Having a terrible time getting reservations -- What to do?

[Redhead1]

Hi, I'm new here.

We have a trip planned for late September and are getting the free dining plan. There are five of us in the family.

Last week we sat down and researched and jotted down the places we were hoping to go, and I started calling to get reservations at the places we wanted. I began calling 70 days prior to the trip... maybe I'm just not savvy enough, but that hardly seemed "last minute" to me. I thought the Unofficial Guide (and their blog) said that 45 days should be plenty for most places.

Anyway, I am stunned to be having no luck at all! I have called repeatedly, and began trying on-line as well.

My kids really wanted to go to Chef Micky's; I could not find anything. We thought, Okay, maybe instead we'll go to Tusker House for the character breakfast the day we're going to AK -- nothing.

My girls really wanted to go to the Princess buffet at Epcot -- nothing.

My youngest child likes Pooh and Tigger, but I cannot find anything at Crystal Palace either.

I had no idea this would be so difficult!!

As I'm writing this, I'm realizing it's only the character meals I'm having trouble with. Still ... those are the ones we were hoping to go to!

Should I keep trying every few days until our trip, or just forget it?
Is anyone else having a tough time getting ADRs?
Is everything filling up this quickly, or just the character meals?
Any suggestions where else would be a fun TS meal for three kids under the age of eight?
Are any of those restaurants "not that great" anyway?

Thanks for any advice! Boy, I sure do feel "Disney Dumb" compared to most of you guys!

Redhead1

 

[kxs401]

Yeah, it's unfortunate that during free dining, ADRs are very, very tough to come by. I think most of us here would agree to just keep trying. Keep calling, keep checking online, and be flexible -- all the way up through your arrival. You may not be able to find everything you want, but chances are decent you'll at least find something!

 

[marcyinPA]

You're having problems because it's free dining, and also, you can make your reservations (ADR's) 90 days in advance.

Have you tried looking at the on-line booking system? You can plug in the date and time you are looking for the reservation, and they will give you an alternate suggestion if the restaurant you are looking at is full.

Also, I believe packages need to be paid in full 45 days out (something like that), so you might have luck trying around that time, as people may have canceled.

Good luck!!!

 

[ave&audsmom]

I would keep trying every couple of days. I book our ADRs on the 90-day mark & I still wasn't able to get Hoop-Dee-Doo (well, not the 5pm dinner show). Well, tonight I was checking once again, & I got it!! I'm also going the end of September. Good luck!

 

[Samandmom]

I would see what Reservations you can get and book those. Keep trying for the ones you want. If you don't get them at least you will have the others. You might have to look into the ones that are not so popular. Do you have the free dinning?

Good Luck

 

[SNicksed]

Also, keep checking this thread for September ADR cancellations -

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2189723

 

[perriwinkleblue]

I would see what Reservations you can get and book those. Keep trying for the ones you want. If you don't get them at least you will have the others. You might have to look into the ones that are not so popular. Do you have the free dinning?

Good Luck

Good advice. Try to at least get one reservation (even if it's not at an ideal restaurant) for each day so you are not completely shut out. Then, keep trying online each morning for your favorites - maybe something will open up. I was able to get some good adrs but a friend that is arriving a few days after us has had no luck at all.

Good luck to you. I know it's so disappointing to not get the meals you want.

 

[squirrel]

Yes, it's hard to book ADR's during Free Dining.

I had mine all done and was happy with everything, as I was up at 2:40am most mornings to get all of my ADR's (staying 14 nights that's why I had to get up more than once).

Now my friend/neighbour that I'm going with needs to add one more person to all of our reservations (they are bring a nephew). Talk about a PITA! There is nothing available. Would have been fine at most restaurants if there were only 5 people, but no we were already 6 before adding the extra child.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Have you tried the resort restaurants?

How about Nine Dragons? We ate there in June and it was much improved. Marakesh is another that may have reservations, but different food.

The Plaza in the MK might be possible, also Boatwrights at POR, Turf Club at SSR has some nice steaks, Olivia's at OKW has a Key West theme. Grand Floridian Cafe may have some openings (we love breakfast there).

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

At 70 days out, you're almost three weeks behind us crazy DISers. However, like PPs have said, don't give up!! I've had luck with the thread PP posted (didn't have to use it this trip, but I used it last December and snagged CP and Cape May ADRs (both character meals). Good luck!!

 

[2trips06Mom]

1900 Parke Faire at the Grand Floridian has character dining - that is not far from MK via the monorail. Also Cape May Cafe has a character breakfast that you might be able to get into. Cape May Cafe is at the Beach Club (right near Epcot). Crystal Palace has the Pooh Characters.

I would say try for "off" times for the meals -like late breakfasts, early lunch, late lunches, etc.

Good luck, don't give up and keep trying. If you have more questions just ask. Most of the Dis'ers have tons of tips that they would be willing to help you with.

I don't do character breakfasts 'cause I have boys and they are now young adults so I'm not a lot of help there, but I do knew what I've read. Hope that helps.

 

[JUJU814]

Hi, I'm new here.

We have a trip planned for late September and are getting the free dining plan. There are five of us in the family.

Last week we sat down and researched and jotted down the places we were hoping to go, and I started calling to get reservations at the places we wanted. I began calling 70 days prior to the trip... maybe I'm just not savvy enough, but that hardly seemed "last minute" to me. I thought the Unofficial Guide (and their blog) said that 45 days should be plenty for most places.

Anyway, I am stunned to be having no luck at all! I have called repeatedly, and began trying on-line as well.

My kids really wanted to go to Chef Micky's; I could not find anything. We thought, Okay, maybe instead we'll go to Tusker House for the character breakfast the day we're going to AK -- nothing.

My girls really wanted to go to the Princess buffet at Epcot -- nothing.

My youngest child likes Pooh and Tigger, but I cannot find anything at Crystal Palace either.

I had no idea this would be so difficult!!

As I'm writing this, I'm realizing it's only the character meals I'm having trouble with. Still ... those are the ones we were hoping to go to!

Should I keep trying every few days until our trip, or just forget it?
Is anyone else having a tough time getting ADRs?
Is everything filling up this quickly, or just the character meals?
Any suggestions where else would be a fun TS meal for three kids under the age of eight?
Are any of those restaurants "not that great" anyway?

Thanks for any advice! Boy, I sure do feel "Disney Dumb" compared to most of you guys!

Redhead1

Keep trying..numerous times a day.

As far as Princess Dining at Epcot..we found the late lunch times abundantly available..and that's only a month out.

I swear they must not open all the tables all at once 90 days out.

I was trying and trying for Ohana (still haven't got it) and a Cinderella's Royal Table dinner for PRIME kid's dinner hour popped up.

Seriously, you have plenty of time..just keep trying and don't give up. Also, check the wanted/cancelling thread for September frequently. That's how we got our Chef Mickeys. Last year we got our California Grill dinner that way.

Julie

 

[2trips06Mom]

I forgot - Garden Grill in Epcot also has character dining that you might want to look into also.

 

[butiflfeet]

I have to agree with the PPs, just keep trying

Have you tried Chef Mickey's for lunch? They have opened up lunch ADRs during free dining.

I would suggest being flexible with where you eat. Don't get stuck on having to do this character meal or that one. While being able to see characters and princesses at your meal has its benefits, you don't want to be sacrificing your park time to get from one meal to another. Trust me, you can have a great meal at many of the not-so-popular non-character restaurants and you will be able to see and visit with all characters in the parks that you would otherwise see during your meals and enjoy touring the parks.

In the MK I would suggest trying to get reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern or the Diamond Horseshoe (they have this one open for dinner only during free dining due to the high demand for places to eat and they serve the same food from the same kitchen as Liberty Tree). Also the Plaza is usually an easier ADR to get even though they serve yummy food and you can often times get a table right by the windows overlooking the castle.

In Epcot there are many choices for great meals. Biergarten can be a lot of fun for kids and after your meal you can tour the countries around the world showcase to see the princesses and characters like Mary Poppins and Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeore, and Alice. We also like Chefs de France and Tutto Italia in Epcot for a great lunch or dinner.

Try not to stress too much (I know it's very difficult not to do ) and secure yourself some reservations for your meals where ever you can get now so you at least have somewhere to eat during your trip. Then keep trying for the more popular places as people do cancel all the time and you never know what might come up!

 

[jenndla]

The online reservation system is actually really easy, and you can check "date range" or something like that, and it will show you other days that your restaurant of choice happens to have a time.

Someone else mentioned this too, but 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian also has a character breakfast - maybe you will have luck there. Definitely keep trying...especially with the new online system, people are canceling ressies all the time.

When you get there, too, if you still have your heart set on something, you can always try to get a ressie through your concierge or even stop by the restaurant to see...no shows, unfortunately, happen a lot too.

If you can't get into a character breakfast, try for a lunch. The great thing about the online system is that you are in the driver's seat and not working through a busy CM...you don't have to worry about asking about a million different options!

Good luck - no matter what, you will have a memorable, awesome time!

 

[lucienne78]

When are you going? I'm about to cancel 3 reservations.

9/21 - Chef Mickeys - 5 people at 8:25 pM
9/22 - Akershus Princess Lunch - 4 People at 3:05PM
9/23 - Kona Cafe - 4 People at 6:30PM

Let me know ASAP

 

[Redhead1]

THANK YOU very much!

To the person who is canceling -- thanks so much, but we are arriving on 9-26.

I tried Crystal Palace, Coral Reef, the Chip and Dale place ... still nothing.

Then I finally got something at Boatwrights (which I'd never even heard of), Biergarten, and Tusker House (for lunch, no characters).

So I'm pretty relieved!

It's funny; I first went to Disney as an adult four years ago. We planned to eat at a TS exactly once (because we had no money! ) We happened to be in Frontierland one day when we started to get hungry, and I said, "Hey, I heard there's an Italian place on Main Street!" so we walked over there, waited 45 minutes for a table and that was it.

It appears that things are very different now!

Thanks again ... this board is apparently a wealth of information, so I'm sure you will see me asking many more questions!

Redhead1

 

[eccobleu]

Don't give up. We went late September last year, and I was able to get a Crystal Palace ressie for 8 while we were there.

 

[MainStMandy]

I know everyone keeps saying it, but keep trying! We are also going at the end of September and with the exception of 'Ohana and Le Cellier we got everything we wanted!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Hi - We went the last 2 years during free dining; parks were nice and quiet but they were turning people away left and right at the restaurants.

Anyway, I would definitely keep trying as people do change plans and things could come up. One thing that may help, people have until 45 days before the trip to cancel w/out penalty or pay in full. I believe that's around Aug. 5 or 6 for your trip so things may open up then although I'm sure you'll have to jump right in.

I would definitely make what ADR's you can and then cancel those you don't need if something opens up.