Help! ADRs too late? Dead in the water?

[Jenn0)))]

Hello.
Me and my friend are going to be in WDW from July 8-15th and I guess I really didn't think about ADRs until reading about all of you who make reservations months in advance and still struggle.
This weekend I was planning on making some dinner's, maybe later at night (we eat late anyways), for Sci-Fi, Jiko, Boma, Chefs de France and probably Rose and Crown.
This is all a month away and I know things have DRASTICALLY changed since I was a little girl; so tell me nicely, do I have no luck whatsoever?
Thanks!

 

[disney queen]

give them a call now. you should be able to book most if not all of what you have listed. good luck!

 

[zipuzee]

I called tonight to change my ADRs (we postponed our trip one month). We're going July 23-29 and got eveything we wanted at the exact date and time we wanted! It was great, and the CM was really nice!

 

[chrismom3]

Definately call tonight. I don't think you'll have a problem (especially since you may eat at a later time).

BTW - Jiko and Boma are wonderful!!

 

[Harambe]

Just be flexible - try for the ones you want, but if you can't get Chefs, for instance, have a second choice (Morocco, or Italy) ready. That way you won't be as disappointed if you don't get your first choice.

And you have a good idea about the late dining. You can just ask for any time on the nights you want, and the late times will probably be offered to you.

Have fun!

 

[Micca]

You have picked some nice places, but those aren't necessarily the ones that book first. I think you're in good shape. Please let us know how it goes, and your impressions of how WDW has changed since your last visit.

 

[Minnie]

Our dates are exactly the same!! Less than one month to go. I cant wait

 

[missminniemouse]

I planned a trip to WDW for Memorial Day week. The trip wasn't planned until about 4 weeks out...called right away and got everything I wanted at the times I wanted. Granted, after many trips to WDW, I chose times that I knew would not be popular and mostly restaurants that wouldn't be the most popular. However, I still got lunch at the Crystal Palace even at that late date. It was great...my 87 year old grandmother, me and my 6 year old son were the travel group. Even my grandmother thought that lunch with the characters from Winnie the Pooh was fun, so I'm glad I was able to snag that one. We took a 5:00 time at Chefs De France, 5:00 at the Brown Derby, and 4:00 at Marrakesh....with the 6 year old it worked out great for us. If it were just DH and I, we'd probably go for the later times...many times we eat late at home as well.

 

[kcashner]

You're not "too late" until the date has passed. Call ASAP. If there are places that you want that are not available, book a second or third choice. Then continue to call daily (things do open up.) If you get your first choices, you can cancel the other ressie, but it's good to have something just so you know you'll have a place to eat.

If you still haven't gotten what you want by the time you are checked in, ask the concierge desk (formerly guest services) to try for you. Every time you think of it and have a spare minute, call. We were at WDW in May. DD decided at the last minute that she wanted Le Cellier rather than whatever else we had. I called and was told nothing available for the next 3 days. I called 4 hours later and they had a cancellation for that night...so we took it. People cancel all the time, so you never know when something will open up.

 

[missminniemouse]

Sometimes we change our plans for the day and are unable to make our pre-booked ADR. I always try to cancel rather than just not showing up. I consider this a courtesy to other people who are hoping to get into that restaurant. During my trip a few weeks ago, as I was cancelling an ADR, the CM mentioned that they wish more people were considerate and cancelled rather than just not showing up.

 

[Jenn0)))]

Thanks a bunch guys! Tamed my worries and I got everything I wanted.
I'm starting to grow on to this whole "planning" idea.