Chef Mickey's booked up. Am I out of luck?

[Trekkie]

Staying at Contemporary, beginning the 21st. (My brother's there now.) Reason I'm staying there was to get Mom to Chef Mickey's. But the reservation system says they're completely full the whole time we're there (21st thru 24th.)

Does this mean I simply can't eat there? Or does it mean "show up, and you'll get a table if you wait an hour"? Or is there some other way? (Are some tables held back, for use by people staying in the hotel?)

What are my options?

 

[verticalchaos]

Since people resort hop all the time to eat at different restaurants, there is no reason to stay in one simply for a restaurant that is there.

I don't know 100%, but since the Contemporary is not an independent hotel but part of the WDW resort, I highly doubt they "hold back" tables just for people in the Contemporary.

Keep checking, even during your stay. Sometimes things open up. But it is the busiest season of the year for the resort...

 

[LilyWDW]

Staying at Contemporary, beginning the 21st. (My brother's there now.) Reason I'm staying there was to get Mom to Chef Mickey's. But the reservation system says they're completely full the whole time we're there (21st thru 24th.)

Does this mean I simply can't eat there? Or does it mean "show up, and you'll get a table if you wait an hour"? Or is there some other way? (Are some tables held back, for use by people staying in the hotel?)

What are my options?

I would not count on walking up. Restaurants do not hold back any tables for walk ups, staying at the resort or not. They will book all table available for their time slots.

You are also staying there during what has been a decently busy time period that will continue to get busier leading up to the Holiday, so I am not surprised that there are no openings.

That being said, keep looking online and calling the dining number. You never know when someone will cancel. You can TRY to walk up, but don't expect to get in and have a backup plan. If you do decide to try, do it when the restaurant opens. If you wait, there will be a greater chance of you being turned away because they will start getting backed up.

 

[mikat]

We were there the week before Thanksgiving. We talked to the hostess at the CM entrance and she said our best bet was to walk up right at opening at 7:00 am (and no later) and we could probably get in with a short wait at that time. She said not to try lunch or dinner. YMMV at this time of year, though. Good luck!

 

[footballmouse]

I tried to book a Chef Mickey breakfast in May a couple of years ago. It was not during peak time & I couldn't imagine it was booked the entire week we were there. I finally started looking at lunch or dinner but had no luck. When we were leaving MK I happened to stop at Town Hall and asked the CM in there if she was able to check for any openings anytime of the day for the next 2 days. She was able to get us a breakfast for the next morning. So my advice would be to try that route every day you're there. Good luck.

 

[abubu919]

Keep checking in everyday because sometimes there tends to be a last minute opening if someone cancels a reservation or anything! Good Luck

 

[Havana]

As others have stated. Keep checking the online reservation system. Maybe a few times a day. Also watch the December Cancelation thread.
Good Luck

 

[Laketravis]

Don't worry, you'll get in. People cancel ADR's all the time because they make more than one for the same meal and can't go to all of them. Luckily, some of those same people will actually go online and cancel their other ADR's.

We weren't able to get a dinner ADR for 1900 PF for months. Last month, while we were there, I just happen to check online and there was an opening for 7pm that evening. Turned out to be the best TS dinner of our entire trip.

So keep checking, I'm sure you'll find something open up. Your biggest risk is being disappointed with the food, service, or both after all the effort to get reservations.