Making Reservations

[Disneynewtome]

Which way is best, in your opinon when making dinner reservations by phone and talking directly to Disney, making the reservation on line, or letting the travel agent do it (if they offer it)Thanks

 

[staceycrouton]

We like to make our reservations online. The online system opens at 6am Eastern Time and the phone system doesn't open until 7am. This gives you an hour head start which may or may not make a difference on your reservations but, why take a chance! As much as we love our travel agent, we prefer to make the reservations ourselves. This way we can move around restaurants and times, if we have to, in order to accommodate our schedule and the availability of certain restaurants. I definitely suggest being online at 6am Eastern time at your 180 day mark to give yourself the best chance of getting the dates/times/restaurants that you want!

 

[disney516]

The only time I had to call to make a reservation was for cinderella's royal table because it was one were you had to pay in advance. We had the dining plan so we had to call to tell them that so they wouldn't charge us for the meal. However, the rest of the time we used the online reservations, and it worked great!

 

[staceycrouton]

Make sure that when you log onto the Disney website to book your dining that you remember to link your dining to your Disney hotel reservation number (This is assuming that you are staying in a Disney hotel). This way you can book up to 10 days into your trip. Depending on which restaurants that you are booking, you may be required to give a credit card #. If you are on the dining plan, the credit card will only be charged if you do not cancel a reservation at least 24 hours in advance and/or just do not show up for a reservation ($10 per person).

 

[disney516]

Make sure that when you log onto the Disney website to book your dining that you remember to link your dining to your Disney hotel reservation number (This is assuming that you are staying in a Disney hotel). This way you can book up to 10 days into your trip. Depending on which restaurants that you are booking, you may be required to give a credit card #. If you are on the dining plan, the credit card will only be charged if you do not cancel a reservation at least 24 hours in advance and/or just do not show up for a reservation ($10 per person).

The ones that require a credit will be charged in full if you don't show up for the reservation, such as Cinderella's table or a dinner show.

 

[purple figment]

The ones that require a credit will be charged in full if you don't show up for the reservation, such as Cinderella's table or a dinner show.

Last October they started charging a $10 per person "didn't cancel in time/no show at the restaurant" penalty for restaurants with character meals and signature restaurants.

As for making reservations, my preference is online. I can do it at my convenience, check multiple times a day if looking for a hard to get res and I don't have to take the time going through Disney's telephone tree/waiting on hold. I prefer to be in control of my reservations so I wouldn't leave it to a TA, even if she was taking care of some other things for my vacation.

 

[disney516]

Last October they started charging a $10 per person "didn't cancel in time/no show at the restaurant" penalty for restaurants with character meals and signature restaurants.

As for making reservations, my preference is online. I can do it at my convenience, check multiple times a day if looking for a hard to get res and I don't have to take the time going through Disney's telephone tree/waiting on hold. I prefer to be in control of my reservations so I wouldn't leave it to a TA, even if she was taking care of some other things for my vacation.

Oh. I was just there two weeks ago, and we were told for cinderella's royal table and mickey's backyard BBQ that we would be charged in full.

 

[vicki_c]

Never mind!

 

[purple figment]

Oh. I was just there two weeks ago, and we were told for cinderella's royal table and mickey's backyard BBQ that we would be charged in full.

Yes, CRT and the dinner shows (luau, Hoop De Doo and Mickey's Barbecue) are fully prepaid meals at the time you make the reservation.

I was responding to the fact that not all restaurants that require a cc hold will charge you more than $10 per person if you don't cancel/don't show up.

 

[disney516]

Yes, CRT and the dinner shows (luau, Hoop De Doo and Mickey's Barbecue) are fully prepaid meals at the time you make the reservation.

I was responding to the fact that not all restaurants that require a cc hold will charge you more than $10 per person if you don't cancel/don't show up.

Okay I understand what you meant now

 

[RunnerMomO]

Be aware, sometimes the online system shows no availability, but when you call, they are able to find some. We were trying to get afternoon tea reservations and I couldn't find anything for the rest of the year! My mom called and was able to get it for Labor Day weekend.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Be aware, sometimes the online system shows no availability, but when you call, they are able to find some. We were trying to get afternoon tea reservations and I couldn't find anything for the rest of the year! My mom called and was able to get it for Labor Day weekend.

Curious... the CM I spoke to said that what we see on line is what they see.

 

[princessaloha]

Curious... the CM I spoke to said that what we see on line is what they see.

I was told the same thing plus she added that it's all the same system. Her approximate reply was, "When a reservation is made available it's put into the same system. So you can see it on line at the same time we can".

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Agreed- I have always been told that their system is identical to online. The only difference is they can see some of your ADRs you've already booked if that area of the website is malfunctioning.

I prefer doing it all online myself. I've had some wonderful people on the phone and some idiots on the phone...but the biggest plus online is that you get a 1hr edge on people who choose to only book by phone. i.e. the 180th day opens up online 1 hr before the phones.

My travel agent has offered to book my ADRs, but I prefer to have control over this. If you're picky about ADR times and spots, it's nice to be in control of booking.

 

[Disneynewtome]

I'll be online bright and early!!!!........now the next thing to think about is where to eat!!! Thanks Guys.

 

[JM1226]

What online site do you use to make ADRs?

 

[Seabean]

Doing a search, this was the most recent thread I could find, so I'll bump this...


As of now, Feb 2013, the online reservations still start each day at 6am Eastern time, right? (Thanks)

 

[ses1230]

Doing a search, this was the most recent thread I could find, so I'll bump this...

As of now, Feb 2013, the online reservations still start each day at 6am Eastern time, right? (Thanks)

Correct, 6am eastern for online. 7am eastern for phone line.

 

[ses1230]

What online site do you use to make ADRs?

The Disneyworld website.

 

[ReturnToOz]

Newbie here. How do you link your dining to your Disney hotel reservation number? Can you do this before your 180 days. With the credit card it is only charged if you don't show up or cancel but they don't put a hold on your card or anything correct?

Another side thought doesn't the calendar with magic hours come out 180 days out? Doesn't that make it tricky to plan meals and magic hours?

(This is assuming that you are staying in a Disney hotel).

Make sure that when you log onto the Disney website to book your dining that you remember to link your dining to your Disney hotel reservation number (This is assuming that you are staying in a Disney hotel). This way you can book up to 10 days into your trip. Depending on which restaurants that you are booking, you may be required to give a credit card #. If you are on the dining plan, the credit card will only be charged if you do not cancel a reservation at least 24 hours in advance and/or just do not show up for a reservation ($10 per person).