December Epcot Dinner Ressies

[dnw25]

Hi All. Looking for advice. The last several mornings I have been up looking at the current available options at 180. Apparently, it is impossible to get dinner reservations at either Via Napoli or Teppen Edo (6-7:30). I assume it is because the Candlelight Processional Packages, which we are not interested in at all. When does Disney release availability outside the special event dining? Or, is Disney and Epcot really just that busy and everything is booked already at 180 days.

I book ADRs in several days and am at I loss. Appreciate any advice or insight.

 

[gregf71]

Hi -

We are in the same boat, except our ADR window opens up in 2 days. We just want to make WS ADRs for two nights of our early December trip and not CP packages. I will repeat here what I posted on a Biergarten specific thread about this very same issue...

"A lot of folks have commented in the Restaurants section of the Boards about their same experiences lately. I have emailed, chatted, and telephoned Disney over the past several days and have received mixed information. It "appears" that they are holding back ADRs for Epcot due to the Candlelight Processional. I was told during the chat session that things should "be resolved" on or before our ADR window opens up this Thursday; that could mean on Thursday or possibly before, but who knows, it could be later too. I just wish that there was better communication out of Disney about this. Any way, just keep checking online or calling. Best of luck!"

Or, is Disney and Epcot really just that busy and everything is booked already at 180 days?

I highly doubt it. I think that they are just holding these restaurants back until they do whatever it is they need to do to get the dinner packages organized and made available. I expect that normal and package ADRs will open up together. The problem is, one that I communicated to Disney via email the other night, as every day passes it essentially increases the number of visitors that can grab these limited number of ADRs. As a WDW Resort guest, this diminishes one of the perks (180 + 10), one of the selling points, of staying on property.

My advice...just keep checking every day...eventually they will open up. Best of luck!

 

[tinkerhon]

Hi -

We are in the same boat, except our ADR window opens up in 2 days. We just want to make WS ADRs for two nights of our early December trip and not CP packages. I will repeat here what I posted on a Biergarten specific thread about this very same issue...

"A lot of folks have commented in the Restaurants section of the Boards about their same experiences lately. I have emailed, chatted, and telephoned Disney over the past several days and have received mixed information. It "appears" that they are holding back ADRs for Epcot due to the Candlelight Processional. I was told during the chat session that things should "be resolved" on or before our ADR window opens up this Thursday; that could mean on Thursday or possibly before, but who knows, it could be later too. I just wish that there was better communication out of Disney about this. Any way, just keep checking online or calling. Best of luck!"

Or, is Disney and Epcot really just that busy and everything is booked already at 180 days?

I highly doubt it. I think that they are just holding these restaurants back until they do whatever it is they need to do to get the dinner packages organized and made available. I expect that normal and package ADRs will open up together. The problem is, one that I communicated to Disney via email the other night, as every day passes it essentially increases the number of visitors that can grab these limited number of ADRs. As a WDW Resort guest, this diminishes one of the perks (180 + 10), one of the selling points, of staying on property.

My advice...just keep checking every day...eventually they will open up. Best of luck!

They are definitely holding them back for CP--- I tried at exactly 6am on my 180+10 day, and other than spice road, Le Cellier, and maybe one more--- nothing was available for 11/27-12/5 !!

Not even San angel or nine dragons --- and those are always available !! Just waiting for them to be released

 

[Mermaid78]

Tinkerhon, We are going during that week as well and all I need is Coral Reef. I didn't think I needed to worry about that one. That one is usually available. I hope this is the case. I will reserve Bongos in case, but really hope they release the ressie's soon.

 

[AnnaKat]

I don.t believe that they will really release the ressies soon. Why?--because they finally fixed the search availability function for Biergarten, but they ALSO held back ALL ressies starting on Nov.27!! Most Epcot rest. are being held back, into Dec. Disney IT had to deliberately program it as such!!!! We are staying 16 nites & NO Biergarten!! We have had 11th day window for days & days in a row, & NO advantage as Epcot rest. are being held back. The CP Pkg. won't be avai until July. I resent having to check every day in June. What good is staying onsite WHEN Disney thinks this is acceptable

 

[Tonberry]

I find it aggravating that they held back EVERY table. You would think that they would look back on past years and see how many people booked a CP package to each restaurant, then set that amount aside for the CP package and release the remaining dates to the public.

When the CP package goes on sale in July, who knows if they'll release any dates for ADRs. I feel bad for people who plan on spending an entire day in Epcot and have no places to eat there.

 

[gregf71]

I don.t believe that they will really release the ressies soon. Why?--because they finally fixed the search availability function for Biergarten, but they ALSO held back ALL ressies starting on Nov.27!! Most Epcot rest. are being held back, into Dec. Disney IT had to deliberately program it as such!!!! We are staying 16 nites & NO Biergarten!! We have had 11th day window for days & days in a row, & NO advantage as Epcot rest. are being held back. The CP Pkg. won't be avai until July. I resent having to check every day in June. What good is staying onsite WHEN Disney thinks this is acceptable

Well put, AnnaKat...you should really communicate those sentiments directly to Disney. I sent them a very similarly worded email just the other day.

 

[Jen731]

@dnw25 Do not worry!! It's almost all the Epcot restaurants. We will all just have to alert each other when they finally start going through. It stinks to have to wait but I'm not even checking anymore, im going to wait until someone around here posts some success. I think there's a better than good chance you will be able to get one of your preferred restaurants for that week. It sounds like this is the first year they have held back the Epcot reservations so who knows why they are doing what Disney is doing. Don't stress yet. It will work out.

 

[MagentaMulan]

I'm glad i'm not only one having hard time getting reservations at Epcot around this time. I've been trying to get Chefs de France all morning, I guess i'll have to wait. I'm not even interested in a CP package.

 

[icunurss]

Yep, I have been trying for dinner or lunch for several restaurants over a few days and nothing. I wasn't expecting lunch to be locked up, too, I guess. Hopefully I will be able to get something for my trip!

 

[AnnaKat]

Obviously they could have held back just a portion of the ressies in anticipation of the Candlelight Proc. Pkg. This could likely be yet another way to add to profits. They know the Epcot ones will get fully booked. The Pkg bookings are more profitable, so why not get as many of those booked as possible?! They don.t care if we have the opportunity to book @ normal prices, so long as the restaurants are fully booked!

 

[peacefulmama]

I was just able to get a Beirgarten for November 30 for 8 people at 5:30 pm and there were several other times available!

 

[Mermaid78]

@dnw25 Do not worry!! It's almost all the Epcot restaurants. We will all just have to alert each other when they finally start going through. It stinks to have to wait but I'm not even checking anymore, im going to wait until someone around here posts some success. I think there's a better than good chance you will be able to get one of your preferred restaurants for that week. It sounds like this is the first year they have held back the Epcot reservations so who knows why they are doing what Disney is doing. Don't stress yet. It will work out.

That is exactly what I am thinking Jen731 and that is what I keep telling the other members in my group. It is still early and I have faith that we will get that ONE restaurant that we would like.

 

[Mermaid78]

They must have released some I just got Coral Reef. Now I have to keep my eye on Sanaa. Good Luck to everyone...

 

[MagentaMulan]

I just got Chefs de France!

 

[dnw25]

Thanks everyone for your advice and input. I checked again this am and nothing had been released. I make ADRs Friday and am stressing since this is the first time booking character dining and I am uncertain how quickly places book. Plus, we will be there during Pop Warner and it will either be fine or crazy based on what I’ve read – boards are all over the place on this.

I agree with many of you that it is ridiculous to have to keep checking every am until these open (especially since paying extra to stay on Disney property and have this perk. Plus, I have to get up at 4:50 am every am until I get these ressies. 4:50 is very early for me with a still not sleeping well 16 month old)

Gregf71 – Thank you for your input and reassurance. I am impressed you have called. I HATE calling since every single call is a minimum of 12 minutes for me – for a simple question. Good luck tomorrow. I hope it is cleared for you tomorrow ! and then us on Friday!!!

Anna Kat – fear you are correct – won’t be released until July or later. Which honestly, is really unacceptable for the amount of money Disney charges to stay at their resorts and for having to book everything 180+ days out.

Jen731/Mermaid 78 – you are right. It will work out. Planning dining this trip has been more stressful than previous trips. In the past I’ve always gotten everything we’ve wanted, including difficult ressies. This is the first time taking our toddler so our picks now include character meals – crystal palace, chef mickeys, ohana, hoop dee doo, BOG lunch and maybe tusker am and Hollywood and vine, and the rest epcot. It seems like these are all difficult to get. I next have to figure out priorities on Friday am.

 

[MrsHull]

I was just able to get a Beirgarten for November 30 for 8 people at 5:30 pm and there were several other times available!

Yes! Thanks for posting. This was the last reservation I was looking for and I got it after seeing your success! And to think I almost didn't call today.

 

[gregf71]

I just did a blanket search for Dinner for November 30th and I got availability/times actually displaying at Akershus, Biergarten, Chefs de France, Coral Reef, Garden Grill, La Hacienda de San Angel, Le Cellier, Monsieur Paul, Nine Dragons, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose & Crown, San Angel Inn, Teppon Edo, Tokyo Dining, Tutto Italia, and Via Napoli. I didn't click through the entire process because we don't arrive until December 1st, but this is positive thing indeed! I did run into that annoying, "We're sorry, there is a problem searching for Dining Event reservations at this time" message that has been plaguing the site the last few days, but after a few attempts, I got results!

Good luck everyone! Crossing my fingers for tomorrow morning...3am PST...YAWN!

P.S. It does not look like the CP packages are available though.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

Correct EPCOT restaurants are now showing availability for non-CP reservations 11/27 on

 

[chinarider]

will be booking in two weeks, hoping to get a CP pkg. Do I just need to wait until those are releases separately