Free dining - some restaurants full already...

[Mom of 3]

I have free dining 9/22 for 8 nights and LeCellier was completely booked for the 3 evenings that I inquired about.

Also, the Fantasmic dinner packages must be getting low because the only time I could get was 3:40 PM.

Everything else I asked about worked out okay and I got the times I wanted within 30 minutes or so.

I guess things fill up quickly.

I can't believe I have my days planned out 5 months from now.

I love free dining.

 

[jmpellet]

I think free dining or not Le Cellier is near impossible to get 5 months out. We went in January and had to take lunch, which was just as good as the dinner we had last year during free dining.

 

[beattyfamily]

Yes, the same thing happened last year and they then extended the hours of some restaurants to accomodate.

I even got a call from Disney Dining asking me if I made all my ADRs because the restaurants are filling up and telling me they've extended some of the restaurant's hours.

 

[ogreenlee]

I got Le Cellier for 8:30 on a Saturday during Free Dining.

I was kind of shocked. However, I made ressies for 6, but they had to separate us into two tables.

 

[sunny_stace]

I had a strange thing happen - I got my ADRs for all the places I thought would be tough to get with no problems....but when it comes to the Yacht Club Galley - couldn't get a dinner ressie for 4 days in a row (sept 25-29)!! I thought that would be the easy one! lol It must be as good as I imagine! I'll have to remember to book that one first next time!

 

[annaaidan99]

I made my ADR's on the 13th, and got my choice of times for LeCellier on Sept 12- any time b/t 4:00 and 9:00. I did have to split my party of five, but that was not a big deal. Come to think of it, they gave me my pick of times for everything. I had been so nervous about making them due to the general insanity with hotel booking- but I was pleasantly surprised. The CM on the phone told me that she was surprised that the weeks AFTER free dining were going the fastest- with a lot of full restaurants in October.

 

[PixarGirl]

I have free dining 9/22 for 8 nights and LeCellier was completely booked for the 3 evenings that I inquired about.

Also, the Fantasmic dinner packages must be getting low because the only time I could get was 3:40 PM.

Everything else I asked about worked out okay and I got the times I wanted within 30 minutes or so.

I guess things fill up quickly.

I can't believe I have my days planned out 5 months from now.

I love free dining.

Hi Mom of 3... I'm a mom of three also! (This is my first post on the DisBoards.) We're going the same time that you are- 8 nights on the 21st - 29th. I made our ADR's last Saturday and LeCellier was booked (for dinner) then also... Wow! I guess we'll settle for a lunch- just to try the food. I've been hearing how great it is and can't wait to try it!

Nice to informally meet cha!

 

[michb94]

Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone thinks they will open more seats for the Hoop dee doo in September. The res agent said there were plenty available if we wanted to purchase them, just not for the free dining plan. We were trying to do something different this time, but tooooo late. I saw that someone said to stay away from using table service for Character b-fasts, any particular reason why? Can't wait to go............leaving Sept. 15th for 8 nts....YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[illiniowl]

I saw that someone said to stay away from using table service for Character b-fasts, any particular reason why?

That wasn't me but I can give you 2 main reasons why someone might say that:
1. Unless you are in the very first seating, you'll be wasting prime uncrowded early morning touring time sitting in a restaurant. Not everyone thinks this way, of course.
2. More specifically to the DDP, your TS credit will go a LOT farther at dinner (or even lunch), especially at a non-all-you-can-eat place, than it will at breakfast. Example: Breakfast at Chef Mickey's is $18.99 per adult (before tax & tip). Dinner at Chef Mickey's is $27.99/adult. In contrast, in almost any TS on property the value of your appetizer+entree+dessert+nonalcoholic beverage (which is what each adult is entitled to order with a TS credit) will probably exceed $30 and can easily exceed $40 or $50 (at a few places it's even possible to order over $60 worth of food/drink per adult TS credit).

 

[rlduvall]

When we were going 9/15 to 9/22 I had a hard time getting LeCellier (just 2 of us). I was able to get it on 9/16 at 4:20 p.m. (not an ideal time, but I grabbed it) THEN, we moved our trip up a week to 9/8 to 9/15. When I called for LeCellier for 9/9, there was several available times for 2 people. That really shocked me. Maybe that week it won't be as busy.

 

[ldo]

Morning is the best time to get a jump on the crowd. Eat in your room or do quick CS, then head to MK, ride all the rides you want, then when kids are getting tired out---you have a break at a great character meal. Most young children still do fine for lunch--it's dinner that can be an issue b/c they are so tired.
After lunch, which has given you a rest, you can decide to stay in park, or head back to hotel---but you've already had a great day! Also, as others said, breakfast is the cheapest meal. If you are going at a crowded time---I would NEVER to a character breakfast---go early and ride all the rides with minimal wait--this will have a BIG impact on how much fun you have--waiting 30+ minutes with a young child is torture!
Also, if going during the summer, you can the cooler time outside in the AM, then in AC at noon when it is getting hot.
Now, if you have an off-day not going to the parks and you have plenty of TS credits, then go to a cahracter break. Ohana's, 1900, etc. are great. We are doing this in Aug (free DDP) on a non-park day.

 

[AUTimmy]

Probably just LeCellier that is full.
I called for reservation since 4/5 for 8/28 at LeCellier, and they only have 4.40PM and 8.40PM slots left even for party of 3. other restaurants , I got whatever time I want to.

 

[n2mm]

I had a hard time getting a decent time for LeCellier for Oct. 15th and that's not during free ddp. When I called 180 days out for a table for 2, there were only very late times left, but did manage to get a 6:20, when it popped up as I as talking to the CM. If I'm having a hard time for October, I can't imagine what September is going to be like.

 

[tinaluis]

LeCellier has always been hard to get into. I made our ADR before Free Dining was announced and they had to split our party (party of 6) into two tables. We made an early dinner ADR and the CM said they would "try" to keep our two tables together. We'll see. If they can't, they can't. We'll still get to eat there and it was one of our favorites from last trip.

 

[michb94]

Ok, I can see why someone would say Character lunch over b-fast, actually that is a great idea. My fam has a hard time doing b-fast now.....a cereal bar on the run is good for us.. What is the opinion about the castle though? Are there more princesses at b-fast than at lunch? Right now we have a 9:45 b-fast booked, I think, for Weds or Thurs. Unfortunately for planning we just decided to go because I needed a break and free dining, who can pass that up?! Last time we had over a year to plan not 5 months.........

Thanks for any advice......

 

[DisneyTripper]

I booked Le Cellier for 9/18 at 180 days out just in case free dining was announced. The only time I was able to book for a party of 6 was at 4:10 or 8:50. I didn't want to miss Illuminations, so I took the 4:10 and decided to be thrilled about getting in at all.

 

[ldo]

4-6 princesses at Norway--only question about lunch/dinner at Norway is the food--Fine for kids--but take a look at adult menus--picky eaters might not like it.

 

[disneymom2twins]

Regarding the full restaurants after Free dining....

I have a feeling a lot of people were assuming free dining was until 9/29 like last year, plus if you check in on the 29th, it extends until the next week. When FD ending up being until the 22nd, I think a lot of these early October reservations are going to "go away". Now whether people cancel them or how Disney handles.....I wonder

 

[C50T]

Just found out Le Cellier is booked 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 of August.
That keeps us away from the kids chocolate moose, and cheese soup.
Does anyone have any hope of last minute cancellations freeing up some spots?
What's the best way to handle that? Should we just keep checking with the resort concierge daily?

 

[Jenna45]

I got Le Celier on the 27th at 8:00 pm for two, probably best to keep calling !!!

Just found out Le Cellier is booked 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 of August.
That keeps us away from the kids chocolate moose, and cheese soup.
Does anyone have any hope of last minute cancellations freeing up some spots?
What's the best way to handle that? Should we just keep checking with the resort concierge daily?