Booked during Dec free dining, now having a problem getting ADR's

[disneyfan2]

just booked today for free dining DEC but i know ADR's have been out for 2 weeks and i can't get kids choices for character meals.
How often do you recheck for availability, daily, weekly, closer to dates?

We could not get any of the requests we wanted , but we did get Garden Grill (was not fond of in the past-hopefully better), Coral Reef although none of us are fish/sea food eaters.Biegardent Germany, and Mama Melrose.

Trying for CM, CRT, 1900 park fare, Tusker house, Crystal Palace. Is there a chance these might open up?

We like to plan what parks on what day, but we had to book around our ADR's and some of the parks are not recommended on the day we need to go.

 

[mommyintn]

I think there is every chance some of those will open. When I was trying to snag Le Cellier for the week we were there it was booked, but I just kept calling at least once a day and something opened up the week before we left. I wouldn't keep my fingers crossed for CRT though since it's always a high demand table service. Also and I'm sure you know this, check for off time like a late lunch or early dinner. Good luck!!

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

just booked today for free dining DEC but i know ADR's have been out for 2 weeks and i can't get kids choices for character meals.
How often do you recheck for availability, daily, weekly, closer to dates?

We could not get any of the requests we wanted , but we did get Garden Grill (was not fond of in the past-hopefully better), Coral Reef although none of us are fish/sea food eaters.Biegardent Germany, and Mama Melrose.

Trying for CM, CRT, 1900 park fare, Tusker house, Crystal Palace. Is there a chance these might open up?

We like to plan what parks on what day, but we had to book around our ADR's and some of the parks are not recommended on the day we need to go.

Is the time frame to book free dining for December not over, I'm confused on this one.

 

[disneyfan2]

it is, but i found a pin in my junk mail, and when i called disney they had it on, but it expired Oct 1st (talk about cutting it close) although i think i got the last value hotel offered,

We do try to eat off regular hours, but still having no luck, i will try closer to our trip to see if something opens up!

 

[PoohsFan1]

I would definately not give up, something is bound to open up. I was trying to get a different date for CRT dinner, the time that we had before would of cut into our MVMCP party that night. Therefore, I was on the online dining morning, noon, and night plus on the phone at least once or twice a day trying to switch it out.....nothing. Finally one evening I decided to try again (after talking myself into not worrying about it anymore) and Voila!....an 8:10pm ADR for CRT popped up out of nowhere . This worked out so much better than our original CRT ressie, so after I booked it, I immediately got on the phone and canceled the previous ADR that we had.

 

[katrocity]

Wow, I'm so bummed out. I've been trying to book the restaurants and times we want for our ADRs in December and nothing is available, so frustrating. I can't get into Sanaa, Ohana, or The Wave any day at a reasonable time. Uuuuugh. My kids like to eat early 5:00, so late night reservations are not an option. I have Boma booked at 4:30 one day, which is so early.

Just discovered Kouzzina and the menu looks great, but the reviews are so-so. Anyone eaten there?

So is there a strategy to calling vs. online reservations? I see someone saying they checked every day. Is it better to call? When I saw that the restaurants I want and times aren't available, I started booking the next best thing anywhere I could. I have TS reservations each night now, but not great times or at my number one choice of restaurants.

I'm discouraged and really look forward to advice.

Also, if all these restaurants are saying there are no reservations available, are they all going to be completely packed and unbearable? Uuugh.

Thanks a bunch!

Kate

 

[disneyfan2]

Wow, I'm so bummed out. I've been trying to book the restaurants and times we want for our ADRs in December and nothing is available, so frustrating.

I'm discouraged and really look forward to advice.

A.
Kate

agree, wondering if there is a better time to check during the day, don;t want to rack up long distance charges....
i have read that they open up availability of more seats closer to the date at 30 days out, has anyone heard or confirmed this?

 

[Colleen27]

I just check online while I'm reading the boards. I was surprised to get most of what I wanted for our Dec trip, but there are a few that are at less than ideal times so I've been checking back every day or two to see if something better has opened up. In particular, make sure you're checking back around the 45 day mark, because some cancelations are likely from people cancelling trips at the payoff/penalty deadline.

 

[LMO429]

have you tried changing your party size? the disney adr system is flawed changing your party size to a bigger or smaller party might work.

 

[shanlynn1012]

I just booked an IOct trip and by trying online several times a day, I got all the places I wanted even CRT. So i say keep trying online multiple times a day!