Park Hours Scheduling Dilemma

[gppnj]

Considering that it's now much more difficult to secure table service dining reservations than it used to be, it's prudent to make dining reservations as close to six months in advance as possible.

The problem I'm having is that information on park hours and show times isn't available this far in advance.

Here's a hypothetical example: Let's say that at a certain time of year, Illuminations isn't being presented every night. As a result, I want to go to the Studios on a night when Illuminations is being presented. On that same night, I'd like to eat at Prime Time Cafe. However, I don't know what night to make the reservation at Prime Time Cafe because I don't know far enough in advance what nights Illuminations will be showing. Moreover, I also don't know what time to make the reservation because I don't know what time Illuminations will be.

Any tips on how to address the need to make dining reservations without having detail park operating information?

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

Not sure what you're looking for exactly, but park hours/parades/fireworks/EMH are also available 6 months in advance.

WDW has released park hours through October, and November will be available around May 1.

Of course, they are all subject to change. But you certainly can do your planning 6 months out.

Bob

 

[mdoc]

This is just one of the reasons we don't make ADRs. We usually eat counter service meals during "off" times. I'm sure we're missing part of the disney experience, but no one in my family is really all that interested in Disney dining.

 

[bicker]

We don't find it necessary to make our ADRs exactly match the park hours. We make our ADRs based on when we typically eat. If the show times change from those released 180 days prior (now) and thereby conflict with our ADRs, we will likely just skip the show.

 

[scoolover]

I got the park hours off the disney site and the special events off the touringplans site. This morning I made ressies through October 10th. Hope this helps and have a great time

 

[ruzer28]

Illuminations is always at 9, always. But, I know that you're concerned with the other parks and events as well. Disney has started listing the hours and events six months out on their website, so you should have all the info you need to make your schedule and ADR. Being the fanatic planner that I am I have already made my October schedule and the ADR's for the days that are six months out.

 

[gppnj]

Illuminations is always at 9, always. But, I know that you're concerned with the other parks and events as well. Disney has started listing the hours and events six months out on their website, so you should have all the info you need to make your schedule and ADR. Being the fanatic planner that I am I have already made my October schedule and the ADR's for the days that are six months out.

I didn't know that park hours and related information is now available six months in advance. I'm accustomed to this information only being available three or four months in advance. I haven't checked lately because I assumed that hadn't changed. I'm glad it has changed. That will be very helpful.

Thanks.

 

[ruzer28]

It always drove me crazy too. I'm happy that it changed. Have fun planning!

 

[nicknamy1996]

I got the park hours off the disney site and the special events off the touringplans site. This morning I made ressies through October 10th. Hope this helps and have a great time

I am going Sept. 30th through Oct 9th and also called today to make all of my reservations.

I had the same thought and put it off for a week or two because the thought of making ressies this far out seemed too much, and I had the same question about scheduling, but from the HUGE response of free dining I didn't want to put it off any longer. I just told my wife "I don't know what we are having for supper tonight, but I have reservations for Oct. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7th!"

I made up a spreadsheet with the park hours for each day and AM EMH and PM EMH and "touringplans" best and worst days. Then I put the possible days and times of the three dinner show. Then starting putting it together like a puzzle. Add a couple of park days, then fill in the dinner plans for those days, figure out where a show will work, etc... It was a lot of info, but it was fun and in the end it will make our trip less stressful.

I think I ended up with my best itinerary yet! We are doing most of the parks on their EMH PM days. We are on almost all green (best park) days. Doin the late dinner shows when all the parks close early. Doin the early dinner show when a park will be open til LATE (one day will be Universal Studios til 2 or so then a good nap til Chef Mickeys (6pm-730 or so) and then over to MK til for a good 3 to 4 hours of park time.Doing Chef Mickeys and the 3 dinner shows all on alternating days (1st 3rd 5th 7th) As you can tell I'm a little proud of my itinerary.

ANYWAY, as to the ADRs (the non dinner show ones) I'm pretty sure if you don't show they don't charge you/hold it against you. And according to the CM earlier today if you show up early (same day) they'll put you to the top of the "walk-up" list.

 

[mill4023]

We were just there and even during the busy spring break season, we were able to make several ADR's just a day or two in advance. I know that's not true with some of the more popular places, but I still think that the percentage of people who plan their meals 5 or 6 months in advance is pretty low.

 

[MinMouse]

Isn't that six month scheduling great for us compulsive planners! We too have found that we can call from our hotel room and make next day reservations. Another tip that a H&V CM told me was to stop at the restaurant you want to eat at and see if they have availability. We got a Fantasmic package at H&V on our last day of a trip doing this. We tried and tried and tried to secure an ADR before leaving home and on the phone from the hotel. I will always try on site if we haven't been able to get the ADR from home!