Do people tend to cancel ADRs right before they leave?

[disprincess2213]

This is my first time making ADRs. And I'm obsessed. No really- obsessed lolll!! Anyways with all my searching, i need one more adr but have never seen one available for my trip- we leave in less than a month.
My question is- in your experiences, do people really start to cancel when it gets closer to the day?
Do you think people hoard reservations and let them go when they get there or right before the 24 hour mark?
Like I said I check 50x- a day for this breakfast ADR and I am losing hope!!!

 

[wdw4rfam]

I think people really do hang on to them until the week/days before. I know that the 2 ADRS that I have double booked are that way for weather days. We are going to sea world and universal, and decided both of those parks would suck in all day rain, so are prepared to move them to other days by booking ADRs for multiple days. I will cancel the ones I don't need a day or 2 before, as soon as the forecast is a little more certain.

 

[Stephandy03]

I don't know for sure, but looking at upcoming weeks I see a lot of openings so I am guessing that people cancel 1) after choosing fast passes, 2) around the paid in full date, and 3) just before the trip.

I also can't help wondering if I canceled one of mine, would someone have one that I want and cancel theirs?

I'm checking all the time too. It's getting a little OCD for me too!

 

[lovewdwdvc]

We cancel about 20% of our reservations the day before. They are really good reservations, we just change our minds.

 

[Jeankableem]

I think a lot of people book what they can get and cancel when they decide what they really want.

I know booking a trip really close to when we leave that's what I'm doing!

 

[katelynh]

Hopefully, since I haven't booked anything yet!

 

[undertheradar]

Yesterday was a great day when checking adrs for our trip next month. We are roughly 37 days out and only looking for tables for 2. In a span of 45 minutes I found an Ohana 8:25 breakfast, a 9:05 BOG dinner on a Saturday night, and a Sunday Chef Mickey's breakfast for 7:25.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The only date that might be a real indication of when you might see ADR cancellations is the day before (later than that and a penalty must be paid.)

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

We're at 15 days away and for the past 2 days we have seen reservations available for CRT for the first time since we started looking for it a month ago.

 

[monique5]

We're at 15 days away and for the past 2 days we have seen reservations available for CRT for the first time since we started looking for it a month ago.

This is good to know for our upward December trip.

 

[missnic]

I have had really good luck getting reservations 5-7 days in advance. Yesterday, I was able to get a reservation at BoG for Monday night at 6:00.
A few months ago, we stopped in to guest services to check for same day reservations (the app wouldn't allow me to even search), and got 'Ohana that evening.
On the flip side, I've also cancelled them with short notice, just because plans changed.

 

[OasterP]

I can't remember if you said when you were going, but look for the cancellation boards for that month and join. They have gotten me so many reservations! I've gotten BOG (4:55 dinner on a party night) and CRT dinner (6:50) both specifically from those boards. Additionally I've seen a bunch of other BOG, CRT, Akershus, CP early breakfast, Ohana, and several more just in the last few days. This is the September board, but many others are probably similar.

That said - I think a lot of people do probably cancel at the last minute. We have the dining plan "free" so we booked a LOT of character meals. We don't typically eat a lot and have never been to Disney. We will be there 11 days. So while I'm thrilled with the ADR's we have now, I can't promise I won't be sick of food by day 5 and might start cancelling. Just keep checking!

I checked obsessively for a while, but I did get every single place I wanted at the time I wanted! It just took time (a lot of time I'll admit). But each search didn't take long. I'd have them up on my computer and just hit refresh while I was looking.

Good luck!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I'm hanging on to my double bookings till the last minute because I can't decide between Yachtsman (never been there) and Le Cellier (never been there). Based on the reviews Yachtsman wins out but I really want to "experience" Le Cellier. My rezzies are for August 27th so I may wait until the 25th to cancel one.

I also have a conundrum. I have BOG at 6:40 on Aug 29th Friday then Wishes Dessert Party at 9:00. I really want to pig out at the DP but that just seems too close for comfort. We may take the hit on that one if we decide to eat earlier.

 

[sasb]

I think a lot of people cancel the week before! That is how I got all my reservations last October...

 

[marchingstar]

Heading to the World tomorrow, and I just got the last ressie I've been searching for yesterday afternoon. It's for dinner on the 19th, so whoever canceled it did so 4 days in advance.

For the record, I'm searching for a small party (2), but in the last week I've seen multiple dates/times for BOG and CRT, along with places that are less in demand. There has also been a lot of activity on the August cancellation thread (but, of course, not all the tables I have come across were announced here in advance).

I would say if you're willing to move some plans around at the last minute, there's a reasonable chance you'll find ADRs right before your trip. Don't give up hope (but also don't count on something showing up), and you never know what'll happen

 

[marchingstar]

I also have a conundrum. I have BOG at 6:40 on Aug 29th Friday then Wishes Dessert Party at 9:00. I really want to pig out at the DP but that just seems too close for comfort. We may take the hit on that one if we decide to eat earlier.

Just some thoughts: I've heard that dessert at BOG is a bit lacklustre. If there isn't something that grabs you, you could always skip dessert there to save space? Or get a cupcake/cream puff to go and take it back to your hotel for a snack later/another day? Depending on how much you typically eat at dinner and in the evenings, you could always make a smaller meal out of a couple appetizers (soup and salad), or split an entree with someone in your party (I guess you could try to split one with someone at another table, but YMMV )? Those options might make less sense if you're using the dining plan.

I think if I had both ressies on one night I would keep them (maybe checking for BOG dinner another night, but chances aren't great), but eat lightly at BOG. And maybe walk around the park for most of the time between them instead if sitting/riding rides if you can spare the time.