Are dining reservations easier to get now?

[Figment Mom]

I booked a summer trip fewer than 60 days out. I expected to have difficulty getting some of my preferred dining reservations, but just the opposite happened. With one exception, I had an incredible range of time choices on everything I tried to get.

Hoop Dee Doo
MK Fireworks Party
Topolino's breakfast
Cinderella's Royal Table (didn't book that one but there are so many times available)

The only thing that was at all difficult was Space 220 Lounge. I got a table, but not at my preferred time.

I also booked Tiffins, 50s PT, and Liberty Tree Tavern, but I don't consider those "difficult to get."

Have you noticed a difference in availability of dining reservations lately?

 

[Lisann]

A little easier. But I've noticed more reservations open up on the day-of because of the 2-hour cancellation policy, which I think was a great idea on Disney's part.

Glad you got some good ressies!

ETA: Don't wait on the Cinderella's Royal Table! Those time slots will go fast!!

 

[Figment Mom]

A little easier. But I've noticed more reservations open up on the day-of because of the 2-hour cancellation policy, which I think was a great idea on Disney's part.

Glad you got some good ressies!

ETA: Don't wait on the Cinderella's Royal Table! Those time slots will go fast!!

I can only imagine day-of availability now.

We're not going to CRT. I looked because I was considering it and curious, but the price is ridiculous IMO. But there are so many time slots available for CRT throughout the day for every day of our trip. Not so sure they're going to disappear anytime soon.

Oh, and I decided against it for this trip, but California Grill even had great availability, including times during the fireworks.

I'm usually on at 60+10, refreshing at 6 am with all of my tabs open and a game plan. This time I've been casually booking one at a time over a period of weeks. The difference is crazy.

I'd like to believe that means it won't be as crowded as usual, but I know that's not true.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

The summer has become a bit less crowded than in the past. With remote work and education in some cases, people are traveling all year and the summer vacation time just isn't what it used to be.

 

[Wendy5055]

I have been getting every single one and notice a ton of open times available for places like Be Our Guest, Crystal Palace and Ohana's.

We arrive in 2.5 weeks and I was just tweaking our reservations and there's tons of openings. I've been wondering what is happening

 

[NYCgrrl]

Just back from a short trip that was booked a month in advance. ADRs made for 3 meals while the remainder were booked via Open Table at Disney Springs, day of.

Could not get the time I wanted for Hoop De Doo so booked a CG 4th of July event instead.
The remaining ADRs were for Sanaa early lunch to see animals while eating (successful) and an early evening booking for FF. Hard to tell if the Sip, Savor, and Sparkle @ CG was fully booked as the restaurant was open at the same time. Early Sanaa was fully booked as was Flying Fish.

HTH

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We're not going to CRT. I looked because I was considering it and curious, but the price is ridiculous IMO.

I see you’re going to Space 220, their prices arent that much less than CRT and you get characters and gratuity included with CRT

 

[Figment Mom]

I see you’re going to Space 220, their prices arent that much less than CRT and you get characters and gratuity included with CRT

Just the lounge. Way less than CRT!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Just the lounge. Way less than CRT!

Oh yeah the lounge would be but the restaurant prix fixe prices are almost the same

 

[lankman]

I booked a summer trip fewer than 60 days out. I expected to have difficulty getting some of my preferred dining reservations, but just the opposite happened. With one exception, I had an incredible range of time choices on everything I tried to get.

Hoop Dee Doo
MK Fireworks Party
Topolino's breakfast
Cinderella's Royal Table (didn't book that one but there are so many times available)

The only thing that was at all difficult was Space 220 Lounge. I got a table, but not at my preferred time.

I also booked Tiffins, 50s PT, and Liberty Tree Tavern, but I don't consider those "difficult to get."

Have you noticed a difference in availability of dining reservations lately?

When we did our reservations at the 60day mark, we were both surprised at the availability for our 2weeks in September. We have only booked a few, as we have a few days planned off site. But like you we were amazed at the selections available to us.

 

[AngieInOH]

I see you’re going to Space 220, their prices arent that much less than CRT and you get characters and gratuity included with CRT

Are you sure gratuity is included? I know it used to be, but when I go to Disney site it says tax and gratuity not included.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Are you sure gratuity is included? I know it used to be, but when I go to Disney site it says tax and gratuity not included.

Tip is paid upfront when you prepay the bill but it’s not included in the MDE price. So dinner is $84 PLUS tax and gratuity. For some reason I was thinking it was included in the price but it’s not.

 

[SL6827]

TS meals are a thing of the past for is now because of the insane pricing.

 

[Mousetopia]

I can only imagine day-of availability now.

We're not going to CRT. I looked because I was considering it and curious, but the price is ridiculous IMO. But there are so many time slots available for CRT throughout the day for every day of our trip. Not so sure they're going to disappear anytime soon.

Oh, and I decided against it for this trip, but California Grill even had great availability, including times during the fireworks.

I'm usually on at 60+10, refreshing at 6 am with all of my tabs open and a game plan. This time I've been casually booking one at a time over a period of weeks. The difference is crazy.

I'd like to believe that means it won't be as crowded as usual, but I know that's not true.

Its a combo of price gouging pre fix menus..C.Grill, Be Our Guest, etc. crazy prices, they have finally started reaching the theshhold if too much. When last I wanted BOG it was crazy difficult to get in now easy..but the families with youngsters who would most enjoy are priced out. Real shame

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Did our ADRs this morning for November trip and I've never had such an easy time booking. Every restaurant was available and pretty much any time we wanted. Example: Sci-fi, Beaches and Cream, 'Ohana, just to name a few that are usually difficult to get.

 

[gregskellington]

I've found it to be much easier since they made the cancelation period 2 hours. That was a great change.

 

[cableguynoe]

A little easier. But I've noticed more reservations open up on the day-of because of the 2-hour cancellation policy, which I think was a great idea on Disney's part.

Glad you got some good ressies!

ETA: Don't wait on the Cinderella's Royal Table! Those time slots will go fast!!

Does the 2-hour cancelation policy apply to the pre paid reservations also?

Also, what was the policy before? Just curious.

 

[CarolynFH]

Does the 2-hour cancelation policy apply to the pre paid reservations also?

Also, what was the policy before? Just curious.

I believe the prepaid reservations have a more stringent cancellation policy - maybe 24 hours before? I'm not sure, but the web page for each of those restaurants will state what the policy is.

Previously, you had to cancel a regular ADR no later than midnight the night before in order not to pay the $10 per person no-show fee.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

My daughter went in July and decided about a week before that she wanted Beaches and Cream for her arrival day dinner. I told her good luck with that. Well the place was wide open except for something like 5:30-6:30. I was shocked.

I think people are choosing between LLMP and TS meals. That’s what we have been doing. Went from a TS meal each day to 3-4 for a 9-10 day trip.

We actually don’t miss it since you can get really good QS meals at WDW.