I need expert CRT-reservation advice!

[ecatesby]

Good morning! I apologize in advance if I'm asking this in the wrong spot...I need some advice (and maybe some pixie dust!) for making a CRT reservation in conjunction with a BBB appointment.

We're planning a spring break 2013 trip with our 3 kids. We usually take our WDW trips during that time, so we know how crowded it is and how important it is to have all ADRs lined up early. I have my heart set on taking DD (who will be 4 1/2) to BBB and then breakfast (or, second choice, lunch) at CRT. We're a get-up-early-at-Disney kind of family, so in a perfect world, I'd love to get an 8 a.m. appointment at BBB then a 9:20-ish ADR at CRT for breakfast.

My question is about the technicalities of calling for the reservation right at the start of that 180 day window. How can I increase my odds of getting both at the times I want? Should I call bright and early for the BBB appiontment and have DH simultaneously make a frantic call for CRT? If not, do I ask for the CRT ADR first, and then have the same CM make the BBB appointment for me?

Disney is rough on us Type-A personalities, huh?!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

u can book your BBB through dining so why dont you do that first, then do BBB or tell the CM you want to do BBB and CRT because the 8am of both will be reserved early so I would focus on BBB first. That way you can get a right time for CRT. My CM did BBB at 1230 and our CRT at 205 to allow time for pics

 

[staceycrouton]

I believe that the BBB can be booked, not at the 180 day mark that begins your vacation (and ability to book dining 180+10), but no earlier than 180 days from the EXACT date that you want to have the BBB appointment. When we booked our CRT dinner for this November (at our 180 mark), we had to wait several days to book our BBB appointment since it falls in the middle of our trip. So, I would suggest booking CRT for later in the morning to give yourself some wiggle room. BBB appointments can take a while and at that point you won't have been able to schedule your BBB appointment yet and will not know what times are available.

 

[staceycrouton]

Just a quick note- the Disney website says that the hours of operation for the BBB are 9am-7:30pm.

 

[Alesia]

This is why I use a travel agent. I told her what I wanted and she did it for me. No stress.

 

[gtpoohbear]

I was able to make our BBB appts at the 180+10 day last time (in 2010). CRT can be done online, and don't the online ressies open up an hour before the phone lines do? At least I thought it used to be that way. So you could get that one first online, then be ready to call right when the phone lines open, and if you weren't able to get an 8am appt for BBB, the same CM could help you reschedule CRT if necessary. When calling first thing at our 180+10 date, I've never had a problem getting my desired time for either.

Good luck!

 

[p44nmun]

Good morning! I apologize in advance if I'm asking this in the wrong spot...I need some advice (and maybe some pixie dust!) for making a CRT reservation in conjunction with a BBB appointment.

We're planning a spring break 2013 trip with our 3 kids. We usually take our WDW trips during that time, so we know how crowded it is and how important it is to have all ADRs lined up early. I have my heart set on taking DD (who will be 4 1/2) to BBB and then breakfast (or, second choice, lunch) at CRT. We're a get-up-early-at-Disney kind of family, so in a perfect world, I'd love to get an 8 a.m. appointment at BBB then a 9:20-ish ADR at CRT for breakfast.

My question is about the technicalities of calling for the reservation right at the start of that 180 day window. How can I increase my odds of getting both at the times I want? Should I call bright and early for the BBB appiontment and have DH simultaneously make a frantic call for CRT? If not, do I ask for the CRT ADR first, and then have the same CM make the BBB appointment for me?

Disney is rough on us Type-A personalities, huh?!

I am absolutely no expert, but I will tell you what I was able to do. I booked CRT online at the 180 day mark at 6am eastern time. I booked it for Wednesday (180 days plus 10) (we are staying in November from a Monday to Saturday). Then at 7am eastern I called BBB phone #, and yes, they let me book BBB for Wednesday as well. I did not have to wait the 180 day exactly. And actually, I called a couple days before to confirm that I could do this, and they said yes. Dining and BBB were both 180days plus 10. Again, I am NO expert, I am just telling you my experience.

 

[mom2rtk]

BBB and CRT can both be booked at 180+10.

Book CRT online at 6 AM Eastern.

BBB cannot be booked online. Call 407-WDW-STYLE at 7 Eastern.

Do the BBB at 8:05 (first appt of the day) to avoid delays and get a chance at empty Main Street photos on the way in. I wouldn't rush to CRT though. Book a late breakfast or ealy lunch to allow time first to go get photos at the studio at Castle Couture or to get some great photos of her made up and enjoying Fantasyland. Go around front and get more photos in front of the castle. Get photos on the carousel, taking a spin on Dumbo, whatever. But delaying CRT just a little keeps the princess fun going a little longer and provides the break of eating and getting off your feet (and maybe out of the heat) at a more opportune time.

We have done the 8:05 BBB with first lunch seating many times and it works great.

 

[ecatesby]

Thanks so much for the help! Tomorrow is the big 180 day deadline, and I'm ridiculously nervous! Got to get that coffee ready...

 

[Cinderella909]

BBB and CRT can both be booked at 180+10.

Book CRT online at 6 AM Eastern.

BBB cannot be booked online. Call 407-WDW-STYLE at 7 Eastern.

Do the BBB at 8:05 (first appt of the day) to avoid delays and get a chance at empty Main Street photos on the way in. I wouldn't rush to CRT though. Book a late breakfast or ealy lunch to allow time first to go get photos at the studio at Castle Couture or to get some great photos of her made up and enjoying Fantasyland. Go around front and get more photos in front of the castle. Get photos on the carousel, taking a spin on Dumbo, whatever. But delaying CRT just a little keeps the princess fun going a little longer and provides the break of eating and getting off your feet (and maybe out of the heat) at a more opportune time.

We have done the 8:05 BBB with first lunch seating many times and it works great.

I totally agree! I always check to be sure my BBB appointment is not on an EMH day so we can have an empty main street. Leaving time to take some photos before CRT is essential to me. I've even try to use some of your fabulous photos as examples for best photo opportunities setting. We always done breakfast, but next time, I think we'll do the first lunch sitting to give us a little more time in the princess. Last year as soon as we walked out of BBB and got in the hot sun, DGD was ready to 'take this off', although she had to wait until after breakfast at the CRT.

I'm sure you won't have any trouble, as this year I made my reservation at the 180 day mark, but much later changed it to another day and I still got what I wanted.

Enjoy! Karen