Thursday's Tip

Some of you Disney vacation veterans may file this under the "Duh" heading, but for Disney newbies, here's an important tip: If you are using the Disney Dining Plan, make your dining reservations as soon as you possibly can. For most restaurants and most time periods throughout the year, Disney allows guests to make ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) up to 180 days before their arrival. During a season when the Dining Plan is offered free, this is especially important, as more guests that usual are snatching up those precious dining spaces.

And here's a bonus tip: If you're using the Disney Dining Plan--or even if you simply plan to eat at a lot of table service restaurants that require ADRs--I highly recommend buying Park Hopper tickets. Without them, you're basically forced to let your ADRs dictate which Park you visit on a particular day. But with a Park Hopper ticket, you can "hop" over from Disney's Hollywood Studios to dine at Epcot, for example, and then "hop" to the Magic Kingdom to finish out your day. In other words, you have much more freedom with both your ADRs and your touring plan.

Changes to ADR Requirements

Until now at Walt Disney World, only a few select dining experiences (such as Cinderella's Royal Table) have required a credit card to hold your Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR). But with the prevalence of free dining, it has become harder and harder to get a dining reservation around the World--partly because those diners were grabbing ADRs right and left (trying to use up those credits!) with no consequences if they did not use said ADRs.

Disney recognizes the problem, and they've come up with a solution: beginning October 26, more restaurants will require a credit card to secure a dining reservation. And if you miss an ADR and fail to cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled meal, your card will be charged $10 per person in your party. Here's the list of restaurants/events requiring a credit card (the first four had previously required a credit card to secure an ADR):

• Cinderella’s Royal Table 


• Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show 


• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue 


• Mickey’s Backyard BBQ


• 1900 Park Fare 


• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall 


• Artist Point 


• California Grill 


• Cape May Café 


• Chef Mickey’s 


• Cítricos 


•  The Crystal Palace 


• Flying Fish Café 


• The Garden Grill 


• Hollywood & Vine 


• Jiko 


• Le Cellier 


• Narcoossee’s 


• ‘Ohana 


• Tusker House 


• The Hollywood Brown Derby 


• Victoria & Albert’s (will charge a $25 per person fee for no-shows)


• Yachtsman Steakhouse

Now, I know some people will see this as a major deal...a huge issue. Personally, as one who doesn't use the Disney Dining Plan, I see it as a necessary minor inconvenience that prevents guests from making a dozen ADRs for one day, simply so they can choose one at the last minute, preventing other guests from snagging those ADRs. I'm rather intentional about the ADRs that I make, so I've never made one that I didn't keep (however, I have made changes to get a more desirable time/day...well before our arrival). And it's worth it to me to take a minor risk of offering my card to secure my reservation if it means there will be more dining options available.

In addition to the 407-WDW-DINE number, Disney has set up a special number just for ADR cancellations, 407-WDW-CNCL. You can also cancel reservations at any Guest Relations or resort front desk.

Free Fall Dining Now Available to All

I told you last week about the Free Fall Dining deal offered to Disney Rewards Visa cardmembers. The deal is now available to the general public. Check out this post for the details and regulations. Call soon to take advantage of this limited offer. Then make your ADRs ASAP, as the most popular restaurants tend to fill up quickly during this promotion.

ADRs Booked!

As promised, I'll be sharing much of my Disney vacation planning as we prepare for my "40th Birthday Extravaganza" in September. We typically don't need to make many ADRs, as we don't use the Disney Dining Plan and tend to eat mostly quick service meals. Our exception is that we usually try to do at least one (and sometimes two) character meal or special dining experience each trip.

Last night, I booked the two dining experiences that I wanted to make sure we did for my birthday. I decided I wanted to have my birthday dinner (well, actually a late lunch) at Les Chefs de France. We booked for 30 minutes before animatronic Remy is supposed to arrive, so that hopefully we would be seated and settled in time to see him. I've always been a fan of the bakery in France, Boulangerie Patisserie, so I'm sure I'll enjoy this lovely table service restaurant. (And, hey, since we're lunching here, I'll probably still hit the bakery later in the evening for a birthday chocolate mousse!)

The other special dining experience that has become a favorite of mine is afternoon tea at the Garden View Tea Room at the Grand Floridian. My first visit to this cozy little hideaway was with a friend who lives in the area. We enjoyed it so much that I decided to take my oldest daughter when she was old enough. Now that my youngest will be turning 5, I've decided that both girls are ready to share this experience. (Daddy was invited but opted out.) And since we'll be staying at the Grand Floridian for the second portion of our trip, we'll have our tea on the day that we switch resorts (we're taking a day "off" from the Parks so that we can switch over at a leisurely pace and also enjoy the pool and some other sites throughout the World).

At this point, that's all we have planned. We may add a character breakfast (or not), but it will not be a princess meal(been there/done that...several times), so I think we'll still be able to get an ADR is we decide to add that later.

I'm beginning to fill my clear plastic folio with various paperwork (mail received from Disney, printed out confirmations, etc.), so it's starting to feel official. I'm happy to report that Disney has released information about the Fall YES Programs, although registration is not yet open. That will likely be our next step--securing our spot and ordering tickets. As always, I'll keep my dear readers posted.