Rookie ADR question

[BJSforVols]

This is our first Disney trip, so we are new to the ADR process. We are not planning to use the dining plan but rather pay out of pocket. We still plan to make ADR for some of the restaurants we'd like to try. I was under the impression we needed our vacation reservation number when making the ADR. Is this not correct? My wife made some ADR online the other night and it never ask for our vacation reservation number. Can someone point me in the correct direction for a thread or tutorial on making the ADR the correct way.

 

[Raksha]

The "correct" way would be to simply call 407-WDW-DINE and make the reservations you want to make. Or if you prefer online you can go to the Online Reservation Center and do your reservations.

 

[Heidi Lou]

While i am sure online reservations are great, I always have more peace of mind by calling and speaking with someone directly to make the reservations, and that's what i would recommend. However, the ones you already made online, if you have a confrimation/ reservation number- i am sure it went through. If you are the least bit concerned though call 407.WDW.DINE.

 

[Cafeen]

You only need the resort confirmation number if you are booking under the following circumstances:
* Greater than 180 days out from the dining date: The booking number in this case checks to see if you qualify for the 180+10 perk of staying onsite (You can book up to 10 days worth of dining at 180 days before your check-in date)
* Prepaid events on the dining plan: The booking number here checks the associated resort reservation to see if an applicable dining plan is attached. If so, these go from full prepayment to CC-guarantees. (Edit: If you are not planning on using a dining plan, or you're OK with paying now and getting refunded at the time of dining, you will not even need to worry about a resort confirmation # here either)

Other than those 2 cases, your resort reservation number is not needed at all.

As far as the "correct" way, as long as you get a confirmation, it's for the right dates and times, and for the right amount of people, you've already done it

 

[BJSforVols]

Thanks Cafeen.

 

[purple figment]

If you didn't need to input your resort reservation number I would guess that you're within 180 days of your arrival. Today it's 180 days before Nov 20 so I assume you're arriving before then. You only need to input your resort res number if you're taking advantage of 180 + 10 days meaning exactly 180 days before your arrival date you can make reservations for the first 10 days of your vacation because you're staying onsite. Once you're within the 180 day window anyone staying onsite, off site, locals coming from home can make reservations.

As far as the correct way to make reservations you can either go to the online res site which your wife did and make them following the directions on the site or call the dining line and make them with a CM.

We make most of ours online and get an email confirmation almost immediately. Your res should also show up online on the Disney site under your "My Disney Account" when you sign in. The only time we call the dining line is if there's a problem and/or it's something that can't be booked on line.

 

[BJSforVols]

If you didn't need to input your resort reservation number I would guess that you're within 180 days of your arrival. Today it's 180 days before Nov 20 so I assume you're arriving before then. You only need to input your resort res number if you're taking advantage of 180 + 10 days meaning exactly 180 days before your arrival date you can make reservations for the first 10 days of your vacation because you're staying onsite. Once you're within the 180 day window anyone staying onsite, off site, locals coming from home can make reservations.

As far as the correct way to make reservations you can either go to the online res site which your wife did and make them following the directions on the site or call the dining line and make them with a CM.

We make most of ours online and get an email confirmation almost immediately. Your res should also show up online on the Disney site under your "My Disney Account" when you sign in. The only time we call the dining line is if there's a problem and/or it's something that can't be booked on line.

You are correct. We were within our 180 day arrival window. (Our arrival date is 10/4.) We've still been able to get every ADR we've tried. Is this a time of year in which it's not quite as critical to have ADRs?

 

[purple figment]

You are correct. We were within our 180 day arrival window. (Our arrival date is 10/4.) We've still been able to get every ADR we've tried. Is this a time of year in which it's not quite as critical to have ADRs?

It's always better to make reservations for the places you want to eat at because you never know whether that restaurant will be available once you're at DW. Your vacation includes Columbus Day week end and Epcot's Food & Wine Festival. Also, there are some places/times that are hard to get no matter when you go - character meals, dinner shows, Cali Grill, pre-park opening meals, fireworks viewing times for example.