Is it me or is 180 days ridiculous?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Disney doesn't know their own plans 6 months out, but they expect me to figure out mine.

That's very true and one of the best replies I have read on this topic.

 

[mcd2745]

Now mind you that the 180 day window works in my favor because I'm an obsessive planner but I do feel bad for the (majority of the) people that haven't even booked a trip this far out.
I mean, come on, I woke up at 5:20 this morning so I could book my 180 days plus 10. Even at 180+ days out I couldn't get Le Cellier or Coral Reef at the times I wanted them. I couldn't even get Le Cellier for lunch until I was at about 185 days out. Just seems kind of odd when I think about it.
My sister and I were joking that we think we might want italian food around 6pm on October 5th and perhaps African food around 630pm on October 4th sounds spectacular.
I do love the +10 perk for resort guests but couldn't the reservation window be more like 30 or 45 days out?

AMEN! I couldn't agree with you more. It is absolutely ridiculous and totally unnecessary. But, we're at the mercy of Disney policy.

Exactly!!!

I have to ask the OP this...why do you think that moving the ADR window to 30-45 days is somehow going to make things better?

A couple of reasons:

1. Disney's schedule (park hours, shows, special events, etc.) will be more "final" making it easier to plan
2. People on packages will have decided if they are in or out - so less ADRs being occupied by people who end up not going to WDW at all

I think its pretty rotten that some people make multiple reservations for the same night. Kinda runins it for others trying to plan. But then again I am a rule follower and don't tend to understand people that don't do the same.

Agreed. It speaks to a greater overall societal issue, where too many people think it's always "all about them".

Disney doesn't know their own plans 6 months out, but they expect me to figure out mine.

 

[traylorc]

Not the OP, but I personally think it would be better because some of Disney's own plans for my October trip won't be firmed up until sometime this summer. Food & Wine schedules will probably affect my dining plans, and possibly influence which park I want to be in on any given day.

Disney doesn't know their own plans 6 months out, but they expect me to figure out mine.

Disney is not forcing you to make any plans 6 months in advance. If you choose to wait until 30 days before you trip to make ADRs....that is your option.

IMHO Disney's current system represents a compromise to those who want to plan their ADRs well in advance, and those who want to plan 30-45 days before their trip. I still have not heard of a reason as to why a 30-45 day window, or a shorter window in general, would make the ADR process so much smoother.

To me a shorter window means you have a greater number of visitors trying to make ADRs at the same time. Instead of having a million potential visitors in August making ADRS over a 180 period of time, we would have all them make reservations in a 30-45 day window?? Can you imagine the server traffic for the online ADR system if everyone was essentially making ADRs in short 30-45 day windows? Can you imagine how much longer you would have to wait to talk to a Disney Representative if you were to call and book your ADRs?

If a time frame to make ADRs was the perfect solution why did Disney increase the window from 90 days back to 180 days? I remember reading numerous posts on this board made by people complaining that making ADRs was more difficult under the 90 day system.

IMHO the real issue here is not the 180 window, as some folks have already mentioned, the real problem is with people making multiple ADRs. Folks jump on the first day they can make ADRs and make a bunch of bogus reservations as "back up". These folks don't give a hoot about whether or not their selfish desire to have a "back up" plan prevents others from making ADRs for their families.

If Disney could find a way to minimize multiple ADRs, then I believe the process would allow folks who want to make ADRs closer to their departure a chance to actually secure them. I know this won't be popular to suggest, but maybe Disney has to consider some sort of small non-refundable fee to book ADRs. If the person actually shows up to the ADR, that fee could be applied to their meal. If they don't show up, or if cancellations are made, then the fee is non-refundable. I admit I do not have the perfect solution, but if Disney could cure the problem of multiple ADRs I believe everyone would be happier.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Disney is not forcing you to make any plans 6 months in advance. If you choose to wait until 30 days before you trip to make ADRs....that is your option.

Wow, thank you for informing me that Disney is not holding a gun to my head, forcing me to make reservations 6 months out! How silly of me to think they were!

Let's just set the record straight and clarify that when I say "need to book 6 months out" I mean, "If you want to book certain restaurants and certain time frames, you may need to book 6 months out."

To me a shorter window means you have a greater number of visitors trying to make ADRs at the same time. Instead of having a million potential visitors in August making ADRS over a 180 period of time, we would have all them make reservations in a 30-45 day window?? Can you imagine the server traffic for the online ADR system if everyone was essentially making ADRs in short 30-45 day windows? Can you imagine how much longer you would have to wait to talk to a Disney Representative if you were to call and book your ADRs?

This logic assumes that everyone who uses the dining reservation system is going to Disney at the same time of year. There are X number of families who visit Disney every year, and X/365 who call the reservation system on any given day. That doesn't change if the reservations can be booked further out, it just means different people are calling on a given day. All those people who don't book 6 months out are going to book on some day, which will just be someone else's 180 date.

Actually, I'd say total volume becomes a worse problem, because more people are going to book twice -- once 6 months out, and once later when Disney finalizes plans (e.g. food and wine) that mess up existing reservations. Add to that all the times that people rebook just because they tweak their plans -- and the more time from initial booking to the event, the more tweaks and the more total calls overall.

IMHO the real issue here is not the 180 window, as some folks have already mentioned, the real problem is with people making multiple ADRs.

I certainly agree this is a problem! Unfortunately, when you need to book your reservations before Disney's schedules are announced, that's exactly the kind of thing that encourages people to want to book multiple reservations in the first place. I don't like it either, but I can kind of see why they do it.

 

[traylorc]

Wow, thank you for informing me that Disney is not holding a gun to my head, forcing me to make reservations 6 months out! How silly of me to think they were!

You're welcome. I could tell from your post you needed a little perspective.

This logic assumes that everyone who uses the dining reservation system is going to Disney at the same time of year. There are X number of families who visit Disney every year, and X/365 who call the reservation system on any given day. That doesn't change if the reservations can be booked further out, it just means different people are calling on a given day. All those people who don't book 6 months out are going to book on some day, which will just be someone else's 180 date.

I wasn't assuming that everyone was going to Disney at the same time of year...I simply chose August because that is the time frame for my next trip. My point was I still see challenges with the system if you shorten the overall time frame. The principal behind the current system make sense...allow a large window of opportunity for people to make reservations, does have merit. You don't have to get up at 6:00am on Day 1 of your ADR window, but you have that option. However, if on Day 1 I am able to make 3 reservations for 'Ohana: 6-7pm, 7pm-8pm, and 8-9pm....the system is not going to work. Combine a shorter window to make ADRs, with the current ability to make multiple reservations, and I still foresee major problems.

I certainly agree this is a problem! Unfortunately, when you need to book your reservations before Disney's schedules are announced, that's exactly the kind of thing that encourages people to want to book multiple reservations in the first place. I don't like it either, but I can kind of see why they do it.

I really think if Disney could find a way to control multiple ADRs the system could function more efficiently. At the end of the day there is no way that Disney will please everyone. But I like the idea of a reservation system that allows, but does not require/force, everyone to book ADRs on day one of their window.

 

[JEANMR1]

I don't think that making the reservation window to something like 30 or 45 days would make it easier. It would actually probably make it harder for me. I'm more likely to get the reservations I want at the 180 day window because I pay attention and plan well. However, I think it would be a bit fairer to people that don't plan that far out. I feel kinda bad for the people that decide to go to disney and haven't planned that far ahead.
So like a lot of people I'm going for the Food and Wine Festival. I have left a hole on a Saturday night in my dining plans for a possible trip to Party for the Senses. However, I might find something else I want to do with that money instead. I have to book all my reservations now (because I can and because I don't want to be left out of the restaurants I want to visit). I now have to wait for the events to be listed, try and purchase what I want, and then go back and adjust my other reservations. If perhaps I couldn't book restaurant reservations until these were already listed then things would be a bit simpler with less double booking and cancelling.
That said, I do enjoy constantly tinkering with the trip reservations so it is sort of fun for me to have the other events come out and I scramble to make them fit to my liking in my plans.
As I said in my original post, I do think 180 days is a bit ridiculous but it does work for me.
Jean
Oh, and it is very exciting to me that I had a post actually make it to two pages - I'm not sure that has ever happened to me before.

 

[kungaloosh22]

I wasn't assuming that everyone was going to Disney at the same time of year.

But your logic about increased server traffic and increased time to wait for dining calls if the window was at 30 days instead of 90 days does assume that everyone using the booking system is going at the same time.

I could tell from your post you needed a little perspective.

I don't need a little perspective. I simply happen to have a very different perspective than you.

You and I will have to agree to disagree. The OP asked if anyone else thinks 6 months out is ridiculous, and my answer is yes, I think it's ridiculous for the reasons I've stated. It is what it is, so I have to live with it, but yes, I think it's ridiculous.

 

[traylorc]

You made a sarcastic little comment earlier when you thanked me for letting you know Disney wasn't holding a gun to your head...and I made one back. Sarcasm cuts both ways......

As you said in your last post, let's agree to disagree.

 

[mcd2745]

I remember reading numerous posts on this board made by people complaining that making ADRs was more difficult under the 90 day system.



I know this won't be popular to suggest, but maybe Disney has to consider some sort of small non-refundable fee to book ADRs. If the person actually shows up to the ADR, that fee could be applied to their meal. If they don't show up, or if cancellations are made, then the fee is non-refundable.

"I remember reading numerous posts on this board made by people complaining that making ADRs was more difficult under the 90 day system."

That certainly doesn't surprise me. But, remember, that's just one perspective - and a biased one at that. What you're most likely to find here on the DIS are the uber-planners. And I think many of us on here lose sight of the fact that us DISers represent but a small fraction of all WDW visitors (I know I do). So naturally the further out the ADR window, the more it will benefit them. So they're just lobbying for what works best for them - not what makes the most sense, or what is the most equitable system.



" I know this won't be popular to suggest, but maybe Disney has to consider some sort of small non-refundable fee to book ADRs. If the person actually shows up to the ADR, that fee could be applied to their meal. If they don't show up, or if cancellations are made, then the fee is non-refundable."


Now here's something I agree with. Everyone will come up with excuses like their kids got sick at the last minute or whatever. But so what. If that REALLY did happen, you have more important things to worry about than a few bucks.

 

[traylorc]

"I remember reading numerous posts on this board made by people complaining that making ADRs was more difficult under the 90 day system."

That certainly doesn't surprise me. But, remember, that's just one perspective - and a biased one at that. What you're most likely to find here on the DIS are the uber-planners. And I think many of us on here lose sight of the fact that us DISers represent but a small fraction of all WDW visitors (I know I do). So naturally the further out the ADR window, the more it will benefit them. So they're just lobbying for what works best for them - not what makes the most sense, or what is the most equitable system.

I totally agree with you, and I have made the same argument in other threads about Disborad members only making up a small percentage of total folks that visit WDW.

I mentioned comments about complaints made about the former 90 day system to illustrate this point...

regardless of what Disney does some folks are going to be unhappy. Shorten the current ADR window and the uber planners are unhappy, keep the current system intact and others are unhappy.

However, I think we both agree that if Disney fixed the issues with multiple ADRs life would be easier on all of us.

 

[mcd2745]

I totally agree with you, and I have made the same argument in other threads about Disborad members only making up a small percentage of total folks that visit WDW.

I mentioned comments about complaints made about the former 90 day system to illustrate this point...

regardless of what Disney does some folks are going to be unhappy. Shorten the current ADR window and the uber planners are unhappy, keep the current system intact and others are unhappy.

However, I think we both agree that if Disney fixed the issues with multiple ADRs life would be easier on all of us.

I do agree. BUT...I also truly believe that a much shorter ADR window would, in and of itself, result in a lot less multiple-bookings. People's plans, as well as Disney's, will be more definitive then they are at 180 days, eliminating the need to do it for many of those that currently do it. Plus, with it being more "competitive" (for lack of a better word) for ADRs, you'd be wiser to move on to the next night's ADR instead of booking 2nd and/or 3rd ADRs for the same night.

 

[mousegear]

Either way, making adr in advance makes a little tight schedule while on the vacations. We've waited at times past our hunger b/c our adr was later. We've walked into restaurant not hungry b/c adr time was up.
Sometimes we find ourselves rushing to keep our adr. Sure, it's not relaxing b/c we are keep on checking our watch/cellphone for time but what can we do?
We sure don't like to eat counter meals/fast food three meals a day during our vacation.
I did get up 5:45 on my 180 day and made some adrs and just incase made a couple more so that if I miss the main ones (child sleeping/sick), I have other options and do not waste our dining credit b/c that's what happened last time.
BTW, last year, we didn't do our adr until 45 days before (didn't plan to go originally) and after some hard work for about a week, we still had before the park opening character breakfast adrs,Cali Grill adr during Wishes, Fantasmic Dinner at Mama Melrose and LeCellier dinner adr (was still 1TS credit).
However, just doing 1 hour of work is better than constant checking through out the week.

 

[LilyWDW]

I totally agree with you, and I have made the same argument in other threads about Disborad members only making up a small percentage of total folks that visit WDW.

I mentioned comments about complaints made about the former 90 day system to illustrate this point...

regardless of what Disney does some folks are going to be unhappy. Shorten the current ADR window and the uber planners are unhappy, keep the current system intact and others are unhappy.

However, I think we both agree that if Disney fixed the issues with multiple ADRs life would be easier on all of us.

Agreed. Disney would be danged if they do, danged if they don't. They will never be able to make all the people happy all the time. It just isn't possible.

Disney tried to go back to 90 days not that long ago. It did not last long. My guess is low customer satisfaction, though I will be the first to admit I don't have any insider information as to the reason.

Personally, I love 180 days. I am a planner and have no issues figuring out where and when I want to eat. Honestly, I never understood the "I don't know where I want to eat" argument. I mean, I might not know if I want chicken or fish or steak... but most restaurants have a nice variety of food. I know the TYPES of food I like, so I pick those places. I'll decide what I want to eat when I get there...

I do agree that the multiple ADR thing needs to be addressed. There are ways Disney can deal with those few that actually NEED more the one reservation due to splitting up. However, in general, this is something that needs to be stopped. It is ridicules that people feel the need to make 2 or 3 or more reservations in a single night just because.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I thought WDW had started automatically cancelling ADR's for guests who would double book two restaurants at or around the same times on the same date.

 

[dvc at last !]

We hit 180 days today. I called for ADR's and did get the
Restaurants we wanted, but not the exact times (but close).
I am always amazed that you can not get what you want 180 days
before you arrive. FYI - I never double book. I cancel if I
change my reservation.

 

[traylorc]

I thought WDW had started automatically cancelling ADR's for guests who would double book two restaurants at or around the same times on the same date.

You know CR....I had heard that before. However, when I was adjusting my ADRs a few weeks ago, I had a situation where I already had a Tuesday 7:00pm ADR at Kona. I wanted to adjust to a 7:00pm at Whispering Canyon for that same Tuesday. When making the Whispering Canyon ADR, a message popped up about the conflict with the first ADR. I was asked if I wanted to cancel. I selected "no", because I wanted to see if the system would let me proceed, threaten to cancel my first ADR, etc... Nothing happened and I was able to book the second ADR. Of course I went back less than a minute later to cancel my first ADR, the point being nothing prevented me from double booking.

Maybe Disney goes through periodically to look for double booking and cancels ADRs?? But it would be great if there were preventative measures to prevent double bookings from occurring in the first place.

 

[traylorc]

Disney tried to go back to 90 days not that long ago. It did not last long. My guess is low customer satisfaction, though I will be the first to admit I don't have any insider information as to the reason.

I wholeheartedly agree....there had to be some reason Disney elected to go back to 180 days. I doubt someone in Disney's upper management sat back and thought "how can we upset our customers and make the ADR process even more painful? Oh....I got it. Let's change the ADR window back to 180 days!"

 

[maxiesmom]

I do agree. BUT...I also truly believe that a much shorter ADR window would, in and of itself, result in a lot less multiple-bookings. People's plans, as well as Disney's, will be more definitive then they are at 180 days, eliminating the need to do it for many of those that currently do it. Plus, with it being more "competitive" (for lack of a better word) for ADRs, you'd be wiser to move on to the next night's ADR instead of booking 2nd and/or 3rd ADRs for the same night.

While it might seem so, apparently it doesn't work that way. Disney went back to the 90 day window not too long ago to test it out. It didn't last long though, so apparently having a 90 day window wasn't all it seems cracked up to be.

While I too miss the days where you could walk in to Epcot and go to a computer screen to make your reservations, those days are long gone.

I do think Disney should have some way of tracking ADRs and not allow people to book multiples for the same time frame on the same day. If a credit card deposit would help, I would be more than willing to pay it. I can only think the multiple bookings are why, when you walk into a restaurant, half the tables are empty. Yet people cannot get ADRs.

 

[mcd2745]

While it might seem so, apparently it doesn't work that way. Disney went back to the 90 day window not too long ago to test it out. It didn't last long though, so apparently having a 90 day window wasn't all it seems cracked up to be.

They probably did it to appease a small, yet vocal segment of customers. I'm sure from Disney's perspective, the number doesn't really matter all that much. So, if they think most people prefer 180 days, that's what they will go with.

While I too miss the days where you could walk in to Epcot and go to a computer screen to make your reservations, those days are long gone.

It is a shame you can't be spontaneous and be able to have a TS dinner at a restaurant other than the few in Epcot that, in general, hardly anyone likes (Marrakesh, Nine Dragons, etc.).

I do think Disney should have some way of tracking ADRs and not allow people to book multiples for the same time frame on the same day. If a credit card deposit would help, I would be more than willing to pay it. I can only think the multiple bookings are why, when you walk into a restaurant, half the tables are empty. Yet people cannot get ADRs.

They can track it. They system notifies you immediately when you are making an ADR that is concurrent with an ADR you already have. The system shouldn't allow it - period. I don't care about the split-party arguement. I can't be in two restaurants at the same time. So even if my party were splitting up, both ADRs should not be in my name.

There is no doubt it contributes to the large number of empty tables you find at supposedly "sold out" restaurants. It's become a strange situation where the demand for reservations far exceed the demand for actual meals. Disney has to find a way to get that back to be more in balance.

 

[MellyBeans]

We booked our trip for this May back in January, so we were already within the 180 day window by the time we booked. Hardly ever can I book a vacation so far out to allow for that 180 day window that Disney requires due to work schedules, etc. I made ADRs right away, and I was pretty much able to get everything I wanted at the times I wanted. That included a Le Cellier lunch at 12:15, Ohana dinner at 7:10, an 8:05 Crystal Palace Breakfast, and an 8:15 Tusker House Breakfast among others. Maybe I was just lucky? I looked just now to see what was still available, and pretty much everything good at decent times is gone. Good thing I booked right away, I guess!

I agree that the 180 day window is pretty ridiculous. I don't see why they can't shorten it to 60 days out or so, at least. I believe that is the Disneyland window, and it worked just fine for us when we visited The Land back in 2008. Only the truly obsessed will have both their vacation booked and their dinner choices picked out sixth months in advance. I'd say two months for selecting dinner reservations is more reasonable. Maybe that's just me though.