Hi, Darla!
I'm excited to hear that you've got your calendar marked for the day you can start making your Advanced Dining Reservations [ADR]! There are a few ways to go about this.
First, you can install the
My Disney Experience app on your smartphone. Once you've signed in, tap "My Plans" then "Add Plans". The top choice on the list will be "Make a Dining Reservation". Enter your date, time or meal preference, party size, location and finally experience or cuisine. If you choose, let's say Epcot as the location, the "Experience or Cuisine" choices will update to only restaurants located in Epcot. Once you hit "Next", available times will pop up and you'll simply tap whichever time works for you and complete your reservation.
You can also make your ADR online. Since you're staying at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, which by the way is AMAZING, let's say that you want to make an ADR for breakfast at the
Whispering Canyon Cafe. Just click my link above and scroll down to where it says "Check Availability" on the right-hand side of your screen. Enter your date, time and party size then click "Find a Table". The available times will post on little blue buttons; just click the one that works for you! I recommend selecting the meal [i.e. breakfast] as opposed to a specific time because the system will search a broader range. You can make an ADR online as early as 6:00 a.m. Eastern.
Lastly, you can call 407.WDW.DINE [939.3463] as early as 7:00 a.m. Eastern and speak with a Cast Member over the phone. Also, since you're staying in a Disney owned Resort, you will be able to make your ADR up to 10 days into your vacation!
Please let us know if you more questions!
Wishing you Pixie Dusted vacation planning!
~Jackie