Should I be worried about ADR's

[Picabo]

I'm so confused about the whole ADR process! This is our first trip to Disney and the Disboards have me freaked out about how hard it will be to get reservations. How do I go about doing it? Any why is it so darn hard to get reservations?? Certainly not EVERYONE would even be aware to call exactly 90days in advance, right?

We're staying onsite, so what does 90+10 mean? We arrive on Dec 5th so when can we make reservations and do I have to call day by day or can I make them ALL on my initial call?

Any of the below meals I need to be more worried about or do differently?

Crystal Palace (lunch)
Askerhaus (breakfast)
Kona (dinner)
'Ohana (dinner)
Chef Mickey (breakfast)
Cape May (dinner)
1900 PF (dinner)

THANKS!!!

 

[vicki_c]

On the 90th day out from December 5th (which is September 6), since you are staying on site, you can book for 10 days worth of reservations. Those staying off-site can only call one day at a time, on the 90th day out from EACH reservation they want.

I'd say at least 3 (Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, and probably Akershaus) of your planned ones are pretty popular. Just make sure to call on your 90th day when they open (or do it online). If you're there for 10 days (or even if not), consider booking those towards the end of your trip as well and you might have better luck.

I really wouldn't panic - it's just food - you won't starve!

It's hard to get reservations because there's limited capacity. Currently, you're also seeing lots of ADR issues over free dining in the late summer/early fall. That fills up the restaurants even more than normal.

 

[Picabo]

On the 90th day out from December 5th (which is September 6), since you are staying on site, you can book for 10 days worth of reservations. Those staying off-site can only call one day at a time, on the 90th day out from EACH reservation they want.

I'd say at least 3 (Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, and probably Akershaus) of your planned ones are pretty popular. Just make sure to call on your 90th day when they open (or do it online). If you're there for 10 days (or even if not), consider booking those towards the end of your trip as well and you might have better luck.

I really wouldn't panic - it's just food - you won't starve!

It's hard to get reservations because there's limited capacity. Currently, you're also seeing lots of ADR issues over free dining in the late summer/early fall. That fills up the restaurants even more than normal.

THANKS! This helps alot! Especially now understanding what the +10 means! And from what I can tell from other reading, if I don't get what I want when I initially call, try again the next day or on the 90th day out?

Do I get to tell them what TIME I'd like to eat (like 1130a lunch or 530p dinner) or do I just say what MEAL (bkfst, lunch dinner) and they give ME the time I can go?

THANKS!

 

[vicki_c]

You tell them what time you want, and they will do their best to get you that time or something close.

And if you don't get what you want, yes, just keep trying - even after you're there, you can call the dining line and see if they have any openings for what you want - people cancel things all the time.

 

[djp0630]

You can also try online. I was able to get online today at 6am and book all mine within 15 minutes. No waiting. I got great ones - Chef Mickey's twice, CRT, 'Ohana, Crystal Palace, etc

'Ohana dinner has been hard to book, as can Chef Mickey's. Book those first. Also, it might be better to book later in your trip. I had NO trouble booking Chef Mickey's at the end of my trip.

Don't worry. It'll all worked out. I was SOOO stressed and now am so happy! Good luck!

 

[burberryplaid]

I think you also have less to worry about because you are going in December. Unless they extend free dining until then, it probably won't be as difficult as it is for those who are going during free dining. Just be diligent and I think you'll be fine.