8/25-9/3 ADR Update--CODE RED!!!!!!

[kcrew]

I posted before that I had called a few weeks back for my ADRs, and it was slim pickings at the time. I called again today to try to make some changes and hopefully stumble upon some new availability . I asked the CM to check every single day of my stay for ANY availability for dinner prior to 8pm for a party of 6.

The following restuarants had NO AVAILABILITY prior to 8(and many not until after 9 or some not even then) for ANY of the 9 nights :

BOMA, Le Cellier , Planet Hollywood, Spoodles, Cap'n Jacks, Chef Mickey, Crystal Palace, HDDR and Spirit of Aloha(no seating any time for DDP seating), Coral Reef, 50's PT, Mama Melrose, LTT, and Teppanyaki, and WCC.

Ohana only had 4p and the CM said that they aren't usually open then, but just extended hours for free dining, therefore those openings were new.

I know that the party of 6 plays a roll, but how is it that I keep reading new posts saying: I just got EVERYTHING I wanted for free dining? I mean am I calling the wrong #?

Seriously, how can Disney continue to offer DDP for these dates for new reservations?

 

[kldmom2000]

Last year when we went for free dining, I'd already made our ADR's @ the 180 day mark prior to the free dining being announced....

Then as the time grew nearer and we were about 2-3 months pre-trip, I tried to change some around and there was NOTHING available....

Good luck to you and I hope something opens up for your family!!!!!

 

[septbaby]

Take late seating and go back to a park for EMH or DTD to walk it off. Grab a nap or a snack around that 6pm hour to tide you over.

Its FREE and you have some great things locked down already. Also any meal with CC holds will get real cancellations a couple of days before (or folks get charged) so call back for those (2TS and Fantasmic shows for sure).

We are there the same time and I couldn't get Coral Reef, but got other great things. Will try to adjust one time, but otherwise we are set.

 

[travelgirl06]

Can you split into two groups for dinner? Breaking into 3 and 3, or 4 and 2 for a few nights may help. Otherwise, keep calling and hopefully something will open up. You may also want to check your final payment date (45 days before the trip) and call during that time period, I'm sure some people will have to cancel their trips, and this may mean possible ADRs for you. Another option is to check out other restaurants that you haven't visited before. Good Luck.

 

[ShaneH]

I just made mine and was able to get most of what I wanted when I wanted but there are only 3 of us so that must make a difference.

 

[laurabelle]

Do you know that CM is open for lunch that weekend? I ate there last year during free dining and it was a nice MK break, not crowded because most people probably didn't know it was open for lunch. I can't remember what I ate there though, plus it's probably no indicator of what they'll serve at lunch this year, but it was dinner-type food. I'll be there the same weekend and was going to book lunch at CMs again, but found out from the CM I spoke to that Citricos is open for lunch then because GF Cafe is closed, and I was able to book it for one table service. I also had to take lunch at Le Cellier, but that's ok, it's our last day. In my experience, the two table service restaurants seem to be easier to get, which is fine with me, they're our favs! Good luck!

 

[rentayenta]

We are a party of 5 and got just about everything but I called in April just after the 180 days mark.

Generally the easiest party to seat is a party of 4. Most tables are made for 4. In order to make a larger party they have to move tables together, in essence, taking another table out of commission. I know it sounds screwy but that's how it's viewed, even though it's being used. Most places don't have many 2 tops so they have to use a 4 top for a party of 6.

I don't miss the restaurant business.

Keep trying for what you want.

 

[megnsamsgracie]

We are going 9/21-10/1 (or 2) and I have all late seatings (except for Cape May Buffet) around 8ish (Tonys is a 7:40 though). We have a party of 7. Well 6 but we werent sure my dad was going to come so she said it was better to take one off than to add him later. GL!

 

[michellekl]

Just booked our free dining trip yesterday (yeah kinda late!), we are staying 9/20-25. I only have firmly decided on 3 dinner reservations. I called this morning to book them & was only able to get EARLY ressies for 2, I'm talking 4 & 4:40! & everything else was for after 9! Yikes.

I'll try calling back again later on to see if there are any cancellations. But if not, I'm thankful just to have them. I still need to figure out the other 2 & ASAP!

 

[ycnan]

Did they offer you a split table?

The first time I tried Boma they said earliest was 8:30 and tht wasn't going to work, they guy was ehh as far as help.

I called back not 30 minutes later and got a VERY helpful lady, who said with our party of 5 to get the time we wanted we could split up, I asked what that meant and she said she has a party of 7 when they go and often says yes to a "split" but 90% they push 2 tables together or they are not movable tables and for that meal sit at side by side tables.

I agreed for Boma and one other.

Either offer that to them, or keep trying.

Sometimes it all in the person taking the ADR

Good Luck!!

 

[kcrew]

Did they offer you a split table?

The first time I tried Boma they said earliest was 8:30 and tht wasn't going to work, they guy was ehh as far as help.

I called back not 30 minutes later and got a VERY helpful lady, who said with our party of 5 to get the time we wanted we could split up, I asked what that meant and she said she has a party of 7 when they go and often says yes to a "split" but 90% they push 2 tables together or they are not movable tables and for that meal sit at side by side tables.

I agreed for Boma and one other.

Either offer that to them, or keep trying.

Sometimes it all in the person taking the ADR

Good Luck!!

Yes, the offer of 2 tables was made for a lot of the places, but since we are just one family and the oldest child is 10, I didn't find it feasible. Several posters have mentioned that you are usually accomadated at one table when you arrive for your ADR, but not always, and I am reluctant to chance it.

 

[ycnan]

Yes, the offer of 2 tables was made for a lot of the places, but since we are just one family and the oldest child is 10, I didn't find it feasible. Several posters have mentioned that you are usually accomadated at one table when you arrive for your ADR, but not always, and I am reluctant to chance it.

My oldest is also 10, my other 2 kids are 7. We figured if need be and the tables don't move I sit with1 or 2 and dh with the other/s.

It beats dining at 9pm for our family.

 

[kcrew]

My oldest is also 10, my other 2 kids are 7. We figured if need be and the tables don't move I sit with1 or 2 and dh with the other/s.

It beats dining at 9pm for our family.

I agree-for us it is a better option than eating at 9

 

[jjohnson]

I really believe it has something to do with a family of 6. I've had the same problems. I switched our first 2 nights about 6? weeks ago. Since then I have called almost every day and all of the more popular restaurants are completely booked the entire week (6/22-6/29) for 6pp. Right now I do have Kona on at 5:00 & CJ's at 4:00 but there both way too early. We're going to try and have lunch very early. My mom decided to come 2 days ago & I had no problems booking ADR's for 2 anywhere.

 

[missmun52]

Its your party size. I am making ADRs for a fam of 5 going 8/26 - 9/1 and its hard to get anything changed for them at all. Seems like everything is full until very late like after 9pm. However I am also making ADR's for my fam of 3 and I have been able to get eveything right around the time I want! Just booked CP and got it no prob. I think there is just less seating for larger parties so they "sell out" fast.

 

[jcemom]

It might be partially due to party size, but I'm booking for a party of 3 and many of those places have nothing available for us either... Chef M's, 'Ohana, WCC, Le Cellier. I didn't try for HDDR or SoA but have read that others weren't able to book them either.

Consider lunch. I had my choice of times at Coral Reef for lunch, 50's Prime Time for lunch, Crystal Palace for breakfast or lunch, Hollywood & Vine for breakfast or lunch, Akershus for lunch, etc.

I do understand that lunch isn't as good a value as dinner, but it can be more convenient if you want to put a positive spin on it. It's a great way to escape the heat of September. Plus, I know we'll be hungry around 11:30 every day. It's tough to guess when we'll be hungry for dinner, especially if we take advantage of those snack credits.

 

[Makdyn]

I called at the end of april beg. of May the same day we book the package. The only thing I did not get was an early time at Boma it is at 8 but that is our down day so it will be fine. Also I read on here to try to get CRT for breakfast. AFter I read that I want it for breakfast instead of lunch but that was all booked out. I even change the ressie for CRT for a different day and got a better time. I will be there sept 12-18

 

[GreatLakes5]

I called yesterday because I could get into our first choice resort (BC) and to change some ADRs around. I realize popularity is different so what I'm glad about others may be thinking "well, duh, of course there were openings..." I was able to get Cape May for 8pm for 5; Yachtsman's Steakhouse for 5 at 5:45....

Gave up a Boatright's & Raglan Road - probably not hot "sellers" for many - but they are "out there" now. My CM was genuinely surprised that I wanted to spend extra time cancelling my other ADRs....like not many bother to do so that he has dealt with.

 

[kcrew]

I called at the end of april beg. of May the same day we book the package. The only thing I did not get was an early time at Boma it is at 8 but that is our down day so it will be fine. Also I read on here to try to get CRT for breakfast. AFter I read that I want it for breakfast instead of lunch but that was all booked out. I even change the ressie for CRT for a different day and got a better time. I will be there sept 12-18

Is your party size only 3? That seems to make alot of difference. Also the dates play a role. We are going the 1st week of free dining and it is the busiest week due to northern schools still being on summer vacation. As a matter of fact, I saw the other day that free dining is no longer being offered at any resort from Aug. 26-Sep 1st.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I called yesterday because I could get into our first choice resort (BC) and to change some ADRs around. I realize popularity is different so what I'm glad about others may be thinking "well, duh, of course there were openings..." I was able to get Cape May for 8pm for 5; Yachtsman's Steakhouse for 5 at 5:45....

Gave up a Boatright's & Raglan Road - probably not hot "sellers" for many - but they are "out there" now. My CM was genuinely surprised that I wanted to spend extra time cancelling my other ADRs....like not many bother to do so that he has dealt with.

Well I for one say THANK YOU FOR CANCELLING those ADR's you can't use. Last Dec even with an ADR we waited 30 plus minutes and then left to eat in a food court. I myself recently cancelled our Sept ADR's.

As an aside, I love Boatwrights. Every time we have not only enjoyed the food but had wonderful service too!
Have a wonderful trip!!