Help! Do I even try to get TS ressies?

[katepass72]

I was lucky enough to win some travel points at work and booked a last minute vacation (staying at the CR from 6/11-6/17 w/ hubby and 2 girls) We've done dining plan before and it's not really for us, but I would like to hit 1 or 2 character meals this time. I realize no one has a crystal ball, but does anyone have any suggestions as to some less-popular but still fun dinners? I'm already dreading even trying to call for reservations as I'm assuming pretty much everything is booked up.
Also, any good suggestions for eating outside of Disney (2 girls are 3 and 6)? Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

[deedeetoo]

Sure, why not try. There is no harm or cost to trying. Just figure out where you will be each day and then pick a couple places you would like to go and try. I would not call first thing in the morning since it is very busy then with people trying to call right at their first opportunity. I have had good luck getting through right away in the afternoon.

 

[segpm08060]

I would call because people change and cancel reservations all the time. I would call up to and including the day you want the reservation.

 

[cigar95]

Don't give up on trying for what you might think are more popular places. As others will say, things get cancelled all the time.

Also, many of the resort restaurants are often less booked than those inside the parks.

Finally, legend has it that resort concierges receive a separate pool of seatings, and that these seatings go back into the general system three days out (or "same day", depending on which story you hear). I've always thought this seemed unlikely, but others have claimed to score very unexpected seatings this way.

One thing I can guarantee you absolutely - you will not get a reservation that you don't try for!

 

[katepass72]

You're right, cigar . . . .I just hate rejection I'll get my list together and call ASAP. That being said, any suggestions outside of (but close to) the World?

 

[NorweJenNY]

Don't you dare give up hope!

You can have a character meal! It's a Disney vacation! It's a MUST to try to obtain!

You may not get Cinderella's Royal Table, and perhaps Akershus & Chef Mickey's would be too hard... but it doesn't hurt to ask!

Try Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club, 'Ohana breakfast at the Polynesian, Crystal Palace in the MK (we've gotten ADRs same-day or day before here), 1900 Park Fare at GF, Garden Grill at Epcot, Hollywood N Vine at DHS(if the kids like Playhouse Disney characters), Donald's breakfast at Tusker House in AK... am I missing any?

Keep an open mind regarding eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and make sure that the restaurant has the characters for that meal. (Some restaurants might have characters for breakfast but not dinner, or something like that.)

And what's this you say... there's restaurants off property? Really?

 

[katepass72]

Thanks for the pep talk, Jenny! I'm going to get my act together this weekend and do some spreadsheeting and brave the phones on Tuesday.
Funny story - I did just call in to check on 2 places that I knew going in would probably be full (Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys). The CM was very sweet but kept saying "oh my ma'am, you know this is going to be impossible . . .oh I can't believe you are calling so late . . .oh you're going to be so disappointed"!! And on, and on, and on . . .I was laughing so hard and trying to tell him that it was OK, I knew he was trying, I knew it was a long shot!!

 

[Sorcerer Fan]

Your first option would be to call, and keep calling. If that fails, don't give up hope. When you get to your resort check in with the resort concierge. I have put together several last minute trips (like the day before) and have managed to score some good TS restaurants by going thru the Concierge after arrival.

Good luck, and enjoy your trip

 

[MelanieC]

Absolutely try

Let us know how it goes!

 

[idatwilight]

Instead of losing three days working up a spreadsheet and the nerve to call, why not just call tomorrow (or right now) and see what's available during your trip? It might make you feel better to have a few ADRs made; then you can go back and try to change them later.

I promise you, reservationists don't bite, and if you get one who is condescending in a "you should have called weeks ago" kind of way, tell her thank you,hang up, and call again.
EDIT: Oh, wait, you did call already, and you did get an annoying CM.

Try Crystal Palace for any meal (though I like the breakfasts best). The place is huge; my 6-year-old niece loved seeing the Pooh characters (my 3-year-old niece hates characters)
I was looking over the Tusker House menu (characters at breakfast only) and it looked good.
For princesses, you might want to try 1900 Park Faire at GF (also close to your hotel).

 

[CathieArms]

I was lucky enough to win some travel points at work and booked a last minute vacation (staying at the CR from 6/11-6/17 w/ hubby and 2 girls) We've done dining plan before and it's not really for us, but I would like to hit 1 or 2 character meals this time. I realize no one has a crystal ball, but does anyone have any suggestions as to some less-popular but still fun dinners? I'm already dreading even trying to call for reservations as I'm assuming pretty much everything is booked up.
Also, any good suggestions for eating outside of Disney (2 girls are 3 and 6)? Thanks in advance for your help!!

I don't know why you wouldn't at least try...

 

[katepass72]

Thanks for the heads-up about checking w/ concierge when I get there. Just replying to the earlier comment, I just booked the trip yesterday and haven't even planned what park we're going to on what days, let alone where to eat
So after 2 more calls this afternoon (absolutely nothing on my list available), I've decided to just wing it & see if I can luck out on anything last minute when we get there. Spontaneous-eating vacation, here I come!

 

[n2mm]

At least you tried. But you should consider trying to book some other places just so you know you can get a good meal when you are burgered out! My co worker is going the same time as you and 3 months ago I warned her and now she is trying to get into something. She had made ADRs a couple of nights ago and the system crashed right before she finished and she lost everything. She complained to me (like I have something to do with it). She said she could not get the 50s PT and was trying to get Norway story book and now she is calling again. Good luck and keep us posted how it turns out. We have eaten at the Wave and it's pretty good. We like to do breakfast there. You could try for Cape May Breakfast at the BC as it has characters and then do EPCOT afterwards or the Studios.

 

[Firegerry]

How does CP compare to CM for a Character Breakfast? I tried to get CM last night for a trip in June (my bad for waiting so long, I know). The reservation clerk was so confused, I don't think she knew what she was doing. She booked us at The Wave in the Contemporary which does not have a Character Breakfast!