ADR's are a must but...

[MDTerrapin]

So I get that ADR"s are a must but now my problem is we just booked our trip for October 5-10 and nothing is available. Do we switch our vacation dates because we won't be able to eat anywhere?

Thanks,
Karen

 

[LisaInNc]

You will be able to eat but perhaps not at the most popular restaurants. There are a LOT of places in Disney to get a meal. You are going during free dining so that accounts for lots of people in thte restaurants. I am going to be there 9-28 through 10-8. I haven't been able to get everything i wanted but I am going to keep trying.

You might want to play around with your times a little, be as flexible as possible and you might get lucky!

 

[rgf207]

There are plenty of great restaurants to eat. Chances are you won't be able to get the most popular restaurants but I can assure you that you will be able to eat some great food. Try some of these out. I can almost guarantee they will be available and they are some of our favorites

Cape May Cafe Clambake
Boma
Jiko
Grand Floridian Cafe
Kona Cafe
Wolf Gang Puck Cafe
50's Prime Time Cafe
Rose & Crown

 

[pingpig]

don't give up...
call everyday...and check online when you have 5 mins time
me myself just book Aug trip two weeks ago (during free dining)
and I am able to get

Le Celliar
Chef de France
Coral Reef
Ohana

And I saw chef mickey, CRT, CP and several other popular locations when I was checking online.

 

[natnelliesmom]

I don't understand why you are having trouble booking your ADRs. I just booked my ressies for Oct. 12-21 without a problem. Got all that I wanted- might not have been the exact times- but within an hour. Even CRT wasn't a problem.
Did you try online? Or call the Dining number? That can make a difference- as they can see available times when you call the dining line and can better figure out what works for you.

It's still only 80 days out- so you should be able to get pretty much what you want!
Keep trying.
-Sarah

 

[jdb1232]

What are you trying to get? Sure, you won't be able to get into the top 5 or maybe the top ten but you should be able to get some good ressies...

This is only a rumor but others on this site have stated that Disney opens up a small amount of tables periodically at the most popular places. (le cellier, mama' melroses, o'hana, etc.) If you are a morning person, try logging on to the computer at 6:00am est for a couple of days.

My 90 day mark was earlier this week. I got an ADR for the first time in 3 years at Le Celler at 6:00am on my 90th day out.

Regardless, you still have some good choices out there.

 

[poohbear8]

I don't think those dates are free dining. ( unless you are in a bounceback from last year) I have been working on 10/7-10/12 and have had few issues. I actually just released a bunch of mine, so keep checking. You never know what you can find.

I've been fine tuning my ADR's tonight and have seen CRT show up several times as options. Granted, there are only 2 of us, but it still is showing.

I would suggest you book "something" now. That time last year was free dining, so if they do open it up, then it will really be hard to book anything.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I agree that you should keep trying. I couldn't get everything I wanted first up, but with perserverance and checking online everyday, I have eventually got everything I want. Only two of them are not times we wanted but they are less than an hour out.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm sure there are restaurants open on property - my guess is the OP is looking for restaurants inside the parks, or very popular restaurants, and specific ones. Try restaurants at resorts near the park you are attending. You can always eat somewhere - just maybe not the places you want.

Yes, those dates are free dining - anyone booking a stay starting at the end of the free dining period might have a stay that extends that far.

People cancel reservations constantly - keep checking online, and be flexible about times if you really want the restaurant.

Another possibility is - do the trip, but if you have a dining plan that includes TS meals, drop it (unless it's free) and either go without one and wing it trying to get into the restaurants you want (try same day or day before reservations), or switch to the quick service dining plan and do the same thing.

 

[winterman]

How many are in your party? I just went to the WDW web site and saw lots of options for 2.

 

[disnut8]

Not only try different restaurants and times as suggested, think about having a later lunch instead of dinner. Sometimes getting a lunch reservation at 3:00 works well. Or an early one instead of breakfast. Or, flip it around and have a late breakfast instead of lunch.

We hardly ever make any dining reservations and yet still go to Disney World and manage to come home a few pounds heavier. You won't starve.