Disney Planning: Making Your ADR's

Hi Friends,

Now that you have picked the restaurants for your upcoming trip, you will want to book as close to the 180 day mark from your vacation date. Sometimes it's not possible to book at the 180 day mark, but the earliest you can book, the better. The practice of booking so far in advance is becoming more and more necessary with the popularity of the Disney dining plan.

Just a few days ago I had a friend tell me he couldn't get into the Be Our Guest restaurant on an upcoming trip because it was already full.  Now I'm not saying that this is the case always, I mean I've been in some restaurants that have been fairly empty but the popular restaurants do full up quickly.

You have 2 options for booking your ADR'S:

1. Book online, sign into your Disney world account and follow the steps under make a dining reservation. (Under the what to eat heading) You will get a conformation number, make sure you write it down.

2. Call Disney worlds dining reservation number and talk to a wonderful Disney cast member who can book them as you chat. You will get a conformation number, make sure you write it down.

My husband and I have booked both ways and they both have their pros and cons:
Online
Pro: You can book at your own pace
Pro: Access to the restaurants basic information and sometimes menu's
Con: You can have computer, internet, or website issues that may delay booking
Con: You don't have access to all of the available times

Phone
Pro: You can talk directly to a Disney Cast Members who have access to all available times
Pro: Disney Cast Members are able to trouble shoot any issues you have with restaurants
Pro: You tell the Cast Member what you want and they do their best to accommodate your needs
Con: You may have to wait on hold if the Disney Cast Members are busy
Con: It takes time and sometimes money (if you don't have a long distance plan) to call and go through several reservations

Hopefully this helps with making your dining reservations through Disney. I will be back next time to explain what to do with your reservation numbers once you get them. Have a magical night!

-Mouse

Disney Planning: Picking Restaurants

Hi friends,

Today was an important day in my upcoming trip, today was the 180 day mark before my trip. In Disney speak that meant today I could start booking my ADR'S or advance dining reservations.

We are very excited to try some new places and to revisit some we've enjoyed in the past. Our upcoming trip has 7 people coming. We've planned 10 restaurants, of them my husband and I have been to 3 of them. of the other people coming with us on our trip 3 have never been to Disney World before and the other 2 haven't tried any of these restaurants except Crystal Palace.

Most of the restaurants I've booked I've never tried before:

Via Naploi

Coral Reef

Chef Mickey

Garden Grill

Be Our Guest

Tony's Town Square

'Ohanas (for my in-laws anniversary)

I've tried 3 of the places we plan to eat at:

Crystal Palace (our family favorite)

Planet Hollywood

Rainforest Cafe

With such a big group going, and with a family who want to eat every table service meal (a restaurant where you are waited on) together it can be super difficult to pick restaurants that cater to everyone's need.

There were 3 websites that helped me in understanding what was offered in each restaurant and ultimately helped us pick our top 10:
1. Of course I mention the Disney world official website: www.disneyworld.disney.go.com
2. www.wdwinfo.com
3. www.disneyfoodblog.com

 I say do your research and pick restaurants that look interesting to you and your family. I mean if your family hates fish the Coral Reef might not be the best choice. There are so many restaurants in Disney World to try, so get out there and try a new one!

-Mouse

It is A Big World

Hi Friends,

The Walt Disney World Resort is big and I'm hoping to show you how to make it a little bit more manageable, so bare with me, keep all arms and legs inside the vehicle and enjoy the ride. My names Alyssa, but you can call me Mouse, it's one of my many nicknames. I am starting It's a Big World After All to give you my personal insights on everything Disney, including packing and planning and even fun Disney facts. My overall goal is to help get you excited about Disney, whether you are planning a vacation or just dreaming for the future.

In this blog there will be three headings to differentiate between all the information I will be sharing with you:

• My Disney Story
• Disney Planning
• Cool Finds

If you have any questions related to Disney, feel free to leave me a comment or email me at info@itsabigworldafterall.com .

-Mouse