Need strategy advice for making ADRs

[mhalpern]

I am going to call on Sunday at 7am. Once I get a person is there a certain order I should make my requests in? In other words since I want Hoop De Doo and a H&V fantasmic package should I request those first since they are harder to get? I also want to schedule the Family Magic tour (for me and the kids) and the Keys to the Kingdom tour for DH. Can I do those on the same call or do I need to call a different number? Here are the ressies I'm trying to get.

Hoop De Doo
H&V fantasmic dinner
Prime Time Cafe
Boma
Cape May Cafe
Garden Grill
Teppan Edo
Ohana
and the 2 tours

 

[mhalpern]

Anyone know or am I worrying too much? I just want to be prepared.

 

[Bama_C]

If you know something is hard to get, it's always best to try to get those first. I think the tours will be handled by a different person, but they should be able to transfer you without you having to call a separate number. Try to relax and think through your ADRs and times... and then make a schedule on paper, so that you can check them off as you go. For our 10 day trips the past 3 years, I have made out an Excel spreadsheet (you could do this by hand) like a Day Planner with each day as a column and the hours of the day running down the left hand side. Then according to what park I thought we'd be in each day, I blocked out the time for any specific activities or ADRs with a space for a confirmation number. This really helped keep me organized for our trips. I suppose I come from the school of "you can't over-plan." Besides, planning for a Disney trip is half the fun!

 

[summermac]

I'm starting with what I think will be the hardest to get which is Crystal Palace on June 15. Then LeCellier on June 17. Crystal Palace isn't really a "flexible" one for me whereas I can change LeCellier to later in the week if I must or even lunch. We want CP breakfast on June 16, hopefully at 8.

Then I'm going to try to score 50s PTC on June 14 but I think that one will be a bust due to Star Wars Weekends & being so close to the start date of our vacay.

Then I'll just do the rest in order which are:
Whispering Canyon dinner on 6-13
Tusker house breakfast on 6-16
Kona diner on 6-18
1900 Park Fare dinner on 6-19

 

[mhalpern]

I suppose I come from the school of "you can't over-plan." Besides, planning for a Disney trip is half the fun!

I'm with you! I have my spreadsheet ready to go. Just waiting for Sunday to roll around so I can call in.

 

[shordiebecka]

yeah..no worries about over planning..i'm just as worried, and will be posting a similiar post when i can do my ADR's...i think you should try to do the most hard to get reservations first, though i don't think it will make a HUGE difference. Good luck and let us know what happens!

 

[goofygal531]

I'd put Ohanas and Garden Grill right up there after HDDR and H&V Fantasmic Pkg.

I never knew Garden Grill was so popular. I had to call every day for months to an ADR for our Nov trip. I finally got one but it took a lot of calling!

Prime Time Cafe is another one that books up quick too.

The only negative thing about booking the HDDR second, is that you have to give CC info. So between the Fantasmic package and HDDR your going to lose a lot of time. I would get the Fantasmic package first and do HDDR last, but that's just me. I've seen HDDR twice and have never had a problem getting availablity. How about asking the availablity first, then going back to book it after all the other ADRs? Ask the CM if there's THAT much available that a few minutes won't make a difference.

I'd ask in this order:

H&V fantasmic dinner
Hoop De Doo
Ohana
Garden Grill
Prime Time Cafe
Cape May Cafe
Boma
Teppan Edo
and the 2 tours

My only tip is to be firm. Don't let the CM start chatting with you. It sounds rude, but they love to chat and it can get long winded and you can lose valuable time. Chat with them while booking the tours, not the ADRs

When the CM says "can I book anything else for you today" thats when you can book the tours. Some CMs will book it, others will have you call (407) WDW-TOUR. I've never had a problem getting a tour. So do that last.

Good luck! I'll be calling Saturday at 7am! Wishing plenty of pixie dust for both of us!!

 

[goofygal531]

I'm starting with what I think will be the hardest to get which is Crystal Palace on June 15. Then LeCellier on June 17.
1900 Park Fare dinner on 6-19

You need to ask for LeCellier the second the CM answers the phone. Cut them off apologize afterwards. After you get LeCellier, ask for 1900 Park Fare. This is popular as Cindys there for dinner. Then I'd ask for Tusker House. This has become very popular. It's very good and our favorite breakfast buffet. After you get that then ask for Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace is a large restaurant, you'll get in. I've never had a problem getting an ADR there. Plus they serve Breakfast, lunch and dinner so it's easy to fit it in should one meal not be available. You should have no problem getting Whispering Canyon Cafe and Kona Cafe.

Good luck!