Cinderella's Royal Table

[A_NY_Outlaw]

My wife and I are heading to Disney in two weeks. We have the dining plan and had wanted to go to the Royal Table restaurant for dinnner. When I tried making a reservation recently (I procrastinated), I was told they had no openings during the entire week we will be there. Does anyone know or had experiences if people tend to cancel reservations, how or when we should check back or if the restaurant makes exceptions for anyone? I might be asking for alot here, but it was a restaurant that we really wanted to go to above all others.

 

[bradk]

people do cancel, especially since they're gonna be charged whether they go or not if they don't. the cancelation policy for CRT is 24 hours. it's just a matter of trying and retrying and hopefully getting lucky.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Well, Hello fellow NY'er...
Oh, it can be so frustrating not to get into a restaurant
In my past experience I was not able to get in either and I have been to Disney and tried atleast 10 times (probably much more actually)
The trick I learned here on the boards is to call at the 180 mark (or 190 IF you're staying on property) and then HOPEFULLY get in on the day and time you'd like.
I did that just recently and it worked so it will be our first visit this year.
This reservation does require a deposit which is not refundable if someone cancels at the 24 hour mark (it migt be 48, not sure) so there MAY be cancels before then but I was informed they don't get many because it is so popular. If you're on the dining plan it is two credits and they STILL take a credit card deposit.
KEEP TRYING EVERY DAY phone lines open at 7am and you just never know!
I say that anything is possible and I'd keep trying each day if you're really set on it.
I hope you get in and have a
VERY MAGICAL TRIP either way!

 

[bradk]

it's not a deposit. if you're not on the dining plan, you pay IN FULL at time of booking. if you're on the DDP, they take a credit card to secure it, but do not charge.

it USED to require a deposit when booking. that was to help hinder people from making multiple bookings just to cover their own butts, but since the changes in Feb 06, it's handled like a dinner show.

so a family of 4 is out $100 or so if they don't cancel in time.

 

[mickeymouse1017]

We just decided to make reservations to go in a few weeks and since it was spur of the moment, we couldn't get seating at CRT. I kept called several times a day and got a time after about a week of calling. Just be consistent with your trying. One person that I spoke with last week told me that at any one moment, Disney has up to 7000 people answering the phones. Good luck!

 

[melag]

I did call 190 days out and was lucky to get seats (we needed a table for 6) because every time I asked for was booked. She just put in a general search for the whole week and came up with 1 spot. Good luck and just keep trying.

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I did in fact call again a few minutes ago....same result- booked. The operator did say that because we have not picked any restaurants yet, most of the restaurants are getting booked solid for the week. This concerns me a great deal, considering we were told this was a "slow" time to visit disney (after spring break) and we have enrolled in the meal plan. This could become very problematic if we have paid for meals, then can't use them anywhere.

 

[TaylorsDad]

June before last Myself, DW, and DD7 went to WDW for the first time. As newbies we had no idea the need for booking CRT waaaay in advance. We walked up to the castle and thought we heard someone in front of us ask for a table only to be turned down. Well after talking to my wife she insisted I ask anyways. I walked up and asked if they possibly had any openings for a party of three. The CM checked and then said "Right this way sir". We still had no idea how fortunate we were. Best meal and dining experience of the trip.
Last year we called 2 months in advance and was told no openings. However, I kept calling and was able to secure both Breakfast and diner within 2 weeks of arrival. Was disappointed with both however and this year trying Akerhaus(?) instead as it seems to have several princesses availible.

 

[lovmy2girls]

Absolutely, check back even when you get to WDW. People cancel all the time. You just have to keep checking back.

Our first trip with the girls, I called on the way down while on the interstate, and got an ADR for the next morning.

Keep trying if you really want it, it does happen.

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will continue to be persistent. My next choices after CRT are the restaurant in the contemporary resort (says it has a view of the monorail whisking by) and there is a steakhouse that we are looking to go to in Epcot- Canada world showcase. In 2005 when we went on our honeymoon, we didn't have a meal plan and were taken back by the high food prices- needless to say my wife and I bascially ate chicken fingers and french fries twice a day- every day. I hope the meal plan works to our advantage!

 

[Mcbruns]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I did in fact call again a few minutes ago....same result- booked. The operator did say that because we have not picked any restaurants yet, most of the restaurants are getting booked solid for the week. This concerns me a great deal, considering we were told this was a "slow" time to visit disney (after spring break) and we have enrolled in the meal plan. This could become very problematic if we have paid for meals, then can't use them anywhere.

Can't guarantee CRT, but you should be able to get in at other restaurants --make your ADR's now (especially if you have a big group)!
Have a great trip.

 

[TaylorsDad]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will continue to be persistent. My next choices after CRT are the restaurant in the contemporary resort (says it has a view of the monorail whisking by) and there is a steakhouse that we are looking to go to in Epcot- Canada world showcase. In 2005 when we went on our honeymoon, we didn't have a meal plan and were taken back by the high food prices- needless to say my wife and I bascially ate chicken fingers and french fries twice a day- every day. I hope the meal plan works to our advantage!

I would research any and all other places you may want to try and go ahead and make reservations now. (for the most part they are easy to cancel if you change your mind.)LeCellier in Canada I was told starts filling sometimes 4 months in advance, I ,myself had to settle for 8:50 PM time calling 6 weeks ahead. I have been calling for to see if I could get earlier and they have had only 11:00am availible. Check allears.net and you can see the menus for each place at each Park. Since calling several times a day to check for cancellations can get pricey I would use the toll free number. If you need it let me know and I will try to find it for you.