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

[ttig34]

Is it always like this or is it due to Covid shut down and (maybe) lack of staffing in restaurants and/or tech?

Before Covid they were pretty good about opening at the 60 day mark.

 

[SherylLC]

Before Covid they were pretty good about opening at the 60 day mark.

That's what I thought and was hoping to hear. Good to know and thanks for the response!

 

[DisneyMom93]

Hi all...
Does anyone know if dining reservations are NECESSARY for Downtown Disney on a Saturday? I'm not seeing much available right now for early November. Do they allow walk-ins?

 

[GBRforWDW]

Hi all...
Does anyone know if dining reservations are NECESSARY for Downtown Disney on a Saturday? I'm not seeing much available right now for early November. Do they allow walk-ins?

They do allow walk-ins. You probably want to arrive an hour before you want to eat to get checked in. They'll get your number and text you when the table is ready.

 

[Aurora0427]

That's what I thought and was hoping to hear. Good to know and thanks for the response!

it was not like this before covid. We went two weekends a month pre covid, and never had these issues.

I’m guessing it’s a staffing issue?

 

[fly girl]

I am sure they will open when I am driving or something, and will miss my chance!

YES, this is so me!!! Just my luck too. I actually think about it every time I hop in the drivers seat ... "stupid Disney better not open reservations for the next 15 minutes."

Is it always like this or is it due to Covid shut down and (maybe) lack of staffing in restaurants and/or tech?

It was never like this before Covid. And it was never this hard or this far out time wise to get a reservation. I remember getting Blue Bayou 10 days before my vacation and it was nothing.

 

[NVDis]

We have been to DL about 10 times, but not since 2015. So I realize much as changed... especially with CoVid.
We finally coordinated our 3 adult children and on boyfriend for a Nov 11-14 very belated grad trip for my son (class 2020- trip was canceled) and a slightly early 50 bday trip for my husband (bday early Dec.)

Tickets purchased w/reservations. But this dining thing? It appears that we are already out of lucky? The website indicates nothing available anywhere for afternoon or evening Nov 11-13. I realize it's a holiday weekend.... and staffing etc, but I just didn't anticipate ZERO sit down dining options. Might it change? Do I just get on the dining website multiple times a day? and hope? or willing calling be any better? Thanks... we'd wanted Lamp Light Lounge for a bday lunch or dinner with cake for husband... but I guess not.

I've always fancied myself an excellent Disney planner... but clearly CoVid has changed it all more than I realized. THank you!

 

[tlovesdis]

We have been to DL about 10 times, but not since 2015. So I realize much as changed... especially with CoVid.
We finally coordinated our 3 adult children and on boyfriend for a Nov 11-14 very belated grad trip for my son (class 2020- trip was canceled) and a slightly early 50 bday trip for my husband (bday early Dec.)

Tickets purchased w/reservations. But this dining thing? It appears that we are already out of lucky? The website indicates nothing available anywhere for afternoon or evening Nov 11-13. I realize it's a holiday weekend.... and staffing etc, but I just didn't anticipate ZERO sit down dining options. Might it change? Do I just get on the dining website multiple times a day? and hope? or willing calling be any better? Thanks... we'd wanted Lamp Light Lounge for a bday lunch or dinner with cake for husband... but I guess not.

I've always fancied myself an excellent Disney planner... but clearly CoVid has changed it all more than I realized. THank you!

Keep checking! They are very slow to release things. I am going Oct 15-18 and started looking for the three I wanted right at my 60 day mark. Checked about 5 or more times a day at random times and finally at 50 days out Lamplight showed up, 42 days out Carthay Alfresco showed up and 30 days out Carnation showed up. I never did see Blue Bayou or Oga's but saw pretty much everything else at one point or another. There was no rhyme or reason to the way they released things.

 

[NVDis]

Thank you Tina! So maybe not all hope is lost- lol!
And from another thread it sounds like counter service food is pretty crazy too.
We are staying at Homewood Suites (also a new hotel for us) so I might search what other restaurants are near there.
When the kids were little... food was not a Disneyland priority... groceries to the hotel room was more how we ate.
Now as all adults they enjoy food, and drink! lol

 

[ttig34]

Thank you Tina! So maybe not all hope is lost- lol!
And from another thread it sounds like counter service food is pretty crazy too.
We are staying at Homewood Suites (also a new hotel for us) so I might search what other restaurants are near there.
When the kids were little... food was not a Disneyland priority... groceries to the hotel room was more how we ate.
Now as all adults they enjoy food, and drink! lol

And if you do not snag a reservation beforehand, check reservations the day before you want to dine, as some people release reservations the day before, if they decide not to dine, so they do not get charged the $10 cancellation/no show fee.

 

[bethwc101]

Just a heads up. Trader Sam's had been showing no schedule for 11/12. Checking every day. Just got on today and they have the schedule but show no availability. Don't know if they haven't actually released the reservations yet or if I didn't get my mouse dining notifications. You just might want to check your notifications.

 

[Pluto468]

We have been to DL about 10 times, but not since 2015. So I realize much as changed... especially with CoVid.
We finally coordinated our 3 adult children and on boyfriend for a Nov 11-14 very belated grad trip for my son (class 2020- trip was canceled) and a slightly early 50 bday trip for my husband (bday early Dec.)

Tickets purchased w/reservations. But this dining thing? It appears that we are already out of lucky? The website indicates nothing available anywhere for afternoon or evening Nov 11-13. I realize it's a holiday weekend.... and staffing etc, but I just didn't anticipate ZERO sit down dining options. Might it change? Do I just get on the dining website multiple times a day? and hope? or willing calling be any better? Thanks... we'd wanted Lamp Light Lounge for a bday lunch or dinner with cake for husband... but I guess not.

I've always fancied myself an excellent Disney planner... but clearly CoVid has changed it all more than I realized. THank you!

Maybe check again. I just looked and I saw multiple reservations available for Nov 11-13. I suppose it depends on what you're looking for, though. I always search the hours, not "lunch" etc.

 

[DiznyDiva]

They released hours for BB a few days before they ACTUALLY released the reservations. So between tonight and Friday, I would guess. Carnation has now released hours too. Those were not there earlier today, I have been checking daily. I checked my mouse dining and none of them have found reservations.. YET.

As Scar would say.. BE PREPARED.... it's happening soon...

 

[NVDis]

you just might want to check your notifications

what notifications?

 

[Mulan's Ma]

They just released a bunch for Thanksgiving! I got BB!!!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

They’ve just loaded a bunch for Thanksgiving week.
Was able to secure a few for 8 people too!

 

[bethwc101]

Trader Sam's just dropped for 11/12

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Wooohoooooo got BB for Thanksgiving plus Carnation Cafe and Trader Sam's for our other days. Any reason Carnation isn't having dinner?

 

[NVDis]

Trader Sam's just dropped for 11/12

I Just checked every time between 12 noon and 9 pm for a party of 6. Nothing.

 

[2tinkerbell]

Just got Plaza Inn and Carnation for early December. Storytellers has the times listed but nothing yet. Headed back to bed so I can check at 4am (3amPST).