beyond frustrated

[thesaurinis]

I am new to all this planning and its driving me crazy. I plan everything and when things don't go my way I get upset (who wouldn't right?) LOL

Our son is getting a dream trip granted to him and we are in WDW for 3 days in September then going on the DIsney Dream Cruise. I have called 3x to book dinner reservations and can not get 1 seating at a reasonable hour. The earliest they had on any reservation I tried for was 8:30pm.

I have tried these restaurants. Let me know if you all know of any others that would be worth trying. But on another note my family won't eat any food that is unfamiliar (such as foods from other countries).

Chef Mickeys, Ohana, Lecellier, CRT, Crystal Palace, 1900 Park Fare, Whispering Canyon, Liberty Tavern, Garden Grill, Coral Reef, 50's Prime Time, Hollywood & Vine, Sci-Fi, Narcoossee's.

I have a feeling we will just be using our TS as CS credits. This really bums me out because our son only asks for a few things and with all he has been through I feel terrible not being able to grant a couple simple things to him. Any ideas or tips to help me out?

 

[Tinkh]

I am new to all this planning and its driving me crazy. I plan everything and when things don't go my way I get upset (who wouldn't right?) LOL

Our son is getting a dream trip granted to him and we are in WDW for 3 days in September then going on the DIsney Dream Cruise. I have called 3x to book dinner reservations and can not get 1 seating at a reasonable hour. The earliest they had on any reservation I tried for was 8:30pm.

I have tried these restaurants. Let me know if you all know of any others that would be worth trying. But on another note my family won't eat any food that is unfamiliar (such as foods from other countries).

Chef Mickeys, Ohana, Lecellier, CRT, Crystal Palace, 1900 Park Fare, Whispering Canyon, Liberty Tavern, Garden Grill, Coral Reef, 50's Prime Time, Hollywood & Vine, Sci-Fi, Narcoossee's.

I have a feeling we will just be using our TS as CS credits. This really bums me out because our son only asks for a few things and with all he has been through I feel terrible not being able to grant a couple simple things to him. Any ideas or tips to help me out?

Try the website and keep plugging in times.

 

[Raenstoirm]

The website is best. You can just put in 6 pm (for example) and see what pops up.

 

[HubbDave]

We started planning for our August trip last fall/winter

We made all of our ADR for 7 days in February and were able to get pretty much what we wanted as far as seatings/times.

Supposedly things fill up pretty quickly and many sources say start making ressies 90-180 days out.

Maybe someone will cancel...

 

[Piglet'sPal]

Also, be sure to check the cancellations thread over on the Restaurants board. Good luck!!

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

How many people are going? There wil be less seating available for groups larger than 4 usually. Free dining is typically in Spetember so restaurants fill up even in the "off-season."

For each day you have go to the WDW site and check their online dining reservation. Put in the number of your party and the date and choose lunch or dinner and what is available will come up.

For example, I put in Septemebr 15th party of 6 at dinner and got "typical" dinner times at:

50s prime time
Akershus
Boma
Cape May
Hollywood and Vine
Kona
Liberty Tree
Mama Melrose
and many more (I stopped at the "Ms" and did not list all the ethnic ones available).

Now if you have a very specific list and very specific times it may not help you, or if your party is very large. But if not I suggest you try that way.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/

I hope that help and you are able to get some good choices

 

[eliza61]

Also try some restaurants that are not that popular but are just as good.

The turf club at saratoga springs is really good and pretty easy to get into.
T-Rex is fun for a boy and I think you call them directly to make reservations but I don't think they take the dining club (check with other dissers).
The Palace is a great place.

 

[thesaurinis]

Thanks for all the tips so far. I will try the website. I only tried calling the reservation line. We just found out about the trip so we couldn't book any sooner than I tried. If I had my way we would wait to go so I could plan some more. I did try for any reservations between 430-7. I can't go any later d/t my son needing to eat by certain times due to his medication regime. I will keep trying though and if i dont get anything this week I will just wing it and try walk ups.

 

[HubbDave]

Considering the situation with your son, can they help you?

I would think there would be something that the resturaunts could do to accomodate you

Best of luck!

 

[thesaurinis]

Considering the situation with your son, can they help you?

I would think there would be something that the resturaunts could do to accomodate you

Best of luck!

I mentioned it to them and the fact that its his wish trip and I got no where. I am bummed, but have faith something will work out. Just thought I would ask what others have done in this situation before. Thanks again for all advice/tips.

 

[DaniB]

What dates in September are you looking for?

 

[YodaGirl]

Thanks for all the tips so far. I will try the website. I only tried calling the reservation line. We just found out about the trip so we couldn't book any sooner than I tried. If I had my way we would wait to go so I could plan some more. I did try for any reservations between 430-7. I can't go any later d/t my son needing to eat by certain times due to his medication regime. I will keep trying though and if i dont get anything this week I will just wing it and try walk ups.

Yeah, definitely try the website. I do all of my ADRs on there, now. It's way easier than calling the reservation line.

Good luck!

 

[Nadjalu]

Since you mentioned that your son was granted this vacation, is it a make a wish trip? If so they should be able to help you.

If so, post this in the disabilities forum, you will get plenty of experienced advice from the people who post there.

Good luck and have fun!!

 

[smnslc]

Also as you get closer to those dates people will start cancelling. Some will make multiple ressies because they are not sure what exactly they want to do. Unfortunately that leaves the rest of us hoping that they will cancel asap. So keep trying especially as you get get closer to your trip like a few weeks or so.

 

[squirrel]

I agree the website is so easy to use and you can see what else is available.

You are going during Free Dining which is why it's harder to find reservations. You also have a lot of the popular ones on your list.

Tusker House is a great buffet in AK. The characters are only their for breakfast and the last ADR for that is 10:30am. I wouldn't hesitate in booking a lunch or dinner there, the food is good. You can get preferred seating for Nemo if you book lunch from 1-1:40pm, you probably don't need it with MAW-but maybe you might want to spread the magic and give it to another family. Lunch also has peanut butter and jam-make your own sandwich station (very rare to find at WDW).

Le Cellier, is 2TS credits for dinner, 1TS for lunch.

Honestly, I'd skip H&V unless you are doing the breakfast (characters). Was the worst buffet on WDW that I have eaten at. Only other reason I would eat there is for the Fantasmic DP. I haven't gone for breakfast.

 

[thesaurinis]

we will be there 9/22-9/25. We aren't getting in till afternoon of the 22nd and leaving in the am on the 25 because we have to catch the Cruise ship. This trip is a dream trip through Dream Factory for our son. We are only going to do Epcot on the day we get there then MK & Hollywood studios. No AK this time around. It kinda stinks we are only there a couple days, but the cruise is what he really wants. besides meeting Phineas and ferb. Everything else is just icing on the cake to him. Since it will be hot when we are there we will spend alot of time at the pool because he doesn't handle the heat all to well. he has alot of seizures when over heated.

 

[thesaurinis]

I also forgot to ask does anyone know where I can find out what parks are open late during out stay? I know MK is having MNSSHP on Friday the 23rd so we will avoid MK on Friday. We are thinking Epcot on Thursday when we get in, Hollywood Studios on Friday and MK on Saturday. But would love to know the early/late hours and plans might change.

 

[dzorn]

Cape May is a nice character breakfast at the Beach Club.

I would keep checking on the web site. You might also find some cancellations on right around the 45 day mark when final payments are due.

Denise in MI

 

[francie57]

On the day you arrive Epcot has the late extra hours, the Studios has early hours on that Friday, and MK is 9-9 on Sat. The hours are all listed on the Disney website. As far as ADRs if you can't get anything before you leave, when you arrive check at the guest relations desk at the resort and they maybe able to help you since they would know of cancellations and there may be a few openings held for each day for the restaurants.

 

[LilyWDW]

Also, remember that ADRs are not actual reservations. You get the next table for the party of your size (after everyone ahead of you). What this means is just because you have an ADR at 7pm doesn't mean you will always be seated at 7pm. So, if your son has to eat by say 7:30pm, make sure to build some time into that ADR time.

If you already knew this, I apologize. I just didn't want to see you get another bad surprise!