Theories on Dining Reservations window

[GatorChris]

Last time I went to WDW, the window was 180 days in advance. Honestly, I thought that was pretty ridiculous. And it appears to have never changed until C19 came along. I can't really see the 60 day window staying in place for very much longer. Problem is people like me are coming up on 120 days or maybe 90 days and Disney may just throw open the flood gates. Are there any rumors on the window getting extended? Would Disney warn us or would it just magically appear on their ADR website one day? Just wanted to get some theories.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Last time I went to WDW, the window was 180 days in advance. Honestly, I thought that was pretty ridiculous. And it appears to have never changed until C19 came along. I can't really see the 60 day window staying in place for very much longer. Problem is people like me are coming up on 120 days or maybe 90 days and Disney may just throw open the flood gates. Are there any rumors on the window getting extended? Would Disney warn us or would it just magically appear on their ADR website one day? Just wanted to get some theories.

I think the 60 days is here to stay. From what I understand, the long window got lots of complaints and the pandemic shutdown offered the best opportunity to reset.

 

[Moms]

We’ve scheduled trips for the week before Christmas (2021) and Spring Break (2022) and are carefully watching for changes in current C19 related procedures. We have a TA working with us so hopefully if the ADR window opens before the 60 day mark, they re-institute FP+, or resume some of their hard ticket events we will catch it in time. Meanwhile we have our resorts booked and our park days reserved. The world will (hopefully) look very different by next Christmas and all we can do is stay vigilant and wait!

 

[Marthasor]

My theory is we would get a warning and a future start date should they decide to expand the window. Opening the floodgates, unannounced would not go over well with TAs and the general consumer. I'm hoping they keep it at 60 days, however.

 

[travellovingirl]

I hope they give folks with scheduled vacations an opportunity to book before it is just opened to a longer window.

 

[wilkydelts]

I am missing the 180 ADR window. I know that much of the limitations for dining right now are capacity issues. Right now it is near impossible to get many reservations with out being on site and booking at 64+ days. 180 days really helped us planners and allowed us to get ahead now everyone is fighting at 60.

 

[GBRforWDW]

I am missing the 180 ADR window. I know that much of the limitations for dining right now are capacity issues. Right now it is near impossible to get many reservations with out being on site and booking at 64+ days. 180 days really helped us planners and allowed us to get ahead now everyone is fighting at 60.

I would like to think that If all the restaurants were open at full capacity, this wouldn’t be an issue. However, full capacity and all restaurants would just likely mean a lot higher guest count in the parks as well.

 

[ElizabethG]

They did shorten the window once before. It was in 2009. I remember because it was our first DVC trip. They shortened it to 90 days. It did not last long. I don't know if they got complaints, or what. Personally, I liked the 180 day window. When they changed back from 90 to 180 again, they did 'open the flood gates'. There was warning and it was known (if you were paying close attention) on what day it would happen.
Article warning about the change back to 180:
https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200910/1498/

 

[CarolynFH]

I don’t remember when it changed, but when we started coming in the early 90s, people could book Hoop-De-Doo Revue up to two years in advance.

 

[Madhattermad]

I take the point about the flood-gates but I think the messaging on this could be managed somehow. I personally want the 180-day window back - I love planning and I have a void lol!

 

[TaraWasHere]

Yeah, I liked 180 days too. It gave lots of room for error, and reservation hunting the things we couldn't snag on the 180 day mark. I would imagine that if it is brought back it would be announced at least 180+ for the ones it would impact. (At least I would hope so) Same thought for fast pass should it come back.

 

[hlaw7]

I don't think Disney would open flood gates, they are not doing that with anything else that was pandemic impacted - everything is being slowly phased back in. I do think they'll bring back the 180 days for sure. Disney likes to know well in advance their anticipated capacity at resorts, as an example. They base discounts on how their numbers look at various times and they use advance bookings to do this. Having the 180 days with the 180 plus 10 for resort guests has always been a way to incentivize guests to book trips and plan early, and even stay on-property. While you can still cancel, it still gives Disney the advance projections they want regarding resort stays, capacity, etc.