What I Learned With My ADRs This Morning

[bambialways4ever]

What I have also found, be patient, the closer to your dates, the more changes start happening and you can often find what you want. (Well maybe not Space 220)

I definitely tend to find closer times that I want the nearer dates get! Like, if we wanted 6:30 but we got 5 pm, I usually have good luck modifying to times like those.

 

[1999baja272]

I feel you about doing more research! We used to be AP's and lived in Florida but moved to the other side of the country, so we obviously don't go as often as we once did. We are going in February with family (7 total) and we were able to get all our dining reservations that we wanted except the Boathouse, and I couldn't figure out why all of a sudden this was impossible to get! I was even able to get Ohana! Then I get on here and find out they have an Opentable page, and it doesn't matter if you're in your 60-day window or not. I just don't keep up as much on here as I once did because we aren't going as often. Now, I'll know for next time.

thanks for the boathouse tip, we always eat there on the day we arrive.

 

[Maureen123]

I love hearing about successes and bummers. And how things change! Even from veterans, things can need modifications.
we have the best folks here, thank you for sharing Maureen and I hope you have a great trip.

Side question-how do you like 60 vs 180 day window?

I'm not sure. I think I like the 180 better because only uber-fans and veterans really know where they want to eat 6 months in advance. So I think you get a better shot at your dining choices. That said, I like the 60 day window for trips that we plan that are less than 180 days out. I guess I can see the benefit of both.

But my husband? He witnesses me planning, plotting, practicing and says, "It shouldn't be this hard to go out to eat on vacation." I tend to agree. But it's my beloved Disney, so I put up with it.

 

[SLC913]

thanks for the boathouse tip, we always eat there on the day we arrive.

We are the exact same, night one we always want Boathouse but so far...no luck for us. Hoping they have more get cancelled before we arrive in 2 weeks!

 

[3gr8boys]

But my husband? He witnesses me planning, plotting, practicing and says, "It shouldn't be this hard to go out to eat on vacation." I tend to agree. But it's my beloved Disney, so I put up with it.

Awhile back, my son bought me a cup that says "I am done adulting. I'm going to Disney!" It is in constant use. He was over the other night and commented that it hadn't occurred to him before, but that whoever came up with that design obviously had no idea how much adult level research and planning goes into a Disney trip.

I am enjoying following this thread because my ADR day is coming up

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I was one who followed all the tips and practiced as well. I was able to get almost everything I wanted at the times I wanted but it was a struggle. The system is very glitchy with multiple sign ins, ate the pages, sorry can't search at this time, etc. I always play around/ check for cancellations. Right now I'm just trying to keep my hands off my itinerary as I keep wanting to fix a few things, but I fear I'll lose something.
As for 180 vs 60 days, I normally am more comfortable with the 180 day booking. Except it wouldn't have worked this time. DH told me ( I know I didn't imagine it) that he thought it was a waste of money to go to the parks as we had just gone in September. So, my plans were to get DS and family of 4 reservations in the park and DH and I outside the park reservations. I was really looking forward to just taking it easy, spending time at the resort, visiting Disney Springs and the other resorts, doing the monorail crawl, etc. So, I tell DH I have to get up in the morning to get reservations for DS/family in the parks, and he asks what about us? I tell him I plan to get us some at the resorts, -Springs and he says he's not going all the way to Florida to "sit in the room - he wants to watch the grands have a good time". WHAT??!!? 11th hour planning for sure. Wow, sure glad we had this discussion before I made reservations. (I KNOW he said he didn't want to spend the money, he denies saying it). I can remember in detail something that happened 50+ years ago - he can't remember last week.
Still haven't been able to get a reservation for Capture Your Moment because the MDE won't open up April 1 (our check out day) but the app will for dining. The computer won't for either dining or CtM. I really don't want to spend 2 hours on the phone.
Glad we have this board for tips and advice. I appreciate any help I can get.

 

[3gr8boys]

OK, so here's "what I learned with my ADRs" yesterday morning

I decided to use my PC that is hard wired to the internet and use the open multiple tabs technique (which I wouldn't have if I hadn't see positive reports on DIS- that method did NOT work for me last trip 4 years ago). I opened the tabs and made sure each one considered me logged in. I set the tabs up in the order that I wanted to schedule each hoped-for ADR considering difficulty (based DIS posts over last few months) and how important they were to my family. On each tab I opened the restaurant page and did a search (at about 5:20 a.m.) for the time and date that I wanted, then took it back to the restaurant page. I could see the whole week even thought it was too early, and the date/time selection remained even when I went back to each tab to refresh. I did not have to keep selecting the date and time.

I was happy about this.....
I tried a few restaurants at 5:30 just in case, no dice. But it occurred to me that "enchanting extras" might load differently and, sure enough, I was able to complete my Savi's (2 builders 60+3 at park close) and Up Close with Rhinos (party of 5 60+2).

I refreshed my first couple of restaurant tabs (Space 220 and Sci-Fi) frequently. They did not open until 6:00.

Something to watch out for....
I was very happy when, at 6:00, I started through my tabs and snagged almost the exact reservations I wanted. I selected the time, confirmed the party and the credit card, watched Woody think for a few seconds and then moved on to the next tab after I got a "congratulations" pop up. I think I was on the fourth tab when suddenly there was another step between confirming the credit card and getting my "congratulations" pop up- a screen to agree to terms and conditions blah blah blah. When I realized I hadn't seen that screen before, I went back to the first few and, sure enough, the congratulations messages (and my perfect ADRs) were gone. I wasn't able to completely reconstruct what I lost- got back Space 220 lunch for 6 60+4 and Sci-Fi lunch for 6 60+6. I did not get back Steakhouse 71 early dinner for 6 60+1. I ended up creating a plan b with Steakhouse 71 a different day (though I will keep hunting my preferred Steakhouse 71 ADR and am somewhat confident I will be able to revert to plan a).

Not big deal, but.....
A couple of times I was asked to re-enter my user name and password. Each time it took me right back to where I had been.

Something I noticed.....
As I was setting up plan b, I had to do some "replacing" of ADRs. Even though I confirmed the replacements, the ADRs that should have been cancelled were still in my MDE plans. Granted I could have waited to see if they fell off eventually- but I decided to cancel them so the wouldn't clutter up my plans for the time being and to make sure I had a cancellation number.

Overall I am very happy as I was concerned about some of the reservations- Space 220 and Sci-Fi being hard to get, making sure my Oga's Cantina and Savi's were coordinated, getting Up Close with Rhinos on our AK day. Maybe it's a good thing that I have an issue with Steakhouse 71 as I will enjoy the hunt and having a reason to reimagine our plans.

 

[bambialways4ever]

OK, so here's "what I learned with my ADRs" yesterday morning

I decided to use my PC that is hard wired to the internet and use the open multiple tabs technique (which I wouldn't have if I hadn't see positive reports on DIS- that method did NOT work for me last trip 4 years ago). I opened the tabs and made sure each one considered me logged in. I set the tabs up in the order that I wanted to schedule each hoped-for ADR considering difficulty (based DIS posts over last few months) and how important they were to my family. On each tab I opened the restaurant page and did a search (at about 5:20 a.m.) for the time and date that I wanted, then took it back to the restaurant page. I could see the whole week even thought it was too early, and the date/time selection remained even when I went back to each tab to refresh. I did not have to keep selecting the date and time.

I was happy about this.....
I tried a few restaurants at 5:30 just in case, no dice. But it occurred to me that "enchanting extras" might load differently and, sure enough, I was able to complete my Savi's (2 builders 60+3 at park close) and Up Close with Rhinos (party of 5 60+2)!

I refreshed my first couple of restaurant tabs (Space 220 and Sci-Fi) frequently. They did not open until 6:00.

Something to watch out for....
I was very happy when, at 6:00, I started through my tabs and snagged almost the exact reservations I wanted. I selected the time, confirmed the party and the credit card, watched Woody think for a few seconds and then moved on to the next tab after I got a "congratulations" pop up. I think I was on the fourth tab when suddenly there was another step between confirming the credit card and getting my "congratulations" pop up- a screen to agree to terms and conditions blah blah blah. When I realized I hadn't seen that screen before, I went back to the first few and, sure enough, the congratulations messages (and my perfect ADRs) were gone. I wasn't able to completely reconstruct what I lost- got back Space 220 lunch for 6 60+4 and Sci-Fi lunch for 6 60+6. I did not get back Steakhouse 71 early dinner for 6 60+1. I ended up creating a plan b with Steakhouse 71 a different day (though I will keep hunting my preferred Steakhouse 71 ADR and am somewhat confident I will be able to revert to plan a).

Not big deal, but.....
A couple of times I was asked to re-enter my user name and password. Each time it took me right back to where I had been.

Something I noticed.....
As I was setting up plan b, I had to do some "replacing" of ADRs. Even though I confirmed the replacements, the ADRs that should have been cancelled were still in my MDE plans. Granted I could have waited to see if they fell off eventually- but I decided to cancel them so the wouldn't clutter up my plans for the time being and to make sure I had a cancellation number.

Overall I am very happy as I was concerned about some of the reservations- Space 220 and Sci-Fi being hard to get, making sure my Oga's Cantina and Savi's were coordinated, getting Up Close with Rhinos on our AK day. Maybe it's a good thing that I have an issue with Steakhouse 71 as I will enjoy the hunt and having a reason to reimagine our plans.

For future reference, enchanting extras open at midnight eastern standard time. Not 6 am with dining

 

[3gr8boys]

For future reference, enchanting extras open at midnight eastern standard time. Not 6 am with dining

good to know. For some reason I thought they were morning items too. Guess I should be grateful the Rhino tour was still open...when I had checked 60 days out once in while to see what availability was like, there was never enough room for my party. Of course, if I had known that and stayed up until after midnight, getting up at 5:15 a.m. would have been even harder

 

[bambialways4ever]

good to know. For some reason I thought they were morning items too. Guess I should be grateful the Rhino tour was still open...when I had checked 60 days out once in while to see what availability was like, there was never enough room for my party. Of course, if I had know that and stayed up until after midnight, getting up at 5:15 a.m. would have been even harder

It's the only time it's easier to be from the west coast!!!! Do my 9 pm booking and then hit the hay until 2:30 am lol

 

[Disturbia]

good to know. For some reason I thought they were morning items too. Guess I should be grateful the Rhino tour was still open...when I had checked 60 days out once in while to see what availability was like, there was never enough room for my party. Of course, if I had know that and stayed up until after midnight, getting up at 5:15 a.m. would have been even harder

I checked the after dessert party at 5:20 am and it wasn’t open. It opened at 5:30 am. So maybe some things open.

I didn’t know about the Rhino encounter. Our teen (rides horses) would have loved that.

 

[3gr8boys]

I checked the after dessert party at 5:20 am and it wasn’t open. It opened at 5:30 am. So maybe some things open.

I didn’t know about the Rhino encounter. Our teen (rides horses) would have loved that.

We did the elephant tour, Caring for Giants, in 2018 and really enjoyed it (the two sons that went with us that trip were 11 and 15). Looking forward to Up Close with Rhinos.

 

[minster22]

Couple of questions to clarify things ....Are you opening a tab, logging in and minimizing that tab, leaving it open and logged in? And then go to the next rstaurant and doing the same...I have been practicing and looking ahead (I am still 85 days away from our trip) and nothing is available that I will be looking for and these are not the "popular" spots. We are 2 women in our 70's looking for good dining ,usually resort, and have many times eaten at Flying Fish, Cali Grill with no reservations by opting to sit at the bar. It looks like those days may be way gone!

 

[3gr8boys]

Couple of questions to clarify things ....Are you opening a tab, logging in and minimizing that tab, leaving it open and logged in? And then go to the next rstaurant and doing the same...I have been practicing and looking ahead (I am still 85 days away from our trip) and nothing is available that I will be looking for and these are not the "popular" spots. We are 2 women in our 70's looking for good dining ,usually resort, and have many times eaten at Flying Fish, Cali Grill with no reservations by opting to sit at the bar. It looks like those days may be way gone!

I used chrome on a PC....opened Chrome and then opened multiple tabs (by adding tabs across the top...didn't minimize or open additional chrome windows).

Before 5:45...
I logged in on the first tab and set it to my hardest to get reservation. I went to the next tab and set it to my next hardest ADR after making sure it had me logged in. I set up all the tabs, ready to refresh and then search.

Until 6:00....
I kept refreshing my first tab and clicking search-times until ADRs opened (instead of an error message, times popped up).

Hope that helps.

 

[minster22]

Thank you, 3gr8boys !

 

[mom2tcdx2]

Love reading the tips, I really miss however booking reservations at 180 days. I would even love like 120. Really stinks to make my park reservations now for September, without knowing what parks I may be able to get dining reservations for. Trying to then work around which park reservation you have to book meals is a little trickier. I did reservations for 16 people last year, boy what that a lengthy process.

Thankfully my trip in September is only 5 of us. We really wanted Space 220 and never got anything for there. Hoping we might score something for September.

 

[mickey916]

OK, so here's "what I learned with my ADRs" yesterday morning

I decided to use my PC that is hard wired to the internet and use the open multiple tabs technique (which I wouldn't have if I hadn't see positive reports on DIS- that method did NOT work for me last trip 4 years ago). I opened the tabs and made sure each one considered me logged in. I set the tabs up in the order that I wanted to schedule each hoped-for ADR considering difficulty (based DIS posts over last few months) and how important they were to my family. On each tab I opened the restaurant page and did a search (at about 5:20 a.m.) for the time and date that I wanted, then took it back to the restaurant page. I could see the whole week even thought it was too early, and the date/time selection remained even when I went back to each tab to refresh. I did not have to keep selecting the date and time.

This is exactly how I set myself up on Jan 30th and I was successful getting everything I wanted for my April trip. Hoping it goes as smoothly in March for my May trip.

 

[CJK]

Great tips, everyone!! Do Savi's Workshop/Droid Depot also open at midnight??

 

[3gr8boys]

Poster above commented that enchanting extras open at midnight. It would be interesting to hear from people who have tried if that is consistent or not for Savi's and Droid Depot.

 

[AussieFan8]

I appreciate all the tips on this thread! My daughter and I plan to be in Magic Kingdom on her 21st birthday later this year, and she really wants to have dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table for her birthday. I've never tried to make a reservation there before and understand it's hard to get, so I hope I can make it happen for this special occasion. If anyone has any tips specific to CRT, I'd love to hear them!