HELP!! can't get any ADRs

[Leasha_Loves_Disney]

I have been online and on the phone all morning and have had no luck getting reservations at any of the following places:

Yak and Yeti (dinner)
Chef Mickey's (dinner)
Coral Reef (dinner)
Tony's Town Square (dinner)
Ohana (dinner)
Cape May Cafe (breakfast)

I have tried all that I can think of: online reservations, calling and talking to the computer and calling and talking to an actual person. They all have resulted in "sorry we can't find anything".

The last time that my family went to Disney we went with our dance studio and had a travel agent and had no problem at all. This time we are doing it all on our own am I doing something wrong? Is it because we are a group of 8? Is there anyway in which we could do a reservation under two groups of four and get tables near one another? If I don't get reservations now can I make them once I get there?

any hints or tips on how to get my reservations into the system would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

When are you going?

You can try to book 2 groups of 4 and try to get seated near each other, but you'll have to call. You can't book 2 reservations at the same time online anymore.

 

[River Country]

You can try 2 groups of 4 that will be easier than 8, and you will have to do it onn the phone.

When are u going?

 

[CDNCA]

Go online. WDW site, where to eat, make reservations.

Be general in your request. Provide date, Time and Park/hotel and number of guests. The site will provide alternatives with openings.

The further ahead you book, the more options.

If you are not finding openings now, you will not find openings when you arrive.

 

[TisBit]

I would definitely try splitting the group up in different party sizes. If there are two tables of four open and you are trying to get a table for 8, it will just show nothing available. It will only be looking for a table that seats 8. We had similar problems with a group of six.

As others have questions, when are you looking for? If it is during free dining, that could be problematic or if the trip is very soon. I would even be willing to take reservations within half an hour of each other....when you check in tell them you have two reservations and they might be able to seat you together anyway.

If you prefer online for ADR's, you will just need two different names/emails for seperate reservations. If the reservation is not available via one method (online, phone, CM) it won't be available another way, unless you start splitting or changing the group sizes. A lot of your reservations are hard to get reservations to begin with, so it might be difficult.

 

[Leasha_Loves_Disney]

We are going to be there August 17th - August 24th, just before the free dinning is in effect. Thank you all for your advice, I will try breaking up the group into to smaller groups.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I have been online and on the phone all morning and have had no luck getting reservations at any of the following places:

Yak and Yeti (dinner)
Chef Mickey's (dinner)
Coral Reef (dinner)
Tony's Town Square (dinner)
Ohana (dinner)
Cape May Cafe (breakfast)

I have tried all that I can think of: online reservations, calling and talking to the computer and calling and talking to an actual person. They all have resulted in "sorry we can't find anything".

The last time that my family went to Disney we went with our dance studio and had a travel agent and had no problem at all. This time we are doing it all on our own am I doing something wrong? Is it because we are a group of 8? Is there anyway in which we could do a reservation under two groups of four and get tables near one another? If I don't get reservations now can I make them once I get there?

any hints or tips on how to get my reservations into the system would be greatly appreciated!!

You could also try for Yak and Yeti, Coral Reef and Tony's for late lunches (try around 3pm).

 

[Luv4Disney]

Even though it's before free dining, a lot of people make their reservations at the 180 mark, which was in February. You also have some very popular restaurants on your list. I would just keep checking back as much as you can and check out the cancellation thread. Try for lunches for some and if all else fails, you could always try for a walk-up. Best chance would be as soon as the restaurant is open for dinner.

We once couldn't get into Kona for dinner so we went to the restaurant anyway right at opening. We were seated within 5 minutes. Of course there were only two of us, but you never know. Good luck!

 

[aripantaloon]

keep trying. People cancel all the time. Good luck!

I agree that the party size may have something to do with it. Maybe make one online for a party of 4 and then call and get the second one for another party of 4?

 

[traylorc]

You know...I made ADRs for a group of 12 for our pending Grand Gathering. Our trip is in late August, and to be honest I was fortunate enough to get 95% of the ADRs I wanted. We will be frequenting some of the same places mentioned by the OP.

Before making my ADRs I was worried that our party size would be prohibitive when it came to successfully making ADRs, that turned out not to be the case. I think the bigger issue is likely folks engaging in "double booking". They aren't sure if they want to eat dinner at 'Ohana or Yak and Yeti...so they make ADRs at both places.

 

[JimmyV]

I just randomly did a search for dinner on 8/20 for 4 people and got 58 places with availability (including California Grill at 7:25 and CRT at 8:25) and 16 without. So I suspect your problem is group size. Split up the group and see what you can do.

 

[TisBit]

You know...I made ADRs for a group of 12 for our pending Grand Gathering. Our trip is in late August, and to be honest I was fortunate enough to get 95% of the ADRs I wanted. We will be frequenting some of the same places mentioned by the OP.

Before making my ADRs I was worried that our party size would be prohibitive when it came to successfully making ADRs, that turned out not to be the case. I think the bigger issue is likely folks engaging in "double booking". They aren't sure if they want to eat dinner at 'Ohana or Yak and Yeti...so they make ADRs at both places.

While there are people that double book, the bigger problem is usually people that just never cancel reservations. Also, if you booked your ADR's through grand gatherings I believe it is a slightly different process that helps facilitate the larger groups.

Also, larger party sizes are much easier to work with earlier in the reservation window.

 

[LisaTC]

Double booking now has a built in "snafu: so that you can't do it. It will ask you to cancel one of the ADR's...Even thought you like doing them online, maybe you should just call...you might have better luck.

 

[pigby]

I definitely agree with booking 2 separate ressies for 4 people.

I have done some searching for you. On a table for 4 (hoping they will have 2 tables for 4 - but you won't know till you book one of them!) - they currently have availability

17/8 Chef Mickey 9.10pm - only time and date available when you're going - I would grab it.

18/8 Cape May breakfast 7.40am - but other availability on other dates at different times - you should be fine with this one.

18/8 Tonys avail 5.15pm, 5.35pm and 7.25pm but other availablility other dates

18/8 Coral Reef 8.35pm - also avail 20-24th but this is earliest (just)

19/8 Yak and Yeti 5.15pm - probably latest you'll get with AK closing times.

20/8 - 24/8 -Free dining starts in this time - that's when we are going too - but still availability to be found at Yak and Yeti, Tony's, Coral Reef if you can eat late plus CM breakfast.

The one you'll be really struggling with is O'Hanas - you could try a walk up - why don't you make a ressie for Kona Cafe in case you can't get in?

Also lots of other good restaurants still have availability for dinner on the dates you are going.

 

[mickeynut1]

I just checked and Cape May has availability for a party of 8 on 8/18, 8/19, and 8/20 all for 7:45 a.m. I would keep checking daily multiple times a day because people cancel all the time.

 

[Leasha_Loves_Disney]

Thank you all so much!! me and my little sister finally got it all figured out, with a little finagling we were able to get all of the restaurants but Ohana. Some of the reservations are for lunch but the menus don't switch much with the few we had to do that to. thank you once again for all of your ideas and help