Is the only way to book ADR via phone?

[jaykat]

I hadnt really thought anything about booking places to eat at Disney World, until I started reading these boards. We went to Disneyland last year and made no reservations at any restaurants. I suppose DL is a lot smaller than DW.

So my question is: is the only way to book these all-important ADR over the phone? Please note: I am in Australia! Perhaps there is some toll-free number... or can I book online ? Also, how will I know which ones to book - there are so many to choose from?!?!

 

[danielle.st]

I don't think there is a toll free number and they can only be booked over the phone. Some people can get their travel agent to do the booking for them. Could that work for you?
Also, you can look at menus from various restaurants here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningmain.cfm#disneydining
and also read an infinite number of reviews and see pictures of food on the dining review sub board here and elsewhere.
Good Luck!

 

[aribelle]

Not to mention with the time difference, you'd be up in the middle of the night trying to call!

Are you using a travel agent to book your trip? If so, they should be able to make your ADRs for you. Probably using one that specializes in Disney would be the wisest choice, because they'd have a clue what an ADR even was.....this website is sponsored I believe by DreamsUnlimited.... and MouseforLess.com is another good reputable agent. Both of these companies will constantly monitor your package and automatically get you any deal that comes along that will save you money.

Otherwise....you might try emailing disney and explaining the high cost of an overseas call and see if you can give them your 1st/2nd/3rd choices if they'd do it by email. I've not heard of anyone doing this, but it's worth a shot.....we are always hearing how Disney goes the extra mile for their guests....put it to the test.

Last thought....do you have any friends here in the USA? Maybe you could be on Instant Message or email with them and they could do the calling for you. By you being on IM or email with them, then if a time you wanted isn't available, they could quickly communicate that you and get your opinion on the times available or second choices, etc. I'd say the majority of people in the USA don't worry about long distance (within USA) calls because we all have cell phones with free long distance (i.e. it only costs minutes like any other call, not extra for being out of state). I know in my case, I have a calling plan that gives me 5 "friends in my calling circle" that I can call for free. I can change them as often as I want.....they take affect the following day, so I just load Disney's number in the night before and voila, all calls to them don't even count against my minutes!

Good luck!

 

[roselark]

From the countdown on your ticker it looks like you are going in April 2009? this is a very busy time at WDW and you will have a difficult (though not necessarily impossible) time finding an opening at a table service restaurant if you don't book any ADRs. Luckily, you still have some time to decide. For most locations, you can book your ADRs 180 days from your check-in day (for the first 10 days of your trip).

I agree that if you are working with a travel agent, they could probably book them for you. They used to have a toll free number, but I do not think it exists anymore.

 

[swift]

In the UK we have companies that offer cheap international phone calls. You first have to call an access number, then the international number. The charge that appears on your phone bill is 1p to 2p per minute which is a lot lower than it would normally cost to call internatinal. You could check whether they have anything like that in Australia.

As far as the time difference is concerned you need to call between 7am and 9pm US Eastern time. Is that something like 9pm to 11am in Australia? If you want one of really hard to get ADRs you would need to call first thing, i.e. 9pm your time.

There is also a company that will make your ADRs for you for a charge, I think its something like $50. I can't think of their name but if you do a search on google you should find it.

 

[Halbleib1]

If you would like to PM me when it gets closer to the time you need to book I would be glad to call and book your adrs for you so long as you do not have any that require a credit card guarantee. I pay one price for my phone with long distance included so that would not be a problem. Just give me a PM with the time and place and party size along with the phone number you want connected to your adrs and I will be glad to do it for you.

Some of our favorites are: Liberty Tree Tavern- Dinner Chef Mickey's- Dinner Crystal Palace- Dinner 1900 Park Faire- Dinner Note: These are all character meals and all but Liberty Tree Tavern are buffets. Liberty Tree Tavern is a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It is all you care to eat served family style. It comes with Apple Coppler with Ice Cream on top for dessert.

You might also want to try: Boma for dinner- this is also a buffet with African inspired food.


Good luck and let me know if I can help.

 

[monty]

Not to mention with the time difference, you'd be up in the middle of the night trying to call!

Are you using a travel agent to book your trip? If so, they should be able to make your ADRs for you. Probably using one that specializes in Disney would be the wisest choice, because they'd have a clue what an ADR even was.....this website is sponsored I believe by DreamsUnlimited.... and MouseforLess.com is another good reputable agent. Both of these companies will constantly monitor your package and automatically get you any deal that comes along that will save you money.

Otherwise....you might try emailing disney and explaining the high cost of an overseas call and see if you can give them your 1st/2nd/3rd choices if they'd do it by email. I've not heard of anyone doing this, but it's worth a shot.....we are always hearing how Disney goes the extra mile for their guests....put it to the test.

Last thought....do you have any friends here in the USA? Maybe you could be on Instant Message or email with them and they could do the calling for you. By you being on IM or email with them, then if a time you wanted isn't available, they could quickly communicate that you and get your opinion on the times available or second choices, etc. I'd say the majority of people in the USA don't worry about long distance (within USA) calls because we all have cell phones with free long distance (i.e. it only costs minutes like any other call, not extra for being out of state). I know in my case, I have a calling plan that gives me 5 "friends in my calling circle" that I can call for free. I can change them as often as I want.....they take affect the following day, so I just load Disney's number in the night before and voila, all calls to them don't even count against my minutes!

Good luck!

I'm from Australia too and I understand your dilema.I found the best way to deal with all these ADR's and planning was to use a Disney TA (it's not one of the ones the OP posted but they neverless were excellent) In fact the last trip 3 years ago went so perfectly we are doing it again this year

I did enquire to Disney 3 years ago about making ADR's by email and they sent an email back saying sorry they weren't able to help me.

And keep on subscribing and getting information from Disboards. People go into "overload" with their helpfulness sometimes.I can't thank the people from enough for all the helpful replies and sharing of their experiences.