180 days - 6 a.m. and still could not get more than 4 of our ADR's

[Carie Young]

So I got up this morning early, grabbed my coffee and logged on so I would be ready right at 6 a.m. to start making ADR's. Even getting up this early, I still had issues getting ADR's for:

Akershus, Be Our Guest, 'Ohana and ...Garden Grill?!?!

Okay, as frustrating as the first three are, the last one just completely floored me.

We are going 12/1 - 12/10 and there is absolutely no availability for Akershus or Garden Grill at any time, I tried all days, all meals and even tried random off-times and nothing. I went on a ADR App to see what they showed, nothing... We wanted the coveted breakfast spot to get in early, so I can see those being gone...maybe... but nothing for Garden Grill lunch or dinner?

I even called at 7 a.m. b/c of course throughout the course of reserving, I made a mistake and booked a reservation for today (did I mention 6 am and just drinking my coffee?) and she could not see any availability.

Be Our Guest, I did manage to get a breakfast ADR for, but wanted a dinner, later in our stay and there was nothing.

But even some of the other ADR's that are not popular choices I could not get anywhere near the time we wanted. I don't get it. It's not like I am trying 30 days out. I was at my 180 days and all within the first hour and couldn't get the time we wanted for The Plaza restaurant for off-lunchtime?

I have heard rumors that people add days to the beginning of their trips to get better access to the ADR's they want then drop the day or travel agencies making a bunch of ADR's at popular venues to make sure their clients get them if they want, does this really happen? Maybe I am just naive to play by the rules?

Sorry, needed to vent, very frustrated with the process this morning. We have never had such an issue before, I can't imagine trying to book in heavy season like summer...

 

[scard192]

BOG dinner availability is impacted by MK closing at 7PM 4 nights/week for MVMCP; that's a lot of ADRs that people can't book.

The EPCOT restaurants - they be could be holding back ADRs for the CP packages

 

[Carie Young]

Do you know around when CP packages usually become available?

BOG dinner availability is impacted by MK closing at 7PM 4 nights/week for MVMCP; that's a lot of ADRs that people can't book.

The EPCOT restaurants - they be could be holding back ADRs for the CP packages

 

[ColoradoMom12]

I ran into similar frustration making ADR's for our Thanksgiving trip. So many places just had zero availability. I was quite surprised. We've gone at busy times in the past (spring break/Easter), and I have never experienced anything like I did trying to get reservations for this trip. I don't know if people add extra days to their resort reservation just for the sake of ADRs, but I'm now giving serious thought for our next spring break trip! (Ok, not really, but it is rather tempting!)

Lol at your making a same-day reservation because I did it too!

 

[scard192]

Do you know around when CP packages usually become available?

there is a watch thread here for the CP packages
https://www.disboards.com/threads/candlelight-processional-dining-package-2017-watch.3595055/

 

[Sarahraegraham]

I agree with the poster who mentioned MVMCP. For your trip dates, 6 out of the 10 days are MVMCP days, so BOG dinner will be next to impossible to get.

 

[scard192]

I agree with the poster who mentioned MVMCP. For your trip dates, 6 out of the 10 days are MVMCP days, so BOG dinner will be next to impossible to get.

along with every other TS restaurant at MK.

 

[Cinderella94]

I'd bet that Garden Grill is because of CP.

 

[momto4obkids]

The Garden Grill isn't available for those dates yet because of the CP packages. Biergarten and the Rose and Crown are the same, that's the one I'm waiting for.

The Plaza only has a small window for ADR's at lunch time now. I think it's 11-12? So, all other times are walk ups only.

 

[Carie Young]

Thank you!

there is a watch thread here for the CP packages
https://www.disboards.com/threads/candlelight-processional-dining-package-2017-watch.3595055/

 

[Carie Young]

Appreciate the insight, didn't think about CP causing the GG issue... *sigh* I'd like to blame lack of sleep, but ...

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I have heard rumors that people add days to the beginning of their trips to get better access to the ADR's they want then drop the day or travel agencies making a bunch of ADR's at popular venues to make sure their clients get them if they want, does this really happen? Maybe I am just naive to play by the rules?

WDW no longer allows people to simply drop days off of reservations, so I'm not sure where you've heard those rumors. Perhaps in the past this was true, but WDW put an end to that practice about 2 years ago. I also know, literally, dozens upon dozens of TA's. The only time they make ADR's is when a client requests them. Those ADR's are made in the lead guest's name with the lead guest's CC (after getting authorization to use it from the client) for the number of people in that guest's party. As you know, you have to have a resort reservation to get 180+10 privileges and you have to list a CC in case of a no-show. I know of no TA who simply goes in at the 180 day mark (which would be at a disadvantage to resort guests who get 180+10) and makes dummy reservations with their own or a company CC to hoard ADR's for existing or potential clients. What TA would want to risk a no-show fee if that client didn't show up? If TA's are making ADR's for client's, they are doing it in the exact same way you did yours this morning and hitting the same snags you hit. Might they cancel some of those ADR's? Of course. Just like any other guest who changes their plans as time goes on. With the advent of WDW cracking down on shortening resort stays, implementing no-show fees and not allowing guests to make multiple ADR's within the same time frame, they've put a much better system in place to make sure people get a fairly equal shot at obtaining ADR's and to make sure people actually show up for them. As others have said, your best bet here is to just keeping checking back - CP packages aren't out yet and the Plaza only takes ADR's during the prime lunch hour.

 

[KimBean]

Akershus is also being affected by CP.

I could not get Biergarten at 180+10. I had to get sci-fi at 2:55. 50s prime time at 1:50. Yak and yeti at 4:45. Crystal palace wasn't gettable for dinner except 8:50 had to do lunch. The only reason I got ANY at good times is because other than these we are eating at resorts or Disney springs. Also couldn't get a Narcoosses for all of 12/3.

Something isn't right even taking CP into consideration. I don't know what it is. TAs booking extras, a new sniper company out there that Disney hasn't shut down or some random reason that this is now the busiest week of 2017.

Don't get it.

 

[Spridell]

I have been trying for GG for 11/27 and nothing also.

Played around with the dates and it seems anything AFTER 11/23 no reservations at all for GG.

So CP could be the reason since they start right around that time.

 

[MSLRAC]

Our TA made our ADR's last Monday and we're still waiting on GG and R&C to open for dates. So far, there has been absolutely nothing available. Our TA thinks it's CP.

 

[HandsofReiki]

So, does CRT and BOG close for the party? Or just open to the people attending after the park closes? Our window opens next thursday and it is going to be a major bummer to not have my 4 year old eat at the palace. lol. we'll live.

 

[SoDakDisneyMom]

My window opened yesterday and I was only able to find one Garden Grill and it was for 12/4 @ 2pm so I grabbed it. I was unable to get anything for Saturday 12/2 or dinner at Ohana, 1900, or anywhere at AK on our arrival day 11/30. We were able to get dinner CRT for the last full day of our stay and a BOG lunch on our MVMCP day so I'm thrilled I was able to get those. I will keep checking back to see if I can get some other dates/places that we would like.

 

[SoDakDisneyMom]

So, does CRT and BOG close for the party? Or just open to the people attending after the park closes? Our window opens next thursday and it is going to be a major bummer to not have my 4 year old eat at the palace. lol. we'll live.

I was able to get both of those. What I did is plan those two places on the last two days of our vacation and tried to book those first. BOG had less times slots than CRT. Also you have to pay in full for CRT when you reserve your time.

 

[Deanie1]

Carie Young, don't give up and if you can keep trying several times a day, do so. I booked a split stay with 5 days Pop and 5 days POR. I love POR but because our Canadian dollar is so low, I opted to do the split stay. But, it sure messed up making my ADR's as then I could only book the first 5 days. For the first stay at Pop, there was no availability right at the 180 day mark at 6am for BOG at all - no breakfast, lunch or dinner. This is the one restaurant I really wanted. So, this morning my second 180 days opened up for the last 4 days of our trip. I was up at 2:45am, as I am on the west coast of Canada and I could only get a lunch BOG on Dec 4 at 1:45. I was very grateful but wished I could have gotten a dinner. This afternoon, I took a little break from doing housework and checked again for BOG and there it was! A dinner at BOG for 4:15! So, don't give up and keep checking back often. We are in

 

[clarklink]

I was unsuccessful booking Askershus at 6AM 182 days out (staying on resort), but since we are arriving on the first day of free dining had my choice of days & times for everything else including BOG twice. I called the reservation department at 7AM and she told me to check back online in a week. I've checked the past few days for the very next day and found several lunch reservations at Askershus for tomorrow so I'm hopeful I can book it the day prior if someone does not cancel their vacation before then.