UGH - Free Dining and ADR's

[JW2]

Yes I'm an idiot as I booked our flights and resorts without even thinking Free Dining would start MID- August!!! So regardless, I'm very happy to get my choices of resorts and generally we only eat one meal out/day. I do NOT get the DDP.

My question is ... I've read on other areas on the DISboards, that non-DVC members phone to book ADR's at 7 am. Since MS only opens at 9 am, can I use CRO for my ressie (DVC)? Would I be waiting on line with CRO 2 hours anyhow and MS is more efficient? Already people are phoning at their 90 day mark and are unable to get ADRs. I'm not really that hyper about timing - in fact, I prefer late lunches or early suppers - I just would rather not spend 2 hours on line to book the darn things and NOT get what I want. So in summary - do I get "in line" with a pot of coffee on CRO phone line at 7 am and have a better chance than MS? My 90 day mark is this weekend. Or do I just plan on bringing a few more boxes of Kraft Dinner and be done with it all?

Lesson learned - do not book until I know all dates of specials going on - live and learn!!

 

[Chuck S]

If you aren't strick on exact times, and don't want the more popular character meals, I think you'd be OK calling either. Probably a little less hold time at DVC. But you can call either DVC or 407-WDW-DINE. Have your DVC confirmaton number ready, no matter which you call. WDW Dining system can now access the DVC reservation numbers.

 

[JimMIA]

Actually ADR's have nothing to do with where you are staying. Anybody can book at 90 days, and a huge percentage of ADR's are for people not staying onsite...or even for local residents.

The only thing resort affects is the +10 part, which as Chuck says, Disney Dining can access.

If you can't get the ADR's you want and you're not on DDP, I respectfully recommend eating offsite. No matter what your tastes -- McDonald's to fine dining -- there is a huge variety to choose from, they answer their phones promptly and make your reservation without fuss or stress, and the food is better than Disney. And considerably less expensive.

 

[Doingitagain]

Yes I'm an idiot as I booked our flights and resorts without even thinking Free Dining would start MID- August!!! So regardless, I'm very happy to get my choices of resorts and generally we only eat one meal out/day. I do NOT get the DDP.

My question is ... I've read on other areas on the DISboards, that non-DVC members phone to book ADR's at 7 am. Since MS only opens at 9 am, can I use CRO for my ressie (DVC)? Would I be waiting on line with CRO 2 hours anyhow and MS is more efficient? Already people are phoning at their 90 day mark and are unable to get ADRs. I'm not really that hyper about timing - in fact, I prefer late lunches or early suppers - I just would rather not spend 2 hours on line to book the darn things and NOT get what I want. So in summary - do I get "in line" with a pot of coffee on CRO phone line at 7 am and have a better chance than MS? My 90 day mark is this weekend. Or do I just plan on bringing a few more boxes of Kraft Dinner and be done with it all?

Lesson learned - do not book until I know all dates of specials going on - live and learn!!

I called the main WDW number and made all of my ADR's at 7:00 am. I just gave them my DVC reservation number. I actually never even thought to call MS. You can book 90 days before your check-in date, and you can book for your entire stay (up to 10 days).

 

[JimMIA]

If you are determined to try Disney Dining, dial them direct at the A/C 407 number precisely at 7 AM. If you wait to call via MS, they'll only transfer you to the long phonemail queue at Disney Dining.

 

[TDC Nala]

No matter what your tastes -- McDonald's to fine dining -- there is a huge variety to choose from, they answer their phones promptly and make your reservation without fuss or stress, and the food is better than Disney. And considerably less expensive.

There's a catch - you need a car. A lot of WDW vistors don't get cars. I usually don't get a car.

There's lots of places to go onsite that are not on the dining plan - at the Swolphin and Downtown Disney mostly. Bistro de Paris isn't on the dining plan and it's inside Epcot (it's the only in-park restaurant that isn't on the plan - but it's not set up for children, no children's menu). And I've learned that I like eating at bars, lounges and "counter" seating at restaurants - especially signature restaurants or bars attached to signature restaurants like Territory Lounge - and a lot of the bars and lounges don't take DDP - the DDP people don't eat in them anyway.

 

[Castillo Mom]

If you are determined to try Disney Dining, dial them direct at the A/C 407 number precisely at 7 AM. If you wait to call via MS, they'll only transfer you to the long phonemail queue at Disney Dining.

I was able to get all of my ADRs for the second half of our split stay via MS. and this was with no hold time.

In contrast, the week prior I called Disney Dining at 7:00 a.m. (4:00 a.m. California time) and waited on hold for over an hour.

 

[CarolynMink]

We are also going mid August. Call as soon as you can.

Unfortunately, we are going to WDW before and after a 3 day cruise. I had to call on different dates for the different ressies. (Remember you can book all your ADR off you check in date)

One day, I was talking to a rep in three minutes after 7:00am still, we were not able to get what I wanted 90 days out. (Crystal Place was completely booked for dinner and I had to take two tables for two in order to get the four of us a dinner at the Garden Grill.) Then calling at 7:00am on Monday, I was on hold for 1 hr & 15 minutes but got into Whispering Canyon Cafe with no problem.

Good Luck, Free dining make getting your ressies a whole new adventure.

 

[JW2]

Thanks for all your responses! Great ideas re: restaurants at WDW not on DDP - never thought of that!! I will not have a car but have considered a taxi for outside restaurants, even just once (however, NOT to McDonalds!!)

I didn't realize that nonWDW resorts could use ADR's (makes sense - not sure why I just assumed otherwise!) - man, I learn something new about WDW everyday and I'm considered the WDW expert here!! Thanks DIS!!! I guess I just wondered if having the advantage of MS being a DVC member is any advantage in regards to ADR's in a crazy booking time.

Again thanks for all the input!

 

[JimMIA]

There's a catch - you need a car. A lot of WDW vistors don't get cars.

Sure -- that's about as obvious as it gets. However, for what you save offsite you can probably rent a car and not only eat better, but also have a lot more flexibility during your stay.

If you rent a car through MS, you may only have one choice. But if you shop around just a little, there are usually some very good deals on rentals -- especially now, with tourism down so much.

 

[gkrykewy]

Sure -- that's about as obvious as it gets. However, for what you save offsite you can probably rent a car and not only eat better, but also have a lot more flexibility during your stay.

If you rent a car through MS, you may only have one choice. But if you shop around just a little, there are usually some very good deals on rentals -- especially now, with tourism down so much.

Some of us would consider a car more of a hassle and nuisance than an amenity. Speaking of obvious, I don't think these tradeoffs are news to anyone.

If "cost of off-site dining" + "cost of rental car" = "cost of on-site dining," I'd personally pick on-site every time. Boma, Cali Grill, San Angel Inn -- to us, these are unique experiences with excellent food/drink (and I can have a couple of margaritas without worrying about driving back to the hotel).

But obviously this free dining ADR fiasco takes some of the luster off on-site dining for this timeframe.

One day, I was talking to a rep in three minutes after 7:00am still, we were not able to get what I wanted 90 days out. (Crystal Place was completely booked for dinner and I had to take two tables for two in order to get the four of us a dinner at the Garden Grill.)

For on-site guests, it's 90+ up to 10 (i.e., 90 from the date of check in for up to a 10-night stay), so your desired reservation was probably taken by people whose trips started earlier, but overlapped your dates.

 

[JimMIA]

Some of us would consider a car more of a hassle and nuisance than an amenity.

I think a lot depends on how you normally vacation. For people who "commando," a car is not as valuable. For them, bussing to the park and going until they drop works fine.

For us, a car gives us many more options and makes for a much more relaxing vacation. Driving at WDW is really easy. We like to go to the parks early, come back to the resort for pool/nap time in the afternoon, back to the parks late in the afternoon, and then out to dinner. That schedule would require an awful lot of bus time, but we can drive anywhere in WDW in 10 minutes so it's easy with a car.

I think a lot of people automatically rule out renting a car when maybe they should look at all the options. Disney created DME and DDP to create a captive audience, but that's not the only option.

If "cost of off-site dining" + "cost of rental car" = "cost of on-site dining," I'd personally pick on-site every time. Boma, Cali Grill, San Angel Inn -- to us, these are unique experiences with excellent food/drink.

We haven't tried Boma yet, so I don't know about that one, but there are several restaurants offsite that are both somewhat better than CA Grill and less expensive. The other thing is that most of the food at WDW is cooked in common kitchens and trucked to the individual restaurants. Sure, there are 5-6 very good restaurants onsite, but after a few days it all starts tasting the same to us -- chicken, salmon, steak...but with a different sauce in each restaurant.

I can't imagine eating all of my meals onsite for more than 4-5 days in a row! When we were doing DDP several years ago, I was really sick of it by the 5th day.

Offsite, we have much more real variety. We eat offsite for the variety and quality, not because of price.

For on-site guests, it's 90+ up to 10 (i.e., 90 from the date of check in for up to a 10-night stay), so your desired reservation was probably taken by people whose trips started earlier, but overlapped your dates.

Right, but not all the inventory is available during those +10 periods. When we were dining onsite, I routinely failed to get ADR's during the +10 timeframe, but got exactly what I wanted when I called back exactly at 90 days. Of course, with all the demand of "free" dining, that may not be true during this period.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We always go to Disney in June and August due to my son's school schedule. This year thank goodness the August vacation takes place before free dining. While I do love to cook in the villa, we also do a couple of ADR's but we also love to eat at some of Orlando's hot spots. Granted, we drive in, hence we have a car but even when we vacation in other states or countries I always rent a car. For us a car is a must for any vacation.

After, so many years of Disney dining (50+ trips) I find that the quality, originality and value of it's restaurants to be on the decline. I still enjoy Jiko and a few other's but the rest IMO pretty much all offer the same, pre-packaged fare to feed the masses at premium prices. You don't have to venture very far to find better dining in Orlando. Disney is going for the all mighty buck with DDP and FD but I'm no longer going along for the ride. While I look forward to changes like BWV change from Spoodles to Kat Cora's La Cuzzina, Disney now only gets part of my dining business.

I understand that for those individuals and families who don't have the luxury of having Disney a few hours away, the Disney experience pretty much demands that you eat/live/breath it and Disney has proven to be the leader in finding ways to keep us and all of our money in the parks & the resorts. (FD, DDP & ME, genius!)

At this point in my life, I'm not spending hours on the phone trying to get a reservation for dinner!

 

[gkrykewy]

I think a lot depends on how you normally vacation. For people who "commando," a car is not as valuable. For them, bussing to the park and going until they drop works fine.

We don't "commando" at all... typically wake up naturally, head to the park at about 10am after eating, sometimes stay in the same place straight through to our dinner reservation, sometimes head back to the room for a bit first. Have a late dinner, and try to match it where possible to extra magic hour nights for some time in the parks after dinner. I've never found the bus service to be an issue or to take an undue amount of time. We never really have had to wait more than 10 minutes or so for a bus (except for at park closing), and between walking to a car in the parking lot and stowing your car on the hotel end, I bet that adds up to the 10 minutes waiting for the bus.

But different strokes and all that - we rarely drive at home and do not own a car.

We haven't tried Boma yet, so I don't know about that one, but there are several restaurants offsite that are both somewhat better than CA Grill and less expensive. The other thing is that most of the food at WDW is cooked in common kitchens and trucked to the individual restaurants. Sure, there are 5-6 very good restaurants onsite, but after a few days it all starts tasting the same to us -- chicken, salmon, steak...but with a different sauce in each restaurant

I've heard that, and I don't really buy it. Perhaps because I don't typically order "The Steak" or "The Salmon" -- Boma's food is obviously very distinctive, and made fresh right in front of you. At Cali Grill I usually have flatbreads, which I think are unique to the Cali Grill. And my third example, San Angel Inn -- I don't think there's anyplace else on property that shares those Mexican entrees. Other examples -- Macaroni steak at Jiko, Cheese soup and sandwiches at Le Cellier.... these are our favorites, and I've never had the sense that they were anything other than unique to each restaurant.

Even more than the food (which we do love), it's the Disney ambience... Wishes and Magic Kindgom views at California Grill from our table or the viewing platform, fake Mexico at San Angel Inn, just *being* at AKL in the case of Boma/Jiko... for us, WDW is an escape: one which getting into a rented chevy malibu and driving past the CVS and Wal-Mart to the Outback Steakhouse would diminish.

We're going for 10 nights in August, and have 8 on-site TS ADRs ... plus Boma breakfast... very grateful for that DDE card!

 

[JimMIA]

At Cali Grill I usually have flatbreads, which I think are unique to the Cali Grill.

Am I just dreaming...or did I just read yesterday that CA Grill no longer serves the flatbreads? I agree, they were great, but I think they may be history now.

We liked CA Grill too. In fact, one of the main reasons we stopped doing DDP was they took off the appetizers, which really killed a lot of the enjoyment at places like CA Grill. Now we go to Charley's for steaks.

 

[JimMIA]

Even more than the food (which we do love), it's the Disney ambience... Wishes and Magic Kindgom views at California Grill from our table or the viewing platform, fake Mexico at San Angel Inn, just *being* at AKL in the case of Boma/Jiko...

Yeah, I have to admit that we really miss dining at Le Cellier...wedged in knee-to-knee with a 400 pound DDP enthusiast at the next table wearing a sweat-stained undershirt, with four screaming kids under the age of 5, yelling, "HEY WAITER! HEY WAITER! WHERE THE ##@%&&x@& IS THE %%$#&&@ WAITER???"

We miss that a lot.

 

[DebbieB]

Sure -- that's about as obvious as it gets. However, for what you save offsite you can probably rent a car and not only eat better, but also have a lot more flexibility during your stay.

If you rent a car through MS, you may only have one choice. But if you shop around just a little, there are usually some very good deals on rentals -- especially now, with tourism down so much.

You would think that but I've been having a hard time getting a decent rate on a car for June. Right now the lowest is $240 incl tax for 8 days. I'm hoping they will go down last minute. I will not go without a car.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

You would think that but I've been having a hard time getting a decent rate on a car for June. Right now the lowest is $240 incl tax for 8 days. I'm hoping they will go down last minute. I will not go without a car.

That amounts to $30 a day, that's a pretty good deal!

 

[TDC Nala]

However, for what you save offsite you can probably rent a car

Personally, I can't. Most people make one or two trips a year, in which case that might work. I'm making nine. Nothing I did would save me enough money to rent cars for all nine trips.

plus, if I drive offsite to eat - no wine with dinner because I have to drive back. What'd be the point? Cheaper dinner, but no wine...not a tradeoff I really care to make.

California Grill is not currently serving flatbreads but the word on the Restaurant board is that this is due to damage to the oven used to bake them. The repairs or replacement to that oven apparently will be so expensive that Disney is putting off getting it done.

I wouldn't book Le Cellier if they paid me. I don't eat steaks anyway. And the place is not up to the sort of hype it's getting. Character meals don't interest me either. I'm good with the bars and you don't need ADRs for those - nor do I need one to go to Bluezoo for dinner.

 

[JimMIA]

You would think that but I've been having a hard time getting a decent rate on a car for June. Right now the lowest is $240 incl tax for 8 days. I'm hoping they will go down last minute. I will not go without a car.

Don't know what size car you are looking for, but I just did a quick check through Expedia and found a midsize from Payless for $210 for 8 days. Other than that, however, most of the prices were around $40 per day...which I agree is high. I guess June is prime time for car rentals at MCO.

You have to watch those car sizes. To some companies, a car that is a compact for most companies is a "midsize" to them. One thing I like about the Expedia site is you can modify the display to show the actual car, so you can compare apples to apples.