Advanced Dining Reservation Changes Effective 10/27/09: Official Announcement & FAQ's

[Gregandmel]

My trip is next April and i fall into the "being able to book on Oct. 27th'. There are only 3 TS I really want, but I'm DREADING the fact that EVERYONE Is going to be on-line or on the phone Oct 27th. It'll probably lock up the system, or I'll be on the phone for 3 hours!! Yuk! Oh well.....better just have extra patience that morning.

[It'sWDW4me]

We've never even booked a WDW resort reservation 180 days out, let alone made our ADRs. Unfortunately our work schedules have never been conducive to planning vacation time that far in advance! The 90-day window suits us perfectly.

I just can't imagine that the park calendars that Disney will release at 180 days will have any level of stability or accuracy, which will be really frustrating....

I'm in the same boat, April. I usually go in August and not able to get a firm "yes, I can" or "no, I can't" book until around early May.

For my 2007 vacation, I booked all my ressies and made my touring plans somewhere around mid-June using Disney's park calendars. Well, imagine my surprise when I asked about the evening EMH wristband at DHS and I was met with a blank stare. Huh? No EMH at DHS that night? Unfortunately, I didn't bring the printed (in June) calendars with me to the parks but I swore there were supposed to be EMH's that day! My DS and I get to the bus stop only to meet up with a few other families who were expecting EMH, too. The thing that irked me the most was that DS and I had spent the afternoon at the hotel thinking we'd do RnRC that night. Nope. Plus it was our last night and we had plans for the morning - no RnRC at all that trip. At least I didn't feel like a complete idiot because I wasn't the only one expecting EMH - Disney DID change the calendars within 60 days of our trip. Lesson learned - check and recheck those calendars.

[Tygger7]

We've never even booked a WDW resort reservation 180 days out, let alone made our ADRs. Unfortunately our work schedules have never been conducive to planning vacation time that far in advance! The 90-day window suits us perfectly.

I just can't imagine that the park calendars that Disney will release at 180 days will have any level of stability or accuracy, which will be really frustrating....

Okay, I'm another one of those in the minority. I'm the one on the phone booking my reservations at the 500 day mark when possible and then switching to a package when the next year's rates are released. I'm currently 275 days out and I have all my dining planned. And I know I'm crazy, but booking 90-days out feels "last minute" to me. We have to plan that far out due to our work schedules. I've got more & more to do as we get closer to our trip, so I'm actually relieved that they've moved it back to 180 days. That will take some stress off me in the spring. And again, I know I'm in the minority, but this is taking a little stress off my schedule.

[Carolanne]

One big contributor is that you called in (at 7:00 am ET I would guess), and online booking opened at 6:00 am ET. You basically lost an hour there.

I actually called in at 10 AM ET (work schedule prohibits me from calling any earlier), so I lost a lot more than that, lol. I always called in at 10 AM or later in the past and never had issues. I didn't make arrangements to have anyone call earlier for me because I didn't find out about the issues other people were having until right around my 90-day mark. When I had issues this year (and with so many people having the same issues, or not being able to access the online dining system, period), I emailed & called WDW to complain about the difficulties I had despite calling on my exact 90-day mark. The CM tried to explain away the difficulties by telling me those 10 days in the "90+10" time frame are always the 90+10 day mark for people traveling before me.

[Mickey'sGirl]

I came up with the solution last night.

2 week ADR windows. You can book a seating as long as you are within two weeks of the date.

That eliminates the annoying "I gotta call tomorrow at 6 am" hysteria, and "what do you think of this" or "should I do that"... People can then just relax and enjoy their holiday without uber-stressing over every single detail for months before the darned thing even occurs!

[tys_mommy]

Okay, I'm another one of those in the minority. I'm the one on the phone booking my reservations at the 500 day mark when possible and then switching to a package when the next year's rates are released. I'm currently 275 days out and I have all my dining planned. And I know I'm crazy, but booking 90-days out feels "last minute" to me. We have to plan that far out due to our work schedules. I've got more & more to do as we get closer to our trip, so I'm actually relieved that they've moved it back to 180 days. That will take some stress off me in the spring. And again, I know I'm in the minority, but this is taking a little stress off my schedule.

I'm a planner by nature - I'm with you and thrilled about this extra time to set in stone our reservations

[Carolanne]

We have to plan that far out due to our work schedules.

Tygger7, Me too--DH & I work for the gov't, in the same office but different departments. I can tell my supervisor tomorrow that I need to take off all next week without any issue, but DH...he's already been denied a day when he's asked a month out. We've already scheduled long weekend shore getaways where I got my days with no issue, while he was told "You can have Thursday but not Friday, hope this doesn't affect any plans you might have." (sorry to get a little off topic there.)

Even if my DH didn't have those issues, I still enjoy planning that far ahead--I'm one of those that likes having every item on the "to-do" list crossed off ASAP

[laprana]

It really doesn't matter to us.

We book our trips well in advance, and I don't really have a better idea of where I want to eat at 90-days vs 180-days.

Either way, we'll plan and I'll be on-line at 6am sharp, hoping and praying for what we want.

I do wish they would stay with one or the other, it is the changing that will confuse people!

I totally agree! I'm an obsessive planner, so I guess I would prefer the 180 days. But, really, the time frame doesn't matter that much to me. Whether it's 90 days or 180 days, I'll have it planned out either way.

My biggest concern is how is Disney going to let people know about this? Are they going to send out an e-mail or letter to people who have trips booked? Thank goodness for Intercot! But what about those people who don't check forums and message boards? Switching from 90 days to 180 days will have a much bigger, and possibly more negative impact, on people who aren't aware of the change than it did when they switched from 180 days to 90 days. Those who don't know about the change are likely to wait until 90 days out, and might not find out that they're 3 months behind until they can't get any ADRs. I just hope Disney finds a way to get the word out to everyone!

[Gregandmel]

Can anyone tell me what the ADR's 500 days out are for? It looks to me like you can make ADR's 500 days out if you are booked "Room only". Or is this for events only? I can't tell. We have "Room only" reservations at the end of April. Would I qualify to book my adr's now, instead of the madhouse on October 27th??

And if not - does anyone think that Disney will plan ahead for the absolute CRUSH of internet activity the morning of October 27th and have MORE phone operators on hand for this date? Lordy I hope so!!

[Tink1]

Can anyone tell me what the ADR's 500 days out are for?

There are no 500 day ADR's.

You can book a room only reservation 500 days in advance of your departure date even though room pricing has not been released.

Nanc

[Meteora]

I'm a planner and would ordinarily love the 180 days, but...my parents have a trip in February, and the whole family has a trip in April. That means I'm going to have to book ADRs for two trips on the 27th, and as others have said, that day will probably just be crazy. On the bright side, there are only a few ADRs we really want, and the October 27th day for pretty much everyone should also cancel out that annoying 10 day policy for the time being, so not everything will have been taken by the time we call.

Here's hoping the online system is working effectively on October 27th. All I really want is a Cali grill fireworks-time ressie for my parents' anniversary, on any day they are there, and Boma on any night for our family trip. (crosses fingers)

[doviasgirl]

I guess I am in the minority here but I am happy they are going back to the 180 day window. I almost always have my trips booked well in advance of that time frame. The past two years I have booked the bouceback deal for the next year. I am hoping they do another bouceback deal again. With the time frame I go by the time the 180 days opens up free dining hasn't been offered to the general public yet. This makes ADR's must easier to get.

I'm with you! However, I am a compulsive planner and we have our favorite places where we know we will want to have a meal.....our only problem is getting reservations at ohanas'....our favorite place to eat and evidently others as well. I think the solution is for Disney to require a credit card when you book the reservation and if you do not show up then you card will be charged a fee...which should be large enough to discourage multiple reservations made for the same time. Although,the people who make multiples are usually inconsiderate in other ways as well.

[pixiesmimi]

I personally liked the 180 days before. This year has seemed so crazy with all the changes and not putting out park schedules until after the 90 day mark, etc. The main thing I worry about is them changing the park hours, EMH, etc. before we get there. They did this on us last time and totally messed up the schedule we had planned.

[mudpuppysmom]

We've been going to Disney now for several years and each year ADR's are harder to come by. I went on/phoned in at 90 days out like I am supposed to and I didn't get what I wanted when I wanted -- I didn't even get a couple that we wanted b/c everything was already booked up at 7 am that morning! We are staying at SOG, so that puts us in the pot with the rest of the day guests as far as booking goes....if there is a preference for resort guests???? I don't know that there is for sure, but I'd venture a guess.

Anyway, I have been trying for several weeks to get what my DS #1 asked for -- Chef Mickeys for breakfast and I finally got lucky....we are eathing at 9 am, and that is late for us! But, we are eating there!

The other place DS asked to eat at was Crystal Palace.....same story there, but our time is 8:15 -- but it took me three weeks to get that!

I think Disney really needs to eval what/how/when we can book ADR's and totally revamp their system! If it goes by your phone number you can have your home number, your cell number, you spouses cell number, your kids' cell numbers....so as it stands now you can have multiple ADR's under everyones cell number and no one is the wiser!

[Pigtunia]

I much prefer the 180 window for at least knowing the park hours. But, I also appreciate the ability to book the ADRs that far out. (Then again, I'm a bit crazy when it comes to advanced planning...).

BUT...I also agree that something MUST be done about the double bookings!!

[Phantod]

Hmmm. They've eliminated Adventurer's Club, and now all of this hassle with ADRs. You on the East coast can logon at 6:00 AM and do them. Here on the West Coast, to do that the first possible day, we have to get up at 3 AM.

I agree that the double-booking is likely a major portion of the problem, and all of the "free" dining packages.

I'm thinking next year or if and when we choose to come again (we already have all of our ADRs for this year except 1), we should just do the discounted rooms and pay for the Quick Service. We'll save a ton of time without all of the complicated T.S. where you need to arrive 15 minutes early and spend a ton of time.

<sigh>

Disney needs to figure out a better way...maybe only allowing a certain number of free dining plans to be "sold". Or at least resolve all of the double-triple-fourple <sic> bookings.

[mousetrapper]

I hate to be obtuse, but I am utterly confused...

Our trip is set for Nov. 19 - 23, 2009. Am I still working within the 90 days out rule or has something changed?

I'm also not sure how to use the online ADR system. I went on it but couldn't sign up or register anywhere to try to get up to speed. (I know I couldn't make any ADRs this early but thought there would be some tutorial or virtual tour or something.)

I may just call 90 days out as we've always done - if indeed that is still the timeframe!

ugh.

[Figment!]

Our trip is set for Nov. 19 - 23, 2009. Am I still working within the 90 days out rule or has something changed?

You will still be able to call no earlier than 90 days in advance (8/21/09)

Only arrivals on and after January 25, 2010 will be affected by this change.

[readytogo2]

when do we call if we re going in late feb?

[Figment!]

when do we call if we re going in late feb?

On or after October 27th, 2009.

Starting October 27th, Guests may book Advanced Dining Reservations through April 25, 2010 and up to 180 days in advance there after.