Last Minute Character Meals?

[mkell1]

Hi Everyone,
I'm bringing my 4 year old to WDW for the first time in 2 weeks. I've been trying to book our meals, but I'm finding that everything we'd want to do is pretty much booked up already. I really want to get her in to one of the princess character meals. Does anyone have any tips/tricks for getting late bookings for these (particularly Cinderella's Castle or Askershus)? Is there a good time to go on to look for openings? We purchased a dining plan, but now I'm starting to think that wasn't such a good idea since I can't find table service restaurants during convenient times to go along with the daily plans we have. I'm open to any suggestions anyone has!

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[norasue]

We are visiting WDW from October 18th through the 29th. I suggest you check a few times a day for reservations. I have noticed several character meal reservations available in the past week for that time frame.

 

[RachaelA]

People have to cancel by 11:59pm EST the night before or else they are charged a $10/per person no show fee. I'd checked at like midnight and then first thing in the morning the day of.

 

[Gracie09]

Just keep checking. Princess meals tend to book at the 180 day mark. If she's into Cinderella you may also want to try the one at the grand Floridian. It's cinderella, Prince Charming and the step family.

 

[Schmeck]

Hi Everyone,
I'm bringing my 4 year old to WDW for the first time in 2 weeks. I've been trying to book our meals, but I'm finding that everything we'd want to do is pretty much booked up already. I really want to get her in to one of the princess character meals. Does anyone have any tips/tricks for getting late bookings for these (particularly Cinderella's Castle or Askershus)? Is there a good time to go on to look for openings? We purchased a dining plan, but now I'm starting to think that wasn't such a good idea since I can't find table service restaurants during convenient times to go along with the daily plans we have. I'm open to any suggestions anyone has!

Thanks in advance!!!

You are about 166 days late in booking. You'll most likely have to go at inconvenient times, as most people booked the best times 6 months ago. One used to be able to get a walk up reservation for some of the less popular restaurants, but the wait can be over an hour. Probably pretty impossible to do for a character meal, sorry!

Your best bet to meet the characters at this point would be to plan for the meet and greets.

 

[stainbas]

Subscribe to the October cancellations thread under the Dining Reservations forum. You can't post reservations that you're looking for, but other forum member post there when they plan on canceling a reservation. I've already seen Akershus come up in the few days I've been doing that.

And people really do tend to double book these things. I would check a few times a day now, check pretty regularly the week or so before you go, and check even more than that in the evenings while you're there. Obviously you'll need a backup plan for princess viewings in case it doesn't work out, but there is definitely movement in even the coveted reservations.