So I'm new at this...I need HELP! Pretty please!

[Eli's 1st trip]

So, we will be in the world...Feb 7th-Feb 13th. Trying to get in before the HUGE Mardi Gras crowds get there. So if I am figuring this out correctly I can book my ADR's on Aug. 11th correct? And what is this 180 +10? I have no idea what thats about. Also, if we end up with booked ADR's and then do not get free dining and have to cancel some of the character dining we plan is that possible or will we be charged? If we do schedule ADR's without free dining and end up WITH free dining will we have to cancel and rebook our ADR's?

Thanks for all the help? Sorry this is so many questions. Hope its not to confusing.

 

[Cafeen]

So, we will be in the world...Feb 7th-Feb 13th. Trying to get in before the HUGE Mardi Gras crowds get there. So if I am figuring this out correctly I can book my ADR's on Aug. 11th correct? And what is this 180 +10? I have no idea what thats about. Also, if we end up with booked ADR's and then do not get free dining and have to cancel some of the character dining we plan is that possible or will we be charged? If we do schedule ADR's without free dining and end up WITH free dining will we have to cancel and rebook our ADR's?

Thanks for all the help? Sorry this is so many questions. Hope its not to confusing.

Yep, Aug 11 is 180 days from Feb 7th, so that's when you can start making them.

180+10 is shorthand for one of the perks of staying onsite. This perk allows guests with a confirmed Disney resort reservation to book dining for up to 10 days (inclusive) starting at 180 days before date of check-in[/g]. Without a confirmed Disney resort reservation, one may only book dining at 180 days before date of dining.

So, if you were arriving on Feb 7, 2013, on Aug 11, 2012 you may book ADRs for Feb 7 - Feb 16. If your trip is longer than 180 days, you (currently) have to wait until 180 days before date of dining for the rest of them (unless you're doing a split stay, but that's beyond the scope of this response).

So, 180+10 is a shorthand notation, not a math problem .

Canceling reservations before the deadline has no fees or anything, so don't worry about that. So long as it's earlier than the day before (for most, some are 2 days before), you'll be fine.

As far as Dining Plan considerations (Free or otherwise), unless you are planning to book any of the DDP-accepting prepaid events (CRT, HDDR, etc), then it doesn't matter one bit if you end up with a plan (paid or free) or start with one and drop it. For those pre-paid events, choosing the option to "use my dining plan to pay for this" link (or something along those lines) and confirming the details of your trip will change it from a full prepayment to a CC-hold for the full amount.