ADRs / Restaurants at Full Capacity?

[xipetotec]

hello all, we are potentially going down Feb 26th-March 8th ( Health Measures permitting since we are in Canada ).

And even from the 60-day mark, I've had a HECK of a time trying to book *anything*... granted, we're 10-12 people ( depending on the day ) so that makes it a little more challenging. but even with split reservations, things seem SUPER booked up.

Is there still some lower capacity at the restaurants? Or are they "in full swing" and are ADRs at full capacity? I'm thinking it's gonna be a REAL crowded vacation!

 

[Marthasor]

I was there a total of 14 nights in December (December 2-10 and December 18-24) and also 7 nights in early October and I would say, yes, the restaurants are at full capacity. We ate during prime meal hours, most of the time, and I didn't see empty tables staying empty for very long. If it's of any help, I always have better luck finding availability in DS and at the Swan/Dolphin restaurants using opentable as opposed to booking through the WDW site. If you are planning on going to DS, EP or DHS (and are willing to leave the park to eat at Swan/Dolphin), you may have some luck checking that site. There are some great DS restaurants and the restaurants at Swan/Dolphin are some of the best on-property, IMHO.

 

[xipetotec]

I was there a total of 14 nights in December (December 2-10 and December 18-24) and also 7 nights in early October and I would say, yes, the restaurants are at full capacity. We ate during prime meal hours, most of the time, and I didn't see empty tables staying empty for very long. If it's of any help, I always have better luck finding availability in DS and at the Swan/Dolphin restaurants using opentable as opposed to booking through the WDW site. If you are planning on going to DS, EP or DHS (and are willing to leave the park to eat at Swan/Dolphin), you may have some luck checking that site. There are some great DS restaurants and the restaurants at Swan/Dolphin are some of the best on-property, IMHO.

Yeah! After writing this thread, I saw another post on the board about OT. I didn't even think of that. And even a couple of places I booked that had no availability on the DISNEY site, seem to have some on OpenTable... So I'll be looking into that for places that are not in the parks. Thanks!

 

[SteveH]

I think it will be crowded (pent up demand) plus the new "normal" capacity may not be what it was in the past based on staff and supply challenges. Keep in mind not only Disney Springs but over at the Swan/Dolphin/Reserve too, most of their signature restaurants are on OpenTable or you can call in direct.

 

[Marthasor]

Yeah! After writing this thread, I saw another post on the board about OT. I didn't even think of that. And even a couple of places I booked that had no availability on the DISNEY site, seem to have some on OpenTable... So I'll be looking into that for places that are not in the parks. Thanks!

Great! I love opentable - it's very easy to modify and cancel reservations (without penalty) on that site as well. Also, given the size of your group, you may also have luck calling Swan/Dolphin directly for reservations.

 

[isabellea]

OP, I was supposed to be at WDW the same week as you since it’s our Spring break (QC) and our favourite week to visit but I finally postponed our trip to July. First, because I would need to quarantine when returning because of my work and I don’t want to risk having my kids miss school if we test positive on the way back. Second, I realized that week is also Mardi Gras week and that is usually synonymous with more crowded. We will miss our usual Spring break trip this year but I’m sure we will still have fun in July!

 

[Nappy1380]

I am on right now as midnight opened my 60 day window and the app won't even load when I select 3/12-3/15 (my trip length). I can literally load every single day prior however. Tried the website and won't even let me selected 3/12-/315 as an option. Unbelievably frustrating!

 

[gharter]

We were there in October and didn't think the crowds were too bad. Everything I have read since November seems really crowded. Hard to tell if its really more crowded or if its staffing levels that make it seem more crowded.
There have been so many cancelled trips over the last year +, that is finally catching up with the crowds. I suspect it will stay this way for some time to come.

 

[PepperjackDragon]

hello all, we are potentially going down Feb 26th-March 8th ( Health Measures permitting since we are in Canada ).

And even from the 60-day mark, I've had a HECK of a time trying to book *anything*... granted, we're 10-12 people ( depending on the day ) so that makes it a little more challenging. but even with split reservations, things seem SUPER booked up.

Is there still some lower capacity at the restaurants? Or are they "in full swing" and are ADRs at full capacity? I'm thinking it's gonna be a REAL crowded vacation!

They are definitely not at full capacity all day. For example, when I went down dec 29-jan2nd we ate lunch on the 30th at whispering canyon. There were 3 or so empty tables per used table, all reservations were booked and no walk up.l but they had a BUNCH of space. Then at dinner in MK we ate Tony’s one night and jungle skipper another. Booked solid and full. Then on the 31st we ate some tutti italia-again fully booked no walk ups but there were only a handful of guests probably 3/4 of the restraunt was empty at peak lunch hour. I don’t recommend that restaurant by the way. Then dinner at coral reef was maxed out. My best guess is that they have staffing shortages and are prioritizing dinner at expensive restaurants (space 220 was fully seated for lunch on Jan 1st, as I recall)

We had a similar experience when we went in October. I ended up canceling a 220 reservation and grabbed a waiting list for la cellier. Said 45minutes but they called us as ready in 5 minutes. Guy next to us had the same experience and he talked to the manager, the manager told him (it was totally full and crowded, so they were basically talking over my shoulder) that he had intentionally left a bunch of open walk up slots rather than take reservations.

 

[Sgt. Tibbs]

I had luck years ago calling Disney Dining when I was booking for a large group. They actually put me in touch with a couple of the restaurants directly. Not sure if they still do this but its worth a shot.

 

[xipetotec]

OP, I was supposed to be at WDW the same week as you since it’s our Spring break (QC) and our favourite week to visit but I finally postponed our trip to July. First, because I would need to quarantine when returning because of my work and I don’t want to risk having my kids miss school if we test positive on the way back. Second, I realized that week is also Mardi Gras week and that is usually synonymous with more crowded. We will miss our usual Spring break trip this year but I’m sure we will still have fun in July!

Yep, that's why we're going alright ( Also QC Spring Break, DDO over here ). Thing is for us it's a little more thorny to cancel. We're going down on our DVC reservation. We had one in 2020 that we cancelled ( it was going to be SO good, I had everything booked perfect! even FP+ booking and DVC parties too! ). Then we took the chance last year to book some DVC points without borrowing for this year. And then in November, decided we'd be good and borrowed points to extend our stay. But they are good until April 1st if I cancel.... so if we cancel we lose out on a bunch of points. Not that it's the end of the world obviously if we do, but we'd rather not ... We're fortunate in that I work from home, our kids are older ( and can deal with any potential delays themselves ). Though I *am* worried about how bad things have gotten in Florida. We've still got over a month

 

[sophy1996]

I am on right now as midnight opened my 60 day window and the app won't even load when I select 3/12-3/15 (my trip length). I can literally load every single day prior however. Tried the website and won't even let me selected 3/12-/315 as an option. Unbelievably frustrating!

Dining opens online at 6 am Eastern time 60 days out, not at midnight.

 

[sophy1996]

We saw a video from a vlogger at Story Book Dining recently and there seemed to be a lot of empty tables. So I don’t think they are filling that one to capacity.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

I had same issue booking for 5 people at Thanksgiving. We did not get a lot of what we wanted, but it forced us to try other restaurants and eat more QS. I really miss 180 days. I think for those of us that used to book at 180 days, this new 60 day scarcity is probably more what it has always been for people who booked closer to trip time? Could be wrong

 

[bffdisney]

I am on right now as midnight opened my 60 day window and the app won't even load when I select 3/12-3/15 (my trip length). I can literally load every single day prior however. Tried the website and won't even let me selected 3/12-/315 as an option. Unbelievably frustrating!

You probably figured this out but dining opens at 6am, not midnight

 

[Beckyb3]

I am having the same problem for our Feb 18-Feb24 trip. There is basically nothing available and was very little when I checked when our window first opened. we are booking for 8 so I am trying to do 4 and 4 and still it’s hard to even get the first reservation booked. I have never had so much trouble booking dining before. I am hoping if I keep checking there will be cancellations.

 

[PepperjackDragon]

As I mentioned before my three previous trips this year clearly had less than full capacity. But added to that, given the outbreak of omicron I am sure that they are going to limit reservations to avoid being overwhelmed of staff are sick, and instead increase walk up capacity as available. That would seem like a pretty basic precaution in this situation I think.

 

[Lilsia]

I would try walking up right before they open. I ate at Boma last month and wanted a particular soup, they said to come back a few days later and they will have it. When I told them that there are no ADRs available, they said that they have a limited number of walk up slots and to get on the app and click on the "walk up" list. Many restaurants have that and the ones that don't you might get lucky walking up and asking at check in.

 

[Nappy1380]

Dining opens online at 6 am Eastern time 60 days out, not at midnight.

Good to know! I found out the hard way

 

[Disturbia]

FYI; some reservations open at 5:30 am (Space220) although May have been a one off for Nov.

https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/ins-outs-disneys-advance-dining-reservation-system/