David R wrote:If you'd like to eat at a table service restaurant, I recommend you start making your calls NOW. And even then, you'll probably have a hard time getting into some of the more popular choices or at any regular eating times.
Apparently there are many people who set calendar reminders exactly at the 6 month park of their trip and make all of their reservations then. It's crazy. I do not understand how you can enjoy a vacation when all you do is follow some rigid schedule.
It also makes it about impossible for us locals to eat anywhere decent while free dining is going on, even if we are going to pay full price (or close to it.)
I didn't set my calendar. but I DID get an e-mail from reservations about 190 days out asking/reminding me to make dining reservations!
Since we started going to WDW, that was the second time they did that. I also got a notice for our 2007 trip!
I make the assumption that since they are giving out free dining to some guests, that they want to ensure that you have a chance to make the dining reservations you would want.
Its pretty easy, as I figure out what parks we are going to visit on which days, and then look at where we would like to try.
I was not able to get reservations one time, but that was a last minute change. a couple other times we cancelled several hours prior, as we had a heavy snack and realized we would not want to eat dinner.
I remember last year, reading on (board x) that several different people in the party make reservations at different places, and I assume different names (yes, an SG move if ever I heard of one) then decide which one they want. The justification is that they cancel before the reservation time.
The CM helping me this year was really helpful and got us the few places we wanted to dine.
I think that there should be some sort of deposit made, that way people couldn't "cheat", I wouldn't mind making a deposit, then it could just be deducted from the bill, after the meal!
(Burrrpppp!!)
