Confused...

[Fonty]

I am planning our first Disney vacation, but have lurking on these boards for years and have read all the popular books, websites, etc.

Long story, but we were able to move our trip up and will be traveling the first part of May. Although that isn't known to be a particularly busy time at the parks, I know dining reservations can still be a bit tricky.

So, a few days ago, I went online to the Disney Dining site and requested a reservation for The Crystal Palace. It immediately gave me a message that the day and time I wanted was available, so I booked it. Today, I was skimming the boards and kept reading about people not getting reservations several months out. Just for fun, I went back to the Dining site and tried to book one of the most coveted reservations (Cinderella's Table) at the busiest time of year (a Saturday in June). Again, I got a message saying the day and time was available. How can this be? I thought you had to reserve months and months in advance.

Am I doing something wrong?
Thanks!

 

[dpswift]

Cinderellas Table has dropped a bit in popularity. Was your Crystal Palace prepark opening? We are doing a last minute trip in May. DH wants the Star Wars breakfast(probuly the hardest ticket to get) and I have tried for California Grill. The only ADR I could get for Via Napoli the day I wanted it was at 8pm.

Things do open up. You must have gotten very lucky if you got CP prepark opening. I had trouble getting that for DD and her friends at 180 days.

 

[Fonty]

No, it was for lunch...11:35.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

For us it's not getting into the restaurant -- it's getting the "good" time. Pre-opening ressies at CP and CRT are some of the HARDEST to get.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

For us it's not getting into the restaurant -- it's getting the "good" time. Pre-opening ressies at CP and CRT are some of the HARDEST to get.

Exactly.

Although there usually comes a point that these restaurants are booked solid, it's the pre-park opening time slots that people fight tooth and nail over, especially those from 8am-8:15am.

But OP, I think you were lucky getting your lunch ressie. Either someone cancelled or there are just a few time slots left, I'd wager. This will become even more true by the end of this month.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree, getting that coveted opening table is the hardest to accomplish. I am sorry I was not about to get a 8:05 at CP, and have been sulking that I got 8:35. LOL!

 

[marchingstar]

I'm in a similar position, Nancyg56. I got an 8:40 breakfast, and I'm not sure if I should keep it. probably--it does still mean early entry. but it also means missing out on RD, which is a bit tough to accept.

 

[Nancyg56]

It is! To be honest, if BOG offers breakfast, and I can get that early ADR, I'll drop CP in a heartbeat. We like an early entry to have an empty MK, but I sm not happy with the time. CP has run late in my experience, and that makes it worse.