Intimidated by the ADR Process...

[princesslover]

I have a couple of questions about making the actual phone call. I am completely intimidated by this process, and I think I may actually throw up as I am dialing the phone.

When I call, I'm assuming I go one day at a time, right? For example, I'd really like CRT for breakfast. Say my first choice is December 1. Suppose they tell me breakfast is sold out on December 1. Then I just try December 2, and if that is sold out, December 3 and so on, right? What I'm worried about is that this could take a long time, and reduce my chances of getting a reservation at all. So, what I'm wondering is if breakfast is full on my first choice day, should I just jump right to lunch on that day, or take my chances and keep trying for breakfast each day of our vacation? What do you do? I'm sure the answer varies, depending on the person, but I'm just curious about the best way to go about it. I'd really love an early breakfast, and I'd probably take it at any time during the week, but I don't want to run the risk of being on the phone forever while the CM checks all 7 days!!!

Someone advised me that I'd have a better chance of trying for a day later in my 10 day window for the more "hard to get" ADR's. I'm entertaining that idea as well, although I'd MUCH prefer to do MK on our first couple of days there. I have a 3 yo and a 6yo and MK is really our main focus.

Any advice someone can give me so I can be fully armed would be great.

 

[geenerbell]

I suggest a practice run to learn how to get through the prompts. Then start with your most important ADRs first. It helps to be flexible with the times. For example, you may be able to get a lunch but not a dinner which IMO is better than going to a whole different day and messing up your week. Just watch out and don't schedule a meal during parades and Fireworks if you are planning to see those. If the MK is your focus and you plan to be there two or three days just check those days only. You should have an idea what day you will be in what park, before you call. Don't forget to start dialing at 6:58am.

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

Breath In Breath Out! Next what is your list of ADRs you want other than CRT?
If CRT is sold out now keep calling back as it gets closer to your day you get to Disney.

I still didn't get one resturaunt I want and have tried several times its just a no go because its was close to SWW. But its okay. If your don't get breakfast Try for lunch or Dinner. We went with lunch for CRT!
A friend said start with the most popular thinks.

Like
CRT
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Sci-Fi

When I first call for things for breakfast I could get nothing.about a week after i made my ADRS I call Disney Dining and Got a Breakfast for BOMA!

Keep trying. And Good Luck let us al know how it goes!

 

[patpaxton]

Don't be intimdated by the process! Remember, you paid alot of money for this vacation that the CM's are there to help you...not the other way around. Be polite, and don't be concerned about how long the process takes. You can ask for an ADR for as many days as you want to check. For example, if you're open to taking your top priority whenever an ADR is available, tell them. We got into Le Cellier twice by letting the CM know the dates we'd be there and to check for lunch or dinner for the entire week. Took some time, but the CM was totally helpful and appreciated that I was flexible.
Bottom line, your the customer. Enjoy the process...it's part of the vacation experience!

 

[Micca]

I don't think you need to book your ADRs in chronological order. If you want CRT on Monday but can't get it, you can ask for CRT on Tuesday, Wednesday, etc prior to booking something else for Monday. In fact, I would book the really tough places first(CRT, Le Cellier), then go back and fill-in the holes.

You can be excited, maybe a little nervous about getting what you want, but there's NO need to feel intimidation.

 

[princesslover]

Don't be intimdated by the process! Remember, you paid alot of money for this vacation that the CM's are there to help you...not the other way around. Be polite, and don't be concerned about how long the process takes. You can ask for an ADR for as many days as you want to check. For example, if you're open to taking your top priority whenever an ADR is available, tell them. We got into Le Cellier twice by letting the CM know the dates we'd be there and to check for lunch or dinner for the entire week. Took some time, but the CM was totally helpful and appreciated that I was flexible.
Bottom line, your the customer. Enjoy the process...it's part of the vacation experience!

Really? They will do this? I was under the impression that the CM's will ONLY check one day at a time, and that they would not search the week for you. If they will do this, that would ease my fears a lot! What I'd like to say is something like "CRT as early as possible - the days I am looking at is day x, y, or z" and have them check to see which day is available. Will they do that?

what is your list of ADRs you want other than CRT?

Crystal Palace
1900 Park Fare
Asherkus
'Ohana
Whispering Canyon
Hoop-dee-Doo


And I think I am going to go in that order when making my ADR's.

I don't think you need to book your ADRs in chronological order. If you want CRT on Monday but can't get it, you can ask for CRT on Tuesday, Wednesday, etc prior to booking something else for Monday. In fact, I would book the really tough places first(CRT, Le Cellier), then go back and fill-in the holes.

Thanks - yes, I know you don't have to go day by day, but I was worried that jumping all around will take more time? Maybe not.

Thanks to everyone else for your input!

 

[kent285]

Also, have your reservation # in front of you-they have been asking for that a lot lately. Have fun and don't worry.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Gosh, OP, I wish I could put your mind at ease! It's not that big of a deal, really it's not.

Just go with your top choice. CRT is the big ticket, definitely, but just as soon as a CM answers, just say "CRT for breakfast, party of X, on (date), earliest available time." They'll work their voodoo for you. Remember, they work for you, and without you, WDW is out of business!

As far as your other choices, I think they'll all be a cakewalk, and you can get what you want.

 

[amandelba]

Good luck with it. You'll do fine. Most of the CMs are helpful and knowledgeable. I like to make a spreadsheet of what I want to get, e.g. CRT 8am Tues, The Wave 7pm Wed, then I mark the actual times of each ressie by hand and they are made. This helps me keep track of all days/meals/adrs.

 

[patpaxton]

Really? They will do this? I was under the impression that the CM's will ONLY check one day at a time, and that they would not search the week for you. If they will do this, that would ease my fears a lot! What I'd like to say is something like "CRT as early as possible - the days I am looking at is day x, y, or z" and have them check to see which day is available. Will they do that?



Crystal Palace
1900 Park Fare
Asherkus
'Ohana
Whispering Canyon
Hoop-dee-Doo


And I think I am going to go in that order when making my ADR's.



Thanks - yes, I know you don't have to go day by day, but I was worried that jumping all around will take more time? Maybe not.

Thanks to everyone else for your input!

Yes, they will do this. We were there 2 weeks ago and I called over and over for a couple of ADR's. I gave them the week I was there and asked them to check for availability the entire week. They have no problem doing this.

 

[PrincessMama605]

Also, don't forget you can call back whenever to tweak your adr's (or if you change your plans for a certain day. So even if you don't get everything you want the first time you call, you can keep trying. People cancel all the time especially around their 45 day mark. You may find that if you call 7-10 days before your 45 day mark different times may have opened up.

So relax and don't worry, if you're like me (and many others on here) this is only the first of many calls.

 

[B-Ride]

Although discussion boards are great and we all love coming here, the one problem is we talk about these things so much we make them into a traumatic process.

Take Free Dining. We obsess on when it will be out and how fast you need to call to get it. Well it has been out for over a month now and guess what, pretty well every resort for every time is still available.

Now the same thing has happened with ADRs. It used to be that CRT was the only reservation that people worried about and now we obsess about all our reservations.

As a previous poster suggested, we just need to take a deep breath and relax. Call a reasonable number of days out, be flexible and you will get most of your ADRs. Heck if I can't get Le Cellier this year, I'll look at it as an opportunity to try some place else. Tutto Italia sounds good.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

The CM's are really helpful when you call to make your ADR's! I always start with CRT first and if it's not availabe for breakfast, then they check lunch and dinner too. After that they checked for any availability during our entire stay. Just take a deep breath when you dial and let the CM guide you. They are so helpful and offer lots of suggestions.

I agree with the other posters too, keep trying if you don't get the ADR you want at first.

 

[princesslover]

Okay, thank you so much everyone. I feel much better. Breathe!!

I'll just make sure to have a couple of back up options in case I don't get what I want originally. I'm flexible, for the most part. I'm glad to hear the CM's are helpful - I guess that is what I need to hear. I'm also going at a "less busy" time of year (11/30-12/7) so maybe that will help some.

Thanks again! I don't feel like I'm going to be sick anymore.

 

[geenerbell]

Okay, thank you so much everyone. I feel much better. Breathe!!

I'll just make sure to have a couple of back up options in case I don't get what I want originally. I'm flexible, for the most part. I'm glad to hear the CM's are helpful - I guess that is what I need to hear. I'm also going at a "less busy" time of year (11/30-12/7) so maybe that will help some.

Thanks again! I don't feel like I'm going to be sick anymore.

We'll be there too. Our 90 day window is August 27. We won't be needing CRT so no competition from us for that one.

 

[princesslover]

We'll be there too. Our 90 day window is August 27. We won't be needing CRT so no competition from us for that one.

My window begins September 1st. Good luck to you with your ADR's!

 

[CapeMayMommy]

I called last week. I got everything I wanted including CRT, LeCellier , Chef Mickey's and Ohana (breakfast and dinner)

I prioritized on what I wanted and which I thought would fill up first.

I gave no specific times or dates---just said "we would like breakfast or lunch at CRT, preferably at the end of our stay." (got 12:30 lunch, last day)

Then, I said "I would like Chef Mickey's, any dinner time" (got 6:30pm first day of stay)

ect., etc., etc. flexibility is key here. CM was very good also.

 

[kaybird]

Have FUN!!!! Calling for ADR's is one of my favorite things, nearly always get friendly and helpful CM's, if you are excited, they will usually be. They are great about finding times, and if you are not locked into a specific hour and have some flexibility, we nearly always get everything we are after!

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!


BTW-remember to keep a list of your confirmation numbers. May come in handy if you need to change later!

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

Just to ease the OP's mind, they really are not that big of a deal... Many times, we call that morning at park and get what we need.. But, I know winging doesnt work for everyone.. I did make a few reservations today for a trip I"m planning for July... and I was able to book a Le Cellier for DINNER today for July 28... According to these boards, I'm about a week past my 90 day mark and you would think it would be impossible.. NOPE, took about 5 minutes.. Oh and I was offered an earlier time as well but decided on later since worked best for us...