Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
ADR stands for Advanced Dining Reservation. That’s all it is. A reservation for a meal at a restaurant. You can begin making ADRs 180 days out from the first day of your vacation. And you should, because even with 180 days those super popular options, like Cinderella’s Royal Table, fill up fast.
The 180 booking window for ADRs is a perk that is afforded to guests who stay on-site AND off-site. However, guests who are staying onsite can book all their ADRs at once, while guests staying offsite must reserve one day at a time, so you are reserving each day at exactly 180 days. For example, Off site guests would book the ADRs for the first day of their vacation at 180 days. The second day, technically, at 181 days from the start of the vacation day, the second day at 182 days, etc.
There are three ways to make ADRs, each with their own benefits.
Make Advanced Dining Reservations Online
Online reservations open at 6am on your 180 day mark. You can use your computer or phone to open the My Disney Experience app. I always log in from the Disney website. I like doing my ADRs on the computer because the full screen enables me to see all the details. Reserving your ADRs online allows you the most autonomy of the three options. You can search multiple reservation times, switch back and forth between other restaurants, and see your daily plans.
Under the My Disney Experience (MDS) Tab, click “Reserve Dining.”
Select the restaurant you want.
Under the “Check Availability Tab” enter preferred date, time, and party size.
Click on your desired time.
You will then be prompted to choose the the other members of your dining party from your friends and family list. Having this list set up before your ADR date is a good idea.
You’ll be asked to enter a credit card for a security hold.
You’ll review your reservation once more, than click confirm.
You can edit any of your ADRs on MDE, under the My Plans tab.
Make Advanced Dining Reservations over the Phone
You can also make or cancel a reservation over the phone by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Phone reservations open at 7am, EST.
If you call to make reservations, you are dealing with a real live Cast Member, so if there is a problem with the website, or you need help troubleshooting your dining needs, this is a good option to take advantage of
Have a Travel Agent Make Advanced Dining Reservations for You
If you would rather sleep and let someone else do the heavy lifting while enjoying the rewards by having dinner with Pooh Bear, this is the choice for you.
Give your TA a list of your chosen restaurants, preferred meal times, and party size in advance of your ADR date, and then oooh and aahhhh when they email you to let you know the job is done.
Our Dream Team from Destinations in Florida are ready to be up before the sun so that you can have all the magical meals your heart desires. If you are planning your first Disney trip, this is a great alternative for you. Erin, Elizabeth, and Kari are ready to help you score that Be Our Guest reservation.
Some More Things to Know about ADRs…
You can make an Advanced Dining Reservation for any table service or buffet meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can make an ADR for restaurants in the parks, resorts, or at Disney Springs. If you make an ADR for a meal in the parks, you will need to have a ticket for that park.
You have up until 24 hours before to cancel your ADR, for whatever reason, with no fee. You can cancel online using MDE, over the phone by calling 407-WDW-DINE, or having your TA take care of it.
When you make an ADR, Disney will keep a credit card on file to hold the reservation. You will not be charged at the time of booking. If, however, you are a no cancel-no show, your card will be charged $10 per person in the reservation. So, if you forget to cancel a reservation for four people, that’s $40 charged on your card.
Walt Disney World vacations take a lot of planning and making Advance Dining Reservations may seem overwhelming. But if you go in prepared, they can be a lot of fun. I love my ADR day. Finalizing reservations help solidify my daily plans at the parks, giving shape and structure to my day that I can plan everything else (FastPasses, shows) around.
The ADR days means that my vacation is only 6 months away. That’s when the magic begins to feel real, I start to get excited, and my whole family starts counting down the days! All you need is faith, trust, pixie dust, and an advanced dining reservation.
What is your must do ADR? What meal are you most excited about for your next vacation? What’s your favorite way to make Advanced Dining Reservations? Spill all your food related secrets in the comments!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey five years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!