Why is it so difficult to make an ADR, 180 days out for some??

[LuluLovesDisney]

I am an obsessive planner, too. So 180 days out doesn't bother me. In fact, when I told a co worker/co Disneyphile like me about the switch, his response was "not early enough, I want a full year!"

I am a combo commando/wanderer tourer. In mornings I am commando. We get there bright and early. We are there for rope drop on EMH and we have a PLAN. We get sooo much done in the first three hours, it is unbelievable. After lunch (or on non park days) I am much more relaxed, this is my "wander and enjoy" time.

I have it planned out so that I will be at most parks twice or more this vacation. So, if I miss something I can easily get to it the next time. I also have a few spaces in the plan left open for filling other things in. However, based on EMH, park schedules, historical park attendance levels, I have made a plan of which parks to go to on which days. After that was done, it was easy to match up restaurants I was interested in trying with places I would be each particular day. If I have a 7 pm ADR at Kona Cafe, I still can change my plans to go to Epcot or MK, or whatever that day as long as I can get to Kona by 7. If I missed EE, I'd get there at opening and do EE. It wouldn't interfere with Kona.

I can see how someone without park hoppers, might be occasionally put in a position to either miss a ride or miss an ADR, but not often. And in that case, you just decide which you'd rather do. And if you *really* want to do both- upgrade to a park hopper. Where there's a will there's a way. 11 days of rained out parades is certainly an extreme situation and I bet lots of people with or without ADR's missed out on Spectro that particular season .

Anyway, I make my plans and if I have to change a few things, it's not a big deal. But I'd rather have ten ADR's and have to cancel one than have none and be waiting around.

For me I can't understand how people know what park they will want to be at on the 5th, 6th and 7th day out 180 days in advance let alone the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th etc... The last days of my trip depend alot on the first few days of my trip. If I only have one AK day scheduled for my trip but Expedition Everest is closed that day then I'll make a second trip back towards the end of my vacation. If I miss Fatasmic due to rain I'll come back to MGM on a later day. One year on an 11 day trip I missed out on every planned Spectromagic parade due to rain. I kept going back to the MK in the evening hoping to see it and I finally saw it on our last night.

Maybe it's because I don't do the parks commando style? I am more of a wander and enjoy type of guy. This didn't use to be a problem since ADRs weren't really needed in the past. But now the 180 day out ADRs are making it hard to just wander and enjoy WDW.

 

[faindrops27]

To the OP I say this, it is vacation and I don't want to plan what I am eating 6 months in advance so I can gaurantee a seat in a restaurant. Do you know what you are eating next Tuesday? If you do, that is just wierd. Maybe on a particular day at WDW it is nice and sunny and a good pool day. I will sit poolside and drink my cocktail until 7pm and then go back and shower and go for a late dinner. Maybe that day is a bit cloudy and cool and would be a nice time to stroll around WS and stop in Chef's de France. I just don't know. Maybe I should be able to figure that out 1 week or 4 weeks out, but I sure as heck am not figuring out what I am eating January 8th at 7pm when the calender says August 2nd, the thermometer says 97 degrees and I am sweating my you know what off in central Indiana! JMHO [/QUOTE

Ok, I take the "wierd" comment, as being a little sarcastic/snide. What is really wierd about knowing what you are going to be eating next week? I make up a menu, as to what we will eat. For 2 weeks. I know, alot of people who do this. Planning out what my kids will eat. Is a plan I have adapted, it means less visits for take out. Healthier kids, more money in the budget. I am a chef. So, maybe planning out things my family will eat. In advance, comes natural. The term "wierd", I don't get, but ok.

Anyhow, I think, of it this way. I have a 8 day trip. I bought 7 day tickets. I will not waste a ticket. If, it rains. I am the one, hitting the indoor attractions. When, it stops. I continue touring. If, I wanted to lounge by a pool. I would have bought less days on my ticket. I research my park hours, and my emh hours. I will book my ADR's according to what park. I will visit, for that day. To me it is just so uncomplicated. But, to each his/her own. I never stress the small stuff.

 

[faindrops27]

Brerrabbit,
That is beyond cool. I have a few stuffed toys of Brer Rabbit. But, the most precious thing I have. Is this old book, less the audio tape. Of Brer rabbit, and the Tar Baby. The book is so old.. But the pages are in perfect condition. I have stored it away. I wonder, if it is worth anything.

 

[LoraJ]

180 is way too far in advance for me. As someone else said, we usually don't even plan a trip until 2 - 3 months before we go. The last two times we went we didn't have any problems. We usually like to eat late anyway.

I don't know yet what we're going to be in the mood for on what days. I may get a better idea a week before. But not 180 days. And it's just not easy for me to get my boyfriend to commit to a restaurant so far in advance when he can't even decide what he wants to eat tonight. If I told him we had to make reservations months ago, he'd think I am nuts.

Now that he has been to WDW twice, he may have a better idea of where he'd like to return so hopefully once we book I can make ADR's. Which normally I would not do so early, but you over planners are forcing me to do this and it is stressing me out. Vacation should be relaxing. And it used to be going to WDW. But if getting ADRs is really as difficult as everyone is saying, I think we'll be going to Disneyland next time.

 

[LoraJ]

My thinking is that since we are going to be in MK that day why not plan to eat somewhere that's easy to get to from MK. When in Epcot, plan an Epcot restaurant. It can't be "That bad" Here is our daily park/dinner rundown:

day 1: AK/MGM/Boma's/MGM
day 2: Epcot/Le Cellier
day 3: not doing any park/Chef Mickey's (outside the park)
day 4: MK/O'hana (short monorail ride from MK)/ back to MK
day 5: no plan/Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe(DTD)

So say you arrive in Orlando and they are predicting nothing but rain the first two days and it will be beautiful on day 3. So now you are stuck running around Epcot in a pancho just so you can go to Le Cellier that day. It would have been better to do this day 3.

This is why I don't like planning so far in advance.

 

[faindrops27]

Lora, so yes. I am a overplanner. But, I did not set the 180 day rule. Disney did. I just embrace the rules, and move on. It should not be so stressful. It should be fun!! You are going to Disney!!!

 

[LoraJ]

Lora, so yes. I am a overplanner. But, I did not set the 180 day rule. Disney did. I just embrace the rules, and move on. It should not be so stressful. It should be fun!! You are going to Disney!!!

Honestly, if we can't get the ADR's we want, we won't be going to Disney. We'll go somewhere else instead. There's only so much counter service we'd be willing to eat.

 

[pilferk]

For my December trip it's even worse. My plans are to visit each resort to see the Christmas decorations and to see all of the Christmas shows/events in each park. Right now I have no specific days planned in any of the parks. This was originally planned as a solo trip but now my daughter and her BF are coming along. I plan on seeing the sights while they plan on visiting the parks and we'll meet up every now and then. So how do you plan ADRs when you really don't know where you will be on a given day at dinner time?

We did a 14 day trip back in '01, and knew what we were going to be doing well in advance of the 6 month mark each day. We are (or were, when we were DINK's...not so much with the kids now) theme park commandos, though, and compulsive planners. So, it's doable. It just might not be your preference to be that structured or that compulsive, which is completely understandable. It's vacation, after all.....

As for how to plan ADR's when you don't know where you'll be on any given day.....you don't. But you also don't plan to eat during "prime time" at the busy sit down places during your trip. I mean, for you, in the above situation....180 days or 90 days....it's not going to make much of a difference. You just don't know where you're going to be, physically, at meal times and that's not going to change even 1 week out. So you do walk ups either early or late for meals.....or you eat a lot of CS meals. You roll with the punches to make meals work for whatever your vacationing preferences are....

 

[pilferk]

Ok, I take the "wierd" comment, as being a little sarcastic/snide. What is really wierd about knowing what you are going to be eating next week? I make up a menu, as to what we will eat. For 2 weeks. I know, alot of people who do this. Planning out what my kids will eat. Is a plan I have adapted, it means less visits for take out. Healthier kids, more money in the budget. I am a chef. So, maybe planning out things my family will eat. In advance, comes natural. The term "wierd", I don't get, but ok.

We do the same thing...and we're not chefs. 2 week menu plan, mostly because we only do a big shopping trip every 2 weeks....then a smaller one in the middle to pick up fresh produce and staples (bread, milk....Ben and Jerrys, ya know that kinda stuff).

 

[dizfanz]

So let me throw this out there for arguments sake. The ADR was 90 days, but now it is 180 days. If no one can make ADRs ahead of that time frame (ie 90, 180, etc...), why not make it 30 days? I mean, what is the difference between some one sitting on the phone at 7am EST 30, 90, or 180 days out? It's not like a Disney restuarant begins planning for that day 30, 90, or 180 days in advance. Why should we? People were jamming the phones 90 days out becaused they realized that DDP put more business in the restaurants for when they wanted to go. Now those people will eventually realize they can't get the ressie they want at 90 days, so now they must call 180 days out. I assume this will get some ruffle some feathers, but let's hear it.

 

[BillSears]

Ok, I take the "wierd" comment, as being a little sarcastic/snide. What is really wierd about knowing what you are going to be eating next week? I make up a menu, as to what we will eat. For 2 weeks. I know, alot of people who do this. Planning out what my kids will eat. Is a plan I have adapted, it means less visits for take out. Healthier kids, more money in the budget. I am a chef. So, maybe planning out things my family will eat. In advance, comes natural. The term "wierd", I don't get, but ok.

I guess it's all a matter of how you live your life. I know I tend to buy alot of things on sale and freeze them. Then when I get home I take out what I want to eat that night and defrost it. Or if I don't think there's anything I really feel like at home I'll stop at the grocery store I drive by on my way home from work and pick up something that looks interesting. I very rarely pick up carry out and what I eat is usually healthy but it's almost never planned out ahead of time.

As for how to plan ADR's when you don't know where you'll be on any given day.....you don't. But you also don't plan to eat during "prime time" at the busy sit down places during your trip. I mean, for you, in the above situation....180 days or 90 days....it's not going to make much of a difference. You just don't know where you're going to be, physically, at meal times and that's not going to change even 1 week out. So you do walk ups either early or late for meals.....or you eat a lot of CS meals. You roll with the punches to make meals work for whatever your vacationing preferences are....

I do understand this and I reluctantly accept it. But it wasn't always this way at WDW. We used to be able to walk up to most places and get a nice sit down dinner without any reservations even around "prime time". My vacation preferences are to "wing it" for meals and we used to be able to do this but now it's not possible. I'm adjusting to it but I don't like it.

Lora, so yes. I am a overplanner. But, I did not set the 180 day rule. Disney did. I just embrace the rules, and move on. It should not be so stressful. It should be fun!! You are going to Disney!!!

I agree it shouldn't be stressful but making long term ADRs is more stressful then my normal day to day dining choices. It should be fun to go to WDW but being restricted to eating places you choose six months in advance isn't fun to me.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

So say you arrive in Orlando and they are predicting nothing but rain the first two days and it will be beautiful on day 3. So now you are stuck running around Epcot in a pancho just so you can go to Le Cellier that day. It would have been better to do this day 3.

This is why I don't like planning so far in advance.

But, won't you be running around in a poncho *somewhere*?

and if you would rather stay out of the rain, can't you hang out somewhere else (Disney Quest, your resort, etc.) and just show up at Epcot around 6 for your ADR?

Then you can spend "beautiful Day 3" at a water park or somewhere else enjoying the weather.

 

[LoraJ]

But, won't you be running around in a poncho *somewhere*?

and if you would rather stay out of the rain, can't you hang out somewhere else (Disney Quest, your resort, etc.) and just show up at Epcot around 6 for your ADR?

Then you can spend "beautiful Day 3" at a water park or somewhere else enjoying the weather.

Not if I don't want to waste a whole days ticket just to eat dinner somewhere.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Do you ever have plans with a friend to try a restaurant in advance? For example, there is a great Japanese place with a two hour wait that doesn't take reservations. So, one day when we got out of work early, we got there at 4 pm when they opened. We had plans for three weeks to go on that day when we knew we could get there early. I had tickets to go see a play in NYC, so we made plans to eat in Little Italy at a really great Italian restaurant. My family and I planned this when we bought the tickets so we'd go somewhere everyone would like- about 4 months before the date. So, there are times, when we plan in advance in "real life", too.


Now, I already told you I'm more planner than winger, but there are a few places where I've been able to get in as a walk in- Rose and Crown, Marrakesh, Shutters at CBR, Sci Fi (30 minute wait) Kona Cafe (10 minute wait) and GF Cafe. I actually have a list of my favorite CS places and my favorite TS places where walk ins are sometimes accepted and I refer to that if I'm ever stuck even more places are willing to squeeze you in if you go right around lunch time- right when the open.

But I still love making my ADR's. I have one or two for each day. I truly think it's a mistake to arrive in WDW w/o a touring plan, w/o knowing which parks you'll go to which days or w/o any ADR's. I enjoy all the planning because I know it will help me see more and be more relaxed once I'm there. As I said, we're commando tourers in the morning but much more relaxed after lunch and a few drinks.

I guess I don't see it as restrictions. I have looked over all the menus and chosen what I think is best! And I *got* it! So, my *best choice* is something I'm really looking forward to trying! I'm excited about it! Seeing what it looks like, trying the foods, etc. And if for some reason my touring plan or weather or something drastically changes my plans (very very rare) I will call that morning and cancel and find something else to do. As I mentioned before there are a few places where walk ins can be accomodated- esp if you have a party of 2 or 4.

So, post your ADR's on here and we can cheer you on with hundreds of smilies. We'll get you so excited that you won't think of it as a restriction any more but something akin to a personal invitation to the palace. *One of us. One of us. One of us. One of us.*

I guess it's all a matter of how you live your life. I know I tend to buy alot of things on sale and freeze them. Then when I get home I take out what I want to eat that night and defrost it. Or if I don't think there's anything I really feel like at home I'll stop at the grocery store I drive by on my way home from work and pick up something that looks interesting. I very rarely pick up carry out and what I eat is usually healthy but it's almost never planned out ahead of time.



I do understand this and I reluctantly accept it. But it wasn't always this way at WDW. We used to be able to walk up to most places and get a nice sit down dinner without any reservations even around "prime time". My vacation preferences are to "wing it" for meals and we used to be able to do this but now it's not possible. I'm adjusting to it but I don't like it.




I agree it shouldn't be stressful but making long term ADRs is more stressful then my normal day to day dining choices. It should be fun to go to WDW but being restricted to eating places you choose six months in advance isn't fun to me.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Not if I don't want to waste a whole days ticket just to eat dinner somewhere.

You're right. It is *definitely* more difficult to plan if you don't have park hoppers.

But, wouldn't you be in the rain in *some* park, then? Or would you just not use a park day that day?

 

[ReneeA]

We don't book the vacations that far in advance. Last year it was 3 months out, this year it was about the same.

Honestly, it bugs me to book a WDW vacation so far in advance. I get anxious and excited and can't wait. About 90 days is all I can stand of myself.

Once we hit about 60 days out, I start the in depth planning. I don't like to park hop, so I plan what park we will be in and go from there.

I also don't like to question others on their strategy since people use what works best for them. If they like to wing it, I can see why they would be upset that restaurants aren't accepting walk ups like they used to. They will adjust or find somewhere else to eat.

 

[golden1]

I think 180 days was a little tougher than 90 days out was. I love to plan but really, it seems like you are getting so much info at the 180 day mark now that you need to plan everything within a few days especially if you have a trip that falls early in the month or when the month changes over. I really like to see the park hours and shows before making ADRs. I made my ressies right at 180 days and then I went back and made changes for the next few weeks and it worked out fine. Most of the time, the ADRs aren't booked that quickly except for places like Le Cellier or CRT.

My advice as far as having some flexible days would be to make your most desired ADRs based on the days you know you will be in a particular park and leave the other days open. That way, you know you will be eating at certain restaurants on some days but you still have some flexibility later in the vacation.

 

[kimysbug]

We are wing it's
I will make a few ADR's
Example our upcoming trip
December 14th – 18th
Staying Wilderness Lodge

December 14th
JFK- Jet Blue
Depart 9:45 am- Arrive 12:40
Check in Go to the Magic Kingdom
7:15 pm Hoop de do Review

December 15th
4:45pm Liberty Tree tavern
7:00 – Midnight
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party (AKA Bruce’s Birthday Party)

December 16th
Bruce’s Birthday!!!
8:00 am
Animal Kingdom
Donald’s Breakfastasaurus
Hopefully
5:30 San Angels inn
8:15 Candle light Processional
Tickets go on sale mid August

December 17th


December 18th
5:55pm flying home arriving 8:20 pm

As you can see we only book special things then just wing the rest

 

[Miramar]

For us, it is not difficult to book ADRs in advance, as we are big planners. However, I do find it annoying to "have" to book ADRs so far in advance or risk being stuck at a counter service place. To me, part of the joy of Disney is discovering things as you walk along. While it is helpful to read guidebooks, message boards and the menus online, sometimes when you see a place in person it just looks appealing to you and you want to go there. Perhaps it looks better in person than online, is new and not yet written up, or the menu has changed from what you saw online.
I just wish they would reserve a certain percentage of tables for walk-ups. I remember fondly the early years when you could make your ADRs the same day you wanted to eat at the restaurant-- and be able to get the time you wanted- or at least very close.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I think 180 days was a little tougher than 90 days out was. I love to plan but really, it seems like you are getting so much info at the 180 day mark now that you need to plan everything within a few days especially if you have a trip that falls early in the month or when the month changes over. I really like to see the park hours and shows before making ADRs. I made my ressies right at 180 days and then I went back and made changes for the next few weeks and it worked out fine. Most of the time, the ADRs aren't booked that quickly except for places like Le Cellier or CRT.

My advice as far as having some flexible days would be to make your most desired ADRs based on the days you know you will be in a particular park and leave the other days open. That way, you know you will be eating at certain restaurants on some days but you still have some flexibility later in the vacation.

I agree with the part I bolded. Planning my ADR's for August 16-29 wasn't too bad, but when I planned for Dec. 26-Jan 3, it was a little difficult due to the change of the month. I had to wait another 30 days to get the schedule for those last 3 days. I've found looking at historical park hours helpful, but not foolproof. I think it would be best if this information were available before ADR's, too.