What's with ADRs?

[vicki_c]

A PP mentioned double booking. My hope is that by switching to a 90 day system vs 180 days people will feel less compelled to double book.

Making every meal choice for a vacation six months in advance is a bit daunting for some.

I don't think that's the issue - it's that people double book more often when they don't know the park hours yet. Switching to a 90 day window isn't going to help is Disney does an equivalent delay of releasing park hours, which it almost seems like where things are heading.

 

[Tricia1972]

If Disney was losing revenue by not handling this double booking problem they would require CC's for all locations or would find a way of universally handling double bookings. Disney Dining over books their ADR's as it is right now because they know some people won't show, and it all evens out.

Also worth noting, double booking is not the only reason for canceling a reservation or not showing up. People get sick, stuck in traffic, or possibly are having so much fun they lose track of time.

Those tables at LeCell may have been vacant because of no-shows, or possibly they didn't have those tables open because a server was late, or any number of reasons.

I totally understand the frustration of getting reservations at the 180 day mark. I struggled with LeCell at 7am at the 180th day from dining there for my party of 7 - I had to book us at two tables and link the reservations. At 7AM!! (Funnily enough my sister was a no-show because she was hospitalized with a kidney infection back in Chicago that day. Not funny that she was sick, but funny that some would find me a Disney sinner because my sister didn't show)

 

[Tricia1972]

I don't think that's the issue - it's that people double book more often when they don't know the park hours yet. Switching to a 90 day window isn't going to help is Disney does an equivalent delay of releasing park hours, which it almost seems like where things are heading.

I can totally agree with that. If Disney releases park hours at the same time the dining window opens up - that won't help a bit with those that double book.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I also think people have no clue as to common courtesy either. If your not going to your ress you can take 10 seconds out an call. Everybody has a cell phone.

 

[Kristineamb]

I also think people have no clue as to common courtesy either. If your not going to your ress you can take 10 seconds out an call. Everybody has a cell phone.

 

[Redbudlover]

Waiting for hours to be released is exactly why I waited to book ADRs. How do you know where you will be before they release the hours? I mean I can plan around one dinner and maybe one breakfast, but also have to plan around which park I will be at and when Spectro is being held and and and....

 

[Tricia1972]

I also think people have no clue as to common courtesy either. If your not going to your ress you can take 10 seconds out an call. Everybody has a cell phone.

I agree you should call! I sat on hold for 10 minutes to cancel my reservation on the cell phone at MGM when I knew I wasn't going to be at Epcot. I hated it, but I did it because it was the right thing to do.

 

[HonnyDipp]

I would say that it is because of the time of year. I called at 7 am on our 180 day mark for our November trip and was able to get everything I wanted with the exception of one time. I waited a few weeks and called back, and got exactly what I wanted. Dont give up, keep trying!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I agree you should call! I sat on hold for 10 minutes to cancel my reservation on the cell phone at MGM when I knew I wasn't going to be at Epcot. I hated it, but I did it because it was the right thing to do.

That's why I say hold the CC. You see how fast they make that call. If we can do it I mean take the time out to call so can everybody else. I have Disney Dinning on my cell phone .

 

[mousebit]

I agree that it's more a matter of timing. September booked up quickly with free dining. And lately it seems that early to mid December has become very popular too.

Don't know what I'm gonna do - these people keep squeezin' me out!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I have been working on the itinerary for my coworker's first trip to WDW. I have been trying to push her to give me some time, so that we could book her dining. She didn't see why it was so important.

I feel blessed to have been able to get her what we were able to arrange today. Her trip is 09/05 to 09/11. We got....

San Angel Inn...her choice, not my suggestion
Yak & Yeti...her choice, not my suggestion
Raglan Road
Mama Melrose...we had to do lunch because the only dinner slot was at 7:50pm
Crystal Palace
Chef Mickey's for their farewell breakfast

Being flexible helped a lot. I am hoping they have a wonderful time.

 

[acourtwdw]

We just called and got LTT for dinner on Sept 25. You just have to keep trying. Also being flexible with date and time helps.

 

[Redbudlover]

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I have been working on the itinerary for my coworker's first trip to WDW. I have been trying to push her to give me some time, so that we could book her dining. She didn't see why it was so important.

I feel blessed to have been able to get her what we were able to arrange today. Her trip is 09/05 to 09/11. We got....

San Angel Inn...her choice, not my suggestion
Yak & Yeti...her choice, not my suggestion
Raglan Road
Mama Melrose...we had to do lunch because the only dinner slot was at 7:50pm
Crystal Palace
Chef Mickey's for their farewell breakfast

Being flexible helped a lot. I am hoping they have a wonderful time.

Ate at Yak & Yeti in April it was really good!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

September IS during free dining. December is Christmas - another peak time. Early December may have some openings, but it is also becoming a more popular time of year.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Ate at Yak & Yeti in April it was really good!

I'm glad to hear this. We plan to eat lunch here as well and I was curious if people liked it or not.

 

[karenr766]

What is with getting ADRs? I can see having trouble getting ADRs for La Cellier at 170 days. I can see having trouble getting ADRs during free dining. But for heaven's sake, I tried last month to get an ADR for Whispering Canyon Cafe - where we are staying - for any meal in September and there was no availability except for 9:50 pm. Forget Donald's Safari breakfast either - no availability at all. So then I tried to get the breakfast for my trip the first week of December - no availability. That is almost six months in advance for breakfast! The only availablity for Cali Grill the entire week was at 9:50 p.m. And of course no La Cellier (sp?) either.

I am not even going to tell you where I could get ADRs. I luckily have some favorites that appear to still be under the radar. But I am really bummed I can't get an ADR for my DGD at Whispering Canyon when we are staying there....

Did you just start making reservations for September? I am thinking that free dining is still going on in September. This may be the problem. I would keep calling because some people double book. I didn't know you could double book. I thought that if you were in the system for a specific restaurant and time, that you would not be allowed to reserve another restaurant for the same time. You would be directed by the CM to reach a final decision regarding which restaurant you would eliminate. I usually begin planning restaurants the minute we plan our trip. So that when our 180 day mark arrives, I have narrowed my choices down and I make all our ressies on the same day. Can you tell I am obsessive compulsive? But at least I am one happy camper at WDW.

 

[Ashes8380]

We love the San Angel Inn - go there almost every trip! I've definitely found with dining that it's one of those things where you really need to try for yourself. I hope she likes it too!

 

[bluwater]

I am about 2 weeks from arrival and don't have one single ADR.

(got ahead -everyone fall out of your chairs now)

I just can't seem to get excited about it - and I can't seem to feel good about planning every meal location and time for my vacation.

I'm tempted to try walking up....really tempted....just because.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I am about 2 weeks from arrival and don't have one single ADR.

(got ahead -everyone fall out of your chairs now)

I just can't seem to get excited about it - and I can't seem to feel good about planning every meal location and time for my vacation.

I'm tempted to try walking up....really tempted....just because.

Planning my ADRs is one of my favourite things to do! I love menus and food.