ADR availability

[ww52]

I posted a similar question that didn't get any responses so I'll try again somewhat refocused.

There are relatively few restaurants open given current situations. However, WDW is starting to get to the point where park reservations are at whatever max capacity they set (I realize spring break plays a part in that)

The same will be true in the summer and I suspect they will raise whatever park capacity limit they have now. (I think I read 35% now; my guess is it will be at least 50% then and maybe much higher)

So my question is two fold:

Has it been challenging to get ADRs? Are restaurants hitting their capacity limits (which I assume are well less than 100%)

Is there a thread or site I can go to in order to see plans on certain restaurants reopening?

 

[holden]

I posted a similar question that didn't get any responses so I'll try again somewhat refocused.

There are relatively few restaurants open given current situations. However, WDW is starting to get to the point where park reservations are at whatever max capacity they set (I realize spring break plays a part in that)

The same will be true in the summer and I suspect they will raise whatever park capacity limit they have now. (I think I read 35% now; my guess is it will be at least 50% then and maybe much higher)

So my question is two fold:

Has it been challenging to get ADRs? Are restaurants hitting their capacity limits (which I assume are well less than 100%)

Is there a thread or site I can go to in order to see plans on certain restaurants reopening?

Yes, it's challenging to get ADRs.

Yes, restaurants are reaching capacity.

This site is probably the best place to catch news/rumors of restaurants reopening. I just read a rumor that The Mara might reopen for dinner soon.

 

[SteveH]

Is there a thread or site I can go to in order to see plans on certain restaurants reopening?

This is one of the most frustrating things, Disney just doesn't give guests any real hint or clue what's coming or when. To be honest beyond the discussion forums check to the right side of the this forum look for "Today's Headlines" generally speaking if there is anything new or newly opening it will be posted there.

 

[ww52]

Thanks all!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

We're going in ~3 weeks and had pretty good luck booking things 60 days out but now that we're trying to refine our plans a bit, we're having trouble making changes (or at least the ones we're looking for). I'd say this board is one of the best places to find out about any new restaurant openings - would probably be on the main page. I know there have been a couple of restaurant-specific threads for Cape May and Space 220. Sometimes restaurant rumors pop up over on the rumors thread as well. Up to the mods here, but I'd be up for a restaurant news and/or rumors thread on this board.

 

[ww52]

We're REALLY hoping for Cape May; it's been a tradition for us for more trips than I can remember.

I somehow don't think it will be a buffet though. Maybe family style?

 

[yorkieteacher]

I've been looking on MDE for which restaurants appear to be hard to get dining reservations at 60 days out-there are A LOT of them! But there are quite a few I consider good restaurants that frequently have reservations 60 days out-Chefs de France, Morimoto Asia, Sanaa, Hollywood Brown Derby, Le Cellier . Soooo, I'm hoping that when it's time to book, and I can book 60+6, some of the others like Be Our Guest, Sci Fi, and Beaches and Cream may be easier to get.

 

[meredetrois2]

Our trip isn't until the last week of June but I've been looking on MDE for Chef Mickey's. There is currently nothing available for 60 days out.

 

[HikingFam]

I had decent luck at the 60 day mark, but we are now 2 weeks out from our trip and there are literally no options available for any meal of our weeklong trip except the less popular Disney Springs places. Even resort restaurants like the Wave, Grand Floridian Cafe that are usually easy to get last minute are now booked solid. This is a noticeable change even compared to 3 months ago (Christmas/New Years had more things available a week or 2 out).

 

[CSLucas]

I had decent luck at the 60 day mark, but we are now 2 weeks out from our trip and there are literally no options available for any meal of our weeklong trip except the less popular Disney Springs places. Even resort restaurants like the Wave, Grand Floridian Cafe that are usually easy to get last minute are now booked solid. This is a noticeable change even compared to 3 months ago (Christmas/New Years had more things available a week or 2 out).

We are 2 1/2 weeks out and noticing the same thing. When we went in September we were able to book everything we wanted (including Oga's and BOG) at the 2 week mark, but not this time. I'm wondering if people are holding on to more duplicate reservations in case park hours change and then they'll choose which ones to keep

 

[ww52]

On top of this, I hear it's almost hit and miss regarding the 60 day definition if you are at a resort on the grounds that is NOT owned by Disney. In our case - Swan/Dolphin. That is, is it 60 days from the start of the trip for every day of the trip, or as some say, 60 days for EACH day because we're not at an official Disney resort? That is, treated no different than if we are off-site.

Some say the 60 day from EACH day is enforced, others say it's not.

Obviously we will be prepared at the 60 day mark of day 1 and hope.

This is a transitional time for them and we are quite understanding of that - yet the posts I read here and other places make me somewhat pessimistic.

With many Crossroads restaurants already closed, that makes the choices limited offsite as well.

I fear we'll be eating fast food garbage way too much. hopefully I'm exaggerating.

 

[maltdizzy]

(I think I read 35% now; my guess is it will be at least 50% then and maybe much higher)

It's going to be hard to jump to 50% without more dining capacity and less social distancing. The pre-COVID average attendance at WDW parks was ~55-60%, which would be consider a busy day ("in season" busy) with all amenities open top handle the crowd.

We are in the same boat. I plan to book what I can get and adjust as needed. Thankfully, we are usually a one ADR a day family and pretty flexible.

 

[ww52]

Yes - I'm just guessing obviously on capacity; my only point being I expect they will raise capacity to some extent (and we'll never know by how much or what it is today even)

Your point on 1 ADR per day is where we are. But we would have been anyway with small kids in tow. The only thing we'll miss is being able to be flexible.

In 2018, we walked into the Biergarten (sp?) in Epcot our first day there. Our oldest granddaughter had a great time dancing with her dad.

One other day we were strapped for somewhere to go for dinner and it was getting stressful given the heat. We walked in ESPN on the Boardwalk and they had a table for us right away.

That absolutely WON'T happen in July. But information is strength and so setting expectations much lower will be necessary.

We may be forced to try restaurants we would not have thought of - and may be pleasantly surprised!!

 

[meredetrois2]

Since dining plans have been suspended, we will probably only have one or two ADRs. But we are taking our grandkids this time and really want them to experience Chef Mickey's. I guess I'll have to set an alarm for midnight at 60 days out to make sure I get something. It's frustrating, but we are just so happy we are getting to go this year.

 

[1GoldenSun]

I really like the family style meals. I'd love to see Cape May re-open a la Chef Mickey's, Biergarten, and Crystal Palace. I honestly think the quality of Chef Mickey's went up when they went family style. A lot of Cape May's menu could be served family style very nicely; maybe they could bring buckets of seafood to the tables like some restaurants do.

I wish they would include some character interaction somehow, though, even if it were similar to how the Beast strolls through BOG periodically. That works very well; he just walks around bowing at everyone and as far as I saw no one tried to approach him. Maybe it would be different if it were Mickey and the rest of the Fab Five, but I feel like they could do something. The really need more character meals.

 

[jodifla]

I find the lack of ADRs alarming. What do people at hotels do with no place to go to eat?

 

[HikingFam]

I find the lack of ADRs alarming. What do people at hotels do with no place to go to eat?

We’ve been doing more Ubereats and pizza delivery. It wouldn’t be as bad if they would let you drive to other resorts for QS, but alas...