Question For Past September FREE Diners

[Ktharee]

Did you find you were sorely disappointed because you could not get the ADR's you wanted? Or was it just fine, maybe having to switch some times? The more threads I read, the more I see people freaking out about not getting what they want. I'm usually not an alarmist, but I have to admit, the panic is starting to affect me.

 

[KatMark]

Did you find you were sorely disappointed because you could not get the ADR's you wanted? Or was it just fine, maybe having to switch some times? The more threads I read, the more I see people freaking out about not getting what they want. I'm usually not an alarmist, but I have to admit, the panic is starting to affect me.

We have gone the last three Septembers for free dining (the first week) and we have gotten everything we wanted and within 15 minutes of our requested time. This included LeCellier, Crystal Palace, Yak & Yeti, WCC, etc.

 

[Ktharee]

Thank you for the reply and putting my nerves at ease a bit!

 

[RMulieri]

I have never been disappointed.I just tweak things a little bit. But last year adrs were still at 180 days and we did not have this new dining system issues that we have this year.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

We've been the past 2 Sept for FD. We never had a problem because we scheduled our adrs at 180 days out - got exactly everything we wanted on the days & times we wanted. This year we are somewhat concerned due to the reports here on the DIS. We actually have to think about having back-ups, and back-ups for the back-ups and possibly having to switch things around So yes we are nervous this year about making adrs - we'll know soon enough - our 90th day is June 6.

 

[VAN]

Last year we were able to make the ADR's sooner; however, we booked after the 180 mark. I was able to get everything except for LeCellier and the O'Hana time was later than I would have liked.

Otherwise, I was fine with everything. Some of the restaurants that were not the more "popular" ones and, thus, easier to get good times at actually ended up being some of my more favorite restaurants/experiences.

I've got a list for this September of those I would like to do and will call early on the 90 day mark; however, it will not be the end of the world if I don't get in to all the restaurants I'd like. I am sure, however, I will be able to book enough TS restaurants to cover our credits.

 

[Colleen27]

We haven't been for free dining since '05. We did get everything we wanted then, but a lot has changed in terms of the popularity of the FD promo since then. However, I don't expect that the craziness we're seeing right now, for the timeframe where free dining overlaps summer vacation, is necessarily reflective of what to expect later in the FD period.

 

[mickeyplanner08]

We did it last year and had no problem at the 180 day mark. It is slightly more challenging this year at 90 days, but we were able to get everything except that coveted LeCellier

I'd tell you not to panic and keep yourself up nights worrying about ADR's, but truthfully, I didn't sleep well for 3 nights before making ours

Really, don't worry too much about it. Just because someone on the DIS says you NEED to eat there, doesn't make it so! There are tons of restaurants, and you will get an ADR somewhere-there is no way to go home hungry from free dining

Happy planning!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We went last year and I was all hyped up for Ohana and LeCellier. I got neither. So I sat on the phone dumb-founded. Do your homework, have some other restaurants in mind. We actually enjoyed the experience of trying new restaurants that are now our favorites. If they are now booked this year, we will try others. I never promised any restaurants to my kids. That alone will make your life easier. Good Luck with your experience.

 

[beroh2253]

We went the last week in Sept. the past 3 years and got every ADR we wanted. Been to Le Cellier for dinner all 3 times.
Wish we were going this year but work is down to 36 hrs a week (at least not fired at this point yet but 38% of the people are gone) and not even free dining can help there. Maybe next year.

 

[enchantingodin]

We decided to go last minute last year - didn't book until mid June for late Sept. Called a few days later to make ADRs got everything except LeCellier, of course. But we did Garden Grill (L), Chef Mickey (L), Cape May (B), Boma (D), and 50's prime time (D). And I wasn't flexible with my dates either. As I had planned my park days around EMHs. So we'll just have to see how it works out with the change to 90 days for this year.

 

[kaybird]

Never understand the "freaking out" Seems to happen way to often on these boards

We nearly always get what we want, I call armed with my spreadsheet, a list of what I hope for, and the EMH hours of the parks. Following that, I am VERY flexible, and have had great luck with the CM's.

 

[RahRah573]

One thing I learned from my experience last year - rather than plan fixed dates to do certain restaurants, it may be easier to plan out "days" and work on getting the hardest ADR's first, know their dates and fill in your other restaurants around the ones you wanted and got.....also having a back up picked for when you're on the phone, if you absolutely can't get something anytime, definitely helps too!

Last year when we were there, I didn't know it was free dining, didn't book ADR's out 180-day....heck I didn't even have them even considered at 90-days out....I didn't even reserve until mid-July, so I was booking ADR's at the end of July for early September.....even then, with what I now know was a free dining period, I got every single reservation I wanted (with some time adjustments from my plan), including CRT....the only one I couldn't get was Le Cellier because the one opening they did have was the day I was leaving. So, I wouldn't worry too much.....realize while lots and lots of folks here on DIS go during free dining in September....September is and remains one of the lowest crowd times you can go!

 

[Ktharee]

Thank you everyone for your helpful replies! I don't book until June 25th, but I will be sure to have back ups in place (just in case) but am looking forward to getting this part of the planning over with!

 

[tjknitz]

So glad someone posted this and even happier that people responded. I'm not one to freak out over making something like a dinner reservation, but after reading some of these posts, I've been freaking out. Nice to know that with a back up I should be fine....

 

[DisneyWisher]

I don't think they release all the tables at the 90 day point. I heard they release the table in stages. So just keep trying. It wasn't until August (during last years FDP) that my DD25 said they would meet up with us while we were at Disney. I had no problems getting Chef Mickey on a Saturday Morning.

I am so not a planner but again this year DD25 and her family will be going the same time as DD16 and I. This is their first time on the Dining Plan and its making me nuts. For the first time I am worried about ADRs. But then I remember that we can always go to ESPN, Beaches and Cream, or Planet Hollywood. None of those accept ADRs. What I did have in mind though was for their 3 night trip (I'm going earlier and taking DGS3 with us. But while DD25 is there we will go to Chef Mickey's for Breakfast (Friday morning) WCC (either Thursday night the day they arrive or Saturday Night) and either Ohana or GF Cafe (either Friday or Saturday night not sure which) but I wanted to try dinner at Pepper Market and its considered CS (actually might do that Thursday since its close to ASMu.

Would love to do Ohana during MNSSHP for HalloWishes but I don't think DGS3 could last that long. Maybe will suggest to DD25 that her and hubby have a dinner out while DD16 and I keep the kids (DD25 is also bring DGD 5 months old)

 

[Ktharee]

I don't think they release all the tables at the 90 day point. I heard they release the table in stages. So just keep trying. It wasn't until August (during last years FDP) that my DD25 said they would meet up with us while we were at Disney. I had no problems getting Chef Mickey on a Saturday Morning.

I am so not a planner but again this year DD25 and her family will be going the same time as DD16 and I. This is their first time on the Dining Plan and its making me nuts. For the first time I am worried about ADRs. But then I remember that we can always go to ESPN, Beaches and Cream, or Planet Hollywood. None of those accept ADRs. What I did have in mind though was for their 3 night trip (I'm going earlier and taking DGS3 with us. But while DD25 is there we will go to Chef Mickey's for Breakfast (Friday morning) WCC (either Thursday night the day they arrive or Saturday Night) and either Ohana or GF Cafe (either Friday or Saturday night not sure which) but I wanted to try dinner at Pepper Market and its considered CS (actually might do that Thursday since its close to ASMu.

Would love to do Ohana during MNSSHP for HalloWishes but I don't think DGS3 could last that long. Maybe will suggest to DD25 that her and hubby have a dinner out while DD16 and I keep the kids (DD25 is also bring DGD 5 months old)

I can't figure out for the life of me what "WCC" is? Can someone enlighten me? I'm sure once I'm told it will be a total DUH! moment. Thanks!

 

[JoePa4Ever]

I can't figure out for the life of me what "WCC" is? Can someone enlighten me? I'm sure once I'm told it will be a total DUH! moment. Thanks!

I think the poster is referring to Whispering Canyon Cafe

 

[Ktharee]

I think the poster is referring to Whispering Canyon Cafe

Thanks!

 

[jana616]

However, I don't expect that the craziness we're seeing right now, for the timeframe where free dining overlaps summer vacation, is necessarily reflective of what to expect later in the FD period.

I am SO hoping you're right about this. It makes sense, and in fact, I'm kind of hoping that people who might have been willing to pull their kids out of school and go in September, actually are going in August instead since their kids are still out. Maybe that means more free diners mid-August through Labor Day, and less than usual for Labor Day on? I can hope, right?