ADR Help Please! (Relatively last minute trip in mid-Dec)

[westside8]

We only just booked our trip in 2.5 weeks, and all of the ADRs I would like to book are pretty much full (Crystal Palace, 1900 Park Fare, etc). We will be there Dec 12-15.

Are there any "not as popular" that people would recommend?

Was looking at Crystal Palace for their breakfast so we can go before opening and take advantage of the empty main street for picture ops. Other than that we have no real preference.

 

[westside8]

Just got Cape May Cafe for 7:40 on Dec 15 - more work to be done

 

[dalto]

I was in a similar spot to you with waiting until the last minute and I would recommend checking as often as you can.

There are cancellations all the time. When I first checked there was nothing but I have since been able to get several character meals.

I have regularly seen 1900 park fare open up.

 

[MinnieMommy]

Early breakfasts do tend to go quickly.
I encourage you to keep trying for anything you REALLY want though. We were able to get a Cali Grill ressie for Christmas week the other day after trying numerous times without luck.
We have booked last minute (less than 3 weeks) trips in the past and managed to at least get some of our fav restaurants.
If you aren't successful, at least think of it as an opportunity to try a new to you restaurant!
What about going to the park early then leaving for a very late breakfast at somewhere like Kouzzina, Cape May or Kona?
Lunch ressies may be easier to get than dinner ressies.
Places like Grand Floridian Cafe or Captain's Grille usually have openings.

 

[sassy2000]

I would suggest checking several times a day for any spot that you really want. People cancel all of the time.
Here are a couple suggestions for easier to get ADRs:
Kona Cafe
Boma
Tusker House
If you have a young kids and are desperate for a character meal, try Hollywood & Vine for breakfast or lunch. Food is not that great but they have the playhouse disney characters.

 

[Robin K]

We really like the Plaza in MK. It seems to be a place that isn't as popular.
I also find places downtown Disney are not as busy as well. I am not sure what to tell you about the character dining other than to keep trying!
Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[tookie]

We were able to book Liberty Tree Tavern once we were on property and it ended up being one of our favorite meals. We liked it so much it was the only restaurant we choose to do again on our second trip.

 

[LadyZolt]

Try some of the resort ones -- We love the Kona in the Polynesian, and Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge.

For characters, try Cape May Cafe for breakfast with Chip and Dale at the Beach Club, or Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. I think Chef Mickey does dinner, too -- not sure about lunch.

As someone else said, call regularly or check online and see as stuff does open. Have a magical time!

-LadyZolt

 

[Quin]

MK area breakfast - try The Wave, which offers both a (non-character) buffet and a menu. Doesn't get you that photo op, but at least you're close to the park.

You might look at TS lunches and CS dinners. For instance, I actually prefer LTT's lunch menu to the family-style dinner.

At Epcot, be sure to look at Biergarten (if you are paying oop, this is a particularly good value at lunchtime), Marrakesh, 9 Dragons, and Tokyo Dining (where you can get the same food as at Teppan Edo without the show, plus a variety of tempura and panko-crusted dishes or sushi).

In the Epcot-area resorts, Captains Grill tends to get overlooked but people generally report good food experiences. This is also a good option on a DHS day because you can just take the boat to they YC/BC.

In the AK, try for a mid-afternoon ADR at Yak & Yeti TS. Since the park closes relatively early the menu is the same from lunch through dinner, and the food is quite good. And the fried wonton dessert is wonderful.

Turf Club at SSR and Olivia's at OKW are likely to have openings because they are relatively out of the way, but I think they count as hidden gems. And Pepper Market at CSR counts as a CS but is a little more like a TS because you are seated at a table by a hostess and a wait person brings your drinks.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

In the Epcot-area resorts, Captains Grill tends to get overlooked but people generally report good food experiences. This is also a good option on a DHS day because you can just take the boat to they YC/BC.

Agree. Our family of four did Captains Grill a few years ago and loved it. No characters but great food and service, and a beautiful hotel to relax around.Its also a five minute walk to EPCOT and a ten minute walk along the river to DHS.

 

[westside8]

Thanks for all your help on suggestions. I will be looking and trying to get some reservations today.

 

[gabzee]

I was checking your dates and there are still some ADRs available for popular/ good restaurants (Via Napoli, Teppan Edo, 1900 Park(breakfast), and a Crystal Palace (breakfast). I would suggest to continuously check the December cancellation thread as well as checking online. We went to Wave on our last trip and we didn't love it. It was fine for the adults but the kids didn't really love it. They were big on whole grains (which we tend to have at home) but the mickey waffles were very dry and they couldn't find a lot of things that appealed to them. Unless you are staying at one of the monorail resorts, I don't think it is worth trying for breakfast. I would recommend trying Boma (dinner is fantastic there and I saw available times; I heard that breakfast is good too), Teppan Edo, Via Napoli, etc. Since your vacation is approaching and there are limited options, I would suggest looking at the menus to see what restaurants appeal to you and your family and continuously check to see if there is availability. I hope you enjoy your vacation!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The Grand Floridian Cafe never seems to be booked up. It has a nice breakfast and just a quick monorail ride from the MK.