Do I give up hope, or keep trying?

[Creampuff06]

Hello!

DH, DD and I are going to WDW in September and we're so excited we can hardly see straight. Okay, well, right now I'M the only one that excited, as my DD is four and still doesn't quite understand what it means when I say we're going to Disney. I'm sorry, I digress.

My small problem is this - I called to make reservations for character dining and the entire week is sold out. Completely and utterly sold out. I know that reservations should be made six months in advance, but honestly - we didn't know if we'd be able to go until last month so I didn't think to book (especially as our vacation times were changing constantly for a bit). I've called back three times so far to check availability, and have checked the website too, but no luck. Should I just give up hope that something will open up? We DID book the Bibbidi-Bobbidi Boutique in Downtown Disney, so in reality, if we miss the character dining all will not be lost. I was just wondering what our chances are, if anyone else has had this experience.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes. Keep looking, people cancel. If you're really open to doing ANY character meal you ought to be able to find something if you are flexible about times, as long as you keep checking. The problem you are having is that it's right in the middle of Free Dining.

Also, consider the Garden Grove buffet at the Swan that has a character dinner nightly and a character breakfast on weekends. It's usually fewer characters than the Disney-owned places, but it's not on the dining plan which might make it easier to get in.

 

[ahutton]

You can also check out Garden Grove at the Swan - they have character dining options and don't have the same booking issues as other places.

However - you might want to play the character meal by ear. At 4 it was hit or miss on if my kids wanted to see characters!

 

[minnie mum]

The other thing is to be flexible with your times. You'll have much better luck if you just specify a meal (ie breakfast) rather than a time (8:00). Do you have to have a specific character meal? Is there a 2nd choice?

 

[Robin K]

DON'T GIVE UP!
Keep trying...everyday. Like PP have said some people cancel at the 45 day mark. Also there is a thread under Disney Dining Reservations titled canceled Sept ADRs people post on there about ADRs they are canceling.
Hope it all works out for you!
Have a great trip

 

[Funfire240]

Don't give up! Last year we went the last week in September - a week before we left I was able to get a breakfast at Tusker House and someone lucky received my Chef Mickey's that I cancelled as a result. I was also able to change times for Akershus a few days before we left. So keep trying.

 

[rand1953]

try the disney web site for reservations, i had the same problem last year with cape may i just keep checking everyday until something pop up,
there should be plenty of times for sept. there will be openings for next week
but not 90 days out ? i found the closer i got to my trip there was more restaurants had openings.

 

[Creampuff06]

The other thing is to be flexible with your times. You'll have much better luck if you just specify a meal (ie breakfast) rather than a time (8:00). Do you have to have a specific character meal? Is there a 2nd choice?

Oh, we're being very flexible now, for sure! I was trying to get a res for after our trip to Bibbidi Bobbidi, but then I just said, "You know what? ANYTIME, ANY DAY will do!" The poor, awesome cast member on the phone still couldn't find anything! And he did mention that we're right in the middle of free dining too, sigh.

I appreciate the responses (as well as someone moving this to the right forum!) and the advice; we'll keep trying for sure. My DH did remind me that at four, she might not care about meeting the characters so much after being there a couple of days (due to being overwhelmed) and BBB might be enough. And if we see some in the parks, that would probably be fine too. I'm still going to try!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Check the September ADR Thread, I see Crystal Palace come up and
Ohana Breakfast

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Don't give up. I went early September last year and was able to find an ADR for 'Ohanas for 8 people a week before our trip!

 

[TSM]

I have been trying for a couple days to switch my akershus reservation from lunch to dinner in Sept. Today when I checked it was open (online).I would just keep checking everyday.

 

[TinkerMarie]

Well I can't guarantee they'll still be there when you come back and read this, but just a few minutes ago I checked that week and saw Hollywood & Vine on Wednesday and Thursday, Cape May and 1900 Park Fare on Friday, and Garden Grove on Tuesday. So there are some to be found. Try checking yourself every day, just by plugging in the date and # of guests on the website. Pick a meal instead of a specific time and it will list all the restaurants with availability. If you're not sure whether they have characters, click on the restaurant name and it will specify that along the right sidebar.

They weren't prime times, like pre-park-opening or early dinners, but they were there.

 

[jenifferf00]

We're going the same week with our 4 year old as well. I've changed things around and have gotten lucky getting reservations. Like others have said, just keep checking, you'll find stuff.

 

[GatorMama]

We will be there the weekk before you and are having the same problem. I just found a late breakfast at 'Ohana last night though! I'm checking 2-3 times a day for out "most wanted" meals though. (Breakfast or lunch at H&V or dinner at Garden Grill)

 

[jennyjinx3]

I am also in the "DON'T GIVE UP !" camp. Keep checking everyday, multiple times a day if you can. Just make it part of your daily routine!!

 

[Soon2B4]

I have been able to get what I have wanted during a free dining week but I stalk the online reservation system! With the credit card guarantees, a lot of people will be canceling the closer they get. Like pp said, check even after you arrive. DO NOT GIVE UP!

 

[mid630]

Earlier today I saw a post where someone was less than a month out and still holding on to two to see which one fit their schedule better. And one of my good friends was there last year in late August and ate at Chef Mickey's for breakfast FOUR times with no reservations at all.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Don't give up. Things open up all the time. You just have to be REALLY persistent. I would highly recommend the website over the phone. On any given Saturday...I could check the site 100+ times if there's an ADR I really want...and while I may go weeks/months with nothing- something always eventually turns up. 45 days out is when things really start to open, but it's those last 2 weeks that have been magic for me. The CC guar for these meals also means you should see a number of things open up a day or two before...so you can even keep trying once you arrive.

Also use all kinds of search windows since you're flexible. i.e. if I just wanted to get into CRT, I'd probably do broad searching breakfast, then lunch, then dinner vs. a specific time.

If you are not particular about which character meal you do...Hollywood & Vine and Cape May have always been the easiest ones for me to book. 'Ohana breakfast and 1900 Park Fare (either meal) are usually the next easist ones from my experiences. Akershus also seems to pop up a bit...like someone finally got a CRT spot so they drop Norway.

Good luck!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

Keep trying. In the "old" days there were no penalties for not canceling a character meal but with the new policy folks are more apt to call and cancel in a timely manner. If you continue to check you should see one open. Don't give up!

 

[nobellybutton]

I would absolutely keep trying I leave in 8days for the Happiest Place on Earth! I was able just last week to get reservations for Wishes Dessert Party for 6! And I was able to get Asherkus Storybook Dining about 45days ago. And I also was able to get Fantasmic Pkg about 2months ago, and a BBB appointment. I really believe that people "hoard" reservations slots, multiples, and then go canceling them once they've settled into their itinerary, not cool I know because it's frustrating for whoever is waiting. :-(
I would also call, each of my reservations were done by a CM because I wasn't able to find anything online.