Questions on making ADR's ??

[tigerlilly]

Hello!

I am set to make our ADR's for our August trip this Saturday.

I live on the west coast... it is true that the time to make online ADR's is 6AM EST?
If so I would be making mine at 3AM PST? should be an adventure lol

We have a party of 7 for many of the ADR's that I would like to make...is it more difficult to get larger group ADR's? Restaurants I am looking into for 7 are Via Napolini for lunch, Sci-Fi for lunch (I realize we will/may be placed in separate cars or in a table car in back), BOG for breakfast...and maybe Teppan Edo.
Is it better to try and get the BOG breakfast reservation for two separate parties?

This trip is for my DD 21st Bday and we are going on her actual birthday and her request is Rose and Crown for dinner (hopefully Illuminations view table... I know not guaranteed etc....but I will still ask if possible since it is a special occasion and the last time we were there she was 9 but we will be happy wherever)
My question is is it better to just stick with a party of 4 for the possibility of an outdoor table?
... we are debating if our DS will join us or just do dinner with his grandparents on this night (which he would like equally as well)

Lastly, we are doing a split stay and I have read some things that say we need to book each stay separately? However, when I look at my MDE it has both stays and all the days...can I use the 180 + 10?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! I am nervous about all this as so much has changed in 12 years...

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

3AM PST?

yes!

We have a party of 7 for many of the ADR's that I would like to make...is it more difficult to get larger group ADR's? Restaurants I am looking into for 7 are Via Napolini for lunch, Sci-Fi for lunch (I realize we will/may be placed in separate cars or in a table car in back), BOG for breakfast...and maybe Teppan Edo.
Is it better to try and get the BOG breakfast reservation for two separate parties?

Not too difficult, Disney is aware people travel in large herds, so they have many ADRs for larger groups. If u find at oh dark thirty (aka 3am) that you're having trouble getting ADRs for 7 or 8 try for 2 sets of 4. But pick the most difficult to get first (usually BOG) and work backwards from there.
Tappen Edo was fabulous and really well suited for a birthday. They make a big deal out of birthdays and you're seated with other guests so it makes it really fun!
It definately was a highlight of our trip!
Not sure about the split stay question, we've never ever done it, so someone with more knowledge than I will chime in!
The Rose and Crown also has outdoor seating that is NOT reserved. It's for the counter service ice portion of the restaurant.
Another option (although more expensive than Rose and Crown) is an IllumiNations cruise. They are awesome!!! You are on the water to view IllumiNations and your captain has snacks and water and soda on board. Our captain knew from our reservation so he had the Happy Anniversary banner and balloons all set up. Another group was celebrating a birthday and they also had balloons and a banner. It was an awesome way to view IllumiNations AND celebrate a special event!
You're going to have a great time!

 

[tigerlilly]

Thank you so so much for the response! I have toyed with the idea of the Illuminations Cruise... it sounds amazing! Ok 3 am Saturday here we come! lol

 

[purple figment]

Yes, 3 AM PST - we've done it many times. Good luck!

Make all the dining reservations for the maximum number of people who might be dining. For the party of 7 you can also try for 8 since at most restaurants you will be seated at an 8 top table.

For BOG you can try for 7 or for two reservations, but they will need to be made in separate MDE accounts. Since BOG is a quick service restaurant at breakfast and lunch you will seat yourselves so two reservations will work.

At Sci Fi you could be seated in one car if one person in your group is a small child or two cars near one another. There are also table cars where a regular table is placed between the front and back of a car. You can see a yellow table car in the lower left of this photo:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/sci-fi-dine-in-theater/
The tables in the back are smaller, usually seating up to 4, or are for walk ups.

When you check in at Rose & Crown you can ask for a patio table, but there are thousands celebrating something special at DW every day so they may or may not be able to accommodate your request. If you are seated at a table without a view let your server know you plan to see IllumiNations and they will escort you to the viewing area adjacent to the patio reserved for R&C diners.

You will have to plan two 3 AM mornings because dining reservations can be made 180 days before arrival day for the length (up to 10 days) of each resort reservation.