Episode 577 - Lead Times

Authored by: ead79 on Friday, June 12 2009 @ 07:45 AM CDT

Thanks for another great episode, guys!

I did notice one small error with the dining reservation window issue. WDW resort guests can't book at 100 days out instead of 90. How it works is that WDW resort guests still call at 90 days out. The "plus 10" refers to the fact that WDW resort guests can call 90 days out from their arrival day and book for up to 10 days out from that date. Offsite guest can call at 90 days out, but they can only book that one day at a time. So let's say I was staying onsite and arriving on October 1st. I could call July 1 to book my reservations, and I could book all of the reservations for my entire trip in that one phone call. If I was staying offsite and arriving on October 1st, I could still call on July 1 to book my reservation; however, I could only book the restaurants I wanted to eat at on October 1st itself. I'd have to call back on July 2 to book my ADRs for October 2, on July 3 for October 3, and so forth.

Also, when should I allow time for obsessive spreadsheet making where I make and re-make my plans and obsess about having just the right strategies, parks for the day, and ADRs? ;-) I know I can't be the only one who does that!

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: StephinMA on Friday, June 12 2009 @ 09:52 AM CDT

While the previous commenter is correct, the wording of the comment may confuse some people. The first day on-site guests can call is 90 days from the day of their first desired reservation date. They can then book 10 days of reservations from that date, so yes, 100 days out, but you can't call on day 100 to start booking for your first day, just to clarify.

A couple of other things to remember, if you want to reserve a cart for a stay at Ft. Wilderness you can do it 365 days in advance. La Nouba tickets can be purchased 90 days in advance. The Wonderland Tea Party, Fireworks Specialty Cruises, Tee Times at the golf courses, fishing trips, parasailing, water skiing, and trail rides at Ft. Wilderness can be reserved 90 days in advance.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: larsenj on Friday, June 12 2009 @ 11:01 AM CDT

I tried to get Chef Mickey's at about 70 days in advance, and for the week I'm there, there was NOTHING available for dinner... breakfast is easier to get into. We're going the week of August 15th...

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Code on Friday, June 12 2009 @ 11:21 AM CDT

It's definitely a good idea to check for better rental car prices every day leading up to your trip. On our last trip down, I improved our price 4 or 5 times in the two weeks leading up to departure day, and then while ON THE PLANE waiting for departure, I dropped it another 10% over the already good price we had. Though this was during value season, might have something to do with it. Just remember to cancel your previous booking each time you make a new one.. not that you have to, it's just the nice thing to do.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: CuzMikDntTlkAbou on Friday, June 12 2009 @ 03:11 PM CDT

One thing that was left out for the day before was to make sure you have your dining conf #'s with you. It's rare but they do mess up every now and then. It would be great to get to there to find out you don't have a resv. Oh and make sure the gold bond is packed and the top is taped over. Not fun to get somewhere and have clothes covered in powder.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Thorpeedo on Friday, June 12 2009 @ 05:59 PM CDT

Don't think ordering grocery supplies was mentioned ...am looking to do this a within the last week.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: TD on Friday, June 12 2009 @ 06:10 PM CDT

Before making any ADR's, you should plan on what parks you'll be visiting.... first. Maybe you can use some type of crowd calendar, DING!

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: rockknj on Sunday, June 14 2009 @ 12:15 AM CDT

About reservations and confirmation numbers, just a warning. I reserved a Party for the Senses last year (which had to be paid at the time of reservation) and luckily wrote down my confirmation number and brought it with me. It seems that the person misspelled my last name for the reservation even though they used my correct name on my credit card. I had to go to 3 different computer stations when I arrived at the Party before they straightened it out. I assumed just because the credit charge showed up that they spelled my name correctly. Stupid me.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Jul on Monday, June 15 2009 @ 07:35 AM CDT

I know that lead time in the U.S. to get a passport was pretty high at one point...so if you're planning a Disney vacation from overseas, make sure to file that passport paperwork early!

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: wdwcm on Monday, June 15 2009 @ 08:18 AM CDT

90 Days out - 7am (407) WDW-PLAY
Call and book your Specialty Cruise (Wishes, IllumiNations or Breathless)
Especially IllumiNations (only 5 pontoons available) and Breathless (the one and only).

[ Reply to This | # ]