Don't give up and remember to check when you are on site!

[zimomiller]

We just returned from a 6 night stay at the Yacht club. We had a very nice room, 2164, very near the lobby. Terrific , quiet location down a hall with only 1 other room.

I made all our ADRs well in advance of our trip but we did not book until ~ 3 months in advance. Needless to say getting ADRs for the hard to get venues was impossible. (BOG, CRT, Ohana, )

On Sunday night my wife asked me where we were dining Tuesday ( after dining at Tutto Italia Saturday and Le Cellier Sunday) and I said Ohana. (The Ohana ADR I was miraculously able to get ~ 2 weeks before we left by just a random check of MDE which I did every day)

She asked me to change the ressie as she was not in the mood for Ohana~!

Based upon guidance here on the DIS boards I went in MDE to check for open ressies about 10 pm Sunday night with no expectation of finding anything we would really wanted for a new ADR Tuesday.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered an 805 PM Cinderella's Royal Table slot! The wife liked that, so I booked it. Ended up being the #2 meal of the trip.

Monday night I decided to try my luck again. We had an ADR for Cape May Wednesday night but I figured that would be a waste as neither of us had been in a buffet mood.

I went into MDE about 1030PM and searched for Wednesday dinner and imagine my surprise when a 5pm Be Our Guest ressie popped up! The wife loves the Beast and it turned out to be our favorite meal of the trip.

Don't forget to check for alternative ADRs late in the evenings once you are on site.

Our dinners were, in order of our experience:
1) BOG
1A) CRT
3) Le Cellier
4) Tutto Italia
5) Teppan Edo
6) ESPN

All were very good with great service and we had no complaints. The ESPN choice was a result of a long day at Universal followed by torrential rain and a last minute choice to find somewhere near the Yacht club to dine.

 

[CanadianPaco]

This is wonderful advice! What a score for BOG!! Great luck!!!

 

[bebeinwonderland]

Thanks for posting! I've been a bit discouraged about trying to book last minute reservations for a spontaneous trip coming up next week. Will keep trying after seeing this post!

 

[disneydude365]

will definitely be playing the MDE adr chance game from now till the first night of our trip hopefully we get some fun decent choices! so far everything but ADR is only thing missing from our trip

 

[CCxmas]

I've called every day and checked the MDE website daily. Beginning to think that CRT is not in the cards for us. Able to get Akershus and BOG for dinner so I'm happy. Is it impossible to get CRT?!?

 

[C2EMAMA]

I've been checking oniline multiple times a day since our 180+10 back in May and I've seen 3-4 CRT reservations pop up in that whole time. So not impossible, but yes rare. Hopefully OP's advice will pan out for you and you'll get one closer to your trip dates! Good luck!

 

[hollannc]

I've called every day and checked the MDE website daily. Beginning to think that CRT is not in the cards for us. Able to get Akershus and BOG for dinner so I'm happy. Is it impossible to get CRT?!?

Same here! Mid November trip for us and got BOG after stalking the cancellation thread for months. CRT has been impossible for our dates. I got a 2 person ADR a few weeks ago through coordinating but that means the rest of our party will have to eat somewhere else while I take DD6

 

[zimomiller]

Go into MDE at 10 PM some nght in advance of your trip and pretend you are checking ADRs for tomorrow for whatever time you have in mind. You will be surprised what will pop up...just do not get excited and book it

 

[CCxmas]

Go into MDE at 10 PM some nght in advance of your trip and pretend you are checking ADRs for tomorrow for whatever time you have in mind. You will be surprised what will pop up...just do not get excited and book it

Yea I've heard to be flexible and to check the day before. I'm trying to not be so type A!! Disney is bringing out the worst in me. lol

 

[CCxmas]

Same here! Mid November trip for us and got BOG after stalking the cancellation thread for months. CRT has been impossible for our dates. I got a 2 person ADR a few weeks ago through coordinating but that means the rest of our party will have to eat somewhere else while I take DD6

I feel your pain. I've looked for ressie for 2 instead of 3. Would hate to leave my better half out though. Especially to see his bg see Cinderella!! Not sure why I'm going so nuts since I got a FP to see Cinderella..

 

[Smile4Me]

This brings me hope! We also booked our trip about 3 months out, and have been lucky to get most of the restaurants we want too,,but am still trying to get that elusive Ohana reservation! I check every day and will just keep checking even when we are there!

 

[Pherie]

Me too. Still monitoring whenever possible for CRT openings

 

[Jnelms]

We are going the week before Christmas and it has been tough getting the ADRs that I really want... Maybe I'll end up with luck like yours!

 

[ShannonBS]

We are going right before Thanksgiving and I've been checking daily for months now trying to get a princess meal, with no luck at all. I'd be happy with Akershus even although CRT would be my first choice, just crossing my fingers that something will open up. Any tips from people who have had success with these reservations?

 

[CCxmas]

We are going right before Thanksgiving and I've been checking daily for months now trying to get a princess meal, with no luck at all. I'd be happy with Akershus even although CRT would be my first choice, just crossing my fingers that something will open up. Any tips from people who have had success with these reservations?

It took forever to come across any reservations. Booked after 180 mark and going week after Thanksgiving. Happened to come across BoG for dinner when calling the dining line. Akershus has come up online several times for me but not a hint of CRT. People keep telling me that 7-10 days prior is when reservations start to drop. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed for a CRT. I've taken the advice of another about looking tonight for tomorrow and seeing all the reservations that open up. That has given me hope for the dates we're going. But I hate being a last minute planner. Good luck!!

 

[ShannonBS]

Thanks, that's where I am too, I hate being a last minute planner! I'm trying to keep some flexibility in our schedule so I can grab whatever pops up...but I really want to finalize our other plans! I'm just at the 10 day mark now...maybe a few things will start opening up!!???? And if not I'll still be checking the night before!

 

[jerseygal]

We had a similar pleasant experience when former neighbors who relocated to Orlando this summer unexpectedly were able to meet us later in the evening(started trying for an ADR about 2:30PM). Much to my surprise both Kona and Grand Floridian Café had ADR for 7:00 the same evening for 5 of us! We all decided on GF Café as we all had been to Kona for dinner but not GF Cafe; Dinner was DELICIOUS! SO PLEASED; yummy! Really surprised that we could get an ADR for 5 at both places on such short notice! KEEP TRYING when you are on site!

 

[CCxmas]

Thanks, that's where I am too, I hate being a last minute planner! I'm trying to keep some flexibility in our schedule so I can grab whatever pops up...but I really want to finalize our other plans! I'm just at the 10 day mark now...maybe a few things will start opening up!!???? And if not I'll still be checking the night before!

Don't forget some TS have 1 vs 2 day cancellation policy!!

 

[CCxmas]

Thanks, that's where I am too, I hate being a last minute planner! I'm trying to keep some flexibility in our schedule so I can grab whatever pops up...but I really want to finalize our other plans! I'm just at the 10 day mark now...maybe a few things will start opening up!!???? And if not I'll still be checking the night before!

There's still hope. I just looked for tomorrow and there's several Akershus available... No CRT but there is 1900 Park Fare. If you're looking for a Cinderella dining experience it's a good choice. It's not the castle setting but it is Cinderella, Prince Charming, the step-sisters and the step-mother. I've heard that Fairy Godmother has made an appearance from time to time.

 

[DisneyRobin]

I've called every day and checked the MDE website daily. Beginning to think that CRT is not in the cards for us. Able to get Akershus and BOG for dinner so I'm happy. Is it impossible to get CRT?!?

I just checked for tomorrow as someone was suggesting - just to see what's available with 24 hrs notice.

CRT is available at 10am, Crystal Palace at 10:25am, Hollywood and Vine at 8:30am, BOG at 8am and 9am... tons of choices! And that's just breakfast. Lots available for lunch and dinner, too!!!

I know this is a busy week too since I tried to go this weekend and all of the resorts were booked. It's NJ week. all schools in our state had off Thus and Fri.

I think you'll get what you're looking for - just keep trying and definitely check the days before you want to eat!