If I don't use 180+10 any chance of getting hard to get ADRs?

[MellyBeans]

I have quite the dilemma. We are going in January (rough dates Jan 4th-11th). We haven't booked our resort yet, and likely wont until we get closer and discounts, pins are out, etc. I'm going with my in laws and they will be booking (and paying) for our resort. I'm in charge of making ADRs, but we likely won't have our resort booked by next month for the 180+10 situation. It's not really my place to tell them to book now early, but I do want to make sure we get good reservations.

At the top of our list are: 'Ohana, Be Our Guest, and Cali Grill. I also want a before park opens Crystal Palace and Tusker House. I know these ADRs are hard to come by. What are the chances I'll score these ADRs if I just book one at a time at the 180 day mark as if I was staying off property? Will it be a lost cause? Really don't know what else to do, as I'm not in charge of our resort reservation, and I know my in laws won't likely book that until sometime this fall I'm guessing.

 

[tlkscott]

I have quite the dilemma. We are going in January (rough dates Jan 4th-11th). We haven't booked our resort yet, and likely wont until we get closer and discounts, pins are out, etc. I'm going with my in laws and they will be booking (and paying) for our resort. I'm in charge of making ADRs, but we likely won't have our resort booked by next month for the 180+10 situation. It's not really my place to tell them to book now early, but I do want to make sure we get good reservations.

At the top of our list are: 'Ohana, Be Our Guest, and Cali Grill. I also want a before park opens Crystal Palace and Tusker House. I know these ADRs are hard to come by. What are the chances I'll score these ADRs if I just book one at a time at the 180 day mark as if I was staying off property? Will it be a lost cause? Really don't know what else to do, as I'm not in charge of our resort reservation, and I know my in laws won't likely book that until sometime this fall I'm guessing.

We just planned a trip for Sept. 20-28. I was able to get 8:15-8:25 ADRs for Crystal Palace and Tusker House. I was also able to get 'Ohana. I was not able to get BOG and Cali Grill is not open yet so they are not even letting you make a reservations. I keep checking for BOG and/or CRT.

 

[MMS1125]

I'm going over Thanksgiving staying offsite and was able to get Ohana twice at my 180 day mark by calling. You should be fine going at a lighter crowd time. BOG will be the hardest to snag but you could keep trying online to see if a time pops up