Planning First Trip Staying On Resort--QUESTIONS!

[MollyR11]

Hello! I am hoping you all could help me with a few newbie questions. We plan to go this fall 5d/4n and stay on the resort and reserve our vacation with a dining plan and prepaid tix:
1. Do I have to pay the full amount when reserving or is there a way to put a deposit down and make payments?

2. Is there an advantage to holding out to book the vacation package (better deals closer to the time) or do I run the risk of not getting the property I want?

3. Please confirm, I can book dining reservations WITHOUT first having booked the vacation package.

4. How impossible is it to get a reservation at Cinderella's Royal table 180 days in advance?

5. Related to #4, what time do the reservations open up and what time zone? Do I have to call or can I book online?

*I'm sure I'll have more questions, thank you for answering those now!*

 

[CarterFamilyof12]

I am wondering the same thing- specifically... if I book my reservation now, can I add the Dining plan later- and if I am staying during a time that offers free dining plan, will I be able to add it to my existing reservation?

 

[lovetoscrap]

Since the majority of your questions are about the Dining Plan and Dining Reservations I am going to move this to the Restaurants Board. I would suggest that both previous posters check out the Disney Resorts Board and the Codes and Rates subforum there and ask some of your questions to get the most accurate answers.

 

[GoofyGirl1717]

I can a answer a few of your questions and maybe someone else will chime in.

If you are booking a package which includes a combination of a room, tickets, and/or dining you are required to put a $200 deposit which is refundable if you cancel your reservation more than 30 days prior. The balance can be paid in payments or one lump sum but must be paid 30 prior to arrival. If you want to book just a room (RO) they will require the charge of the first night as a deposit and the remaining balance upon check-in. I believe the deposit is refundable up to 3 days prior.

Anyone can use the PS seating with or without a room or package reservation. You can start reserving dining at 180 days. Some do however require you to add a credit card number in case you do not show. I believe the time frame to cancel those is 48 hours.

Not sure how difficult CRT reservations are these days since we haven't been in several years. I do know however if you do the dining plan that the meal takes 2 credits per person instead of just one. I also think without a booked dining plan they charge your card before you dine but I'm not 100% on that.

I hope this helps a little. Ask as many questions as you need. There are tons of people willing and able to help. Happy planning!

 

[purple figment]

Hello! I am hoping you all could help me with a few newbie questions. We plan to go this fall 5d/4n and stay on the resort and reserve our vacation with a dining plan and prepaid tix:
1. Do I have to pay the full amount when reserving or is there a way to put a deposit down and make payments? For a package the deposit is $200 at the time you make the reservation. You can make payments to bring down the balance whenever you wish up to 30 days in advance of arrival date when the remainder of the balance is due.

2. Is there an advantage to holding out to book the vacation package (better deals closer to the time) or do I run the risk of not getting the property I want? If you want a specific resort or room category and will go regardless of whether there is a special offer or not you can book as soon as you want. If you are not planning to go unless there is a discount you may as well wait since specials are offered based on room availability - if the resort/room category you want is booked to Disney's satisfaction it will not be included in the special. An example is PO French Quarter has not been included in some past special offers because it is a smaller resort and has a high booking rate without discount prices.

3. Please confirm, I can book dining reservations WITHOUT first having booked the vacation package. Yes. Anyone can book dining reservations 180 days prior to the day you want to dine at the restaurant without a room or package reservation.

4. How impossible is it to get a reservation at Cinderella's Royal table 180 days in advance? Depends on how busy it is on the day you want to dine. Even if you cannot get a reservation at 180 days, there will be cancellations so you can continue checking online.

5. Related to #4, what time do the reservations open up and what time zone? Online 6 AM Eastern time. Phone 7 AM Eastern time Do I have to call or can I book online? Your choice. Online gives you an hour head start.

*I'm sure I'll have more questions, thank you for answering those now!*

I am wondering the same thing- specifically... if I book my reservation now, can I add the Dining plan later- and if I am staying during a time that offers free dining plan, will I be able to add it to my existing reservation?

If you book a package you can add the dining plan anytime up to 3 days prior to arrival date if booking through CRO, 2 days if booking through the DVC office. If Free Dining or any other special is offered during your dates you can add the free dining to your current package if there is availability and your resort & room category are included. Sometimes you might have to change resorts or room category to qualify. DVC reservations using points do not qualify for free dining.

If you have a room only reservation, you cannot add a dining plan. You will have to book a package, pay a new deposit and cancel the room only reservation and have its deposit refunded.

 

[melchar]

Hello! I am hoping you all could help me with a few newbie questions. We plan to go this fall 5d/4n and stay on the resort and reserve our vacation with a dining plan and prepaid tix:
1. Do I have to pay the full amount when reserving or is there a way to put a deposit down and make payments?

2. Is there an advantage to holding out to book the vacation package (better deals closer to the time) or do I run the risk of not getting the property I want?

3. Please confirm, I can book dining reservations WITHOUT first having booked the vacation package.

4. How impossible is it to get a reservation at Cinderella's Royal table 180 days in advance?

5. Related to #4, what time do the reservations open up and what time zone? Do I have to call or can I book online?

*I'm sure I'll have more questions, thank you for answering those now!*

 

[melchar]

I just made reservations for CRT in June no problem at all, can't wait

 

[aaarcher86]

Reservations open on the phone at 7am EST and online at 6am EST.

You should be fine getting CRT that far out.

Also, without a vacation booked on property you can only book reservations one day at a time starting at 180 days. So, if Monday if your 180th day out you can book that day only. Tuesday morning you can book your second day, etc. with a resort stay booked you can book 10 days starting on your 180th day.