Is it getting harder to book 180 days out?

[Masonmj84]

Been seeing a lot of posts lately about people having problems making ADRs 180 days out.

Our last major trips to WDW were in 2012 and 2014 and we didn't have any problems getting pretty much everything we wanted at 180 days, including 'Ohana dinner and a lot of pre-park opening character breakfasts (and in 2012 we went during a free dining period and 2014 included a BOG dinner).

So I'm wondering if this has become more difficult within the last few years and, if so, is it because more people are booking at the 180 day mark or because of something in Disney's system (e.g., computer glitches, not initially releasing everything, etc.)

We're planning to go during spring break in 2017 and I'm starting to get nervous about our prospects of getting everything we want (we aren't planning to do BOG, but are planning several pre-park opening character breakfasts as well as 'Ohana dinner).

We stay on property but split between different resorts, so we can only book at the 180 day mark for each resort stay.

 

[AngiTN]

It's only a problem if you are trying to book during a time period that has free dining. We don't go during that time and I never have any problems booking any restaurant we want.

 

[Jgeauxmo]

I booked this morning at 180 days. The only thing I could not get was BOG for breakfast on my second day and Ohana for dinner on the fourth day of our trip BUT it was a Christmas party night so I am thinking that is causing people to book there. I actually couldn't get Ohana or anything in MK but Liberty tree for that night (including Tony's?!?!) . BOG also had ADRs for later in our trip. We got everything else just fine. Some of the times are off by an hour here and there. But it's nothing I can't deal with or try to change later.

 

[anniebean]

My 180 days was almost 2 weeks ago...and it was when the free dining ppl were able to start booking, and I had no issues. I was worried because it's a short trip, but I think the key is to be flexible. We had a few different park days we could move around so that helped. I was able to get CRT, BOG, Ohana, and CP.

 

[supersnoop]

November is the most difficult month to book for. You're seeing the result of that. It should ease up. From here on out.

 

[RLC]

My 180 mark was yesterday. I was able to get three of the ones I really wanted; Grand Floridian Café, Yak & Yeti (never ate here) and The Boathouse (never ate here). I wanted Rose & Crown but settled for Biergarten. I'm going to keep trying for Be Our Guest. I've been trying here for years; since it opened. Someone told me to be patient and try closer to our trip as there will be cancellations.

 

[hollygolitely93]

My perception is it is harder. I have booked during FREE DINING--for five years now and also during Party weeks. And this is the first year FREE DINING seems to be more restricted--meaning less people got the deal. That would lead me to think booking 180 days out would be easier. But my experience is it is harder.

I was on at 6am...lock and loaded...and was not able to secure BOG for dinner for my last night in the park. I did snag a breakfast--but no dinner.

• I was able to get CRT but not at desirable times (3:45pm and 4:15pm were the available options.)
• I was unable to get Rose and Crown for Day One Dinner. Totally booked. It's always been an easy booking for me (unless shoring for a time close to illuminations)
• I was only able to get Biegverten for Lunch on Day 4 at 2:35pm (wanted 12noon). Was surprised this was so hard to book.
• Unable to get Beaches and Cream for Dinner earlier than 9:00pm.

On plus side:

• I did find it much easier to book Tusker House (now that dinner is character meal too I think it spreads it out...plus Tiffins)
• LTT was A LOT easier to book with almost anytime imaginable available (thanks to all the new offering at MK)

I'll keep looking but in the past I have ALWAYS gotten everything on my list within 30 minutes of my desired time with exception to being shut out of BOG in 2014. I was surprised.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I think just certain times of the year. I had trouble for our last November trip. But booked at 176 days this year ( also during free dining)and had no issues at all even with OHANA and BOG dinner. I can still move some around at almost 90 days out. But I hear a lot of November people again this year saying it's hard to get anything at 180 even.

 

[babesboo99]

My 180 days was on April 30th and I was able to get everything I wanted even lucky enough to book two BOG dinners. The only one I had to do by phone was CRT because online would not let me book by the Dining Plan. These are my plans I was so happy.. Now in between 10/ 29 and Nov 4th we decided to just wing it for the rest of the days and the main restaurants we wanted to go to we booked I do want to do Sci Fi but I haven't done a reservation for that one yet

10/27 - 11:45 T-Rex - Lunch
10/27 - 7:25 Le Cellier - Dinner
10/28 - 8:20 Askershus - Breakfast
10/28 - 8:40 Ohana - Dinner
10/29 - 7:30 Cape May - Breakfast
10/29 - 12:05 CRT - Lunch
10/29 - BOG 8:55 - Dinner
10/ 1 - 7:45 - BOG - Dinner

 

[holden]

I had no trouble getting what we wanted for our November trip - CP breakfast at 8:10am, Sanaa dinner, LTT lunch, Wave breakfast and dinner.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We never have an issue for September. Would have preferred VA CT. Got main dining room instead.

 

[pigletgirl]

Our ADR date is tomorrow and I'm nervous! I'm booking for a party of 12. I will be calling them promptly at 6 am!

 

[TARAMEOW]

I did ok today. I got everything I wanted except at BOG dinner for December 1st. I thing the trick is to be flexible and have a back up plan so you can switch things around.

 

[Princess Minnie321]

I am going the beginning of November so before free dining and I was able to get everything I wanted. Ohana was booked my first night, but I got it for later in the week. I got:

Tusker house lunch
H&V breakfast
Brown derby
Chef Mickey breakfast
Ohana dinner
Boma breakfast
Akersus dinner
BOG lunch

 

[Shanti]

It's only a problem if you are trying to book during a time period that has free dining. We don't go during that time and I never have any problems booking any restaurant we want.

Agreed. Our trip is less than 2 months away and many, many good ADR's are still available. It's a combination of fall crowds & free dining that makes ADR's for fall hard to get.

 

[js]

My perception is it is harder. I have booked during FREE DINING--for five years now and also during Party weeks. And this is the first year FREE DINING seems to be more restricted--meaning less people got the deal. That would lead me to think booking 180 days out would be easier. But my experience is it is harder.

I was on at 6am...lock and loaded...and was not able to secure BOG for dinner for my last night in the park. I did snag a breakfast--but no dinner.

• I was able to get CRT but not at desirable times (3:45pm and 4:15pm were the available options.)
• I was unable to get Rose and Crown for Day One Dinner. Totally booked. It's always been an easy booking for me (unless shoring for a time close to illuminations)
• I was only able to get Biegverten for Lunch on Day 4 at 2:35pm (wanted 12noon). Was surprised this was so hard to book.
• Unable to get Beaches and Cream for Dinner earlier than 9:00pm.

On plus side:

• I did find it much easier to book Tusker House (now that dinner is character meal too I think it spreads it out...plus Tiffins)
• LTT was A LOT easier to book with almost anytime imaginable available (thanks to all the new offering at MK)

I'll keep looking but in the past I have ALWAYS gotten everything on my list within 30 minutes of my desired time with exception to being shut out of BOG in 2014. I was surprised.

Im happy you were for the most part get what you wanted and Im sire if you keep stalking you will end up wigh what you want but can you please tell me exactly what you did/mean by locked and loaded? Im going between Christmas and New Years Day and already very stressed with my bookings. I have a family of four but my kids are 22 and 18 so no character meals although I love Chef Mickeys since we use to go here every trip when kids were little and I threw it out there tonight and surprisingly all said they wanted to go....go me!

We want Citricos, Yachtsman, Blue Zoo and now Chef Mickekys lol. I also want to book Boathouse and a couple of DTD ressies since we are staying at SSR and dont need to rely on transportation at night.

Please let me know what I need to do to be ready at 6 am to start booking. I was going to use the app as well as laptop but thats my only ammo. Thanks so much!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Our ADR date is tomorrow and I'm nervous! I'm booking for a party of 12. I will be calling them promptly at 6 am!

FYI, phone lines open at 7am EST but you can book online at 6am.

 

[Mac30188]

I was able to book a couple days before Free Dining and it was day and night difference with regard to availability once they kicked open the Free Dining Window. Once they opened free dining, everything for the entire week just evaporated on day one of the window. Before free dining opened, the day I had the most trouble was a party night at MK as the restricted dining times lead to a capacity problem. Before the free dining I was able to snag PPO Tusker, PPO BOG, and PPO HV, Ohana, and an Akershus Dinner without too much trouble. I did notice that I was not able to find my exact time slot on any of them but they were all close (plus or minus 15-20 minutes). I have never been in November so I can't tell you year over year if it was harder, but the free dining and after hours MK party seem to make reservations much harder then other times of the year.

 

[rosiebean]

I'm worried about our party size. We have 5 for the first three nights and about 10 over the weekend. My 180 day is tomorrow, and I'm prepped to get up before six to log on and get ressies, but fear that I won't get my two most coveted ones (California Grill and BOG). But, I'll make what I can (I have backup plans) and see if I can snag one of those hard to get places at the 90 day mark if tomorrow doesn't work out.

 

[alopez926]

I'm worried about our party size. We have 5 for the first three nights and about 10 over the weekend. My 180 day is tomorrow, and I'm prepped to get up before six to log on and get ressies, but fear that I won't get my two most coveted ones (California Grill and BOG). But, I'll make what I can (I have backup plans) and see if I can snag one of those hard to get places at the 90 day mark if tomorrow doesn't work out.

If you don't have luck finding a table for 10, break up into 2 smaller parties and try to book at the same time or within a few minutes of each other. I was able to do this on the app, but not through the regular website. I had a bear of a time booking for 8, but it was slightly easier booking 2 4's or a 5/3. We went during Nov. free dining last year. Good luck!