Theme park hours - Just thinking aloud

[boomhauer]

As we're getting closer to the 180 days mark before our next trip, my wife and I started picking out our dining spots. Got me to thinking. Many of us are lucky enough to make more than 1 trip to Disney a year, or every year, or every couple of years. So, when Disney changes park hours, no big deal. Whathever meal we miss or whatever Extra Magic Hours we miss, we'll get it next time.

But what about those (I'm sure there are many on here) who only get 1 Disney trip every few years or save for a few years and this may be their only trip? I know Disney releases park hours about 6 months out now, but we all know how often they change. As for EMH, those change just as much.

I feel bad for these people that plan on specific hours, just to have them changed. Of course, Disney reserves the right to change the park hours, but given how difficult (or impossible) it is once you're there to get certain priority seatings, I think Disney should really take more responsibility in scheduling hours and not changing them.

Again, just thinking out loud.

 

[EnnEss]

They do it mainly for economic reasons I'm sure. If they didn't adjust to demand they'd have to charge more. I think its a fair trade and while some planning is good, planning something literally to the minute (park hours honestly don't fluxuate that much) isn't the best thing to do on vacation at WDW, thats just the nature of it.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I'll be shocked if the park hours for the next six months change significantly SHORTER in any mass instance.

They might very well change longer.

And that's usually how Disney does it. December hours for example earlier in the month changed longer once that I'm aware of it..

Knox

 

[Robo]

I'll be shocked if the park hours for the next six months change significantly SHORTER in any mass instance.

They might very well change longer.

Yup.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I also feel sorry for the people that have no clue at all about the 180 day mark and all.

We also just plan things around the Park hours and switch when needed .

we are not big TS eaters so the few we do is no problem and we always get in a few more once on-sight during the trip.

 

[Robo]

I also feel sorry for the people that have no clue at all about the 180 day mark and all.

Not always so bad.

I am extremely experienced at WDW.

We visit WDW up to 3 trips per year.

Have been in Jan. Feb. Apr. May Oct. Nov. & Dec.

We make a TS ADR at least once per day for approx. 10 days per trip.

I usually go to the Hoop Dee Do Revue once or twice a year.

And, I have never made my ADR's prior to 40 days out.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Not always so bad.

I am extremely experienced at WDW.

We visit WDW up to 3 trips per year.

Have been in Jan. Feb. Apr. May Oct. Nov. & Dec.

We make a TS ADR at least once per day for approx. 10 days per trip.

I usually go to the Hoop Dee Do Revue once or twice a year.

And, I have never made my ADR's prior to 40 days out.

Ditto EVERYTHING Robo said, except I only make my ADR's same day.

No exceptions.. I did it the other 180-day once. Never again.

Knox

 

[Allison]

I guess how I don't see how they would change so significantly that the change would be a real burden to someone.

It seems like at 6 months out Disney would have to make some educated guesses about hours and adjust as necessary.

 

[DebbieB]

I think 180 days for ADR's is crazy except for the special dinners like HDD. I wish they would go back to 90 days, that's more than enough advance planning.

 

[boomhauer]

Not always so bad.

I am extremely experienced at WDW.

We visit WDW up to 3 trips per year.

Have been in Jan. Feb. Apr. May Oct. Nov. & Dec.

We make a TS ADR at least once per day for approx. 10 days per trip.

I usually go to the Hoop Dee Do Revue once or twice a year.

And, I have never made my ADR's prior to 40 days out.

You've been lucky then. For our December trip, we had all our PS made way in advance. About 2 months out, we decided to make some changes. Some we simply couldn't get. Ohana - Could not get any night and we were there for 9 nights. Whispering Canyon - Could not get a table for dinner any night.

Of course, Hoop Dee Doo which is one of the "toughest to get", we got 2 days in advance with no problem.

 

[Robo]

You've been lucky then. For our December trip, we had all our PS made way in advance. About 2 months out, we decided to make some changes. Some we simply couldn't get. Ohana - Could not get any night and we were there for 9 nights. Whispering Canyon - Could not get a table for dinner any night.

Of course, Hoop Dee Doo which is one of the "toughest to get", we got 2 days in advance with no problem.

We book 'Ohana twice per trip... have for several years now.

You might have just been UN-lucky.

 

[boomhauer]

We book 'Ohana twice per trip... have for several years now.

You might have just been UN-lucky.

We got in. We just decided about a month out we wanted a different night. I called a few different times and was told the same thing - No seatings left at all for the week. Actually, one night they had a table open at 9:00PM.

Robo, what can be said - You're the man.

For many of us unlucky pions, we've noticed it's tougher and tougher securing ADR's close to your trip.

 

[ducklite]

The key is to keep calling back. I cancelled a often coveted ADR around 9:00 am this past Friday for 6:00 pm dinner that night--so someone got lucky and got a prime dinner reservation at a prime park restuarant.

My BIL didn't get around to making ADR's for their Thanksgiving trip this year--I found out about it less than two weeks in advance. Even with a party of 7-9 people, I was able to get them at least two "good" ADR's each day by just trying back each day.

It's my understanding that WDW doesn't release all the ADR's at the 180 day mark, some are held until much closer to the date in question. I do'nt know that firsthand but based on my various experiences, it seems like it's probably true.

Personally I wouldn't mind seeing a 30 day ADR period for all but Hoop De Doo, V&A's, etc.

 

[Traveliz]

You've been lucky then. For our December trip, we had all our PS made way in advance. About 2 months out, we decided to make some changes. Some we simply couldn't get. Ohana - Could not get any night and we were there for 9 nights. Whispering Canyon - Could not get a table for dinner any night.

Of course, Hoop Dee Doo which is one of the "toughest to get", we got 2 days in advance with no problem.

I find it to be really hit and miss - we are leaving tomorrow and had some ADRs made but because we have a CM daughter who could not request off time this week nor would know her schedule until this past Sunday we wanted to make some changes.

We called Sunday morning and were able to change our ADR for a party of 11 at Whispering Canyon Cafe for two days earlier. Also called RFC (and I realize that is a whole different beast) and got a reservation for 11 for New Years Eve day.

We were there a couple of months ago and again I waited and called once I knew her schedule and was able to get one I wanted and not the other.

Liz

 

[MyGoofy26]

I've been really lucky. Only once did I make reservations and that was a year and a half ago on Free Dining. And even then I only made a few. Maybe because we're really flexible, but I've never had trouble going up to concierge the day of and asking for an availability. Sometimes I even surprise myself - this year we got LTT at a good time on the night of a MNSSHP on our way out to the bus! LOL! Just walked by the desk and asked if anything in the park was available and the girl actually found quite a few options for us. We figured we'd have to go to one of the resorts, which wouldn't have been a problem for us, but ended up snagging that ressie where we made it out of there before the party started.

But I get where you're coming from. We go so often and have for so many years that there is no pressure to do anything - and that goes for restaurants, parks, attractions, etc. It'd stink to have your heart set on a certain place and not be able to catch an opening. But I guess one of the other bonuses of visiting so often is that you know what great places there are that aren't necessarily on any major "must-do" lists. So if you don't snag the reservation for the few hard to get restaurants, you have a handful of fantastic back-ups in mind.

 

[TiggerPiglet]

It's my understanding that WDW doesn't release all the ADR's at the 180 day mark, some are held until much closer to the date in question. I do'nt know that firsthand but based on my various experiences, it seems like it's probably true.

.

I also think that's true. My friend who lives down in Florida often makes last minute ADR's and usually does not have a problem. I think the fact that when you call Disney dining and they say if you're coming to WDW in the next 7 days press whatever number it is, alludes to the fact they save some tables for last minute ADR's.

 

[Robo]

For many of us unlucky pions, we've noticed it's tougher and tougher securing ADR's close to your trip.

I'm just givin' you a hard time, anyway.

If the crowd levels keep rising, they'll have to build a lot more restaurant space just to accomodate the masses.

ADR's did not used to be a necessity at all.
I remember several years ago using the "video-phones" in the morning at the (now defunct) Communicore at Epcot to book ressies at WS restaurants for that same afternoon.

 

[MyGoofy26]

I'm just givin' you a hard time, anyway.

If the crowd levels keep rising, they'll have to build a lot more restaurant space just to accomodate the masses.

ADR's did not used to be a necessity at all.
I remember several years ago using the "video-phones" in the morning at the (now defunct) Communicore at Epcot to book ressies at WS restaurants for that same afternoon.

I'd love to see some actual numbers regarding increase in table service reservations. It may be completely anecdotal, but I remember being younger and deciding we were hungry and walking up to a podium and having a relatively short wait (no more than going out at home) and it seems that maybe 10 years ago (give or take) that was increasingly more difficult to do. I know a lot of people blame the dining plan for filling the restaurants, but it seems like the trend was headed in that direction regardless. Especially when you're talking about restaurants in the parks. The Magic Kingdom desperately needs another table service or two.

 

[darlak]

The Magic Kingdom desperately needs another table service or two.

They really do! I love LTT for lunch, but don't care for the evening menu. We will eat at Tony's, but it isn't a 'must do' for us, ever. Other than those, there are no TS restaurants we want to eat at in MK. Due to that, we don't usually spend a full day at MK even though we consider it to be a 2-day park to see everything. We just go for more half days.

MGM on the other hand, is a 1-day park for us, but we tend to go there more often, because we want to eat at more than one TS place there.

A couple of years ago, we went and only had one ADR. We did the rest CS. I found that to be one of the most fun trips we've ever had. I loved the freedom of not having to consider when/where our ADR's were. I would like to do another trip that way, but none of the rest of my family thinks that's a good idea.

 

[swilphil]

I have difficulting getting ADR's during the following times:

--If I'm traveling during peak time

--If WDW has free dining at that time

--If I'm traveling with a larger group.

I don't always have time to call back to see if there's been cancellations. One time we booked through DU and they handled the ADR's for us.

When we've stayed at Swan/Dolphin, their concierage desk in the lobby will get WDW resort and park restaurant reservations for you while you are staying there (but not before). Everything won't be available, but they are able to get some things that aren't available by calling the Disney dining number. And this is for all S/D guests, not just those staying Club Level. I think those on the Club Level can get ADR's before the trip starts.

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