7am call for Castle breakfast?

[girlbomb]

After reading a certain guide book, I am wondering if it's really necessary to go through the whole rigamarole they suggest (which includes setting a watch to atomic time, and memorizing the phone prompts to save milliseconds) in order to get breakfast reservations at the Castle. Has anybody had any recent experience in getting breakfast ADRs there? Thanks for any information you can provide!

 

[crzy4mk]

After reading a certain guide book, I am wondering if it's really necessary to go through the whole rigamarole they suggest (which includes setting a watch to atomic time, and memorizing the phone prompts to save milliseconds) in order to get breakfast reservations at the Castle.

Yes.

 

[Abharmagic]

NO, I don't think it's necessary. Lat trip- I called at 160 days give or take a few days and got a table for breakfast at the time I wanted on the day I wanted (my DD's birthday).

This time I was up anyway at 7 AM at my 180 day mark and called and got right through and had my pick of times and dates again.

My neighbor decided on a very spur of the moment trip for her and her young daughter. It was Sept and they were going in Feb (so again, less than 180 days) and they also had no problem getting a table for the time and day they wanted.

I still think it's a harder to get ADR, but I think the cost, and the fact it's been around for a while and a lot of people have BTDT with it it's easier to get.

I'd say if you know you want it- call at your 180 day mark but you don't need to set your clock to atomic time, etc unless you are going at an extremely busy time (Christmas/New Years- the week in between)- otherwise you'll be fine to call any time that morning/day and probably get what you want- or darn close to it. HTH

 

[suzimar57]

better to call at 7 and get the ADR, than risk missing out....

 

[Disney Brat]

We called the first day that we could (180) at 7, I finally spoke with someone about ten minutes later and got the day I wanted, but not the time, but at least we got in!! We called a couple of weeks later just to see what they had, and they had two time slots left for when we are going....so I am glad that we did call and book early!

 

[girlbomb]

Thank you all so much for your feedback! I will definitely call exactly at 7, then, and will memorize the prompts so I can skip past them. Because I'm also trying for dinner at V&A, and dinner at Le Cellier -- all in one call!

Thanks again for the advice. It's much appreciated.

 

[disneymom1980]

I definitely would.....I called 180 days out and could not get CRT for breakfast any of the days of our stay . I did get dinner, but that wasn't what we wanted.

 

[wilderness01]

It used to be super hard to get, but with the price increase it is a much easier ADR to obtain.

 

[maj42169]

Good Luck!

 

[eyor44]

I followed that same guide book's advice with terrific results, and yes, I had the atomic clock on the computer going. I made 14 ADRs in 43 minutes, this included the power going out at the reservation center. The CM was great and even was able to rearrange our CRT reservation to accomodate a visit to the Boutique first. Got exactly what we wanted for almost everything. Had to be flexible on Fantasmic! though as the November calendar is not out yet, so only one showing is currently on the books.

 

[girlbomb]

Thanks to those who added their feedback! It's funny how varied peoples' experiences have been -- probably due to both time of year and luck. We're going in early December, but I'm still going to memorize the prompts and get on atomic time and call right at 7 on the dot. I'm usually up at 7:30 anyway -- getting up 45 minutes early won't hurt, and it would be awesome to get that 8:05 castle ADR we've been hoping for!



Thanks again, helpful DISers!

 

[kwelch10377]

I called about 3 weeks after my 180 day mark and was able to get the day and time I wanted, in fact I was offered several different times for breakfast.

Unless you are going during a high peak time I really don't think it is necessary.

 

[RMulieri]

Rule of thumb...If you really want to eat at a specific place at a specfic time and date.CALL EARLY. yes, many have called at 160 days 14 days ,day of etc..CRT is not as popular.since they added lunch,dinner and princess storybook breakfast at Epcot...but at peak travel times like summer or Christmas or even during free dining, all bets are off .It can be easy or hard .There is no way of knowing till you call.But if you know this is what you want, why wait?

 

[minnie2]

I called at my 180 days @ 6am cst and I didn't do what that book said but i did ask if I could get in for a certain day and was open about the time and I got an 8:05 reservation no problem. The I asked my CM if i should make my BBB res next since I wanted a certain time and day in the castle and I did and got it!

As the call went on it became harder to get the times I wanted and my confirmation number was jumping by leaps and bounds. In the end i got everything I wanted but not necessarily the time I wanted. I am happy with everything so that is all that matters.

I have to say I was doing the happy dance when Igot my reservations though

 

[daisy112878]

Thank you all so much for your feedback! I will definitely call exactly at 7, then, and will memorize the prompts so I can skip past them. Because I'm also trying for dinner at V&A, and dinner at Le Cellier -- all in one call!

Thanks again for the advice. It's much appreciated.

Definitely call and get CRT and Le Cellier first then get transfered to the V&A people. V&A is usually easier to get unless you're looking to get the chef's table then you might have a harder time.

 

[girlbomb]

Well, we got up at 6:45 a.m. on a Sunday (bleh!), dialed the phone at exactly 6:59:55 atomic time, blew through the prompts according to our trial run, and got connected right to a friendly reservationist, who got us the 8:05 seating at CRT we wanted! Thanks to everyone who suggested we follow the protocol -- it was worth it!

(Now I just have to get over feeling guilty that we two adults "took away" a reservation that could have gone to a family with kids... )

 

[FairyDust2008]

In my personal experience, it does pay to still have most of your ADR's squared away before arriving. We were able to get CRT BREAKFAST the day before we left for our trip but that was due to a last minute cancellation from someone who didn't want to get charged, so they cancelled. LUCKY US Anyhow, while at the GF resort where we stayed, one morning we just walked down to the 1900 Park Fare @ breakfast time and asked if there were any openings and we lucked into that one too. Also, I had called from my resort room the morning of for Chef Mickey's and again someone had cancelled last minute. People cancel all the time and it is possible to get a reservation when you at 1st can't seem to get one so keep calling. I also saw a person walk up the podium outside at CRT for an opening. They were just 2 people and they had an opening. It is possible, but I would still play it safe having most of your ADR's to not be disappointed. On our arrival night, we had reservations for 1900 Park Fare and walked right in and got seated quickly. There was someone in front of me that didn't have a reservation and they didn't have anything. Even at Rainforest Cafe in DDD, I made a reservation and glad I did because that is a BUSY place. There were people waiting forever to get in there and the people before me walked right up and asked if they had an opening and they said, 45 min wait. I walked up with my ADR and was seated within like 5 mins or so.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Well, we got up at 6:45 a.m. on a Sunday (bleh!), dialed the phone at exactly 6:59:55 atomic time, blew through the prompts according to our trial run, and got connected right to a friendly reservationist, who got us the 8:05 seating at CRT we wanted! Thanks to everyone who suggested we follow the protocol -- it was worth it!

(Now I just have to get over feeling guilty that we two adults "took away" a reservation that could have gone to a family with kids... )

A little confusion here, are the "prompts" common knowledge or are they "personal" according to your particular trip? Do I just need to call a few days ahead (a trial run) to be aware of my "personal" prompts or are the prompts listed somewhere? Thanks for your help.

Opps, never mind I just found the answer on the following thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1626928

 

[FairyDust2008]

It used to be super hard to get, but with the price increase it is a much easier ADR to obtain.

\


It still is the most popular dining experience at Disney right now and can still be hard to get into. You luck out mostly when someone cancels last minute in order to not get charged and you just fall into a reservation or call way in advance. We were going in July and I had a reservation for CRT breakfast but then we moved our vacation up to May and I wasn't able to get breakfast or lunch and the only dinner available was a 9:50 at night. I had taken it because I really wanted to eat in the castle but I cancelled later because the timing was just too late. I ended up calling the day before and someone cancelled and I lucked out. So, it books up FAST but you can luck out with cancellations. Even with the price increase and I didn't know what it use to cost because we just returned at the end of May, but it was WORTH EVERY PENNY in my opinion Even my dh thoroughly enjoyed it and said it was a WONDERFUL breakfast experience. From the moment you arrive downstairs to be greeted and get your pic with Cinderella to walking up the winding stairs to be seated upstairs. The introducing of the princesses, the wishing ceremony, the wands, swords, the food, ambience, princesses greeting each family. DEFINITELY WORTH THE $$$

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I don't think it's necessary to set your watch and memorize phone prompts, but it is necessary to call early in the morning prefferably at 7am. CRT and Le Cellier are very popular locations and will be booked within an hour or two or less.