Can't get ADR's for November. What to do?

[SophiasDad]

Decided to stay at WDW upon returning from DCL(7 nt. Eastern) on Nov. 3rd. Unfortunately when I called for ADR's for Sat. Nov. 3rd & Sun. Nov. 4th all of the restaurants we want to dine at are either unavailable or have late seatings after 8pm. I have a 2 1/2 DD and 13 month DS. I can't go to dinner that late with them. Does Disney Dining offer standby or should I just show up at the restaurants early enough and hopeI get lucky.

 

[Laren]

oh goodness! I'd definitely warn you, do not just show up hoping to get lucky! I have heard that they turn people away even with empty tables because the restaurant may be booked solid and they don't tend to take walk ups at all much anymore. I have had this happen to us when we decided on the spur we wanted to dine in the MK and didn't have an ADR (and it was during very slow season),

My advice as a veteran disney planner is to keep trying, but be sure you get ADR's somewhere. People's plans change, and ADR's get cancelled all the time. Keep trying every day if you have to (hope your cell phone has free long distance!) and keep trying for the spots you want but I'd book a back up location just in case if you have to eat TS. You might try some of the resort hotel restaurants. . .esp. monorail hotels if say you're going to be at the MK that day, etc. You can take a leisurely ferry ride or monorail ride, eat and then go back to the park if you can't get in-park dining. . .etc.

Don't give up, just keep dialing! Just keep dialing! *dory impression inserted here*

Laren

 

[Brygida]

Decided to stay at WDW upon returning from DCL(7 nt. Eastern) on Nov. 3rd. Unfortunately when I called for ADR's for Sat. Nov. 3rd & Sun. Nov. 4th all of the restaurants we want to dine at are either unavailable or have late seatings after 8pm. I have a 2 1/2 DD and 13 month DS. I can't go to dinner that late with them. Does Disney Dining offer standby or should I just show up at the restaurants early enough and hopeI get lucky.

Definately don't just show up. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Have you tried Raglan Road or Wolfgang Puck in DTD? They are excellent quality food and often have availability.
2. Do lunch. Have you tried ADR for lunches? I try to do most of mine at lunch DS 1-3 always eats more at lunch... and so do I!
3. Have you tried asking if a dinner-only restaurant is doing extended hours for early dinner or lunch? I got Chef Mickey's for lunch by asking that question!

If you gave any more specifics about where you were going to be, it might be helpful for more suggestions. If you are at EPCOT, you **may** be able to do a 'walk-in' to some restaurants if you show up at lunch opening time (usually 11:30-12). This worked once during the last DDP. (not Le Cellier or princess dining!)

 

[SophiasDad]

Thank you for your responses. I guess I'll keep on trying. Lunch might be an option. Last time we were in WDW we had ADR's for LeCelliers at 5:45. When we got there, the maitre'd and waiters were outside trying to get people to come in for dinner. I guess it was during their "slow time" (September). Thought November would be the same.

 

[Brygida]

Thank you for your responses. I guess I'll keep on trying. Lunch might be an option. Last time we were in WDW we had ADR's for LeCelliers at 5:45. When we got there, the maitre'd and waiters were outside trying to get people to come in for dinner. I guess it was during their "slow time" (September). Thought November would be the same.

Why not book ADRs that do not require a credit card **and** try your walk-up approach (recommend trying this at restaurant opening time only). That way, if you don't get in, you can still make it to your official ADR.