Has anyone had success booking dining? I mean......for the love of churros!

[RJstanis]

The 60 day window just opened for our arrival day (Oct. 11). Was up at 4 a.m. PT. Not a single reservation for Napa Rose available. Booked Storytellers as a backup ... did the slots really fill up that quickly or has Napa Rose been dropping later than 60 days (I've seen various reports)? I may try calling to see.

I also didn't see Oga’s for anytime on Oct. 11. We're not going into the park until the following day but I'm still closing monitoring BB and Ogas, as we're hoping to book both for Oct. 12.

Just reiterating what everyone else has said. This process is a nightmare.

I'm still waiting for Ogas Oct 3rd and or 4th to drop unless I missed it already. The whole process is frustrating where some things are available, some are not, and no warning when the ones that aren't will be available

 

[DizMe]

The 60 day window just opened for our arrival day (Oct. 11). Was up at 4 a.m. PT. Not a single reservation for Napa Rose available. Booked Storytellers as a backup ... did the slots really fill up that quickly or has Napa Rose been dropping later than 60 days (I've seen various reports)? I may try calling to see.

I also didn't see Oga’s for anytime on Oct. 11. We're not going into the park until the following day but I'm still closing monitoring BB and Ogas, as we're hoping to book both for Oct. 12.

Just reiterating what everyone else has said. This process is a nightmare.

When I look at the dining calendar for Napa Rose, it says there are no schedules available for this date. I think that means they haven't dropped the reservations yet for that day for NR. Compare it to earlier dates and you'll see what I mean.

ETA a couple of snips from the calendar for your date and an earlier date. I had to go all the way back to Sept 15 to find one that didn't say "no schedules"

 

[gpjacobs]

When I look at the dining calendar for Napa Rose, it says there are no schedules available for this date. I think that means they haven't dropped the reservations yet for that day for NR. Compare it to earlier dates and you'll see what I mean.

That's what I thought but with all this wackiness, didn't want to assume. Thanks!

The screenshots are super helpful. Doesn't give me much confidence for BB or Oga's though, as both are showing "Meal Periods" for Oct. 11 but not availability. However, I have Mouse Dining alerts set up for these restaurants and no alerts received to date. Wacky, I say ...

 

[Adamspt2]

Just booked Plaza Inn for October 6 breakfast in case anyone else is looking for that.

 

[BayGirl22]

That's what I thought but with all this wackiness, didn't want to assume. Thanks!

The screenshots are super helpful. Doesn't give me much confidence for BB or Oga's though, as both are showing "Meal Periods" for Oct. 11 but not availability. However, I have Mouse Dining alerts set up for these restaurants and no alerts received to date. Wacky, I say ...

I was also checking Napa Rose at 3am and nothing came up. Storytellers had openings today that were not there yesterday. I'm fairly confident Napa Rose has not posted any hours or dropped reservations yet.
Now we are all in the "wait and see when they randomly appear" phase. May the odds be ever in your favor.

 

[Mama_bear]

Does anyone have any idea if carnation cafe reservations will open up any time soon? I check every morning but I just wondered if there was info somewhere I had missed. We will be there the weekend it opens and would love to score a waffle lol.

 

[DizMe]

That's what I thought but with all this wackiness, didn't want to assume. Thanks!

The screenshots are super helpful. Doesn't give me much confidence for BB or Oga's though, as both are showing "Meal Periods" for Oct. 11 but not availability. However, I have Mouse Dining alerts set up for these restaurants and no alerts received to date. Wacky, I say ...

Oh man, I am totally there with you. This is one wacky, messed up "system"!!

 

[kikismom]

This morning, I was able to book Cafe Orleans and Plaza Inn for our trip in October. Still searching for the elusive BB. I also want to book the dessert party for Oogie Boogie but it doesn’t look like the date I need is available yet.

I am trying to get Plaza Inn for October and don't see dates released yet. What did you do to get these? I'm desperate!!

 

[smartlabelprint]

We were able to make reservations at Trader Sam's for Sept 2, but not as a party of 6. We finally managed to get a table for 4 and a table for 2 at the same time (6:45). Is there some way to request to be near each other or should we just show up early and try? I wonder if there are few reservations for larger parties.

I’d go a bit early.

 

[BayGirl22]

I am trying to get Plaza Inn for October and don't see dates released yet. What did you do to get these? I'm desperate!!

I got an 8:30 at Plaza Inn on Oct 10th this morning. The hours are not showing up but when I searched that time came up, and 8:10 on Sunday. Those were the only available (I'd rather do later) so its possible they will release more times?

Its bizarre there are no hours posted but time slots showed up in a search. Kind of breaks the theory above about hours posting before reservation slots.

ETA: I see an 8am on Thurs the 7th right now.

 

[Adamspt2]

I am trying to get Plaza Inn for October and don't see dates released yet. What did you do to get these? I'm desperate!!

I booked Plaza Inn this morning for October 6. Be sure you search on a variety of times that they have listed.

 

[kikismom]

Ugh I figured it out. It still says no times available for me on the first page. I just bypassed it at times came up. I really don't like our times but will live with it.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I'm pretty sure most of WCT's business comes from show packages and that's how they stay in business. DCA has a lot of good food options IMO and this is not one of them. Hard to pass up Carthay for it.

My daughter turns 10 in September so will be a Disney adult by the time we go. Really hoping they'll let her do the kids meal and get the popcorn bucket!

They usually do. But still charge adult prices.

 

[kikismom]

I got an 8:30 at Plaza Inn on Oct 10th this morning. The hours are not showing up but when I searched that time came up, and 8:10 on Sunday. Those were the only available (I'd rather do later) so its possible they will release more times?

Its bizarre there are no hours posted but time slots showed up in a search. Kind of breaks the theory above about hours posting before reservation slots.

ETA: I see an 8am on Thurs the 7th right now.

Yes that theory is dead to me. I really don't want to have to be there at 820 but that's the time we got.

 

[BayGirl22]

They usually do. But still charge adult prices.

Yeah, I know This "deal" is prix fixe and the kid's meal includes the popcorn bucket while the adult meal let's you add the popcorn bucket for an additional charge. So does my kid get less food for the adult price and we still have to pay extra for the bucket? So nonsensical.

Yes that theory is dead to me. I really don't want to have to be there at 820 but that's the time we got.

We'll be there for rope drop either way, but I'd prefer to do a bunch of rides then eat later. I am keeping an eye out for later times, now way they went that fast at 3am.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Some thoughts. WDW has had "booking dining as a competitive sport" for awhile now. (Same as booking FP+ there.) I hate that about WDW, but it is what it is.

That was never the case at DL. Yes, a handful of things booked pretty close to immediately (special afternoon teas and some dining packages that involved entertainment come to mind) - but even those were usually "just check the morning they go live and you're fine." Other popular stuff was "you definitely want to book a few weeks in advance," but again, it wasn't like WDW where stuff went "live" and then vanished. So the DL system of "we sort of post dining 60 days out, maybe more like 45, not at a consistent time, whatever" wasn't really an issue (even if it annoyed the WDW faithful).

Clearly, DL has now hit the WDW model of "booking your dining is a competitive sport." (Which I also hate.) But what's worse is that the system and infrastructure AROUND booking dining hasn't changed. And that's not really a sustainable model.

Except... from Disney's perspective, everything is selling out, they're maximizing their reservation profits, so... what's the incentive to upgrade the system or make it uniform?

 

[roxy72]

Where can you see the special Oogie Boogie menu for Wine Country Trattoria? Is it up yet?

ETA: Nevermind, I found it on the WCT website. For anyone else who is curious, here ya go:
This spook-tacular 3-course Italian feast features hearty house specialties your whole boo-crew will love. Enjoy a choice of starters, entrée selections that include several pasta dishes, chicken parmesan, seafood, vegetarian options and rib-eye steak (for an additional $10) and a selection of devilishly decadent desserts like tiramisu and chocolate panna cotta.

 

[BayGirl22]

Some thoughts. WDW has had "booking dining as a competitive sport" for awhile now. (Same as booking FP+ there.) I hate that about WDW, but it is what it is.

That was never the case at DL. Yes, a handful of things booked pretty close to immediately (special afternoon teas and some dining packages that involved entertainment come to mind) - but even those were usually "just check the morning they go live and you're fine." Other popular stuff was "you definitely want to book a few weeks in advance," but again, it wasn't like WDW where stuff went "live" and then vanished. So the DL system of "we sort of post dining 60 days out, maybe more like 45, not at a consistent time, whatever" wasn't really an issue (even if it annoyed the WDW faithful).

Clearly, DL has now hit the WDW model of "booking your dining is a competitive sport." (Which I also hate.) But what's worse is that the system and infrastructure AROUND booking dining hasn't changed. And that's not really a sustainable model.

Except... from Disney's perspective, everything is selling out, they're maximizing their reservation profits, so... what's the incentive to upgrade the system or make it uniform?

I kind of agree...but I always tried to book my DL dining on release day for things like BB, Carthay, and character meals. Never had issues with reservation slots not being in the system. I also remember it being more like 8am PT at 30 days or something more reasonable for the west coast. I know I always booked when they went live but don't remember ever having to wake up extra early (I am online for work around 6am).

My last DL trip was 2018 so not that long before Covid. I don't understand what's happened to their process since then but this seems to be more about loading data and process than systems. That is easily resolved - set a consistent time and load the data. Customers want predictably - I don't care if its 10, 30, or 60 days, just do what you say you are going to do.

 

[Titainokc]

That's why we are all here. We are all having trouble making dining reservations.

I was up at 3 am again trying to get Trader Sam's for 9/27 but the hours are still only posted up to 9/15..

So the saga of trying to book 6 dining reservations continues!

Lol! No, I figured it out. There was something wrong with the credit card that was saved in my husband's account.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I kind of agree...but I always tried to book my DL dining on release day for things like BB, Carthay, and character meals. Never had issues with reservation slots not being in the system. I also remember it being more like 8am PT at 30 days or something more reasonable for the west coast. I know I always booked when they went live but don't remember ever having to wake up extra early (I am online for work around 6am).

My last DL trip was 2018 so not that long before Covid. I don't understand what's happened to their process since then but this seems to be more about loading data and process than systems. That is easily resolved - set a consistent time and load the data. Customers want predictably - I don't care if its 10, 30, or 60 days, just do what you say you are going to do.

They’ve never had a set time when reservations dropped that I’ve been aware of. I mean, check out the responses on this thread from 2018… it PERFECTLY expresses dining in “the before times.”

https://www.disboards.com/threads/f...o-make-dining-reservation-at-60-days.3680318/
For awhile in 2019, they usually went live between 1-2am. I liked that because I’m usually still up then. But sometimes they were like 7am.

And I’m 100% with you on the “customers want predictability.” But I’m not sure it’s going to happen.

ETA: Seriously, click on and read that 2018 thread (it’s short), and then compare that to now. Wow.