Who's booking online or by phone?

[MinniesYooHoo]

Which have you had more success with? Do you find it just as convenient online? Is it difficult obtaining "Hard to get" ressies online, such as CRT, or Le Cellier? HELP!!!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I was just about to post the same question. Seems the online system is down quite a bit. What is the earliest you can get online to book versus
7am on the phone? We are arriving 12/26 so I am guessing I will need to start reserving as soon as I possibly can to get what we want!

 

[iteachlit]

The online system worked well for me. It's tied to the same computer system that the CMs use when you call the WDW-DINE number. The web-based system even suggests alternate times and locations if what you wanted is not available.

I actually had to use both the web and call the dining number. You cannot make Fantasmic! dinner package reservations online. I also did Hoop Dee Doo over the phone, as I wanted the TIW pricing, but I don't have my TIW card yet.

At this time, you can only request a high chair and special dietary needs using the online system.

If you check out the November ADR thread, you'll see that many people use both systems.

 

[figmentfan0724]

we have done both, personally i like to call better, but the convience of searching yourself is kinda nice

 

[MommyGina]

I like the on-line better. You don't ever have to be put on hold. You can get right down to making your reservations without having to hope someone gets on the other end of the phone quickly. It also shows you other options for restaurants as well as yours for the time and day you pick. It is really cool.

I leave in two days and I am still changing reservations!

 

[Mouskemom]

Just made my reservations this morning. I was done by 6:20 AM and got everything I wanted just when I wanted it. I practiced a little last night, left my computer on Stand By on the Ohana page and woke up at 5:55. By the time 6:00 came around I was ready to go. It was easy and fast! i was surprised because usually the Disney website is not known for its speed...

 

[jobie61]

Online

Worked out great for me !! At first I was like oh no, maybe i'll just call like I always do, but decided to try the online system at 6:00 AM on my 90 day mark. The only reason I did this was because the phone reservations don't open till 7:00 AM.

And boy was I glad I did, it was super easy. I got all 10 of my TS dinners by 6:30 AM. Including LeCellier twice !!!

 

[Melanie230]

Funny you asked this. The other day I was on the phone with reservations and at the same time we both pulled up CRT. So I would say they are both equal. However I am trying to get The Garden Grill for our trip, and I can hit search over and over while I a reservationist will not do that for you.

 

[iteachlit]

I was just about to post the same question. Seems the online system is down quite a bit. What is the earliest you can get online to book versus
7am on the phone? We are arriving 12/26 so I am guessing I will need to start reserving as soon as I possibly can to get what we want!

Sorry, I missed part of your question.

The online system is ready at 6:00 a.m..

The phone lines open at 7:00 a.m..

 

[bluejasmine]

I didnt like that they started online I figured it would just make getting ADR even harder b/c ppl could do it 24/7. Then I booked all my ADR online and Loved it! First I couldnt get everything I wanted or the times but booked what I could took the times I was given and checked on it regularly and was able to eventually get what I wanted with times I could be happier with, now I couldnt get Ohana for my entire stay but that gives me the oppurtunity to try Kona, as long as we can continue the tradition of eatting the first night at the Poly Im good.

 

[honeydiane1953]

Which have you had more success with? Do you find it just as convenient online? Is it difficult obtaining "Hard to get" ressies online, such as CRT, or Le Cellier? HELP!!!!

i have tried online and by phone.... Le Celier and California Grill is not to be had.
Oh do you have to have a ressie for counter service?

 

[BridetobeDisney]

i have tried online and by phone.... Le Celier and California Grill is not to be had.
Oh do you have to have a ressie for counter service?

I just had to say hey! This is my first time seeing a central GA person on the Dis! Yay!

To let you know, no you do not need a ressie for counter service. You just walk up and order, pay, then move up to the counter to get your food. Very easy.

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

I may have missed the answer to this part of my question: So if say 7:30 is unavailable for dinner, will it give me alternate times to choose from?

 

[Stephanator]

I did all our October reservation with the online system and had no issues. We got CRT, Coral Reef, Boma, Sci-Fi and Akershus all online. I did have to call for our Fantasmic Dinner package (as someone else mentioned above) and that was easy too. CRT we did have to pre-pay online, so if you do get it, be ready with a credit card. Also, I'm staying off-site so I even had to wait for the 90day window (not 90 + 10) and still pretty much got the times I wanted.

 

[pta-mom]

I may have missed the answer to this part of my question: So if say 7:30 is unavailable for dinner, will it give me alternate times to choose from?

Yes, an hour either way I believe.

I use both systems for ADR & really like the on-line!! No waiting, different options pop up, will use this again & again!

However, the one thing I don't like about on-line is I do not see any way to cancel an existing ADR....& I think that's going to cause problems. If I change my mind on an existing reservation, I can still book a different one for the same time but than I have to CALL to cancel, assuming I remember to do so of course....

I see how a number of people are indecisive when making their ADRs & will call many times to change things up leading up to their families holiday but will they still call now to cancel if they have the ability to book on-line? Not sure....

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

Yes, an hour either way I believe.

I use both systems for ADR & really like the on-line!! No waiting, different options pop up, will use this again & again!

However, the one thing I don't like about on-line is I do not see any way to cancel an existing ADR....& I think that's going to cause problems. If I change my mind on an existing reservation, I can still book a different one for the same time but than I have to CALL to cancel, assuming I remember to do so of course....

I see how a number of people are indecisive when making their ADRs & will call many times to change things up leading up to their families holiday but will they still call now to cancel if they have the ability to book on-line? Not sure....

Excellant! This eases my worries about the new system. I'll give it a try when time for booking my ressies comes up! Thanks everyone!!!!!!

 

[iteachlit]

However, the one thing I don't like about on-line is I do not see any way to cancel an existing ADR....& I think that's going to cause problems. If I change my mind on an existing reservation, I can still book a different one for the same time but than I have to CALL to cancel, assuming I remember to do so of course....

Actually, you CAN cancel reservations using the online system. You simply need to retrieve your reservation by entering the confirmation number and your phone number. The corresponding reservation will show up. You can then cancel using the cancel button.

 

[tinkmom2]

I had to do both. The online system was requiring payment in full even though I have the dining plan for CRT. Nice glitch! Also it was showing no avail. for Sanaa. I called and got Sanaa but decided I didn't want CRT as no princesses would be there.

 

[WantToGoNow]

We will have to make ours over the phone since there are 11 of us. I'm worried that availability to the harder to get places will be gone by the time we can get through to Grand Gatherings because of the on-line system.

 

[pta-mom]

Actually, you CAN cancel reservations using the online system. You simply need to retrieve your reservation by entering the confirmation number and your phone number. The corresponding reservation will show up. You can then cancel using the cancel button.

Sorry, should have been a little more specific on this....the reservations that I can't seem to cancel are the ones that I booked over the phone originally. On my 90 day mark, I booked everything with a CM but since than, have been playing around & fine tuning (changing!) some of our times, places. Because I called in the original reservation, it does not allow me to cancel those reservations on-line.