Dec has to come soon..tired of the rejection

[Karlzmom]

I've had it!

I made my 1st attempt at ADRs at 180 days to have something planned for our early December trip. I've been trying to "tweak" a bit [no, not using drugs, just adjust things- maybe the drugs would help] and EVERYTHING is booked solid! I've decided that there should be a support group for Disney Dining Rejectees, "Hi, I'm Kate and I can 't make an ADR - I call & I call, but all I get in return is ""I'm sorry, there is nothing available for breakfast/lunch/dinner at any restaurant in the World, can I help you with anything else?"" About the 3d request, it makes me want to ask what else they can't do so I can pick it..... or is it "thankyou, may I have another?"

Anyone else care to join the group? Can anyone else relate?? Its not even a free dining period....people are supposed to be at home with kids getting ready for the holidays....who are all these people & why do they already have all my possible ADRs booked? [Don't even get me going on booked tours, cruises, etc, etc, etc.]

Can you tell I need a vacation badly?

 

[Dannielle_1]

I'm with you on that!

I just booked my early December vacation and have had a heck of a time with ADR's. We've resigned ourselves to NO Le Cellier, Coral Reef, Akershus, Tutto Italia, Kona Cafe or Crystal Palace (breakfast). And many places I had to book for lunch instead of dinner, unless I want to eat after 8:00 with my almost 3 yr old

I've got my ressies almost set. And, am actually pretty happy with them. We'll be going to some non-"it" places, but I'm excited about trying a few new ones and some old ones we haven't been to in awhile.

There are a few I want to see if I can shuffle around and continue to check on, but I think at this point, I'm going to have to pretty much be set in what I have. (No first night Kona for us this time , oh well, Artist Point will do )

Looks like we'll be there the same time you are - have fun

 

[pixieme]

I feel your pain!
We are also coming dec 3-11 and I was trying to book Le Cellier on the 180th day only to be told that they were booked for lunch and dinner on the 3-6th we are going on the boat on the 7th. I was able to get the 50's prime time diner, akershus and the sci Fi Drive in but will be having REALLY early dinners to get those, Most at 4. I can't believe they will be sooo full. It is really discouraging. I thought that you can't book more than 180 days out. Were they up at dark 30 getting the ADR's or what?!?!?

 

[faberj]

I feel your pain too, I have been trying to get Chef Mickey's for breakfast and have had no luck. I call just about every day checking to see if something opens up. I am going to try at my 45 day mark as I have heard people tend to do thier cancelations then if they are no longer going on thier trip as you need to make final payment by then.

 

[disneystacy]

I haven't had that problem at all. We are going the week before Christmas and I got all my adr's. I even called yesterday and booked Sci -Fi for lunch and Prime Time for dinner.

 

[VacationKicks]

I feel your pain!
We are also coming dec 3-11 and I was trying to book Le Cellier on the 180th day only to be told that they were booked for lunch and dinner on the 3-6th we are going on the boat on the 7th. I was able to get the 50's prime time diner, akershus and the sci Fi Drive in but will be having REALLY early dinners to get those, Most at 4. I can't believe they will be sooo full. It is really discouraging. I thought that you can't book more than 180 days out. Were they up at dark 30 getting the ADR's or what?!?!?

Don't forget ADR's are 180 +10 days out. So anyone starting their vacation on Dec. 1 or 2 can make ADR's throughout your whole vacation. Still that seems mighty early to be so booked. I called at 180 + for HDDR and couldn't get in except for the late seating due to party size (10) I was told they only release half the seating at 180 +10 and keep the rest for 180. Maybe that was only HDDR? Not sure.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

In all of our numerous trips to WDW we've never had a problem getting our ADR's. I'm getting nervous reading these threads though. Our next trip is early March and our 180 day window opened yesterday but from what I read I cannot call for reservations yet? You guys are making me very scared. Is something new going on or are there just more and more folks discovering the wonderful world of disney?

 

[LovinPooh]

I am extremely happy that I have all my ADRs. We arent going during peak times though.
I was a complete wreck for months up until I could book. If I didnt get that CRT ressie... my DD would have not spoken to me again LOL!
some people just dont get the stress of the ADR situation

Good luck to you!

 

[livie1205]

we are going in Dec and we got everything we wanted...I booked 180 days out but I have changed a few times since then with no problem...I even got california grill and kona 2 weeks ago....I have kona 7 pm ,cali grill,7 pm,ohana 6:30 pm,1900 park fare 6:30 pm and 1900 park fare 8.am

 

[Mom of 2 Wife of 1]

We are going early in December as well. Called on 180+10 and got everything for every time we wanted. Can I ask to the PPs who were unable to get their choices and/or "tweak" them later on, how many people are in your party? Believe it or not, that makes a huge difference. Many people want tables for 4,5,7,9 and there are only so many spots available. It doesn't mean that the restaurants are booked solid, only that Disney Dining for reasons unknown will not give an six-top table to four people. They will tell you they are booked -- at least that was my experience once and I've read similar accounts since.

Even if every TS is booked, I don't look at that as a sign of the parks being crowded and the resorts being unmanageable. In fact, once I have my ADRs I figure I am locked into a better vacation because I am guaranteed a table and comfortable meal while others may be forced into dining choices they hadn't planned on. Remember, that time in December has MouseFest, Pop Warner and the first weekend has the taping of the Christmas Day parade.

If you really want to find out how well Disney is doing for that time period, go to their website and try to book various length of stay vacations at Value, Moderate and Deluxe resorts. See what the availability is like. True, people can stay offsite, but you can check those too. Don't worry about your vacation. Be happy with your current ADRs and keep trying for new ones. Have a wonderful time either way!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I called 180 days out and was able to get most of what I wanted. At the time, Disney had scheduled Wishes for 6pm on the night I wanted California Grill and I took a 5pm ADR, but since then, they changed their schedule and now only are showing a mvmcp holiday wishes at 9:30pm! I tried to change my ADR, but nothing available. I've been calling every day!

 

[Karlzmom]

In all of our numerous trips to WDW we've never had a problem getting our ADR's. I'm getting nervous reading these threads though. Our next trip is early March and our 180 day window opened yesterday but from what I read I cannot call for reservations yet? You guys are making me very scared. Is something new going on or are there just more and more folks discovering the wonderful world of disney?

I'm pleased to see the membership in the the ADRR [Advanced Dining Reservation Rejects] group is growing....though sad, as it means we are all frazzled a bit....

the friendly CM who was laughing along with me yesterday said that he has noticed a marked uptick in attendance since 2005, and that there really isn't any time that is "slow" anymore...just busy v. insane!

I'm happy that some of you all are getting your ADRs, [though my initial response was a big raspberry ] My big problem is 1900 Park Fare...have a breakfast booked that isn't going to work, but can't move it at all as all of the nights that it can easily become a dinner are booked solid & if i move it anywhere else [assuming those days were available] then I'd be out on the other place.....UGH!

 

[Karlzmom]

We are going early in December as well. Called on 180+10 and got everything for every time we wanted. Can I ask to the PPs who were unable to get their choices and/or "tweak" them later on, how many people are in your party? Believe it or not, that makes a huge difference. Many people want tables for 4,5,7,9 and there are only so many spots available. It doesn't mean that the restaurants are booked solid, only that Disney Dining for reasons unknown will not give an six-top table to four people. They will tell you they are booked -- at least that was my experience once and I've read similar accounts since.

Even if every TS is booked, I don't look at that as a sign of the parks being crowded and the resorts being unmanageable. In fact, once I have my ADRs I figure I am locked into a better vacation because I am guaranteed a table and comfortable meal while others may be forced into dining choices they hadn't planned on. Remember, that time in December has MouseFest, Pop Warner and the first weekend has the taping of the Christmas Day parade.

If you really want to find out how well Disney is doing for that time period, go to their website and try to book various length of stay vacations at Value, Moderate and Deluxe resorts. See what the availability is like. True, people can stay offsite, but you can check those too. Don't worry about your vacation. Be happy with your current ADRs and keep trying for new ones. Have a wonderful time either way!

I'm the OP, table of 3, open on times- just trying to get the location. Online availability for Dec 2-9 is about nil. I did just secure a split ressie for the 2-4 & 4-9 [saved a huge $$$], but it looks all pretty spotty. I will be as far from the MK on Fri/Sat/Sun as I can be....

 

[Mom of 2 Wife of 1]

Karlzmom,

We will be there around the same time as you. Definitely keep calling as people's plans change and cancellations occur all the time. I'd be surprised (if you're persistent ), if you didn't ultimately get what you were looking for.

As for the parks that weekend, they say only Main Street in the MK gets truly busy and that the rest of the park(s) is fine. I remember reading how Disney actually had to "convince" and "place" people in front of the cameras because most would have rather been elsewhere, on rides, attractions, etc.

Keep your fingers crossed for sunny skies.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Not to bring all of you guys down, but I called tis morning and actually got every reservation I wanted for December. I was a little worried because we have put this off and I was afraid everything would be booked, but possibly we got them because we are doing mostly late lunches (simply because it is cheaper), and we aren't doing any character meals- that probably helped..? But we got the Brown Derby for lunch and I think that one is pretty popular...and Boma for breakfast- yum! I can't wait!

Keep trying and I wish everyone the best of luck- we had a hard time with reservations on our last trip and it sure put a damper on things.

 

[antmaril]

I made reservations yesterday for a trip to Disney in mid-December. I called this morning to make ADR's and got everything I asked for (I did not try to get LeCellier reservations since it's not one of my favorites).

I made dinner ADR's for Tutto Italia, 50's Prime Time, Rose & Crown and Cape May (not sure I'm keeping this one). Also made a lunch reservation at Crystal Palace.

I may tweak this a bit, but at least we'll be able to eat

 

[Mom of 2 Wife of 1]

It has a lot to do with the time of day, size of party and location of choice. I think for every popular TS that has no more availability there are two TS elsewhere that most people never consider that are just waiting to be reserved. But everyone has his or her heart set on specific cuisines, characters, locations within a certain distance of a park, etc. and not to get those spots is a heartbreaker, especially if you have little ones you know would love it there.

Nobody should have to call anywhere in this world 190 days in advance to reserve a lunch you don't know you'll be hungry for at a time you don't know you'll be ready for. But that's the ADR system with Disney, and we've all grown accustomed to it. Having said that, we need more food emoticons.

 

[sunny_stace]

I had some trouble too for December. I also had to face the fact that I again, would not be eating at Le Cellier. Shouldn't I get some extra in since I'm Canadian?!
Nor could I get Coral Reef, Whispering Canyon, or Tutto Italia at first! I finally got Tutto Italia for Candlelight Processional but on a different day than I had planned and a super different time!

I find that if I call in the middle of the day, lots of people have already called to change or cancel their reservations, so sometimes things have opened up. And remember there's still almost 2 months to keep trying!

 

[Dannielle_1]

It has a lot to do with the time of day, size of party and location of choice. I think for every popular TS that has no more availability there are two TS elsewhere that most people never consider that are just waiting to be reserved. But everyone has his or her heart set on specific cuisines, characters, locations within a certain distance of a park, etc. and not to get those spots is a heartbreaker, especially if you have little ones you know would love it there.

Nobody should have to call anywhere in this world 190 days in advance to reserve a lunch you don't know you'll be hungry for at a time you don't know you'll be ready for. But that's the ADR system with Disney, and we've all grown accustomed to it. Having said that, we need more food emoticons.

Oh I agree with you. There was plenty of TS available for my party of 3, even in the time ranges I wanted. Just not my first picks for some things. I took me four calls to get everything to where I currently have it. I'd get some ADRs and not others, then have to hang up to figure out the next "game plan" and call back, etc, etc...

I really didn't have my heart set on particular places, but there are favorites or new places we wanted to try. We are very fortunate that we get to go fairly often and can eat TS 2x per day, so we have lots of spots to fill, but we generally have the attitude of "if we don't get it this time we can try for our next trip."

There is just ONE that I'd really like to get right now, so I'll keep calling and checking if something comes up. (Teppen Edo for dinner for my DS birthday. And 3:45 or 9:00+ won't work for us, but I do currently have it scheduled for lunch that day.)

Part of our ADR problem is we have annual passes and pretty much wait till Passholders discounts come out before even looking at or planning dates. So that leaves us way past the 180 days before I even start thinking about where to eat and when. It does make it a little frustrating, but understand that is one of the cons I just have to deal with when waiting for AP rates and planning late. I remember way back in the day when going to Disney with my parents, you actually had to make most/all dining reservations DAY OF with guest relations or the actual restuarant. They also had video kiosks set up around Epcot to make dining plans. Sometimes I think that would be great to go that route again, but it would definately drive the compulsive planners crazy

 

[JamesMom]

/I must have been really lucky this morning. Cause of the pin code I changed our dates on 9/10 and on 9/11 (this morning) I got all my ADRs at around the same time as the old dates including: Chef Mickeys 7:20am , Ohana's 11:30a- Rose & Crown 8pm (hope to sit for Illum) -Crystal Palace at 8:20a - Coral Reef 11:40a. The only odd time was Liberty Tree at 4:30 - a little early so well kill time somewhere before picking a parade spot for 7p spectro.
Granted this is Dec 14-20 and I didn't pick the 'biggies' (CRT or Le C) but I was shocked I was able to get these!