Which is easier, online or calling for ADR?

[LaLaDisney]

I am starting to plan our ADRs for our Jan. 2012 trip. I can make them in two weeks! I haven't done the online ADR. Is it easy? Do you get to choose your time? For instance, I've heard that Cinderella's Royal Table is hard to come by so anyone have any experience booking that? I haven't decided if we are doing that yet.
TIA!!

 

[tndisneyfan]

I think online is easier.

 

[mom2brooke76]

I personally think that it is so much easier to do it online, but believe that you still have to call in to do the ADR's that require a credit card hold.

 

[Frannie115]

About 1 1/2 months before our trip, I tried to get ADR online for T-rex at DTD. The only res they had available was 9:00 PM. I called them instead and got a 5:30 PM res. We were seated almost immediately. Less than 10 min. wait.

I'm not sure how this works with the other restaurants. Good luck!

 

[Jktrush]

I have always had to call because of our party size so I have never used online yet. As far as cinderella's royal table I have never had any issue booking it. I always do call as soon as the booking window opens and we usually go during low season so I have always been able to get the times I have wanted.

 

[Goofy_Girl]

I booked everything online and even my last minutes changes when I couldn't get the ones I wanted I just kept checking everyday at different times and was able to score them even though these places had been previously booked solid for those times. I just like the ease of sitting down and turning on my computer and the ability to check multiple times a day until I find what I want without calling and possibly waiting 15 or more minutes to be told "no sorry there's nothing for that day/time"

 

[DisneySarah80]

Online is easier and faster. When you call, you have to sit through the CMs going through the whole speal for each reservation. It takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r!

 

[minnie mum]

I do both. On the morning of my 180 day I sit down in front of my computer with my first coffee, Open up the WDW dining reservation site, and phone Disney Dining. While I wait to talk to a CM, I'm making my ADRs online for all my staightforward choices. When the CM comes on the line, I make my ADRs for the dinnershows or F.package, or other meals that require a credit card guarantee. I hate giving out credit card info online.

You can choose the time you want. Whether online or over the phone. If your preferred time is not available, alternate times will be offered. If it is not available that day, then you can opt for another date.

Why not practice using the online site. Make some phantom reservations for a date that falls within the 180 days right now. Just dont hit the Reserve button!!!

 

[jennyf2]

Online! Unless the system is in one of its "moods" & is down for maintenance

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

For me, online is a lot easier. And you can make reservations that require a credit card hold (Akershus) or pre-payment (CRT) online as well. If you familiarize yourself with some of the search mechanisms, you can also do broader searches for all openings for a specific time period for all restaurants or restaurants that fit certain categories and I found this to be very helpful.

 

[dmslush]

Online is easier for me. I don't fuss to much about the times i get. For instance, I needed Sci-Fi for lunch this tuesday (yes, the day after tomorrow). I was able to plug in my info online, put that I just wanted lunch and got a 1:40pm lunch.. easy as pie. No calling, being put on hold, all that junk. Took less time to do it online that it would have to called and waited for a CM to pick up the phone.

 

[Jaywalsh]

what size party do you usually try and book for? just curious. we have a trip coming up in January, so i am going to be booking soon. we will be down there with 10 total.... i was hoping i could use the online service but never have before?

I have always had to call because of our party size so I have never used online yet. As far as cinderella's royal table I have never had any issue booking it. I always do call as soon as the booking window opens and we usually go during low season so I have always been able to get the times I have wanted.

 

[7165red]

online.

 

[JimmyV]

About 1 1/2 months before our trip, I tried to get ADR online for T-rex at DTD. The only res they had available was 9:00 PM. I called them instead and got a 5:30 PM res. We were seated almost immediately. Less than 10 min. wait.

I'm not sure how this works with the other restaurants. Good luck!

T-Rex isn't very representative. As it is not a Disney-owned restaurant, it plays by its own rules. It seems to open up very few slots for ADRs (on line or on DINE). But if you call the restaurant directly, you can almost always get what you want. This option is not available for Disney restaurants.

As for the original question, I think on-line is much easier. You can search by specific restaurant or by resort or by park and immediately see what is available. You can do that by phone as well, but the visual of seeing what is available always seems to be better than the info I get from the CM on the phone.

 

[Linda T.]

Party of 6 adults and I did online with no problems.

 

[B-Ride]

IMHO, online is far better for a 180 day call. You get in an hour earlier and it is very simple. If you have trouble booking something online then calling is good as the CM maybe able to swing something for you.

 

[LaLaDisney]

I do both. On the morning of my 180 day I sit down in front of my computer with my first coffee, Open up the WDW dining reservation site, and phone Disney Dining. While I wait to talk to a CM, I'm making my ADRs online for all my staightforward choices. When the CM comes on the line, I make my ADRs for the dinnershows or F.package, or other meals that require a credit card guarantee. I hate giving out credit card info online.

You can choose the time you want. Whether online or over the phone. If your preferred time is not available, alternate times will be offered. If it is not available that day, then you can opt for another date.

Why not practice using the online site. Make some phantom reservations for a date that falls within the 180 days right now. Just dont hit the Reserve button!!!

ooooh! Great tip! I'm going to try that!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Online is much easier for me

 

[vettegirl]

The online is so much better than calling. I also like seeing what other restaurants are available if the one I want is not right there in front of me.

 

[Abby's Dad]

My 180+10 window opened on 6/21 - I was up, coffee in hand, browser opened with my ressie number entered by 5:55 am ET. I approached this with some trepidation, as I had always used the phone reservation system. This was an absolute breeze - I made 13 ADRs, with my first confirmation e-mail sent to me at 6:01 am, and the last sent at 6:22 am. It couldn't have been easier, and I got the times I wanted, or at worst, 5 minutes one side or the other. Only one I couldn't make was for the Fantasmic! pkg, and they weren't doing that online (called at 7 and got it). And this included getting CRT, as well as dinners on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.