates in Jan 09. I think there is an exception for Cinderellas Royal Table and that one will continue to be 180.

This is only temporary..see below.

Here is the official announcement from Disney on changes to the dining reservation system:


As a result of the system upgrade, effective July 29 through late October 2008, Guests will be able to book dining reservations up to Jan. 25, 2009 arrivals. In late October, booking processes will return to normal, allowing Guests to book up to 180 days of arrival.

The system upgrade will not impact Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and Chef Mickey’s Restaurant. Those three venues will continue to observe the normal booking processes throughout the system cutover.
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[World Bouncer]

This is only temporary..see below.

Here is the official announcement from Disney on changes to the dining reservation system:


As a result of the system upgrade, effective July 29 through late October 2008, Guests will be able to book dining reservations up to Jan. 25, 2009 arrivals. In late October, booking processes will return to normal, allowing Guests to book up to 180 days of arrival.

The system upgrade will not impact Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and Chef Mickey’s Restaurant. Those three venues will continue to observe the normal booking processes throughout the system cutover.
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Thanks for the correction and update

 

[GatorLady]

Thanks for the correction and update

Glad to help!

 

[DISNEYRIFFIC]

This is good news... I am going Jan 15-24th. I was able to book everything except for Spirit Of Aloha at the Poly. I don't trust waiting until Oct to call back. So I will call every couple of weeks and check. I don't want them to open it up, and then the 1 night I do still need, get booked.