no reservations available - help

[tkgdisney]

We just found out that we were able to add 2 nites on to our Thanksgiving trip - but the problem is that it is hard to find a reservation - I am thinking we might do better canceling the DDP for the last 2 days and try counters - we will be there the week before and by this point it might be nice to have no plans to worry about - what do you think?

[DisneyCrafter]

I think that is a great idea! There are also some other restaurants, I have been learning, that are not quite as popular such as Big River Grille & Brewing Works (Boardwalk) or Beaches & Cream (Caribbean Beach Resort) or you could try the restaurants in DTD at "off-times".

[mjf2wdw]

You may have some luck getting a reservation at one of the restaurants at one of the hotels, especially a hotel not on the monorail. Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge is good, Olivias at Old Key west is also good and I have eaten there without a reservation. Good Luck

[tinkerfan1]

Are you able to only have the DDP for certain days of your trip? I didn't think you COULD do that. I would suggest doing with the PP said. Big River Grille is usually pretty easy to get into. If you are going to Downtown Disney, you might want to try Raglan Road. I have heard it is excellent. We are checking it out on our upcoming trip.

[lacrosse_lady72]

Originally Posted by DisneyCrafter

I think that is a great idea! There are also some other restaurants, I have been learning, that are not quite as popular such as Big River Grille & Brewing Works (Boardwalk) or Beaches & Cream (Caribbean Beach Resort) or you could try the restaurants in DTD at "off-times".

Beaches & Cream is at the Beach Club Resort. Big River only takes reservations 24 hour ahead and B&C doesn't take them at all, that's why you should be able to get into them... they are still quite popular. Also, the ESPN club doens't take reservations and you can use DDP there as well.

I say stick with the DDP and keep searching. If not, try early the morning of (think 7AM) for any ADRs. People cancel their ADRs all the time.

Here's the thing. Unless the resort reservation was made into 2 separate reservations, you will not be able to cancel the DDP for just 2 days. If everything is under one res. you cannot cancel the DDP for a partial part of the trip. It's all or nothing.

Personally, if you don't want to have floating DDP credits around I would do this. Now, I don't know the length of your stay but I'd keep the original res as it was without the extra 2 nights. That was you can have the DDP for the amount of nights you'd prefer. Then for the last 2 nights, book a room-only reservation. You will not be able to add on the DDP at all since it's room-only and you'll have the freedom to do as you please. If your original stay is 5 nights and you have a 6-day ticket, you can always add on 2 more days without a problem, the ticket days don't have to match the amount of room reservation days. The only disclaimer is that you may have to switch rooms between reservations...

[DebbieB]

Originally Posted by tkgdisney

We just found out that we were able to add 2 nites on to our Thanksgiving trip - but the problem is that it is hard to find a reservation - I am thinking we might do better canceling the DDP for the last 2 days and try counters - we will be there the week before and by this point it might be nice to have no plans to worry about - what do you think?

The only way to cancel the last 2 days of DDP is to have a separate room reservation for those nights.

[jodywgirl]

Have you tried getting reservations for lunch or early afternoon. If you use the online system they offer suggestions of other places that are available. Like the quote before said unless it is a different ressie you can't get rid of the dining plan on last two days. You also might try downtown disney restaurants and the table service at the resorts not close to parks

[tkgdisney]

We are actually resort hopping twice and so we have different reservation numbers, we have APs and are DVC. We also have a TIW card so that could come in handy as well. We have looked at lunch and dinner at all times of the day, the suggestions, if they give one at all, is not a place we would consider - not our taste or we have tried it and decided no. I was surprised to find it soooo crowded. We will have a car, so we thought we would cancel the last two days and check out DTD or off property - we may be ready for a change by then.

I do like the ESPN, Big River ideas. Beaches is a favorite as well, but Olivias we did not care for - thanks for the ideas - we may consider this as well.

[Minnie824]

Have you tried Kona at all? Thats one of our standbys that normally has some openings and great food.

[natalielongstaff]

T'rex at DTD has lovely food, not on the ddp though

[tinka-belle]

Maya Grill at CSR has a decent menu and is often available for ADRs.