New ADR Policy!

[twocjsmom]

Just got off the phone making an ADR for our trip in January and the CM told me that they just got new information that the reservation policy has changed and you are now able to make ADRs 180 days in advance of the date you want the ADR for. I dont doubt what she said because she went so far as asking me when our next trip would be, and said that she is now booking for reservations in January, February, and March.

 

[Kaycee]

And people thought it was hard to know where you want to eat 90 days out!

I don't see why they have decided to do this. Did the CM give you any idea of why they're going to 180 days? Can anyone see an advantage to this that I am missing?

 

[boomhauer]

If it's more popular spots like Cindy's Breakfast, I can absolutely see the advantage of this.

 

[Kaycee]

If it's more popular spots like Cindy's Breakfast, I can absolutely see the advantage of this.

Good point. I can see the advantage for the popular spots. Still not sure about advantages for an across-the-board 180 day policy though.

For some of us, it will be fine. In my family's case, we go so often, and I love planning so much, that it won't really be an issue for us. I've already started making a list of places we'll want to eat next June so I'm sure I'll be ready to make our AR's in January. In fact, it will probably be an advantage for us to make AR's 180 days out, because I don't think most people will be making them that far out, so we should get pretty much what we want. I guess when I first read this, I wasn't really thinking about the super-planners like me. We know the ropes well enough to get the AR's we want regardless. I was more concerned about the average visitor who may just be starting to consider a trip 180 days out.

I've seen so many posts from people complaining about not knowing where to eat 90 days out, especially when the park hours aren't even out yet. I can't see WDW releasing park hours any sooner than they are now, so the 180 day policy will just add to this problem.

 

[KAMommy]

I, too, am a compulsive planner!

Kaycee, I have my spreadsheet done for our June trip, too. So, this excites me. Maybe it will make it easier to get the "hot" spots, since most (normal) people just don't have a vacation mapped out six months in advance.

 

[tmfranlk]

Did the CM you spoke with mention a change in when they post park hours as well? I just saw a post on an email group from someone told the same thing. She was also told that park hours would be available on the website 6 months in advance and that they would start being posted today. Any news there?

 

[jjohnson]

I, too, am a compulsive planner!

Kaycee, I have my spreadsheet done for our June trip, too. So, this excites me. Maybe it will make it easier to get the "hot" spots, since most (normal) people just don't have a vacation mapped out six months in advance.

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I already have my spreadsheet done for my August trip!

 

[Luv4Disney]

And people thought it was hard to know where you want to eat 90 days out!

I don't see why they have decided to do this. Did the CM give you any idea of why they're going to 180 days? Can anyone see an advantage to this that I am missing?

I agree. I'm definitely a compulsive planner, but I don't see the point in doubling the days out, especially when the hours don't even come out until 2 months before! It makes it hard, especially if changes need to be made.

 

[arizonacolbys]

LOL - I, too, usually have fun creating a spreadsheet for our trips. I usually change in a million times before I make our PS's & then even a few times after that!
I've just started looking into restaurants for our Oct '06 trip!! Looks like I'll need this info much sooner now anyways~

I think the benefit will be to anyone planning a trip & staying on Disney Property - they are the ones that will be made aware of the ADR's at 180 days when they make a Resort Ressie.

I think it would be great news if they also released park hours further in advance for all of us "compulsive" planners! I'll be expecting the hours they release to change a hundred times after they release them, though.

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[Eponine1]

I am in the travel industry and yes, this is true:

180 day Dine Booking Window

Effective today, Friday, October 28, 2005, WDW will start to publish a 6-month calendar of operating hours. Our website, disneyworld.com is being updated with the information today.

With this change, we will encourage guests to plan their itineraries, especially dining, farther in advance.

Effective immediately, the Dining booking window will increase to 180 days for table service locations.

All DRS availability should be updated before 7:00 am to reflect the 180 day booking window.

Children’s activity centers and special events, such as Neverland Club, Pirate’s Cruise, Wonderland Tea, are included in this change. Recreation and Tours are not changing at this time.

We will continue to offer WDW Resort Guests the benefit to book their entire length of stay (up to 10 days) when they call 180 days from their Resort arrival date.

I hope this helps all the compulsive planners -- myself included!!!

 

[Mimi Q]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Kaycee]

Now if they are going to also release park hours 6 months in advance, that's a whole different story. This is great news for me and all my fellow super-planners. Woo hoo!

 

[egoldber]

Wow! Thanks, I just made my ADRs for our March 06 trip!!!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I don't mind the change, since I already have a pretty good idea of where I want to eat next Oct, but for people other then us DIS'ers, won't this be aggravating to them.

I mean, some people won't start planning their trip until right around then, let alone dining plans. And I didn't make my resort reservations until the summer this year. I guess if I make ADR's before I book my room, I could just cancel them if anything postpones my trip.

Also, does anyone know if this is only offered to on-site guests, or the general public?

 

[helenk]

Wow, what a wonderful gift for those of us that are compulsive planners...
In a week or 2 I'll be able to make my ADRs for the trip I'm planning in May.
Having the park hours that far in advance will be great as well.
I remember years ago they would release 3 months at a time, 6 months will be nice. I'm sure that that will mean they would make more changes though as it gets closer to the date your going....look how many changes they make and they release the dates 2 months ahead.

 

[jennymouse]

With DVC I usually book 11mos out, but every now and then get a wild hair and do a spur of the moment trip (which to me means 3 or 4 months out). This could definately make it harder to get ADRs for the spur of the moment trips.

 

[cobbler]

This is nice. I already know where I am staying for the next 4 years

 

[Irishmommyof4]

Is there a link anywhere that will calculate 180 days out?

 

[disneymom727]

Thank you so much for posting this. I was at my 90 day mark on Sunday but went ahead and called this morning. We got everything we wanted I am sooooo excited now! I was also told the hours would be posted 6 months out on the website and that they may have not gotten to posting that yet but it should happen today. I think this is wonderful news for those of us who LOVE to plan. FYI-I also got it confirmed that Coral Reef will be 1 credit (which I know is kind of old news) and the only thing you cannot order from there, on the dining plan, is the lobster. My husband is a bit bummed about that but I am sure he'll find something else he'll enjoy.

 

[magicmommy]

Another compulsive planner here! I wonder if the extended window has anything to do with the popularity of the dining plan and less availablity for TS restaurants. During our August trip we saw many folks w/o ADR's being turned away. Also makes you wonder if this could be a hint of some future packages including dining.........