BOG Reservation strategy

[DopeyDame]

We're heading to WDW in January with a group of 12 - 8 adults and 4 kids. All the adults have been there several times, but we usually stay onsite and are usually "go with the flow" and don't worry too much about reservations.

This time we'll be off site and some of the adults desperately want to eat at Be Our Guest for dinner.

So I need your help? Do we have any hope of getting a reservation? What's the best strategy for getting one (timing/ online v. phone/etc)?

Thanks!

 

[wdw4rfam]

The pattern I am seeing is the longer your stay, the better your chance because when your 180+10 opens up the people checking in 10 days ahead of you have already been able to book. When my 180 opened BOG wouldn't come up at all until day 7, and that was only a 8:45. We had to go to day 9 to get 6:00. From what I have seen, people staying less than a week have very little chance of getting it. Some have, but if you can't, keep trying as your trip gets closer, I have seen some people snag them as it gets closer, and even while they are down there. My advise is try the last day possible in your trip as soon as you log on at 6:00

 

[DopeyDame]

The pattern I am seeing is the longer your stay, the better your chance because when your 180+10 opens up the people checking in 10 days ahead of you have already been able to book. When my 180 opened BOG wouldn't come up at all until day 7, and that was only a 8:45. We had to go to day 9 to get 6:00. From what I have seen, people staying less than a week have very little chance of getting it. Some have, but if you can't, keep trying as your trip gets closer, I have seen some people snag them as it gets closer, and even while they are down there. My advise is try the last day possible in your trip as soon as you log on at 6:00

Alas, we're staying off site, so we only have 180 days, not 180+ 10. So we might be SOL, huh?

Are you saying the day opens at 6am online?

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Alas, we're staying off site, so we only have 180 days, not 180+ 10. So we might be SOL, huh?

Are you saying the day opens at 6am online?

Yes, 6 am online...so that is your best chance...I think it depends on when you are going, if it isn't a crowded time then you do have a chance. You said January, right? if not on the New years or MLK Day, then you have a good chance I would think...and if you don't get it, keep checking back.

 

[monique5]

Alas, we're staying off site, so we only have 180 days, not 180+ 10. So we might be SOL, huh?

Are you saying the day opens at 6am online?

That might be a problem staying offsite (obtaining a reservation the day you call in). Offsite, 1st day of trying, maybe not. Wishing you Pixie Dust for a January reservation.

However, several people having stated that as the date gets closer they have had luck. Some the day before. Some the week before. Some a couple of weeks before. Dining reservations start at 6am EST online & 7am EST by phone.

 

[DopeyDame]

Awesome - thanks for the info everyone! I'll be online at 6am at 180 days out, with fingers and toes crossed.

(And will keep checking if needed.)

 

[ziravan]

Some strategies for you (off site, large party).

1. Keep BOG reservation on your browser after 180 period starts. Check mult times a day.

2. Keep a close eye on canceled ADR thread for your month of travel and try to coordinate with someone canceling.

3. Consider splitting up your reservation into two reservations of six (or prioritize who really wants to go in order to get the number of guests smaller). If it's really important, consider breaking the group into different days, if needed (For example, if you could find a ressie of four one day, eight two days later....)

4. Check especially at these points prior to your travel dates:

60 days out - onsite guests can start making fast pass selections and that might change their park days, thereby changing their ADRs.

45 days out - last day to pay if booked through Disney for others traveling during your vacation window. Most likely day to cancel vacation and ADRs associated with said vacation.

30 days out - offsite guests can make FP selections causing schedule changes. This isn't as likely because if an offsite guest managed to snag BOG, they will likely plan FP around BOG and not cancel.

14 days - cancel deadline for some insurance policies.

2 days - cancel deadline approaching for not having a fee charged to card.

5. Keep trying. Persistence does pay off. With BOG, it basically comes down to 'How bad do you want it?'

I started booking ADRs at about day 165 and looked daily for BOG for our family of 4. Found a ressie about day 120 - but that was looking 8-10 times a day for 40+ days.

 

[RachaelA]

I really doubt you are going to get a 12 person reservation for BOG at 180 days out. Sorry

I hope you prove me wrong though!

 

[DopeyDame]

I really doubt you are going to get a 12 person reservation for BOG at 180 days out. Sorry

I hope you prove me wrong though!

Yeah, I know. It's my whackadoodle (but totally awesome) sister who has her heart set on it. I'm thinking I'll have her be the one that wakes up at 5:45am to give it a try!

 

[CSchex]

Yeah, I know. It's my whackadoodle (but totally awesome) sister who has her heart set on it. I'm thinking I'll have her be the one that wakes up at 5:45am to give it a try!

That's a good idea! I'm always in charge of our reservations for each trip and it can get pretty time consuming! We ate at BOG in Nov 2013 and were able to get a reservation a few days before we left home. So, you never know. If you can't get it - you really are not missing that much - I know a lot of people would disagree with me - but I did not find it to be an "outstanding" meal. The atmosphere was great, and the food good, desserts are much the same as they serve at lunch, except "the grey stuff" is served on some kind of dried out brownie. I much preferred "the master's cupcake" at lunch. (topped with the grey stuff). My sister wants to get in to BOG this trip also. Me? - I'll be over at the Liberty Tree. Have fun & good luck!:

http://www.***********************/tickers/2ppq2qsouipo64b7.png

 

[mickeychickie]

Well, I was highly upset when I got off the phone a little while ago to make reservations at BOG for dinner... But after reading all these posts, I can see I'm in good company.. I waited my 180 days and still managed to not get a res because of that 180+10 thing (which I think is unfair, but whatever). I was also told to ask at the check-in for walk-ins because it "might" just happen... Again, depends on the CM working that day. I did, however learn a lot about the BOG FP+ and a bunch of great tips from you guys which I will definitely put to good use

 

[iheartglaciers]

Definitely monitor the cancelled ADR threads on here (organized by month). I lost all hope on getting a BOG and finally got one earlier this week by coordinating with a DISer through the ADR thread!

 

[harbin]

Remember people now have to cancel 24 hours in advance or be charged a fee... Our upcoming trip at the end of August I have not been able to get reservation for as of yet... I check everyday. However we were there in March 14 and Jul 2013. Got BOG both those trips, one about two weeks before, and one the day before reservation (this one I think someone cancelled). I would say just keep trying.

 

[DopeyDame]

We did it!

My sister and I were both up this morning at 6:00, and we got three reservations for parties of four, all between 6:55p and 7:15p. WAHOO! Our plan is for all 12 of us to show up at ~6:45, and just ask if there's anyway we can be seated sort of near each other. We don't expect to be next to each other obviously, but we're hoping at least in the same room. And even if we're all in different rooms, no biggie - we'll all be in BoG at the same time eating dinner.

Thanks for the pixie dust!

 

[spritna]

congrats

 

[ziravan]

Congrats!

Lesson learned:if someone offsite with a party of 12 can piece together a BOG dinner, so can you. Persistence pays off!