Online Reservations - So Mad I Could Spit!

My experience this morning started out worrisome... the online reservation system wouldn't let me make any reservations until about 6:05 AM. From 6:05-6:35 AM, it worked great! I scored BOG dinner for 6, Kona Cafe for brunch for 12 people on my birthday, and everything else I wanted. I thought I'd have to call group dining to reserve parties larger than 8, and phone lines don't open until 7:00 AM, so I was happy! At 6:35 AM, the online system started doing what others here have experienced - I'd click on a reservation time to book, and I'd get bounced back to the original page. It kept doing that, so I finally gave up - I have everything I really want for now.

Good luck, everyone!

Today was my 180 days and I had no major issues! I went for BOG first, as that was the only one I was really worried about! But made sure to schedule it later in our trip and going exactly when I wanted it!! Was able to get the rest at the exact time I wanted (except 1900 on the first day, but it was pretty close to the time wanted). Had a bit of an issue with Spirit of Aloha - I would choose Cat 2 and it would keep changing it to Cat 1 and so not allowing me to use the DDP. I closed my browser and then it seemed to work!

I just can't get an ADR for our last 2 days, but I am not sure if they are passed the +10 days as we are going for 12 days... so I will try again tomorrow and Monday just to be sure!

ETA: I went back and checked and I was able to get our last day at Akershus (I had tried this morning but it didn't work so I assumed it was passed our date, but I guess it was just an error as it worked fine now), but I am not able to book Tusker House for our second to last day. Gives me the time, but when I go to book it brings me back to the dining page.

luvmylatte said:

There is truly an issue this week with the ADR system. I woke at 6am yesterday to start planning ADRs and got as far as 1, then was taken on a mad ride of waiting and waiting only to have the system stop at no reservations available anywhere. Finally called Disney and got a cast member after a 25 minute wait, who was tenacious and helped me obtain 2 of my much wanted ADRs. It took her 20 minutes and a lot of over and over trying and patience with the system. When I tried again last night same issues. I called a cast member and the first one who had to be new told me sorry can't do it and I should call the restaurants directly....WHAT? Called back and got an awesome Castmember that helped me. The MDE system really has a lot of glitches to work out with reservations this week

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Not just this week.......Problems booking ADR's have been ongoing for months now.

kandb said:

OP, that is ridiculous. We are going 8/27 thru 9/7 and I didn't book the first day but was still able to get BOG, Ohana, and other popular restaurants at good times for the whole week.

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It think you lucked out! I'm there late Sept thru early Oct. The first BOG dinner available was my 7th day. I had called at 180 from my second day, first day spent trying online. And that 7th day BOG was at 9pm!

We rented DVC points for our trip starting next week. jumping1


Had the same problem as you. I did two things to solve my problem:

1. Called when the phone lines opened at 7:00 am. Took a while, but the cast member was able to find my "other" secret reservation number that enabled me to get the 180+10 day reservations. Not sure if the CM got the other number from dvc support or tech support. The cast member then helped me with reservations over the phone and I was able to get everything I wanted, though at slightly different times for some. Was able to get BOG dinner easily as it was for our second-to-last day.

2. Before I was able to call, in the height of my frustration, I sent a complaint through the online contact form. I expressed my dissatisfaction in the glitch, and also that I was able to literally watch the reservation times disappear as I tried and failed to book my ADRs. Even though the website had my days available for selection. I received a phone call a few days later with someone who was willing to get me whatever reservations I wanted. I already had what I needed, but appreciated their attempt.



Turns out this was all for nought anyway. Within 60 days of our trip, our party of 2 turned into a party of 9! Kept the BOG for the two of us, but ended up shuffling around most other ADRs.

It's a bump in the road now, but you'll have a great trip.

Even if you don't get all the ADRs you want, you will have chances to try something new! How about Sanaa, Cape May Cafe breakfast, Tusker House, or Trail's End? Sometimes the less popular places are hidden gems.

Yes, the hidden gems are fun to explore. But when you are taking people for their first visit, you want to hit at least a couple of your favorites. We love Sanaa, but getting there from BCV is a bear. Cape May is a favorite and we will go there. When they are only going to be there for 5 days, I don't want to waste a ton of time traveling to a restaurant.

I had trouble booking our reservations too. We are staying on our DVC points. I was only able to book the first day. I watched all the times I wanted disappear but when I called at 7am, I had no trouble getting what I wanted. That really surprised me since I kept trying to make reservations for those times online and they were not available. Strange.