I got great ADR's late, why do people say it's so hard?

[eliza61]

Some friends of mine are thinking of taking a quickie trip to the world for the first week in July. Now I never, ever have problems making ADR's a day or two ahead of time but I admit I never go during the really busy time.

Well I was playing around on disneyworld.com for the 4th of july. which I thought was primo crowded time and I searched for a party of 4 at 6:30 pm. It came back with over 50 dining choices and many inside the park.

Now I admit I didn't see Le Cellier available but why do we always say that if you don't make adr's 6 months ahead, you'll be consigned to eating burgers all week?



Just my experience today. off to play with the rest of the week.

 

[Hoodie]

I'll top that - I made ADRs a week before my trip over the 4th of July a couple of years ago. Of course Le Cellier was gone, but we were able to do everything else we wanted without a problem.

 

[OrangeJuice]

I'm returning to the world this year on the same dates as last year and I'm finding it a lot easier to find late ADRs this year than last year.

 

[mcd2745]

Probably a couple of factors at play here. First, the new CC guarantee has definitely had a very positive impact on availability as it has stopped a lot of people from making ADRs at a restaurant in all 4 parks every night. Secondly, I think the price increases for the DDP has resulted in a lot less people buying the plan. It's simply not an attractive option anymore. And since it is a peak week, free dining wasn't offered. So with a lot less people on the plan, combined with the CC guarantee it seems there are a lot less people making ADRs.



ETA: Out of curiousity, I checked availability for the last week of August leading in to Labor Day. I had gone that week the last two years (doing DCL that week this year) and therefore know that while the parks overall are not very crowded that week, ADRs were VERY difficult to get. Yes, there was plenty of availability at many restaurants, but nothing before 8pm (I searched using 6pm) at LeCellier, Ohana, Chef Mickey's, and T-Rex (now that it is on the DP), with limited very avavilability at Via Napoli. So, the most popuar places seem to be still very difficult.

 

[MikeOhio]

I had no problem booking for my upcoming may trip at about 35 days out including Ohana for multiple nights.

 

[cigar95]

Now I admit I didn't see Le Cellier available but why do we always say that if you don't make adr's 6 months ahead, you'll be consigned to eating burgers all week? .

Because human nature tends to overreact and exaggerate.

Some places at some times of year do need to be booked "well in advance", but the list of places that require booking literally six months out is a very short one. (Yes, it gets a bit longer at a few times of year, but that list of times is also a short one.)

 

[saskdw]

It depends on FD and whether you have your heart set on a specific place at specific time. We always go at Christmas time. The busiest time of year. It's really about 6-8 places that you have to be diligent to get the time you want. If there's no FD it's probably even easier. Like the other poster said some people on here really like to create a panic.

 

[stitch34]

This is our third year going 4th of July - and always found it to be so easy to get ADRs - even at the last minute.
I just switched my whole schedule around, and everything I wanted now was available. it's been like this every year for me during that time of year.

Thanksgiving time... ugh, hate it! have the worst time getting ADRs - whatever I get first pick out is what I have and that's it. And any changes I want to make, come end of July, beginning of August, I'm totally out of luck at all!

 

[Muslickz]

I'm returning to the world this year on the same dates as last year and I'm finding it a lot easier to find late ADRs this year than last year.

I was just thinking the same thing lol....

-M

 

[mcraige]

We were there last year near the end of July, walked into DHS, and got a reservation for the Brown Derby the same-day. Granted, it was the middle of the week, but no problems.

We've gone other times of the year and couldn't find anything 90-days out.

As with most things, YMMV.

 

[Pat329]

This week was my 180 day mark so I jumped online that very day thinking I would have trouble getting everything I wanted. I got them all without any problems. It was so easy that I thought I was doing something wrong! I agree that the CC requirment is keeping 'over bookers' away but I also think it's because there isn't free dining for my week. Although it usually is, it just hasn't been announced yet. This will be my first time in 15 tries to get to Ohana and 1900 Park Fare and I'm thrilled to death!!!

 

[TJA]

I agree it used to be harder before the new CC policy. I was able to get anything and everything I wanted for Easter break at just 2 months beforehand.

However, I've been trying to get Ohana dinner for the last week in August since I hit my 6-month mark and nothing has shown up for before 8:25 pm. I know it's extremely popular as we dine there quite often, but that's one example of a hard-to-get place that in fact still is.....

 

[kandb]

We are going mid-september and there was a ressie tonight for our party of 8 at ohana's and I just booked a party of 8 at ohana's a week ago (we are around 130 days out). Both were for around 5 pm.

 

[mcd2745]

However, I've been trying to get Ohana dinner for the last week in August since I hit my 6-month mark and nothing has shown up for before 8:25 pm. I know it's extremely popular as we dine there quite often, but that's one example of a hard-to-get place that in fact still is.....

I'm not surprised. As I posted earlier in this thread...for whatever reason (free dining?) that week is extremely difficult for ADRs.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Some friends of mine are thinking of taking a quickie trip to the world for the first week in July. Now I never, ever have problems making ADR's a day or two ahead of time but I admit I never go during the really busy time.

Well I was playing around on disneyworld.com for the 4th of july. which I thought was primo crowded time and I searched for a party of 4 at 6:30 pm. It came back with over 50 dining choices and many inside the park.

Now I admit I didn't see Le Cellier available but why do we always say that if you don't make adr's 6 months ahead, you'll be consigned to eating burgers all week?



Just my experience today. off to play with the rest of the week.

Im with you on that. I dont get it either. I normally book my trips 2-3 months in advance and i never have trouble getting ADRs. Mind you, its only my son and I. I suppose a table for 2 is much easier to get.

As long as ppl arent too picky, there will always be a lot of dining options.

This new credit card guarantee system sure made it much easier to get an ADR, I think thats why its much easier for ppl this time around.