Ok, I'm frustrated....

[DizBelle]

So Disney wants us to plan, plan, plan ahead. I'm ready to make my ADRs 180 days in advance. But Disney doesn't have their system loaded with all of the reservation times. I'm more than 2 weeks past my 180 days in advance and there are still ADRs I can't make because they aren't loaded in the system.

Grrrrrrr....

Rant over.

 

[lovin'fl]

That makes me mad too. Or when the MDE app doesn't work while at WDW. Or when they don't have park hours released in time to make ADRs. Or when....

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

ugh!! I just went through this a little while ago. It took several days for my last reservation I wanted to load in the system, but two weeks yikes!! That is frustrating. You may rant!!

 

[lovin'fl]

Could also be free dining that has many folks grabbing stuff up.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Could also be free dining that has many folks grabbing stuff up.

Bingo.

Who says that all their ADR times aren't "loaded into the system"? Free dining and November just being a busy time anyway makes ADR's harder to get than nearly any other time of the year.

 

[DizBelle]

I don't think it is free dining for the ADRs I'm looking for - which are dessert parties and show dining packages. Can you use the dining plan for dessert parties and show dining packages?

 

[wilkeliza]

Let's just remember that while 180 days is when you can start making reservations no one is required to make them at that time. Yes we all know if you want specific things that sell out fast 180 days is best but it is us the consumers who do the 180 days.

I think they should go to a DL approach with the 60 day booking window. Much better in my opinion. 60 days out you should be able to make operations decisions that affect dinning reservations.

 

[DisBuckMan]

You can use the dining plan for dinner shows...very popular.

You cannot use dining credits for dessert parties, but the FD promotion also allows people who might not normally buy the dessert parties want to spring for them, since the rest of their food is free.

 

[lovin'fl]

Yup, read elsewhere that it is all booked up. Free dining.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I don't think it is free dining for the ADRs I'm looking for - which are dessert parties and show dining packages. Can you use the dining plan for dessert parties and show dining packages?

You can use the dining plan for F! and JB packages, if that's what you mean.

 

[lovin'fl]

I agree...60 days out for making ADRs. Match it to the FP+ window. Also free dining folks should be more like 45 days out to give cash paying folks (like us DVC) a chance to book first. JMO, don't flame me.

 

[DisBuckMan]

You can use the dining plan for F! and JB packages, if that's what you mean.

....and Hoop Dee Doo, and Spirit of Aloha, and Backyard BBQ.

 

[DizBelle]

I agree that 180 days in advance is just way too far in advance. 90 days or less is much better IMO. Especially since Disney, many times, doesn't even know what they're going to be offering 180 days in advance.

I don't think they have a clue what they're going to be offering in November as far as the JB or ROL dining package is concerned. I don't even think they know which show it's going to be.

 

[DisBuckMan]

I'm fine with 180 for advance planners, but I think they should only allow those staying onsite who have already made reservations at that time to access that dining window.

Then, tier it down from there.

 

[Regan117]

Yeah I am getting annoyed too. We want the SW dessert party at HS in September and the Wishes one in November, and neither one of those months has opened up yet. Wishes only goes up until September and SW only to June.

 

[celina14]

I agree...60 days out for making ADRs. Match it to the FP+ window. Also free dining folks should be more like 45 days out to give cash paying folks (like us DVC) a chance to book first. JMO, don't flame me.

While I don't disagree that DVC members should get some benefit, I don't see why people getting a FD promo should be penalized. Plus I doubt that could really be enforced, couldn't you just make an alternate MDE account and book the ADRs on that? I was lucky enough to get FD but I'm still planning ahead and got up at 6am and made my reservations 180 days in advance just like everyone else. I don't understand why I should be penalized for taking advantage of a promo that they offered. I don't think it makes me any less of a guest just because we got FD. But that's my opinion. And again, I agree that DVC owners do deserve some advantage but I don't think FD should be penalized compared to other regular onsite guests.

 

[Regan117]

While I don't disagree that DVC members should get some benefit, I don't see why people getting a FD promo should be penalized. Plus I doubt that could really be enforced, couldn't you just make an alternate MDE account and book the ADRs on that? I was lucky enough to get FD but I'm still planning ahead and got up at 6am and made my reservations 180 days in advance just like everyone else. I don't understand why I should be penalized for taking advantage of a promo that they offered. I don't think it makes me any less of a guest just because we got FD. But that's my opinion. And again, I agree that DVC owners do deserve some advantage but I don't think FD should be penalized compared to other regular onsite guests.

Plus, many non-DVC members spend lots more money on resorts and dining than DVC members. I just think having across the board 180+10 for people with Disney resort reservations is a good idea. And then tier them down from there, maybe 90 days for DVC/AP staying offsite, 60 days for everyone else.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree...60 days out for making ADRs. Match it to the FP+ window. Also free dining folks should be more like 45 days out to give cash paying folks (like us DVC) a chance to book first. JMO, don't flame me.

It will never happen. No way will Disney penalize people who book Free Dining, when they offer Free Dining to fill rooms.

A few years back they tested shortening the ADR window, and nothing ever happened. So they must not have liked whatever results they got from the test.

 

[Disneylover99]

I agree...60 days out for making ADRs. Match it to the FP+ window. Also free dining folks should be more like 45 days out to give cash paying folks (like us DVC) a chance to book first. JMO, don't flame me.

Keep in mind, people who choose the free dining promotion are also paying rack rates for their rooms. In many cases, a couple who take the free dining promotion at a Deluxe, are actually paying more then a room discount. I think the ADR window should be the same for everyone if they are at a Disney resort.

 

[wilkeliza]

Plus, many non-DVC members spend lots more money on resorts and dining than DVC members. I just think having across the board 180+10 for people with Disney resort reservations is a good idea. And then tier them down from there, maybe 90 days for DVC/AP, 60 days for everyone else.

That would just lead to people booking rooms they never intend to use. Same things is already happening with FP+