[OtherVoices]

I have two questions regarding dining reservations.

I understand that you can't make your reservations until you are 180 days out. My trip begins May 5th. Now, does this mean I can call 180 prior to May 5th and make dining reservations for my entire trip, or do I have to call back each day for 7 days to make each day's reservations?

Also, how do you guys decide on what time to make reservations for? We've never been to WDW before so all of this is new for us. We'd like to see Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic, so I don't want to be stuck in a restaurant when they start. I'm considering a Fantasmic dinner package, but I'm not too thrilled with the restaurant choices, so I'm not sure about that yet. How much time do you give yourselves so that you don't miss anything? And how do you know what time Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic start 6 months before??

I guess I have more than two questions.... I'd really like to do Mickey's Backyard Barbecue, but since it's seasonal and dates aren't out yet, I'm not sure what to do. Do I leave an open evening for it and hope that they schedule it for that night? If they don't have it on my "open" night, then it might mess up our other reservations trying to move stuff around. My second choice would be Hoop-de-Doo, so should I schedule that and then cancel it if Mickey's is available that night? Or is Hoop-de-Doo one of those that you have to pay in advance and you can't be refunded for?

Decisions... decisions! I'm sure some of you experts out there have some advice!

[mickey]

OK. You can make all your reservations 180 days out from the day you check in, so you can figure out what that date is, call on that date and make all of them at that time.

Disney usually posts park hours/parade times/firework times 6 months out, so you should be able to see what those times are before you make any ADRs. Illuminations is always at 9PM, so that is an easy one. One thing about the Fantasmic dinner package is you have to eat between 2 - 4 PM. I would take your chances and just show up 45 minutes before show time, you should have no problem finding a seat.

[OtherVoices]

Thanks for the info! Wow, that seems early for the Fantasmic package. We'll probably take our chances with that one and skip the package. I'm hoping it's not too crowded the time of year we'll be there.

I did find out that you have to pay ahead for Hoop-dee-doo and Mickey's Backyard BBQ, but that both are refundable if you cancel 48 hours in advance. I guess we'll get tickets to HDD and cancel if the BBQ tickets open up for the same night.

[DisneyTeacher]

I was just going to tell you to book HDD because it can be cancelled. We done both and love HDD, the BBQ was fun but WAY to hot in the summer.

[diisneygeek]

I don't have any info, but I'm so excited for you! Your first trip to WDW!!!!

[OtherVoices]

Diisneygeek! Thanks! I'm excited too!

And yeah, Disneyteacher, I've heard that Mickey's Backyard BBQ can be a bit too hot in the summer. I'm hoping the beginning of May won't be too bad. My boys loooove to go camping and bbq and I'm sure they'll love it.

[DisneyTeacher]

You should be fine in early May. We went in July and it was just too hot for us to really enjoy it.

[mickeymotto]

First, I want to tell you how much you are going to LOVE the Hoop dee doo!! It is so much fun for everyone! We always have a great time there and the food is yum! It is climate controlled for you to enjoy any time of year!

Also, I use this website as a tool for planning my ADR's and other activities. I hope you find it helpful too:
Planning Strategy Calculator for Disney Reservations

Click on the PS report on the left margin and it will take you to a page that will customize when and where you can reserve based on your vacation schedule for each day. It also prints out a report that organizes your ADR #'s for your trip! It is a great planning tool and resource for your trip!

It will also list the phone #'s for you to call for specific ADR's and activites throughout WDW.

Hope you have a fantastic time on your first trip! MB is the best place to get tips for your trip so don't ever hesitate to ask anything!

[mickeymotto]

Also, I forgot to add...if you click on Calculator Report first, it will show you a general list of places and activities and when you can make reservations.

[myvacation]

I'm not sure about alot of your questions, but are you sure you want to do Mickey's BBQ. The only reason I ask is because of the price.. I can't believe paying that kind of money for hot dog and hamburgers. (This could be because we cook out all year long)

[Erin]

Thanks, MickeyMotto!!

Othervoices- I would love to hear ALL your plans!

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by myvacation

I'm not sure about alot of your questions, but are you sure you want to do Mickey's BBQ. The only reason I ask is because of the price.. I can't believe paying that kind of money for hot dog and hamburgers. (This could be because we cook out all year long)

The food at the BBQ is really good, it's more than just hamburgers and hotdogs! I think it's worth the price and it includes wine and beer. There's actually more food to choose from at the BBQ than HDD.

All-You-Can-Eat Buffet:

Tossed Garden Salad

Fresh Herb Potatos Salad
Creamy Cole Slaw, Cornbread

Smoked BBQ Chicken
BBQ Pork Ribs
Cheeseburgers
Steamed Hot Dogs

Cowboy Beans
Macaroni and Cheese
Corn on the Cob

Watermelon
Ice Cream Bars
Itzadadoozie Bars
Strawberry Bars

Lemonade, Ice Tea, Beer and Wine

[mickeymotto]

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

The food at the BBQ is really good, it's more than just hamburgers and hotdogs! I think it's worth the price and it includes wine and beer. There's actually more food to choose from at the BBQ than HDD.

All-You-Can-Eat Buffet:

Tossed Garden Salad

Fresh Herb Potatos Salad
Creamy Cole Slaw, Cornbread

Smoked BBQ Chicken
BBQ Pork Ribs
Cheeseburgers
Steamed Hot Dogs

Cowboy Beans
Macaroni and Cheese
Corn on the Cob

Watermelon
Ice Cream Bars
Itzadadoozie Bars
Strawberry Bars

Lemonade, Ice Tea, Beer and Wine

Food sounds...yum!!! Never been to the BBQ...how is the show compared to Hoop Dee Doo? Is it as good? We really loved HDD show!

[OtherVoices]

Thanks for the calculator link, MickeyMotto. It looks like it'll definitely come in handy.

Originally Posted by myvacation

I'm not sure about alot of your questions, but are you sure you want to do Mickey's BBQ. The only reason I ask is because of the price.. I can't believe paying that kind of money for hot dog and hamburgers. (This could be because we cook out all year long)

Yeah, I'm pretty sure we want to do it. It's cheaper than Hoop-Dee-Doo, for one and having drinks included makes it more economical. The menu isn't limited to hot dogs and hamburgers, so I think it's worth it. It looks like a lot of fun, too. Not to say HDD doesn't look like fun, but for our family I think they'd enjoy the BBQ more. We cook out all year long too (and I'm in NY, and yes, I'll bbq with snow falling). I think that's one of the reasons I think the kids will like going.

[OtherVoices]

Originally Posted by Erin

Thanks, MickeyMotto!!

Othervoices- I would love to hear ALL your plans!

We're getting there. We're going to try to firm up our dining plans this weekend and then I'll post our plans and see what you guys think!