More Changes Coming?

[Cinderumbrella]

I read on another site that the 180 mark would be phased back in after they completed the switch to a new reservation system. So, I guess stay tuned for the official word.

I just saw this too

http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=44

Details have not yet been finalized, but Disney will begin transitioning to a new reservation system sometime in the late summer or early fall. As a result, Disney will only be accepting Advance Dining Reservations up to 90 days in advance starting around August 1.

The reservation window starts growing again once the move to the new reservation system is underway, and Disney expects to be back to the full 180-day window sometime in the fall of 2009. We're told that this does not affect any existing reservations. We've also heard (but not confirmed) that Cinderella's Castle, Chef Mickey's and Victoria and Albert's will still have 180-day windows.

 

[Tricia1972]

I was SO excited and then I read they will be going back to the 180 days once the new system is in place.

When we go we tend to cluster our trips to maximize our AP's. Last year I had to make my March ADR's before our October trip (where I was sampling my way around the world)

I am in the club of those that hate deciding on dinner 6 months in advance. I n my opinion - there wouldn't be such a problem with double bookings if they shortened that window.

 

[cjackearl]

Any word on how this would affect HDDR or the luau?

 

[sandym718]

I personally like the 180 because I'm an obsessive planner and we don't go often. 90 days is fine, I just hope it doesn't get TOO hard to get ressies calling at 7am at 90 days. And I hope they keep the +10 for resort guests.

Reading the touring plans info, looks like a year or so of ressies will be affected? Is that right? We are going May 1-8, 2009. So, IF this happens, we'll probably be in the 90 day time, right? Guess my Nov. 2nd date will be changing to about...Feb 1st?

 

[Tricia1972]

I personally like the 180 because I'm an obsessive planner and we don't go often. 90 days is fine, I just hope it doesn't get TOO hard to get ressies calling at 7am at 90 days. And I hope they keep the +10 for resort guests.

Reading the touring plans info, looks like a year or so of ressies will be affected? Is that right? We are going May 1-8, 2009. So, IF this happens, we'll probably be in the 90 day time, right? Guess my Nov. 2nd date will be changing to about...Feb 1st?

I tend to believe the second rumor - that the 90 days is temporary. If you are going in May you may be able to call right on November 2 - if they have the new reservation system implemented by then.

 

[Lmichele]

I am in the club of those that hate deciding on dinner 6 months in advance. In my opinion - there wouldn't be such a problem with double bookings if they shortened that window.

I agree!

 

[sandym718]

I've still been thinking about this. The touringplans info is interesting, particularly the "The reservation window starts growing again once the move to the new reservation system is underway, and Disney expects to be back to the full 180-day window sometime in the fall of 2009"

Since our trip is May 2009, we seem to fall in this timeframe and I'm wondering what "window starts growing again" means??? Is it gradually going to go from 90 back to 180 days? How on earth would that work? How will anyone know when they can call?
It's all very interesting. Hopefully we'll know something official soon!!

 

[IMACM]

I just saw this too

http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=44

Details have not yet been finalized, but Disney will begin transitioning to a new reservation system sometime in the late summer or early fall. As a result, Disney will only be accepting Advance Dining Reservations up to 90 days in advance starting around August 1.

The reservation window starts growing again once the move to the new reservation system is underway, and Disney expects to be back to the full 180-day window sometime in the fall of 2009. We're told that this does not affect any existing reservations. We've also heard (but not confirmed) that Cinderella's Castle, Chef Mickey's and Victoria and Albert's will still have 180-day windows.

This is absolutely correct, if the new system rolls out on time!!! It has been in the works for YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!! No one is holding there breath on the date of 16 July for only 179 days in advance, 17 July for 178 days in advance, etc until on 15 Oct there will be no dining reservations available for booking but come 16 Oct there will be a transition into the new system with the old system still being used as well. So, if you call on 16 July and can only make ADR's 179 days out you will know that it is true....only 12 days to go!!!

 

[robincorn]

Anyone knows when or where we can get the official rule and dates for changes? The idea is good but for those of us whose 180 day window opens on July 22 or so we now have to plan twice. Once if they are still taking 180 day reservations on the 22nd(which isn't far away at all) and again in Oct if they are not. More planning instead of less. Knowing my luck I will be able to do only half my reservations on the 180 day window for the trip.

Robin

 

[IMACM]

We will know on 16 July if the 179 days in advance is in effect otherwise it's all hear say.

 

[akdeputydog]

There seems to be glee about the 90 day change coming but if it is as rumored to be the 90 day ressie plan is only temporary. Since I'm new to the whole ADR system I'm not pro either (although it would be nice to not have to figure out ADRs so far in advance when you might not even have park hours and firework times - so I think 90 days seems more logical). Back to how some might get hurt....Let's say this plan goes into affect Oct1....those folks booking Sept 30 can make some for March, but those who are having to make ressies in Oct will only get to book for Dec/Jan, by the time folks are eligible to book up to March many of those ressies will be gone by the people who were still in that 180 allowance. If they structure the ressie system so it phases down from 180 to 90 gradually to accommodate for this inequity then it might work. Just my 2 cents as I read it.

 

[mbanks21]

I didnt read the whole thread but the 90 day thing is only temporary while they changed the dining system. Then its back to 180

 

[snykymom]

How does one make an ADR? Do you need to call WDW, or can you do it on line?

 

[mbanks21]

Now you have to call, next year you can do it online

 

[Eventer98]

I guess this is great for the last minute vacations. . . but - we are DVC and have to book early anyway. . . I sure will miss my early planning!

I agree!!

Now you have to call, next year you can do it online

I have waited forever for online booking...that would be great!!

 

[IMACM]

I really doubt that next year you will be able to book online!! We have enough problems trying to stop guests from double booking much less giving them access to the reservation system!!

 

[mbanks21]

I really doubt that next year you will be able to book online!! We have enough problems trying to stop guests from double booking much less giving them access to the reservation system!!

Ummm okay. The new dining system will be windows based for a reason.

 

[doconeill]

Ummm okay. The new dining system will be windows based for a reason.

What, so it can crash and be unavailable most of the time?

Maybe that's why they are cutting back to 90 days...

 

[kaytieeldr]

We will know on 16 July if the 179 days in advance is in effect otherwise it's all hear say.

That's not the way I'm reading it at ALL.

It appears that (using the August 1 date for ease of example):
- Guests who call July 31 will be able to make dining reservations for January 29, 2009;
- Guests who call August 1 will be able to make dining reservations for no later than October 30, 2008.

There is nothing on either quoted site about "phasing IN" the reduction from 180 days to 90 days in advance.

 

[sandym718]

That's not the way I'm reading it at ALL.

It appears that (using the August 1 date for ease of example):
- Guests who call July 31 will be able to make dining reservations for January 29, 2009;
- Guests who call August 1 will be able to make dining reservations for no later than October 30, 2008.

There is nothing on either quoted site about "phasing IN" the reduction from 180 days to 90 days in advance.

this is how I understand it also. I'm still curious about the window "growing" back to 180 days, though, and how that will work, we'll likely be in that timeframe somewhere.