Just a dining vent.

[JennaDeeDooDah]

We are going to WDW from 12/8-12/16. I made my dining reservations at 5:00am yesterday morning as it was 180 days out. I got most of the reservations I wanted, but was unable to get three: Coral Reef, Garden Grill, and Le Cellier. I can live without Coral Reef, so no big deal. I wasn't really expecting to be able to get Le Cellier, so alright, I can handle that. But Garden Grill is a huge favorite amongst my family. I called WDWdine and they said that absolutely nothing is available during that time, but to call back later this month and I can book it for the Candlelight Processional. She also alluded that that was the only possibility I would have of getting a Garden Grill reservation. I would LOVE to do that. However, I have a two-year-old and I cannot imagine that should would do well with getting in line 45 minutes to an hour before the show, sitting in the theater that long waiting for the show to start, and then sitting through the whole Candlelight Processional. So I will be calling back later this month to book dining for my mom, dad, sister, grandmother, and grandfather, while DH and DD and I will be keeping our "replacement" reservations. I like the replacement, but I sure love the Garden Grill. Sigh. That's all. Thanks for listening to me complain.

 

[t_catt11]

Call back every day. People often change reservations.

We were able to secure a party of seven for Le Cellier last October at less than 45 days out.

Also, there is usually a thread in the dining forum specifically for cancellations for your month - folks are good about posting what they are going to cancel ahead of time so that you can nab it.

 

[dansdad]

Call back every day. People often change reservations.

We were able to secure a party of seven for Le Cellier last October at less than 45 days out.

Also, there is usually a thread in the dining forum specifically for cancellations for your month - folks are good about posting what they are going to cancel ahead of time so that you can nab it.

This.

 

[tiggore91]

We tried to book LeCellier for Dec 7th, but were told that pretty much you can't book anything Epcot until they finalize the CP details. They will not be completely booking select restaurants up for the CP, only certain hours with certain # of packages. I am sure very soon you will be able to book.

 

[smitch425]

We are going to WDW from 12/8-12/16. I made my dining reservations at 5:00am yesterday morning as it was 180 days out. I got most of the reservations I wanted, but was unable to get three: Coral Reef, Garden Grill, and Le Cellier. I can live without Coral Reef, so no big deal. I wasn't really expecting to be able to get Le Cellier, so alright, I can handle that. But Garden Grill is a huge favorite amongst my family. I called WDWdine and they said that absolutely nothing is available during that time, but to call back later this month and I can book it for the Candlelight Processional. She also alluded that that was the only possibility I would have of getting a Garden Grill reservation. I would LOVE to do that. However, I have a two-year-old and I cannot imagine that should would do well with getting in line 45 minutes to an hour before the show, sitting in the theater that long waiting for the show to start, and then sitting through the whole Candlelight Processional. So I will be calling back later this month to book dining for my mom, dad, sister, grandmother, and grandfather, while DH and DD and I will be keeping our "replacement" reservations. I like the replacement, but I sure love the Garden Grill. Sigh. That's all. Thanks for listening to me complain.

I'm pretty sure they have those restaurants unavailable right now because the CP is not completely planned. They should open them up in the next few weeks for regular bookings. Just keep trying.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

But the lady made is sound like the only reservations that Garden Grill was going to open would be for Candlelight Processional. That anyone who was eating there was going to teh Processional. Since I'm not doing the processional, it won't matter if someone cancels, right?

 

[smitch425]

But the lady made is sound like the only reservations that Garden Grill was going to open would be for Candlelight Processional. That anyone who was eating there was going to teh Processional. Since I'm not doing the processional, it won't matter if someone cancels, right?

I don't think that is the case. As far as I know, they should have regular ADRs available. They just have the restaurant blocked for now so they don't have to cancel reservations for people after they get the CP details worked out.

 

[minnie mum]

I've been reading several threads on the Dining forum about people having trouble making Dec. ADRs for Epcot restaurants. The consensus seems to be that tables are being held back from general availability in preference to the Candlelight Processional packages. Once these tables are released, you'll be able to get ADRs. Hopefully this will happen soon. And like the PPs have said, cancellations happen all the time. It will be a matter of patience and perseverance. Good luck

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Or maybe, if I can't find anything, I can take a page out of Tinkerbell-wannabe's book a few weeks back and throw a temper tantrum hissy fit that would impress even the most petulant of all toddlers until they give me a reservation.


I guess the best plan of action is to wait until they post all information on the CP. Then, call every single day, until most of the workers know me by name.

 

[Phatoomch]

I only managed to book Biergarten for lunch - my two dinner ressies (at Via Napoli & Rose & Crown) I was unable to book because of the CP blackout dates. Dining told me they would be open for booking 26th June.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I only managed to book Biergarten for lunch - my two dinner ressies (at Via Napoli & Rose & Crown) I was unable to book because of the CP blackout dates. Dining told me they would be open for booking 26th June.

Biergarten was one of our backups that we ended up getting. Also Tutta Italia and Teppan Edo. No matter what, we got good places. Thanks for the date. An alarm is not put in my phone to remind me

 

[W.E.D.]

Wait and try again.

Our trip last December was VERY last minute--like we found out we could go mid-November. I was able to make every EPCOT dining reservation I wanted. So we can conclude that PPs are correct. More tables and times will open up as Disney gets the CP stuff set up.

Give it some time. I bet you'll be OK!

 

[WDSearcher]

But the lady made is sound like the only reservations that Garden Grill was going to open would be for Candlelight Processional. That anyone who was eating there was going to teh Processional. Since I'm not doing the processional, it won't matter if someone cancels, right?

So .... reserve a Candlelight package for your meal and skip the Processional.

It's not like there's a CP ticket cost that's added in. And no one is going to be standing there making sure you attend Candlelight.

Easy peasy.

 

[bjscheel]

They still have the online ADR system, don't they? Instead of calling, last year I loved checking online obsessively. We went June 8-14 and it was probably May when I was checking 20 times a day for Garden Grill. I did get one! It was such a shock when I finally saw a time show up! If I had only called, say, once a day, I might not have hit it at the right time and never gotten one.

Just saying you can check online several times a day, which is easier than calling.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

So .... reserve a Candlelight package for your meal and skip the Processional.

It's not like there's a CP ticket cost that's added in. And no one is going to be standing there making sure you attend Candlelight.

Easy peasy.

No, it does cost more money. And if you are on the dining plan, it is automatically 2 credits.

 

[smitch425]

So .... reserve a Candlelight package for your meal and skip the Processional.

It's not like there's a CP ticket cost that's added in. And no one is going to be standing there making sure you attend Candlelight.

Easy peasy.

CP dinner packages are fixed price and expensive. They are not booking ANY type of reservation right now, so there is no booking a CP package either.

 

[JessiMommy]

But the lady made is sound like the only reservations that Garden Grill was going to open would be for Candlelight Processional. That anyone who was eating there was going to teh Processional. Since I'm not doing the processional, it won't matter if someone cancels, right?

She was misinformed. Restaurants that participate in CP also book regular lunch and dinner reservations at that time of the year. No one has been able to book anything on those dates in late November/December yet. I had a CM check to see if any reservations had been booked during a whole week span. Nothing had been booked for anyone. (Dine CM's can check a location to see how many reservations are booked on any given day.) CP packages begin booking on June 26 and my guess is that you will also see reservations open that day for regular meals without a CP package. Call back or try online on June 26.

 

[Pluto0809]

They still have the online ADR system, don't they? Instead of calling, last year I loved checking online obsessively. We went June 8-14 and it was probably May when I was checking 20 times a day for Garden Grill. I did get one! It was such a shock when I finally saw a time show up! If I had only called, say, once a day, I might not have hit it at the right time and never gotten one.

Just saying you can check online several times a day, which is easier than calling.

Yep, there is still an online system. I'm trying to get Le Cellier for the last week of November. Rather than call and wait on hold for who knows how long, I've been checking three times a day online. It takes less than a minute that way.

 

[princess124]

We went the same week as you last year and ran into the same issues. Disney Dining holds all ADRs at the CP restaurants until all plans have been finalized. It's weird how they do it, but once everything is released, spots will open up. I believe they only hold so many spots for CP packages (I could be wrong on this...so please correct me if I am), so when those go, other slots will open up. Just keep checking and save yourself the worries and take what Disney Dining CMs tell you with a grain of salt. I found more factual information by doing research here on the boards and through the Internet. Good luck and enjoy! Christmas at Disney is a wonderful time to go!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

We went the same week as you last year and ran into the same issues. Disney Dining holds all ADRs at the CP restaurants until all plans have been finalized. It's weird how they do it, but once everything is released, spots will open up. I believe they only hold so many spots for CP packages (I could be wrong on this...so please correct me if I am), so when those go, other slots will open up. Just keep checking and save yourself the worries and take what Disney Dining CMs tell you with a grain of salt. I found more factual information by doing research here on the boards and through the Internet. Good luck and enjoy! Christmas at Disney is a wonderful time to go!

YAY! Crazy phone people at dining making me believe I had no hope if I didn't go to the CP. I will get reservations. If I must call every hour, on the hour, I will. Shoot, by that point, they might get me a folding table and some chairs just to eek me from calling anymore.