Is it really critical to make ADRs 180 in advance?

[Soarin' Mama]

We just booked our trip for the end of October today, and we're down to about 150 days. We have free dining with our stay, but I'm a bit overwhelmed with trying to hurry up and make reservations. Since we're so late to the game, is it going to be impossible for us to get into the places we want? Not that I even know everything we want.

Our son is 13 and is indifferent to character dining. He definitely wants to do 50's Primetime Cafe, someplace that has sushi, and possibly Whispering Canyon. Other than that, I have no idea!

I'd love some guidance and a bit of hand holding!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

I would hop online and make those reservations today. You can always cancel if your plans change.

 

[Mommyof2Boos]

If going during free dining I would definitely start trying to get those reservations now.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Agreed with Blonde, book a bunch today then whittle it down as your plan becomes clearer. If character dining isn't your thing, you should be OK at 150. I'd imagine everything you'd want is available, only thing that might be tough is a pre-RD ADR at MK.

 

[Soarin' Mama]

only thing that might be tough is a pre-RD ADR at MK.

I don't know what pre-RD means.

What should we eat? Is there a charge for cancelling reservations? Can I make as many ADRs as I want?

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

RD = Rope Drop. A lot of people like to get their reservation for one hour before the park actually opens, that way you can often get pictures with no people around you on main street.

You can make as many reservations as you would like, and as long as you cancel within 24 hours of the reservation time you will not be charged.

As for what you eat, I would check out a lot of the threads in the restaurants section of the forum. You get some very good feedback on what people like what people dislike and what may suit your family. Good luck.

 

[Soarin' Mama]

Thank you!

 

[alopez926]

If you are going during Nov. free dining, you are not likely to find much now (I am going during that time with a party of 8 and it is slim pickings). You are a small party so that works in your favor. I would try to go online each day and religiously search for what you want. I have been able to pick up one or two ressies that I've wanted in the past few days, but it's been a challenge, and I'm not finding super desirable times. Looks like there is far more avaialbility for lunch than dinner. As far as I can tell, there is almost nothing available at MK right now.

Don't despair though. I am following the advice of many sage people on this board. People will start dropping ADRs when they start making their fast pass selections (60 days out) and more will open up at 45 days out when people cancel packages. Many people have had luck getting choice reservations the week, or even the night before. So, I'm really holding out hope that things will magically open up as things get closer. I keep trying anyway, but am not too worried yet.

 

[Mommyof2Boos]

Duplicate post.

 

[soar2014]

I've had luck getting reservations for my June trip but it takes perserverance. Just keep looking each day until a res pops up

 

[Soarin' Mama]

Thanks! I'm making headway!

 

[wdwpracticalprincess]

I'd highly recommend this thread--very entertaining and informative!

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ad...thats-a-wrap-3-5.3342430/page-8#post-53092448

that said, I'm really into planning so the winging it doesn't work so well for me. free dining also might put a wrench in things. whatever you decide, don't get discouraged. ADRs pop up constantly as PP said especially closer to your dates. good luck!

 

[DeniseR]

I'm in the same boat as you. We just booked our trip last week for September however, taking our twin grandbabies (age 2) for their first trip, and I'm not getting any ADRs that I want. Because of their ages, I can't feed them at 10:20 at night so I'm limited on times. But, as others have said, I'm not going to panic...yet! I'm going to keep trying and see what happens!

 

[Soarin' Mama]

We got almost everything we wanted. Since character dining isn't my kid's thing, it wasn't too hard to figure it all out.

La Hacienda
Sanaa
50's Prime Time
Chefs de France
Teppan Edo
Brown Derby (Fantasmic package)

Now we need to figure out counter service meals and snacks, but I'm not too worried about that.

 

[alopez926]

Wow! You did well. Being a smaller party and not wanting character dining really worked in your favor. Congrats!

 

[ang79]

We are a bit late to the game in booking everything as well. Last week we lucked out and found rooms for CBR during free dining at the end of October. We are going w/ friends as well, so there are 8 of us total. So far we have been able to book a table meal for each day, but only 2 of those are at a table together. The others we ended up booking for each family of 4 at similar times, so we will be in the restaurant at roughly the same time, but not sitting together. Some of the ones I really want (Be Our Guest, Crystal Palace for breakfast) I haven't been able to get into yet. Everything else is an odd time for lunch (like middle of the afternoon). We got Crystal Palace character lunch, Sanaa, Hollywood & Vine character lunch, Akershus characher lunch, Tusker House character lunch, Mama Melrose Fantasmic lunch and show package, Coral Reef lunch. I am hoping to be able to grab some dinners to switch out the lunches for closer to our trip, as well as Be Our Guest, and a character breakfast. Fingers crossed something will pop up!

 

[midnightlouise]

We are a bit late to the game in booking everything as well. Last week we lucked out and found rooms for CBR during free dining at the end of October. We are going w/ friends as well, so there are 8 of us total. So far we have been able to book a table meal for each day, but only 2 of those are at a table together. The others we ended up booking for each family of 4 at similar times, so we will be in the restaurant at roughly the same time, but not sitting together. Some of the ones I really want (Be Our Guest, Crystal Palace for breakfast) I haven't been able to get into yet. Everything else is an odd time for lunch (like middle of the afternoon). We got Crystal Palace character lunch, Sanaa, Hollywood & Vine character lunch, Akershus characher lunch, Tusker House character lunch, Mama Melrose Fantasmic lunch and show package, Coral Reef lunch. I am hoping to be able to grab some dinners to switch out the lunches for closer to our trip, as well as Be Our Guest, and a character breakfast. Fingers crossed something will pop up!

Glad you got a few good ones there! Yes, just keep checking back often, especially when people make FP+ selections and at the 45 day cancellation mark as others have said. If you keep at it, you can usually manage to get everything you're looking for. Good luck!

 

[DeniseR]

Glad you got a few good ones there! Yes, just keep checking back often, especially when people make FP+ selections and at the 45 day cancellation mark as others have said. If you keep at it, you can usually manage to get everything you're looking for. Good luck!

Do people make FP+ selections at 45 days or 60 days? Just looking ahead to when I might be able to get more ADRs!

 

[disneyinfebruary]

We also booked after 180 day mark for trip in November. I am wondering when I will stop bothering to check, it's becoming a problem! And not yielding any good results . I think soon I need to tell myself to give up until closer to the 60 day mark.

I imagine we would have good luck jumping on the app in our hotel room that week we are there! Considering how many reservations I'm sure people make just to snag them when they can't possibly use them all, there must be tons of cancellations within 24/48 hours. Not that I want to be all over my iPad while in Disney, but might be better than morning noon and night 5 months ahead of time!
Good luck to all us late bookers

 

[alopez926]

We also booked after 180 day mark for trip in November. I am wondering when I will stop bothering to check, it's becoming a problem! And not yielding any good results . I think soon I need to tell myself to give up until closer to the 60 day mark.

I imagine we would have good luck jumping on the app in our hotel room that week we are there! Considering how many reservations I'm sure people make just to snag them when they can't possibly use them all, there must be tons of cancellations within 24/48 hours. Not that I want to be all over my iPad while in Disney, but might be better than morning noon and night 5 months ahead of time!
Good luck to all us late bookers

Well, if it's any consolation, it was a problem even for those of us who did try to book at the 180 mark for November during free dining (I have a party of 8, so it has been even more of a challenge). I have decided to stop obsessively checking for reservations until 60 days out to preserve my sanity. Booking a vacation just shouldn't be this hard or stressful!! I think it will get easier as the time gets closer. Good luck to you!