10 People Going to Disney Aug 2nd...No ADR's...Any Ideas?

[WaltD4Me]

Just a quick question if anyone has a thought......

An aquaintance of mine is going to Disney August 2nd. 5 adults, 5 children,
first time to Disney, tried to call for ADR's last week and got
NADA, ZIP, ZERO, Nothing. Not surprising of course (she had no clue about the 180 day thing) but bless her heart, she is somewhat panicked now and I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions or thoughts of how they might be able to get a TS restaurant so they don't have to eat CS their whole trip. I recommended she call back and try to split things up, maybe two tables for five, but thought I'd see if anyone else has any ideas.

Best part? The she really wanted to get was CRT!

 

[KPLC]

Check the Aug ADR wanted / exchanged thread under Restaurants - she may pick something up from a fellow Diser

 

[cherylp3]

Have her check out the Pirates Grille ( Yacht club sit down) the Turf Club (Ssr sit down) also Kona Cafe, Grand Floridian Cafe ( warning they are a little slow on service) and the Plaza at MK.

 

[Aurora in blue]

Have her call once she is there to see if anything opens up last minute. We were able to book CRT one trip by calling the night before. Also see who really wants to go to CRT I know my son and husband dont mind skipping a princess meal. It may be eaiser to get a table for "6" instead of 10. I wish her and luck

 

[ChelleinNC]

Have her check out the Pirates Grille ( Yacht club sit down) the Turf Club (Ssr sit down) also Kona Cafe, Grand Floridian Cafe ( warning they are a little slow on service) and the Plaza at MK.

ITA, except for one thing; she'll do better asking for the Captain's Grille

I would also add Cape May Cafe (BC) and Spoodles. Also, ESPN Club & Big River Brewery (at the Boardwalk) do not take ADR's, so they could try those out as well

 

[MenashaCorp]

I'm sure you know this from Kevin saying it on the podcast, but you might suggest your friends try walking up at TS locations. After all...

"They can't hit ya!!"

 

[WickedWench]

She should keep calling, people do cancel, even at the last minute. I hate having to make ADRs so far in advance, because often I decide I don't want to eat at a particular place if I'm tired, or if our plans have changed. Anyway, on my last trip, I cancelled two ADRs only a few hours in advance, because we decided we didn't feel like it. She should program the phone number into her cell phone and check throughout the day. Also, while I was waiting to be seated at Narcoossee's, there was a guest at the podium who did not have an ADR, and the host was able to tell him a few restaurants that could get them in. So she could just try to walk in, and if there's nothing there, they might be able to refer her. Although this will be more difficult due to the large size of her party.

Her best bet to find a sit down restaurant to accomate her large party size will probably be offsite, if she has her own transportation.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I'm sure you know this from Kevin saying it on the podcast, but you might suggest your friends try walking up at TS locations. After all...

"They can't hit ya!!"

I told her this too, but I'm thinking it's going to be alot tougher to pull this off with 10 people.

I also told her to call everyday. I said just get on the phone and give it a shot, you really might luck out. I said to also try asking for two tables of 5 or 6 and 4.

As for the CRT, I already told her....ditch the guys for this. I know her husband has NO desire to eat in the castle (I can't even believe she got him to go to Disney) but she has two little girls and her sister who is going too has one, so they have a much better chance with 5 than 10, not great maybe but better, PLUS half the price! Why pay for the guys who don't care about meeting Cindy?

I told her about Kona Cafe and GF Cafe too. I forgot about GF Cafe.

Hopefully we'll get her into a couple places.

Thanks for all the ideas and any others still appreciated!

 

[Kimberle]

Where are they staying? Somewhere on-site? Aim for "off-peak" hours. Try late lunches or early dinners. Look at resturants NOT on the dinning plan (I'm assuming they are not) as those probably fill up last. I'm going in 3 weeks (just booked) and I just finished making my ADR's. The only 2 I couldn't get were Chef Mickeys and Tusker. Are all 10 going to eat every meal together or just a couple? I'm thinking it's a couple of families traveling together. Don't forget that Grand Gatherings program. They should call that number for assistance. As soon as they check-in, they should visit their hotel's concierge and explain their situation.

I've always though WDW does a very poor job of informing people that ADR's are strongly needed. I feel bad for the 1st time visitors that don't know the extent of the pre-planning needed.

Good luck to your friend.

 

[dpuck1998]

If they are staying on site have them check with the concierge. They can work wonders for getting ADRs. Like others have said, check off hours and try to walk up. I bet then can get into a few places if they are flexible.

 

[txnana]

and just a few days ago added a meal at boatwrights for 8 in the evening and a breakfast at kona cafe - so it is possible, probably not for the restaurants in the park but for resort restaurants.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I'd say just let them go and "wing it"...they really don't know what they'll be missing and might be fine with just doing counter service. Hopefully they will be able to take advantage of some of the resort food courts. We ate CS exclusively for years and didn't really have a problem with it. The way Disney was raised the prices on everything I have a feeling more and more people will start skipping TS restaurants.

 

[Disneynut4ever]

It's possible there will be cancellations at TS that require a credit card number to hold the reservation because people are more inclined to call to cancel since they will be charged if they don't show -- as opposed to the TS that don't require a credit card to hold the reservatioin. We were told to call 24-48 hours prior to the day we wanted to eat at CRT and possibly there would be a cancellation.