Can't Get Reservations

[oreocat]

Hi!

We planned our trip somewhat last minute. We have two weeks and can't seem to get reservations. We really want character breakfasts such as Tusker House or other in park character breakfasts but there is no availability.

I have spent a lot of time logging off and on and the trying each restaurant again for each day we are there.

Can you eat at these restaurants without a reservation? Is there any other way to go about this?

Thank you!

Cat

 

[Deb & Bill]

With free dining, I'd bet everyone made those reservations at 180 days out. That's the problem with late bookings. Don't plan on walking up to a character meal without an ADR. You may need to find some of the less popular places and character meals aren't going to fall into that category.

 

[alliecat523]

Check the reservation threads here for cancellations. We always book last minute and are able to get what we want. You have to be persistent and keep checking. People cancel at the last minute to avoid the charge.

 

[Lucas103]

Keep trying, ressies tend to open last minute - especially the day before you want to dine somewhere.

 

[jess1017]

You probably won't see any reservations pop up until much closer to the dates you're looking for. At this point, people's plans are most likely set and they have the ADRs that they plan on traveling to Disney with. Once they get there and the vacation begins, reservations will open up as plans unroll/change. Good luck!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Are you trying for a very specific time? maybe pre park opening? Or a specific restaurant? I just did a search for breakfast and found 6 character meals for the 21st.

Are you a large party?

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

I'll nth the suggestion to keep checking. There are always last-minute cancellations.

We've also had success with looking for the last breakfast seating, rather than a pre-park opening.

 

[crabbygal902]

You've gotten great advice:

Try the reservation finder
Keep checking! Stuff really does open up especially close to an ADR before the charge applies to cancellations.
Don't count on a walk-up.

I don't think it has been mentioned, but willingness to eat at "off" hours may help.

Also

There are so many great places to eat and experience. Even if you don't get your first choice, you may find a hidden gem you hadn't considered. For example, Whispering Canyon is fun and seems to have openings pretty often.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I agree crabbygal, we ate at Boma. And now it is not to miss place.

It isn't character, but we always have a great time.

 

[hammie59]

Here's my recent experience:
I booked a pre park opening breakfast at BOG well in advance, but could only get 8:20. I really wanted 8am to maximize our time and the whole point of going early. I tried for months checking multiple times everyday and nothing at all. The night before our resv I went online to look into possibly cancelling because the hurricane was scheduled to hit that day and figured the whole day would be a rain out. Low and behold, multiple times opened including 8am. As it turned out, we didn't cancel and most of the day was dry until night when it hit.
The point of my long story is, if all else fails, keep checking up until the time you want to go.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

I've been able to walk up to Tusker twice in the last year (once during Spring Break and once during Free Dining) at an off time -- right after park opening and around 10a. It's worth a try if you can't get an ADR.

 

[oreocat]

Thank you everyone! I appreciate all the great tips and advice.

We are flexible as to time but want breakfast. I will just keep trying.

Cat

 

[Nancyg56]

Thank you everyone! I appreciate all the great tips and advice.

We are flexible as to time but want breakfast. I will just keep trying.

Cat

I also think that you should check the cancelation threads. That will help. Also, if you do nto book wha thou want before arrival, check while you are there. Folks cancel the day before all the time.

 

[KStash]

I recommend Touring Plans reservation finder. They found me an Ohana dinner for 8 after searching for two months.

 

[Missyrose]

Try the resort character meals, there's a better chance those open up than the in-park ones. Cape May Cafe has a character breakfast (Beach Club), Chef Mickey has characters at all three meals (Contemporary), 'Ohana has a character breakfast (Poly) and 1900 Park Fare has one set of characters at breakfast and the another at dinner (Grand Floridian).

Oh and don't forget that Garden Grill at Epcot now serves breakfast!

 

[MrsSykes2014]

When we went last November it was Free dining and I could not get a reservation to Ohana' to save my life and I stared trying the day of my 180 days out. Well I kept trying religiously. One morning while in Disney at like 3am I had to get up and I checked even then and I SCORED ONE. 9am and it was the day we wanted it too. So keep trying