A little disappointed....

[WinniethePooh]

Hi, this is my first post! We (DH, DD and I) just received a weeks vacation for free at WDW. My DB and SIL were going to go down the week of May 21st but something came up and now they aren't going to be able to go so we were given the opportunity to take their week at the house they had already rented and paid for earlier this year. They have been to WDW several times but my family has never been. I was doing research and came across this site hoping for help!

I read all about those reservations that were needed and called Disney. We cannot get anything it seems at Epcot's World Showcase. We tried for Norway, United Kingdom, and Canada stating that we were open to any time available. I was told all three were booked solid for the entire day. As I was frustrated at that point, I said okay and hung up. Is there something special going on that would make these restaurants all be booked solid? Any suggestions on other restaurants that I haven't tried yet? Very excited for the trip but also dissapointed about the dining aspect..... Haven't tried the other parks restaurants yet as I am afraid of the same response not to mention not sure really where to try to get.

Thanks for your help

 

[kj2mom]

I like the PS report page because it shows all (or at least I think it is all) the restaurants. It should at least give you something to think about and other places to try.

http://pscalculator.net/pslist.php

 

[Slapster]

Welcome to the DIS!

This is pretty short notice for getting reservations at a Disney restaurant. Most folks make their reservations months in advance, so the good places fill up quickly. I noticed that you mentioned Epcor WS restaurants. Have you tried getting anything at Magic Kingdom or MGM? Late May is a fairly busy time for WDW and lots of crowds mean lots of filled restaurants.

Check this page to go over the menus and see what looks good:

http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

Also, keep calling back. People cancel reservations all the time and something might open up.

 

[buzzman88]

Hi there.

We're going on the same week as you guys do, and I just booked all my ADR's last week. Interestingly enough, we were able to get all the ADR's we want at Epcot.

We booked Coral Reef and Chef De France. At one time I had Alfredo's, but ditched it for Boma.

On the flip side, I was only able to get one character dining reserved. Most of them are either full or at odd hours (8:30 pm).

Good luck.

 

[formernyer]

It's not too late for you to get reservations, but you can't be picky at this point. There are some popular restaurants that you'll have no shot at getting into. Other restaurants (less popular, but still very nice) will have openings, but you need to take any time that's available. It may mean booking a lunch ADR instead of dinner.

I know it's frustrating to be shot down so many times, but DON'T GIVE UP! If you don't book your ADRs before you go, you'll most likely not get a seating anywhere. I was at WDW last month during Spring Break. At the places we ate they were turning everyone away who didn't have an ADR. Two of my ADRs were for lunch, right after the restaurants opened and they had nothing available for the entire day for walk-ins.

Book your ADRs today and try not to get too frustrated. Even if you get your 5th or 6th choice you'll still have a great meal because the food at Disney is outstanding no matter where you go.

There's also nothing to stop you from TRYING to get a walk-in at your first choice restaurant once you get to WDW. You'll probably get shot down, but you might get lucky and there could be a cancellation.

 

[bicker]

Also, keep in mind that many of the restaurants are open straight through from lunch until dinner, so you may be better off asking for reservations for a very late lunch or very early dinner at, say, 3:15 PM. You'll have to adjust your eating habits a little, but again, making your plans so late, that's sometimes the best you can hope for.

 

[kydeb1346]

Keep checking as things seem to open up all the time. Definitely check out the webiste the other posters mentioned above! Good luck!

 

[WinniethePooh]

Have you tried getting anything at Magic Kingdom or MGM?

I actually called a few minutes ago to see about Magic Kingdom. We got Crystal Palace at 8:05 and Liberty Tree Tavern at 4:55. They seemed to have a lot of open times at those two places which surprised me for being character dining. Also was able to get a 8:20am for Donald's breakfast at AK. Hope that doesn't mean they aren't good! My DD (8) doesn't seem interested in MGM so we may not hit that one.


Thanks to all - we will check out the menu's and will keep checking back! We did say that we were open to any time available and still got the sorry, we are booked solid.

 

[cobbler]

Pixie Dust for you!! Keep trying and go for some other places.

Ohana for breakfast so your daughter can meet Lilo and Stitch is fun.

Just keep trying

 

[buzzman88]

We tried Chef Mickey and 1900 Park Fare, and both of them were pretty much full for dinner. Also tried O'Hana (non-character dinner), and it's only available at 8:30 pm.

We're so big on breakfast, so we didn't try to reserve any.

At MGM, we had Fantasmic package with Hollywood and Vine; I tried for Mama Melrose and none was available. I'm thinking about not getting Fantasmic dinner altogether since many people here didn't really like H&V. Maybe I should try Wolfgang Puck or Cap'n Jack to spoil ourselves (i.e. the parents).

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Welcome to the Disboards!

If you cannot get a dinner ADR in Epcot, you may consider walking to the Boardwalk/BC/YC area. There are some wonderful restaurants and the walk is only a few minutes. Our favorites are Yachtsman Steakhouse, Spoodles and Flying Fish. The menus are on the same link you were given above.

 

[cobbler]

I actually called a few minutes ago to see about Magic Kingdom. We got Crystal Palace at 8:05 and Liberty Tree Tavern at 4:55. They seemed to have a lot of open times at those two places which surprised me for being character dining. Also was able to get a 8:20am for Donald's breakfast at AK. Hope that doesn't mean they aren't good! My DD (8) doesn't seem interested in MGM so we may not hit that one.


Thanks to all - we will check out the menu's and will keep checking back! We did say that we were open to any time available and still got the sorry, we are booked solid.

LTT is good and so is Crystal Palace. Your family should enjoy those.

 

[WinniethePooh]

I'm glad that you all told me to keep trying. I just tried for Epcot and got 2 places. DD wanted to do Princess dinner so we tried (again) and received a 6:25pm reservation for dinner. Woohoo! DH and I wanted Mexican, who couldn't go for a nice margarita? We were able to get an 11:45am so we will have lunch there. You all really are a great community!

Here's how our ADRs look:

05/21: Animal Kingdom
8:20am - Donald's Breakfast
DD (8) wants to try Rainforest so we have a 3pm

05/22: Epcot
11:45am - San Angel Inn
6:25pm - Akershus Princess Storybook dinner

05/23: No park planned - rest day/downtown disney
5:20pm: Park Fare, how's this one? Will DD enjoy it? Do we need this one if we are doing Norway?

05/24: Magic Kingdom
8:05am: Crystal Palace
4:55pm: Liberty Tree Tavern

Any suggestions or problems you see with our ADRs? Do you think we are too heavy on character meals? It seems like mom & dad should be able to have a nice dinner too and we (well at least I) enjoy characters. Maybe something in DTD a nice time for parents but DD will enjoy too?

Thanks!

 

[Linzybrooke]

No problems that I spot! But, be sure to take all your ADR confirmation numbers with you to the restaurants.

Enjoy your first trip!

 

[SLM]

It looks like you've made some nice choices-another poster suggested the Boardwalk area restaurants-my family really enjoys Spoodles-and after dinner it's just a short walk to play mini golf at the Fantasia course-it's a nice non park evening. Have a great trip!

 

[plutolovr]

I might also make a suggestion, if you feel like Park Faire might be a little too heavy on the princesses, you can go to any of the restaurants in Downtown Disney. I noticed you couldn't get an ADR at Rose and Crown at Epcot, so you may want to try Raglan Road at Pleasure Island. Great food.
I also wouldn't discount MGM too much. We love that place. Especially Fantasmic. My family wouldn't do a Disney trip if we couldn't see Fantasmic. Also there's Tower of Terror and Rock'n Roller Coaster. There are also some fun restaurants there.