online booking vs. phone booking

[aedensmom]

Which one is better? Or does it matter? Also, when is the earliest you can do ADR's (I know the 180 days - but what time?). I mean, if I was up at 4am can I do it then? Or do I need to wait until later in the day? And as an aside, I have seen mention of 180+10. Who qualifies for that (people staying on property or is there another qualifier needed like being a DVC member) and is it for ADR's anywhere? I know, lots of questions but I've never done ADR's before. We always just did walk ins. But with kids I don't want to be doing that. Thanks for any help!

 

[squirrel]

I prefer online as it opens at 6am EST. The phone lines open at 7am EST.

If you are staying at a Disney Resort you can start booking at 180 days from your check in day. The +10 means on that 180 day you can book up to 10 more days (11) from your check in.

For restaurants not owned by Disney (ex. T-Rex, Rainforest Cafe) they do have some ADR's available for booking through Disney. If they don't have a time you like on a day you want, try calling the restaurant as they hold a lot of ADR's for themselves.

 

[kmedina]

I usually book online and by phone. The online system opens up at 6am EST. Even though reservations should all be ready for booking online at 180 days, that is not always the case. Sometimes the Dessert party and Fantasmic are not available online 180 days in advance but are available by phone then. See this link for more details on that: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2651830

The phone lines open up at 7am EST. By that time, you should have all of your online reservations in. Only call if there is one you were not able to get (like Fantasmic and the Dessert party). You can also start booking your other events at 180 days like a private cruise, the Pirates League etc. I would call dining first though, since that number tends to be busier.

Anyone staying onsite can book 180+10. You need to enter your reservation number online or give it to the agent to take advantage. If you are staying onsite, you want to do this. Otherwise, you have to book every day one day at a time at the 180 day mark. It only applies to restaurants on Disney property whether they take the Disney Dining plan or not. This allows you to book your first day at the 180 day mark plus up to 10 additional days if you are staying that long.

It is a lot harder to walk in to a restaurant than it used to be years ago, so you are on the right track booking your ADRs. You can also ensure you get to eat at those hard to get restaurants by booking as soon as the window opens up.

 

[squirrel]

Actually, you can book Fantasmic online. I booked mine more than 180 days out. You just need to know how to do it.

Go to Dining Events and then select Fantasmic DP from the drop down, then type in the date like this 10/02/2011. The calendar to choose a date is only available until August, but if you type in the date it works.

 

[kmedina]

I would double check that reservation if I was you. Whenever you try to force in a date that is not really there, the system tends to default you to the next available date. Read this post: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2651830

 

[squirrel]

My reservation is exactly the date and time I want in October.

If you don't change the search option then you won't have the date defalt on you to the next day (tomorrow's date). That is the only way I have been able to re-create what the other poster had happen to them.

I read the link you gave and the other poster chose the date from the calendar when the dates were not available. They were still grey.

 

[kmedina]

We are crossing on multiple boards now, so this may be a bit repetitive. I am glad your date is right. When forcing a date in, I just advise whoever is doing it to make sure he/she double checks the date when confirming the reservation.

 

[kmedina]

Just tried myself again. It took a while to find a date that had availability on a date I was able to book (since 10-02-11 is outside my reach). I finally was able to secure 09-18-11 (did not really book as I was just checking the system, not booking). It took it just fine. Thanks for the tip Squirrel. It is amazing how much you keep learning just when you think you have it all figured out. That is why I love DISboards. Many people are more knowledgable than Disney staff.