Starting to get very discouraged

[southern_belle21]

I get to make our ADRs in the morning. I'll be up and on my comp at the crack of dawn trying to see if I can get the online system to work for me. Problem is, now I'm beginning to feel as though nothing we really want will be available. It's just going to be myself and DH, so just party of 2, however, after playing around with the online booking system to make sure I know what I'm doing (I've been checking for ressies for the day before we get there just to see what comes up) I feel like pickins are gonna be really slim. Here is what I would like to get:

1) Ohana- Not only our fav, but also where DH wants to eat the night of his bday.

2) CRT (dinner)- This was the backup for DH's bday dinner. He thought eating in the Castle would be nice.

3) 1900 Park Fare (dinner)- Okay this was my choice, I wanted to eat here before the MVMCP and meet the Stepsisters, plus DH agreed b/c he said the food sounded good.

4) Crystal Palace (dinner)- This is a backup for our MVMCP night, or for another night we were going to be in MK, and I LOVE Piglet!

5) Flying Fish- I've heard very good things about it, and we really wanted to try another Signature Dining restaurant.

6) Sci Fi (dinner)- We've both wanted to eat here on past trips, and just never have.

I had actually THOUGHT about Le Cellier for our last night, but I'm almost afraid to even try

I know I'm asking for some pretty TOUGH ADRs, so I'm trying to keep an open mind. Do you think there's even a CHANCE of us getting what we want? Please tell me that I'm not crazy for wanting all of these!

 

[cassandrap83]

I wouldn't sweat it. There is no use worrying over something that you cannot control, and for that matter hasn't even happened yet!

When I booked for my Free Dining ADRs, I was a little apprehensive as I also wanted some "tough" picks, but happily got them all.

You have just as good a chance as getting your restaurants you want as everyone else out there in the same boat as you.

Just remember that you should try to book your "hardest" restaurants first, and have alternates for each available.

And, make sure you're at your computer bright & early!

 

[mickey2000]

If you keep checking, things change ! I am going to cancel a Dinner on the 28th CRT. .... After thinking about the cost, the poor food quality, and being rushed its jsut a waste! I'm looking forward to my next non disney cruise of 10 days, always good food

 

[Nadjalu]

Go for it and don't sweat it!!!!

Hey I when I was there in March my niece had tried for months to book us Le Cellier and it never was open, so I thought why bother this time around?
If I would've thought that I wouldn't have gotten a dinner (no less) for me and DH on the very night we wanted, just 2 hours after I would've liked to eaten. BUT hey I am not complaining!!!
Just be positive. It sounds like you have your backups in place so no biggie. You have a couple difficult ressies but those tables have to be filled with someone, why not you????
So go for it and don't look back!!

You have practiced and sound familar with the online system. A tip is to have multiple tabs (windows) open and set to your restaurants so you can easily go to the next one. (just remember to refresh before doing so)

Good luck and pixie dust to you!!!

 

[tami82]

I can tell you that you may not get everything the way you want it at first. When i made my ADR by phone in May i got everything but 3 times werent great. 6 weeks later when online system came out between then and less than one week before we left i was able to get everything i wanted with the times i wanted (early dinners worked best for us). I even actually got three Ohanas (i kept two of them) and two Chef Mickey early dinner times (cancelled one). You have to be persistent and check alot, especially around the 45 days mark and a week before (this was when a bunch of places opened up extra time slots). Its too early to be discouraged over this you have plenty of time to play around and fix it to your liking.

 

[crabbygal902]

I felt exactly the same way before I made ADRs for free dining during Thanksgiving week...and I got EVERYTHING that I wanted at almost exactly every time that I wanted for 8 people!!! Le Cellier was an hour and a half later than planned, but that actually is going to work out BETTER for us!

I was probably the ONLY person who was not excited when free dining during Thanksgiving was announced. I thought we'd be eating CS the entire trip! I love a Dole Whip, but not for Thanksgiving Dinner!


Here's a few tips:
1) Have a couple of back-up choices prepared (and I can see that you've already done that.)
2) Practice and play with the online ADR site tonight so you'll be ready (I'll bet you've done that, too!)
3) Be up and ready by 5:55 am EST with your cup of tea/coffee, your computer on your first ADR site with your log-in information already entered, and your phone handy in case you need to call at 7 am. Enter your reservation number at 6:01 EST and you are off to the races! (But I'll bet you knew that, too! ) The PP's suggestion of having your tabs ready is excellent (and it worked for me!)
4) I have heard from some very smart people on this board say that if you don't get what you want, keep checking the online ADR site and really pay attention when the 45 day resort full payment window opens, since lots of folks have to cancel at that time.
5) I think that you have a distinct advantage because you are booking for only 2 people.
6) If the online system is down again tomorrow , don't forget that it is down for EVERYBODY! You will have the same chance as the rest of 'em!

I wish you tons of . Let us know how everything turns out for you, Southernbelle!

 

[ccigliano]

Good Luck - Southern Belle21 and I hope you get what you want tomorrow. Please let us know. I've been doing the same thing as you trying to familiarize myself with the site and getting very discouraged as nothing I want seems to be available the week before for any days. I can only get Hoop De Doo for 9:30 PM it seems so I don't think I'll have much luck but we'll try. I have my sister's family joining us and I really want everything to be perfect and for me dining at where I want is part of my vacation experience. And with two little ones, places like Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, and Hoop De Doo are entertaining to keep everyone happy.

 

[Inkmahm]

6) If the online system is down again tomorrow , don't forget that it is down for EVERYBODY! You will have the same chance as the rest of 'em!

I wish you tons of . Let us know how everything turns out for you, Southernbelle!

I disagree wth number 6 as the system was working for me this morning to do ADRs when it wasn't working for most others who were here on the DIS talking about it. If that happens, don't assume it is down for everyone. Log out and log back in, clear cookies, keep trying. You may be the lucky one to get in while others can't.

 

[crabbygal902]

Excellent point, Inkmahm!

 

[LoveBugs]

I can tell you that we just made our reservations last week and got everything we wanted, including CRT breakfast, Le Cellier, Ohana, Chef Mickey's, Brown Derby Fantasmic Package, Hoop de Doo, Sci-Fi, etc. The times were what we wanted, within 15 minutes. I think Le Cell was the only one that was about 45 min later than we wanted. I booked these at 11am EST. Good luck!

 

[southern_belle21]

Oh thank you, thank you to everyone for the wonderful encouragement! I'm all geared up with DH's alarm set and we're heading (or at least I'm gonna TRY) to bed! I'll let you all know how it turns out! I appreciate the good wishes!

 

[squirrel]

It also helps to book the harder to get restaurants near the end of your trip.

Good luck!

 

[JessRabbit]

How did you do?

 

[crabbygal902]

Yes, how did it go??

 

[Inkmahm]

Yes, how did it go??

Looks like we all want to know....

 

[princessmom29]

We did fairly well, and we arrive the day before thanksgiving, so don't give up!!! We got everything we wanted, even Le Cellier. We had to take a lunch instead of dinner at le Cellier, and Chef Mickey's is a late breakfast, but we got it. Just be prepared to be flexable with your times and take what you can get even if it is not absolutely ideal.