Be Our Guest? Really?

[Doctor10]

Sometimes we get in, sometimes we don't. It's one of my favorites to eat at but I honestly like the lunch better. I have noticed though, and this always makes me wonder, if BOG is always full why are there empty tables when we go? This mainly happens during lunch. And what I mean is that the tables are empty when we get there, while we eat, and when we leave.

 

[PK Disney Dork]

I guess we got lucky...

When our 180 day ADR window opened up a few weeks ago we were at it around five A.M. and we got BOG for the exact time and day we wanted.

Of course we somehow managed to get all our desired ADRs for this trip so I'm pretty sure it must be some sort of sign of end times...

 

[ThisIsJason]

Keep trying. When my wife and I went on May 9th for dinner they were turning people away for walkups, stating they were completely booked. Completely booked must be Disney for 'we don't have staff' because while the main room was full the room with the rose was only about half full and the other side room had six tables with people at them (this was a 6:35 reservation and we left about 7:50). I was shocked at how empty the place was.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

The key to getting a BOG ressie, in my experience, is using the 180+10 to your advantage.

Unfortunately, it only works for those staying at Disney for a longer period of time.

We were able to get BOG on December 30th. I know, BOG will go fast on Christmas Eve and Christmas, as well as NYE... but, knowing that BOG typically fills up fast, I didn't bother with the earlier portion of our trip. Instead, I booked it for our second-to-last night. If I booked it earlier in my trip, we'd be competing against anyone who checked in earlier than my family AND anyone checking in on the day my family is checking in. If I booked it 8-10 days out, we're competing with a much smaller group. I know that sounds confusing, but hear me out:

December 24th: Competing with guests checking in December 14th and later
December 25th: Competing with guests checking in December 15th and later
December 26th: Competing with guests checking in December 16th and later
December 27th: Competing with guests checking in December 17th and later
December 28th: Competing with guests checking in December 18th and later
December 29th: Competing with guests checking in December 19th and later
December 30th: Competing with guests checking in December 20th and later

People either go for Christmas OR NYE, with some staying for both. My family stays for both holidays - so in booking it on December 30th, we're competing with those who are only competing with those staying for a very long vacation (20th through the 30th). Not MANY people stay that long - especially during Xmas week. They usually cut their week in half. So, either next time, or if you're someone reading this and you have a trip coming up that's 8-10 days, try and book your BOG ressie later in the trip.

 

[happymommy]

I agree to keep checking!

The dinner menu didn't look like much my DD would like, so last trip we just avoided it. Plus, gotta admit, sometimes I'm cheap (although we were at the Boardwalk - and our room alone even with the 30% off plus Orbitz discount was still $2,000 for the week, for just the two of us - our upcoming trip is that but includes the tickets and dining).

Then, we booked the first week of September with free QS dining (staying at Pop - first time in a value but she wants to stay there, and it was a great deal!). So, I looked at the lunch menu, and a few items look fine for us, plus soup for a snack credit makes it quite the meal (for "free"). Right away, I booked one late lunch (2:15pm) for one of our days. No other day was lunch available, and since we're not doing any sit down meals, I thought another lunch there may be fun! Nothing for a week or two, then one opened up at 12:15 one day, late in our trip. That way, if we decide we've had it after one try, we can cancel. Otherwise, it seems like a nice option for lunch!

We're looking forward to it - yes we like Columbia Harbor House (ate there once last trip), but this sounds like a fun option!

So, I'd just keep checking back. Don't worry - you'll get something!!!

PS: they should add wine at lunch. Really. It's vacation.

 

[jtovey56]

Got an ADR for lunch here when it first opened up. Even got to choose our menu items. My sister in law who is also going with her kids didn't jump right on & missed the opportunity. She regrets it now.

 

[deannaf87]

My 180 opened today and there was nothing available :/

Hoping maybe if they continue breakfast, I can score something. I just want to go inside, lol.

 

[LifeWithLouie]

I had tried and tried to get a reservation at BOG for our last trip...to no avail.
Then, while ON vacation...at about 6am one morning, I went on reservations as a lark.
And BANG...it was there. I gobbled up the reservation even IF it was too late for our dining choosing.
That day, we went to the check-in hut/manned kiosk they have (at the front of the gate) and asked
if we could POSSIBLY change the timing to an earlier dining.
The girl told us...come back when you would LIKE to eat and then ask again.
We did, they checked, and we got into the earlier seating.
Not to say this will work for YOU, but you can try.

P.S. Note- this worked for trying for an EARLIER seating - I'd be afraid to attempt it for a LATER seating and miss our reservation.

 

[ThistleMae]

My ADR's open on Friday. I've been checking out availability for other dates and it seems nothing is available at all! It seems ridiculous to me that nothing is available. This seems like a crazy system. The fact you have to keep checking daily...seems insane. We shall see how I make out on Friday! In regards BOG. I did eat lunch there when it first opened. Crazy long line. Then the next day, I went back later in the afternoon. No line, got in, no reservation. Was it just luck? IDK. The lunch was good, nothing too special. The desserts were lacking. But the atmosphere is really pretty. Nice subdued lighting. I felt like I was in a castle. Really liked it. So....let the adventure continue!

 

[midnightlouise]

We went for dinner a few years ago, and my sister and I liked it (we ordered steak...) but no one else in our party liked it. DH does not want to go back at all, but I convinced him to give it another try, this time at lunch. For us, it's definitely the atmosphere, but the food was fine. I wouldn't pay out of pocket for it, though. Luckily we have free dining, so now I just have to keep trying to snag a reservation...