*sigh!*

[ghost1000]

My sister (who will be 67 this year) is going to WDW for the first time in her life. She's staying at Pop and got the free dining package.

She doesn't have Internet access.

I told her a couple of weeks ago that she NEEDS to make table service reservations, especially if she wants to eat in any of the parks. I also told her the best way to book Rose and Crown if she wants to watch Illuminations from the patio there. I told her that during our past several trips (not during free dining) that the table service restaurants book up pretty quickly and often will not be able to seat any walk-up folks. And if she wants to use her TS credits she really needs to make reservations.

Doug and I bought her a PassPorter for Christmas when she was first thinking about this trip. I even gave her the phone number to make ADRs (she thought she had to call each restaurant separately and I advised that she doesn't have to do that--apparently she hasn't even opened the PassPorter we gave her).

As of today, she still hasn't made any ADRs.

I know she's going to hate WDW.
_________________
--Rita

[eatmon74]

Rita I don't know how she, your sister, would respond to it but why not make two or three for her as aa emergancy measure.
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Jason

[ghost1000]

I decided to give her a little more help (read that as a push) to make her ADRs. I printed out a chart that I made with the park hours and listing which park has either early or late EMH each day that she's there. I called and asked if she wanted me to do that for her, and she said yes.

That way she may have a better idea where she'll be each day. When I drop the chart off I'll mention the PassPorter again and suggest she look up the different restaurants in that. I'll stress the fact that she's going there during the free dining period, along with thousands of other people. Maybe that will sink in.

She's going with a friend, and she did say they were interested in viewing Illuminations from the Rose & Crown. Doug and I are just shaking our heads in disbelief. She really doesn't understand how hard it will be to get seated at a table on a moment's notice.

Personally I don't think she would like me making reservations for her.
_________________
--Rita

[eatmon74]

I understand I would not want some one to make reservations for me either. I am very glad you help,pushed her, It will make the dinning plan a much better experiance.
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Jason

[C33]

Yeah, it's kind of a cyclical problem. More people make reservations, meaning there are less tables for walks ups, meaning longer waits, meaning more people make reservations...

Personally, I made mine 170 days in advance. I'm doing the dining plan (first time) and I got us a Friday reservation at California Grill during the fireworks.

I know some people don't like to plan their trip too heavily...and some people overplan. But I think since a trip to Walt Disney World can be so complicated, it's really better to get things like ADRs out of the way just so you don't have to worry about it.

You did the best you could. If your sister has a bad time due to a lack of forethought (even at the advice of friends and family) that is her loss. Maybe she'll have a bad time, maybe she wont, but you shouldn't have to worry about it. I think you've done your duty and as the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.

[daveypoo]

Our trip this weekend was a last minute thing and we had no ADR's. Nothing was available, except for a character breakfast at Hollywood and Vine on Sunday. So that's where we spent my Father's Day breakfast, with Playhouse Disney characters! It had to be one of the stupidest character meals I've ever attended, and that's what made it special. We got pictures and autographs and everything! It was a hoot, but not something I want to experience again!

So there's the lesson...make plans ahead of time, or be subjected to Playhouse Disney!
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When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.
--Walt Disney

[ghost1000]

I called my sister a couple of days ago and during the conversation asked if she made any reservations yet. She said no (but at least she booked her airfare).

I once again told her that she wouldn't be able to use her table service credits without reservations. It appears that she plans to use them for breakfasts instead of dinners. So I guess she'll be using the counter service credits for dinner. Hopefully it will be easier to walk up to sit down restaurants for breakfast. I know she probably won't get into Chef Mickey's, even for breakfast, without a reservation. But maybe she'll be able to use them at other places.

I did my best, the rest is up to her.
_________________
--Rita

[Ellory]