Is it getting harder to book 180 days out?

[disneydreamer781]

Can't find a dinner reservation at R&C from 7P-8P to save my life and I'm at 180 days out!

 

[friscofunfam4]

We did and that's why I even joined this board recently!!!! Trip in 2012 and 2014 both free dining and didn't have trouble except with Ohana in '14 and that was okay b/c we had others we wanted to try. This trip is end of Nov-beg of Dec. sat-sat.of 2016 split stay so got free dining for last 6 days. We had even decided we only wanted 3 sit-down restaurants and was going to use our credits for counter service for the other 2 evenings! Only wanted Boma breakfast (got it), Akershus breakfast and Ohana dinner. Since we only wanted 3, we didn't want to be flexible but that's out the window. Stalking both like crazy. Travel agent did book things for us that we didn't originally choose but we may have to keep them if those 2 don't come available.

 

[shelli72]

I have never had trouble booking, this trip I was online at 6AM and didn't get several reservations. Very disappointed

 

[happymom2one]

I got up early on my 180 mark and couldn't get anything I wanted. we are a family of 5 and looking for the last week of November after Thanksgiving. Free dining! I was told that I probably will have more luck as time goes on. I still check it on a daily basis and have not had better luck.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

In the last few years we've had no big problems booking anything even less than 180 days out, except for BOG. Certain times were not ideal like Ohana at 9:50 pm but we always got what we wanted. This year, I didn't have time to book on the 180 day mark but was naïve thinking I can still get what we need couple days later. WRONG! Restaurants such as Ohana, Chef Mickeys, Tusker House, Crystal Palace - all booked for the entire stay. I was able to get a few things, but I feel for those booking closer to the date. Not sure what's going on this year.

 

[AnnaGiselle]

It's usually just my DH and I and I don't have a problem booking 180 days out... until trying to book this week for December! I did finally get a BOG a little later in the morning; it seems like they don't release all the reservations at once? And I eventually got Ohana, but for a 3:30pm time, which isn't ideal, but it's workable. I'm hoping I have better luck for our May trip!

 

[Elliemay2]

We are trying for BOG Lunch,Chef Mickey,Minnie's H&V,1900 PF,Sci-FI, WCC, and San Angel Inn for a party of 10+. How do you search? Do you go to the restaurant WDW page and check availability, or do you go to WDW dining and enter the date/time for the list available? Should I try for the whole party first and then break it up or should each family (Doing this together) try for their own around the same times? Next Tuesday is my ADR date. Also, when can I book the SW Dessert party for Dec? Thanks!

 

[bubsmoljo]

Our 180 day mark was on Friday the 3rd for a quick trip Nov. 29th to Dec 4th. I was/have been unable to get ANYTHING (bfast, lunch, or dinner) at HS on Friday the 2nd! I really wanted to take the kiddo's to Minnie's seasonal dine-NOPE! WTH?!? I am so frustrated! Anyone else having the same issues?!? Also, I know there was a rumor flying around that Sci-Fi was going to have a Star Wars Bfast-anyone heard about that? How about if the Dessert Party for the fireworks will continue after the name/show change on the 17th? I did the dessert party for the SW f'works in January and it was awesome-was hoping to score that again!

 

[hollygolitely93]

I got a sci-fi reservation for same day but at 4:30 pm for dinner!!! And it was my #5 day of my trip. I was shocked the availability was so low...and I've checked back several time each day and there hasn't been any availability at that part of the day you questioned for me either!!!

I haven't heard about when SW f'works will be released (or if it will be released for Nov/Dec)...I've been watching the SW thread on ThemeParkStrategies board for news...

 

[Local_Girl]

We'll be there the first 2 weeks of Dec. for our first trip since 2010, and we're staying offsite. Never had this much trouble finding what we want. I have to get up every day (for 2 weeks) and start right at 6 am...only to discover that what we want isn't available. I'm starting to look into well-themed quick service spots, and we're considering going offsite for some meals. It's frustrating. I feel sorry for those purchasing the dining plan--especially those who do it after the 180 day mark, thinking they'll be able to book any popular spots.

Maybe some folks who normally go in July (and apparently aren't this year, if widely available ADRs for that time frame are any indication of lower crowds) have decided to vacation in early December...that ought to make finding FPs at the 30-day mark interesting.

 

[mikeyg1479]

So, why is November such a tough month for booking restaurants? Is the park supposed to be super crowded or something. Its been a few years since I visited. We are going 11/27- 12/3- basically the week after Thanksgiving which I THINK shouldn't be anything especially crazy, since everyone's Thanksgiving vacations should be over then, past black Friday and its still well before Xmas rush. In the past November/early December always seemed to be at least a little slower in the parks than the peak spring/summer months.

My big thing, is trying to get Be Our Guest ADR. I've never experienced it, would love to, and I can't get anything lunch, or dinner, that entire week. I've been checking every day since I could start reserving restaurants for our trip last week. I got other places, and while some were tricky (Sci Fi, Tusker house breakfast took some re-arranging of the "schedule", there is NOTHING out there for any time whatsoever for BOG. I'd gladly take lunch or dinner- party of 4.

Does anyone think its worth to keep trying, or have any pointers? I hope we didn't pick some freak crazy full week.

 

[Claireywalsh]

So, why is November such a tough month for booking restaurants? Is the park supposed to be super crowded or something. Its been a few years since I visited. We are going 11/27- 12/3- basically the week after Thanksgiving which I THINK shouldn't be anything especially crazy, since everyone's Thanksgiving vacations should be over then, past black Friday and its still well before Xmas rush.

My big thing, is trying to get Be Our Guest ADR. I've never experienced it, would love to, and I can't get anything lunch, or dinner, that entire week. I've been checking every day since I could start reserving restaurants for our trip last week. I got other places, and while some were tricky (Sci Fi, Tusker house breakfast took some re-arranging of the "schedule", there is NOTHING out there for any time whatsoever for BOG.

Does anyone think its worth to keep trying, or have any pointers? I hope we didn't pick some freak crazy full week.

We last visited in 2014 and stayed offsite, the only thing I NEEDED to try was BOG and I was there, waiting at my 180Day to book, nothing, called up, nothing! The CM even said there is nothing that whole week and I shouldn't tell you that as your not staying onsite. I checked back the following days and about 5 days after, at least 3 choices of times appeared for dinner and continued to for about 5 days in a row! Do not give up hope, I think if people are on the dining plan lunch books up so quickly as its counted as a QS credit. I am getting really nervous as we are going over Christmas and Definately want to go back to BOG but I'm preparing myself that it might be a tall order. We are onsite this time though so, here's to a bunch of faith trust and pixie dust!!! Sending you some too!!

 

[MonaMN]

So, why is November such a tough month for booking restaurants? Is the park supposed to be super crowded or something. Its been a few years since I visited. We are going 11/27- 12/3- basically the week after Thanksgiving which I THINK shouldn't be anything especially crazy, since everyone's Thanksgiving vacations should be over then, past black Friday and its still well before Xmas rush. In the past November/early December always seemed to be at least a little slower in the parks than the peak spring/summer months.

My big thing, is trying to get Be Our Guest ADR. I've never experienced it, would love to, and I can't get anything lunch, or dinner, that entire week. I've been checking every day since I could start reserving restaurants for our trip last week. I got other places, and while some were tricky (Sci Fi, Tusker house breakfast took some re-arranging of the "schedule", there is NOTHING out there for any time whatsoever for BOG. I'd gladly take lunch or dinner- party of 4.

Does anyone think its worth to keep trying, or have any pointers? I hope we didn't pick some freak crazy full week.

I think that since there are so many unknowns about what things will look like - evening shows, etc - that people may have extra reservations they are hanging onto but will release later.

We are going during that same time. I was on right away on my 180 day mark and got everything I wanted at pretty good times - but I wasn't trying for BOG or other really popular ones. I also scheduled mostly lunch so we have flexibility to hop for evening events as needed.

Keep trying - I think things will open up as info becomes better known.

 

[WuvEeyore]

Does anyone think its worth to keep trying, or have any pointers? I hope we didn't pick some freak crazy full week.

Definitely keep trying. Last year, I got a CRT breakfast for the next morning at 11 PM the night before. I never gave up. Some people wait until their 24 hour last chance to cancel window to cancel their ressies, so keep trying. That week is when we are going as well. The crowd calendars do not show it as a busy week which is why we picked it. We also didn't know they would extend free dining for the beginning of that week when we booked, or we wouldn't have chosen that week.

 

[scard192]

So, why is November such a tough month for booking restaurants? Is the park supposed to be super crowded or something. Its been a few years since I visited. We are going 11/27- 12/3- basically the week after Thanksgiving which I THINK shouldn't be anything especially crazy, since everyone's Thanksgiving vacations should be over then, past black Friday and its still well before Xmas rush. In the past November/early December always seemed to be at least a little slower in the parks than the peak spring/summer months. .

Free Dining is offered 11/26 - 11/28. Probably a lot of people are checking in the 26th for FD and were able to make ADRs the day before you could.

 

[Lisa F]

Can't find a dinner reservation at R&C from 7P-8P to save my life and I'm at 180 days out!

You are now in the period where candlelight processional packages are going to come into play. Disney holds back massive inventory from the participating restaurants for the package so I think all epcot restaurants have not much availability right now. I booked a 2:30 lunch at coral reef because I really wanted CR but i intend to replace it with CP when it is available.... a friend of mine couldn't book CR for the same day!

 

[disneydreamer781]

You are now in the period where candlelight processional packages are going to come into play. Disney holds back massive inventory from the participating restaurants for the package so I think all epcot restaurants have not much availability right now. I booked a 2:30 lunch at coral reef because I really wanted CR but i intend to replace it with CP when it is available.... a friend of mine couldn't book CR for the same day!

I can't even get a reservation in the 12-1p time slot and according to last year's CP those are not even times that are open for CP.

 

[Lisa F]

I can't even get a reservation in the 12-1p time slot and according to last year's CP those are not even times that are open for CP.

Well they released SOME but availability is super limited so it went fast I am sure. When they release the CP packages people who were holding it just in case will let go of regular ADRs or you could pick up a CP package yourself.

 

[disneydreamer781]

I'm a bit put out because I feel unless I book a CP package that I will unable to book the reservation I want at many of the EPCOT's restaurants and that seems unfair. I look at the 2015 package prices and they are way overpriced IMO and this year I'm expecting the packages will be higher. I can eat at R&C for a lot less than $50-60/pp, Even with an uncomfortable seat at CP that is way too much when I may be able to see or hear it free. I just hope some ADRs open up.