Preferred Dining Access

[Original Goofy]

We--a group of 6 adults and one 3 year old--will be staying at the Grand Californian in late July. It seems like trying to reserve dining for such a large group is a challenge,, with the popular advice being to separately reserve for 4 and 3 and then try to combine tables. Has anybody used the Premier Dining Access for on-site hotel guests for a good result? If so, for what restaurants did you successfully reserve? I guess my dream would be to get all of us in for an early dinner at Napa Rose.

 

[foolish_mortals]

It’s unofficial but I’ve noticed if I have an on property reservation AND (this is the important part) it’s linked to the account making a dining reservation I can start reserving at 3am PST instead of 6am.

 

[ballarinamom]

It’s unofficial but I’ve noticed if I have an on property reservation AND (this is the important part) it’s linked to the account making a dining reservation I can start reserving at 3am PST instead of 6am.

Where did you see this? We are booked at DLH and I havent really looked for that in the app. Or is it online?

 

[foolish_mortals]

Where did you see this? We are booked at DLH and I havent really looked for that in the app. Or is it online?

It’s just the normal way to reserve dining, though I use the site since my app doesn’t seem to refresh correctly.

They mentioned on property hotels would get advantage but never clarified what that meant. It’s not advertised/official but I thought the first 3am time was a fluke (Dec/Jan 2023) and we have had other not overnight visits and had another upcoming stay so I tested the theory even for days I didn’t want dining. When I look for dining on the days that we are staying on property I was seeing reservations open by 3am PST. My partner who didn’t have the hotel reservation linked did not see them until 6am PST.

 

[Nonsuch]

It’s unofficial but I’ve noticed if I have an on property reservation AND (this is the important part) it’s linked to the account making a dining reservation I can start reserving at 3am PST instead of 6am.

Thanks for sharing this tip, Memorial Day visit will give me a chance to test.

In response to the OP’s question, I just assume the so called Premier Dining Access does not really exist.
Try to make “practice” bookings several days in advance of your actual target date, to see if a party of 7 can be made. It might be better to try for a party of 8 (or 6).

 

[goofy1954]

It’s just the normal way to reserve dining, though I use the site since my app doesn’t seem to refresh correctly.

They mentioned on property hotels would get advantage but never clarified what that meant. It’s not advertised/official but I thought the first 3am time was a fluke (Dec/Jan 2023) and we have had other not overnight visits and had another upcoming stay so I tested the theory even for days I didn’t want dining. When I look for dining on the days that we are staying on property I was seeing reservations open by 3am PST. My partner who didn’t have the hotel reservation linked did not see them until 6am PST.

This 3 a.m. access happened for me as well, although I haven't been able to confirm with total certainty that it was because we're staying at DLH and had the reservation properly linked.
Cast members have been very cagey with me in describing this perk. But one also told me that a small bucket of ADRs are withheld for on-property guests, available upon arrival.
Has anyone tried to do that?

 

[starlite_]

That 3am rumor has been disproven already by someone on this board, they had access and no reservations for a hotel.

 

[goofy1954]

I would say it's still an open question. As quirky as the ADR system is, who's to say that one person not getting access at 0300 wasn't a glitch?

 

[starlite_]

I would say it's still an open question. As quirky as the ADR system is, who's to say that one person not getting access at 0300 wasn't a glitch?

Because ppl withOUT reservations have gained access at 3am and ppl with reservations have not been able to book until 6am. The glitch is most likely a server with a dif time. And the lucky few that end up on it are able to book ADRs at 3am. Folks with reservations having priority is a popular rumor, but nothing more.

 

[Pluto468]

Not sure if it's a glitch or not, but here's my experience.....

I recently booked ADRs for 5 days of an upcoming trip. The 2 days I wasn't staying at the Grand Californian ADRs didn't open for me on the computer or app until the usual 6am PST time.

On the days I WAS staying at GCH, I could reserve dining starting at 5:30 am PST on the app and computer.

 

[joseph821]

This is very confusing. But I will try both at 3 and 6 when my reservation window opens. I also plan to try to get a reservation when I check-in at GCH. My friend who stayed at GCH in January got 2 reservations during his stay very easily when the Disneyland app had none.

 

[Original Goofy]

Thanks for the input. This is so mysterious Offering preferred access but not explaining how it works is just plain weird. So I am left with maybe I could ask if there are any preferred reservations when I get there and I might try at 3:00 a.m. or 5:30 a.m. before the swarms start hitting refresh at 6:00 a.m. And that info I only have thanks to you all!

 

[glocon]

Because ppl withOUT reservations have gained access at 3am and ppl with reservations have not been able to book until 6am. The glitch is most likely a server with a dif time. And the lucky few that end up on it are able to book ADRs at 3am. Folks with reservations having priority is a popular rumor, but nothing more.

Do you know, if this is the case, can you refresh and try to get a different server or do you have to start over to get a different server (hopefully one that allows an earlier time to make reservations)?

Just curious…. Thanks if you have any input.

 

[DLgal]

Preferred Access means same day reservations will be held back for resort guests. When you are there, ask at the front desk how it works.

 

[joseph821]

Preferred Access means same day reservations will be held back for resort guests. When you are there, ask at the front desk how it works.

Thanks. I will ask at check in at GCH.

 

[DLgal]

Thanks. I will ask at check in at GCH.

This is also probably why it's a lot harder to get Napa Rose reservations lately.

 

[starlite_]

Do you know, if this is the case, can you refresh and try to get a different server or do you have to start over to get a different server (hopefully one that allows an earlier time to make reservations)?

Just curious…. Thanks if you have any input.

I am not an expert tbh, I do not know how you get assigned a server. It could be geographic, random, server space, etc. I know that I've opened ADRs on the website on dif browsers and on incognito mode and got shown the same thing. I don't think refreshing would help but I haven't tested it. It would be an interesting experiment, not sure I have it in me to wake up early to check tho hahaha.