Would you book your ADRs yourself or use your travel agent?

[msmith1026]

Hi everyone, i have a newbie question. We are going to Disney in October 2011 and I'm working on where we'd like to eat our meals. Would you book the ADRs yourself, so if one isn't available you can switch everything around, or would you just give the list to your travel agent? We are using Small World Vacations, and it will be 4 of us dining.

Please let me know your thoughts.

 

[Lynn57]

I personally love booking my own meals, especially since it is so easy. That way I can change things around whenever I want and can look at all the possible times and make the decision.

I'm sure Small World Vacations will do a great job though if you decide to do it through them!

Of course you can't book your ADRs until 180 days out but the website to book meals online is here.

 

[anjalee6]

I love planning the meals myself especially since I change them a few times before our vacation actually happens. It's completely up to you though. TA will book them for you if you want.

 

[vicki_c]

One thing to consider is that not ALL TAs are the same. A good Disney TA will be online at 6 AM or on the phone at 7 AM making your ADRs. At some Travel Agencies, that is not the case - they will call for your ADRs when they get into the office, when it's convenient for them, etc. So a lot depends on your particular TA.

I don't use a TA anyway, but even if I did, I would book my own dining just for control reasons. The only time I let someone else book my ADRs were the times we were staying club level.

 

[nkereina]

One thing to consider is that not ALL TAs are the same. A good Disney TA will be online at 6 AM or on the phone at 7 AM making your ADRs. At some Travel Agencies, that is not the case - they will call for your ADRs when they get into the office, when it's convenient for them, etc. So a lot depends on your particular TA.

I don't use a TA anyway, but even if I did, I would book my own dining just for control reasons. The only time I let someone else book my ADRs were the times we were staying club level.

This is true. I used to work in a travel agency and this was the case for ADRs. But in some instances, the agent has a good rapport with Disney and does a lot of business with them so they may have an upper hand when looking to get some reservations that you may not be able to get. I've seen that too. I prefer to have control over my own reservations, especially if a problem occurs like what I want isn't available, etc. I also like to wake up early to do it the first second I can!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Agree with the others-I like to do it myself because if there's a problem with one, it could affect others. For instance, If I can't get Ohana on Monday, maybe I can get them Fri, then switch another one to Monday. If the TA does it, they will make the ones they can and leave open the ones they can't, then someone's going to have to call back, wasting precious time!

 

[lblume91]

Although we always book our trip through a TA, I prefer to make my ADRs personally.

 

[jcarwash]

I like making ADRs on ADR day almost as much as the trip itself. The countdown to the day itself, getting up early to be ready right when the system turns over, getting what you planned. Definitely my recommendation to do the ADRs yourself. We are doing the quick service plan next time and I will miss doing ADR day.

 

[DCDisney]

If you are using a WDW specialist like Small World letting them do your ADRs is a great thing. I found my travel agent was able to get things at the exact times I wanted even Le Cellier that I wasn't finding online. My agent at TMFL. Emailed me all my ADRs by like 8am on my day so if I wanted or needed to tweak anything I could. So much more relaxing.

 

[ksbean]

I always book myself. That way if I need to switch things around I can.

 

[DLB]

I prefer to book it all my own. Too many decisions to make on the fly.... I couldn't give up that planning control. However I can see why other people do. It is a very time consuming job.

 

[msmith1026]

Agree with the others-I like to do it myself because if there's a problem with one, it could affect others. For instance, If I can't get Ohana on Monday, maybe I can get them Fri, then switch another one to Monday. If the TA does it, they will make the ones they can and leave open the ones they can't, then someone's going to have to call back, wasting precious time!

This is exactly why I want to do the ADRs myself. I have my list already planned out (and I can't do them until April!) and I figure I can best move things around if I call them.

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[juliebug1997]

I like to make mine myself, either online or over the phone. The one advantage that I can see over making them over the phone is that the cast member will enter your date range and help you narrow it down. The one advantage over making them online is that the reservation system will remember the reservations and you won't have to keep re-entering your reservation numbers every time you want to check your plans.

 

[stitchlover]

I enjoy making my reservations on my own. I'm sure your TA would do a great job but I like the control over making a change if I run into something that isn't available.