Dining Disaster

[DekrRini]

Thank you for giving me hope! Did you have a certain time of day that you checked when you were successful last year, or did you check throughout the day?

I checked several times a day whenever I thought about it. It took a few weeks so hang in there.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I signed up for that yesterday, but I haven't gotten any notifications yet. I'm bummed that you have to select one date and one meal time for the search. I would take any time, any date that we'll be there.

Mine allows me a couple of different searches on multiple days, but I'm a member so I didn't know you could only do 1 at a time.

 

[comomom]

1900 Park Fare with Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner is hosted by Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and Anastasia and Drisella.

Doesn't have just princesses but with Cinderella there that might work. Heard it's a great interaction too.

That sounds wonderful!! Thank you!

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Oh my Goodness! Thank you. I will look for that one as well. Those are my daughter's two favorite princesses!!

I just checked for this week and Trattoria is available every day, and Akershus most days. There was a CRT, but a little late, but I think a 6:55 BOG popped up, as did a breakfast. Don't despair; you will have success. A lot of people also make multiple reservations for restaurants and drop them as they finalize.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I don't know ages, but we did the Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare, and my DGD4 loved it.

 

[MandLBee]

I've tried every possible time for Cinderella's Royal Table for the two days we plan to do MK, and I've tried every possible time for Akershus on the day we plan to do Epcot as well. Any other dining options with princesses that you know of?

Trattoria al Forno has Rapunzel and Flynn, Ariel and Eric. Breakfast only

 

[Tomh]

I have nothing to add here, other than to say that the DIS, and it's posters are an amazing group of people!

 

[comomom]

I have nothing to add here, other than to say that the DIS, and it's posters are an amazing group of people!

I just said the same thing to my husband. I find it so encouraging that complete strangers would be so helpful to a rookie planner like me!!

 

[ColoradoMom12]

People cancel last minute (anywhere from 30 days to 24 hours, and sometimes less than that) all of the time. Sign up for Touring Plans reservation finder and also with ***********. There probably won't be many texts about availability right away, but as it gets closer to your trip (at 60 days when FP reservations are made and also at 30 days when packages have to be paid off), things will start popping up.

There's no guarantee you would have gotten these reservations even if you had known earlier that you could book for your entire trip. There has been much frustration on this board lately with people (myself included) with trips in November who have not been able to get dining reservations. For some reason, November has been a very difficult month! I have never experienced this much unavailability (or frustration!) when making ADR's! We were at WDW for spring break, including Easter, (supposedly even bigger crowds than the days we'll be there in November) and was able to get everything I wanted then. Not so much with this trip.

Another idea is to split up your party. It's not ideal, but if you can get in that way, it's better than nothing! This is especially helpful if you've got a very large (like 10 or 12 person) party. Yet another option is to look for ADRs for a number one larger than your party. So if there are 5 of you, also search for (and take, if one is available!) ADRs for 6. They'll almost certainly still seat you.

Good luck!

 

[Wojodis]

Remember to try different party sizes as well. Disney books by number of people and not table size (anyone feel free to correct if things have changed)--not sure what you're party size it but a 6 person reservation and 2 3 person reservations often work very well--most places will accommodate you and sit your whole party together. Also, just like stated before--people book way more reservations than they need and cancel 2 days before. Don't get frustrated--different things will appear every day that you are there. Good luck!

 

[unrequited23]

We were able to pick up a PPO BOG ADR about 60-65 days before our trip for a group of 6. Just keep checking. It seemed like people booked a ton of just-in-case ADRs at the 180 day mark and then slowly reduced the number as their FP selections were made.

Have hope, check back, try not to become too obsessed.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

@comomom , in case you were looking for it, here's the November 2017 ADR cancellation thread. All the details are in the first post in case you're not sure how it works.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/n...-adr-thread-guidelines-in-first-post.3603977/

Also wanted to say don't stress too much about not getting the ADRs you're hoping for. 6 months is a long time and there will plenty of opportunities. To echo the advice of others, touring plans res. finder is a great tool. Also, spend some time on the Nov. cancellation thread. If you do both of these things I'm willing to bet you will score the ADRs you're looking for. Maybe not at the exact times you're looking for, but close. Who knows, in no time time at all you might have too many ADR options and begin posting on the cancellation thread helping others.

I see you mentioned this will be your family's first Disney trip! How exciting! These boards have a wealth of information and lots of great people to help with any questions you might have. You have truly come to the right place.

Edited to add: doing some quick math it seems you're arriving on November 26th. Not sure how long you're staying but it seems your visit could potentially overlap into December. I searched for a Dec. cancellation thread and it doesn't seem one has been started yet but rest assured there will be one for that month too.

 

[Travelstovegas]

This has been a helpful thread, thank you! My 180 was today and there was no breakfast availability for Akershus in the 4 day period I was looking for, for any combination of guests. My sister and I were both online to do our ADRs and we tried for Akershus first as it was our top priority. We're a party of 10 but tried splitting our group up in multiple ways - no luck. However, after we determined that Akershus was a no-go, we did manage to snag a BOG lunch reservation for the day we wanted & within an hour of the time we wanted, which was a big surprise since we figured BOG would be more in demand than Akershus!

I will keep looking & will use some of the tips listed here. Thanks!

 

[comomom]

Remember to try different party sizes as well. Disney books by number of people and not table size (anyone feel free to correct if things have changed)--not sure what you're party size it but a 6 person reservation and 2 3 person reservations often work very well--most places will accommodate you and sit your whole party together. Also, just like stated before--people book way more reservations than they need and cancel 2 days before. Don't get frustrated--different things will appear every day that you are there. Good luck!

We are a party of four: Mom, Dad, Big Bro (10yrs) and Little Sis (5yrs).
Do you think it would be better to split into two parties of two?

 

[Eriboo3]

Yesterday was my 180 day and I couldn't get any of the ADRs I wanted at the times I wanted. I couldn't get BOG at all. The same thing happened last year, but by checking for cancellations almost every day, I finally got the ADRs I wanted. I've not used any of the reservation finders, but I've heard they work well.

Hope everything works out well for you. Have a magical trip!

I couldn't get anything I wanted either! No BOG and no crt

 

[leebee]

I just said the same thing to my husband. I find it so encouraging that complete strangers would be so helpful to a rookie planner like me!!

That's because we want you to love Disney World as much as we do! Keep looking, and don't tell your kid(s) anything about plans until you have the confirmation number in hand! One thing to remember: You are going to Disney World! You're all going to have an amazing, magical time, princess meal or not, coveted ADR or not! On our first trip, we had DD5 and DNiece1 princesses in our party. We stayed offsite, didn't eat at a single table service restaurant, and were out of the park by 7pm each evening (so no evening parades, fireworks, etc). People here on the boards would be horrified at our lack of planning. Know what? We had an amazing, magical time, and it led to years and years of Disney World visits! My BIL became a part-time cast member, my sis, BIL, and now 2 nieces have had APs forEVER, DD (now 24, not 5) and I have logged 27 trips to WDW. You can't do it all in one trip, and might not even get to do everything you'd hoped to, but IT'S GOING TO BE AN AMAZING, WONDERFUL, MAGICAL VACATION!! Eyes on the prize: You're taking your family to Disney World!

ETA: Don't split your party. Things will open up. I have been trying for 2 months for an 8pm ADR at California Grill for 7/26. All I've been able to book is 9pm... until this morning, when I snagged a 7:35pm ADR. Don't give up trying... and remember, YOU'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!

 

[Elizakapeka]

I signed up for that yesterday, but I haven't gotten any notifications yet. I'm bummed that you have to select one date and one meal time for the search. I would take any time, any date that we'll be there.

you can select a date range in the reservation finder. I have 2 searches active for about 5 months now, there have been no found reservations for the two im looking for but my trip is in 8 days, I am thinking the day before is when I will find openings due to people cancelling. good luck. I dont have princess kids but wondering if they have princess character meets in the parks?

 

[Alabama Minnie]

We are hoping additional ressies open-up for Akershus that same week when they release the Candlelight Processional ressies. I think that will be in July I have heard. Also, 1900 Park Fare only has Cindy at dinner.

 

[comomom]

We are hoping additional ressies open-up for Akershus that same week when they release the Candlelight Processional ressies. I think that will be in July I have heard. Also, 1900 Park Fare only has Cindy at dinner.

What is the Candlelight processional?

 

[Wojodis]

We are a party of four: Mom, Dad, Big Bro (10yrs) and Little Sis (5yrs).
Do you think it would be better to split into two parties of two?

That probably wouldn't help but I would try anyway. Also, look at reservations for 5--certain time slots seem to be associated with different size parties. If something is available I would book it and then try to change later. I'm fairly confident you'll find what you're looking for, it just may take a bit. Good luck!