[cbmstephanie]

WoW! That was an experience! It only took me from 5AM Central till 1PM Central to get my ressies. What an insane process it was. The online booking system went down before it even went up and then just as quickly the call center crashed! Crazy! But I did eventually get through and get everything I wanted except for Cinderella's Royal Table. I'm still not sure if CRT is booked or not even in the system yet, both rumors are floating around. Now I can relax (except of course for calling till I find out about CRT) till April and then we will be at the Happiest Place on Earth!! Yay!

[arthymom]

Funny, I was just thinking about Disney when I hopped over to this board!

We are going in June and taking dd (now 3) and ds (now 6) for their first times.

I'm so excited!

What are your abbreviations? I couldn't understand them. We are staying in my mom's timeshare because it's free for us...But should we be trying to reserve breakfasts with characters or something now? Is that even possible if we're not at a resort?
Have fun in April!

[avoel]

Honestly, since today was the day they switched from being to book 90 days out to 180 days out, I am really impressed you got through at all!!!

Luckily we don't go until the last week in May, so hopefully things will calm down by the time I hit the 180 day mark and can make reservations.

Arthymom...if you want to eat a table service meal anywhere onsite at Disney (in the parks or hotels) you basically have to make a reservation (ADR-advance dining reservation). You can do this 180 days in advance of the day you want to dine. For some of the popular character meals and restaurants, the farther out you book, the better your chances of getting the times and days you want, especially if your party is a larger size. But, that means you have to figure out what park you plan to be at which day early too. Welcome to the world of Disney planning.

You might check out The DIS Discussion Forums - DISboards.com - Powered by vBulletin --- but beware, it can be addictive too.

[megaphonemo]

We just came back!!! We did not do any advanced reservations, but ended up being able to get into a breakfast with Pooh and friends.... It was labor day week and the parks were pretty empty...

Beware, though, as I am sure you all know, if you don't have the meal plan, these breakfasts are expensive.... Like, kinda crazy for a breakfast buffet...

Got great pics, but we actually preferred meeting the characters in the parks....

Mega

[kirbystarcat]

Wowser! I was wondering how yesterday would go when they switched back over. I made mine for January a few weeks back when we hit 90 days under the old system. I am a firm believer in calling the minute you are allowed to get what you want. We did get Cindy's for dinner. I never even bother trying to get it for breakfast because that is usually a lost cause. Plus the last time we were there for a character meal, it was way more than an ordeal. Line to check in, line to get pic with Cindy, line to get called upstairs to then be told once we got upstairs that they called us in error and having to stand upstairs for 40 minutes. We'll go at dinner, enjoy the castle, avoid the craziness, and let DD dress up like Cindy with no competition from the real Cindy. LOL It is so worth doing though so i hope you are able to call back and get in!

[cbmstephanie]

Arthymom
ADR's are Advanced Dining Reservations and anyone can make an ADR. The only difference is that if you are not a resort guest you can only book for the 180th day out. Then the next day you can book for the next day of your trip. If you are a resort guest you can book 180 days out plus 10 days to be able to book for your entire trip.
CRT is Cinderella's Royal Table and you definately want to do an ADR if you want to have a meal with Cindy in the Castle. I did get my reservation for CRT this morning. There is another restaurant though where Cinderella and Prince Charming are at during dinner. It's the 1900 Fare restaurant.
We are going to have lunch on Easter Sunday with Cindy at the Castle, then do the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique (where they get their hair and nails done, get an outfit and get a photo package) and then we are doing the 1900 Fare. It's an all Cinderella Day. It's our last day there, so we are going to go out with a bang since Cinderella is our girls single reason for going to Disney.
I would go to the disboards....you'll learn a lot there, they're also on facebook. Another good site is Allears.net
Have fun planning!

[kirbystarcat]

Originally Posted by cbmstephanie

We are going to have lunch on Easter Sunday with Cindy at the Castle

I am seriously impressed that you got this. Please do share your secret!

[cbmstephanie]

Originally Posted by kirbystarcat

I am seriously impressed that you got this. Please do share your secret!

The day after the 180 change I went online right away in the morning and was able to make my reservation. It was probably just beginners luck, but I am so happy that we will be able to spend our last day there with such a treat! Maria and Flora will just be beside themselves!

[arthymom]

Thank you for the education, cbmsteph and kvoel. I definitely want one meal w/some characters. My boy might protest Cindarella...He does like the Mermaid and Aladdin, so I'll have to see if those are options.

I'm really really excited to learn more. I found the disney forum and have been reading that, and I'll check out the other sites cbm.

Enjoy your plans too!