Change in plans.. wanting character meals

[MudQueen22]

Hi, all!

Normally, I'm more of a planner. We were originally planning to go to Disney during our Spring Break 2015 (4 adults, 1 child), but we discovered we are having another baby in April. It's really too late for me to travel when that far along in pregnancy, so we decided to move it to Christmas break.

Since we did this, I'm well past the 180 days out, so many reservations for character dining are taken.
Does anyone have good suggestions on when I should check the website and have the best chances of snagging character dining?

If this helps:
We aren't doing park-hopper. We will arrive 12/28, and I wanted to do 1900 PF for dinner.
12/29 Epcot (Got Akershus)
12/30 through 1/1 in Magic Kingdom. Would love character meals there (like BOG and CRT). We have no interest in Crystal Palace.

 

[Saimaeve]

You may have some luck. Keep checking. I don't feel there really is a good "window"

I was able to book all of my First Picks of ADRs last year and I booked my trip about 10 weeks out. I got CRT, CP, Akershus, and HHMR. (I think BoG had just opened up and I didnt know about it.)

But just keep checking and check the cancellation threads.

Although I would be careful on getting your hopes up. You're going during a VERY busy holiday. So you may not get very luck

Also, try to be more flexible. It's very hard to get some of these on short notice as it is. Being picky on dates will pretty much guarantee a bigger headache trying to get them IMHO the Park Hopper is well worth the price.

 

[supersnoop]

We're planning to do MK on 12/30 and Epcot on 12/31. That should help a little with the crowds. I'm told to expect MK will reach stage 4 closures both days, so we have three table service meals booked each day just to escape the crowds and rest so we can make it through the days.

When I checked this weekend, there is still availability at the Fantasia 2014 New Year's Eve event at Epcot.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

We decided yesterday to add another EPCOT reservation to our plans and since we have 2 granddaughters, we decided on Akershus. Of course, there was nothing available for any day of our vacation, breakfast lunch or dinner. I checked afternoon, a couple of times last night, a couple of times between 12 am and 2 am, then again when I got up, twice between 8 am and 10 am. I had some running to do and when I got back I checked again and first day I wanted I checked and a dinner for 6 was there! Also yesterday I added a Sci Fi dinner to my reservations, for 6 also. Just keep checking!

 

[MudQueen22]

Mambo Junkie, I think I saw a mid-afternoon (3:15ish) for Akershus a few minutes ago when I was stalking a 1900 on Dec. 30 or 31. Definitely check the site again; that one keeps popping up.
I wish Disney would add more character meals; I think they would definitely be money-makers.

 

[DaughteroftheKing]

I also booked past the 180 day opening and have been able to get 3 character meals:

Tusker House lunch
Crystal Palace lunch (you weren't interested in CP)
Chef Mickey dinner (I let this one go)

I check a couple times a day, I bet you'll be able to find a couple if you keep searching.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Thank you Mudqueen!

 

[geniegirl]

Keep checking. I was able to get 6 different ones at 70 days out.

 

[Shagley]

...

 

[soniam]

Have you thought about the hotels, especially on the day you leave? There's O'hana and 1900 Park Fare. We've enjoyed both. Breakfast at PF has different characters than dinner. It has Alice, Mad Hatter, Pooh, Tigger, and Mary Poppins. Not sure if they are available at that time or not though.

 

[Dizney14]

I agree with checking into the resort table service. Cape May Cafe has Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, etc for breakfast. Also, it is my understanding that 45 days out is the deadline to cancel and not lose your deposit. I booked during the free dining promo, and have my fingers crossed there are cancellations the couple of weeks leading up to the cutoff.

 

[MudQueen22]

So far, I've gotten Akershus (late lunch), 1900 Park Fare (dinner), and Cape May (breakfast). I'm still hoping for a CRT spot.
When fast passes are available, I'm going to attempt to get one for the BOG at lunch.