No ADR's avail that I wanted :(

[emmsmama]

What are the chances that something will open up as dates get closer? I'm going the first two weeks of Dec. and out of 12 ressies I wanted, I got 1.

Have others had luck with calling back often to check if new ressies are avail? Or did you just wait it out and try once you got there? Did you have any luck just walking up?

I'm not expecting to get CRT last-minute of course, but the places on my list are Mama Melrose Fantasmic or H&V Fantasmic pkg., LTT, Akershus, California Grill, TTS, Ohana, 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey's, Spoodles, and Garden Grill.

 

[princesswendy720]

You should try again at the 45 day mark when balances on trips are due. Maybe some people will have to cancel their vacays and reservations will open up.

 

[PrincessMonkey]

I would try again for Mama Melrose, Akershus, Spoodles and Garden Grill from your list. That is good advice to try again at the 45 day mark, and if you still don't have the confirmations, you should try again 48 hours in advance of each date you'd like to dine, since there may be dining cancellations. I've gotten into Mama Melrose's and (not on your list) Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge at the "last-minute" that way. I have not had any experience just walking up to TS restaurants.

(I would much rather know that I had a reservation, since my family would feel frustrated if we couldn't get seated and/had to settle for CS. It's more relaxing to know that these busy restaurants will "definitely" have room for the four of us.)

 

[Mkrop]

I am going around the same time and I too am having problems getting ADRs too. I got two that I wanted so far. I am calling tomorrow bc I finally got DH to think about some alternatives to try as well. I will keep trying.

On out last trip I called while we were down there and got Mama Melrose for the FP for tow days later in our trip.

 

[septbaby]

Generally speaking, try to be really flexible with times and dates. Also don't be stuck with dinner, TS lunches are one of the hidden gems at WDW!

 

[Schmoodle]

I am going in a couple of weeks, kind of a last minute trip, so I was only able to get 1 ADR at the Crystal Palace. But in my experience, keep calling. I try back every day or so and run down my list. Things can open up at any time. I've had the best luck the day of, when people get there and find they don't want to follow their plan exactly, lots of cancellations at the last minute. Last resort, when I am in the park I will just stop by the restaurant and check. Sometimes there are no shows and they can get you in without an ADR.

 

[tzeitel]

Keep calling! Everyday I call and ask for the same dates & places, every other day I get one of my wants. The hardest to get have been Hoop Dee Doo, Chef Mickey and Fantasmic Package at Mama Melrose.

Some others you mentioned are also very hard to get - Cali Grill, 1900 Park Fare and LTT. Although LTT is one I got after many days of being told there was nothing available.

If you don't mind eating early you can walk in at many restaurants - they will take wal-ins until the floor is full (unless it is a holiday). I know Spoodles does - I used to be a hostess there.

 

[FayeW]

We are going at the same time. The only ADR we wanted was 'Ohana, which I got, but at a much later time than I wanted. It started off at 8:30 PM, and I did call about a month later and got it for 8:00, but I would rather something closer to 6:30-7:00PM. I will be grateful for what I have, though, because I have called back a few more times and they always say they have nothing earlier than 9:40PM for the entire week!!

 

[MickeyNicki]

I would call every single day, sometimes it has worked for me and sometimes not but it doesnt hurt to try

 

[ZoZo]

I wouldn't count on getting any walk-ups. If you're already having trouble getting any ADRs, the chances that a walk-up will be available (especially if you're picky about which restaurants you go to) are very, very small.

As others have said, be as flexible as you can. Try to get ADRs at "off" times (2:00 or 2:30 lunch ressie, late breakfast, etc.), try lunch instead of dinner, etc.

And keep calling back - people cancel ADRs all the time, as they change their plans, so you never know what you might be able to get!

 

[kristinnn]

I got a last minute CRT during a peak season a few weeks in advance just by calling at the right time and I also was willing to eat a 4. I'm going the third week in December this year and it was sort of last minute and I had the RUDEST dining CM who pretty much laughed at me when I asked about certain ADR. =/

 

[Rootskate]

I got a last minute CRT during a peak season a few weeks in advance just by calling at the right time and I also was willing to eat a 4. I'm going the third week in December this year and it was sort of last minute and I had the RUDEST dining CM who pretty much laughed at me when I asked about certain ADR. =/

Same thing happened to me when I had been calling daily to get Le Cellier. When I asked if it was available, she snorted and said "I highly doubt it".

Needless to say, a week or so later I did hit the jackpot and get the reservation!!

Keep calling......persistance pays off. Good Luck!

 

[wen774]

Ive been trying to get Mama Melrose Fantasmic package for 6 months now(literally from 180 days out), with no luck. But keep trying, I just got a Tutto Italia Candlelight Processional today.

 

[Tricia1972]

Keep trying back. Also make sure to check the December Reservation thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1802378

Someone may be able to help you out!

 

[bkfree]

You should try again at the 45 day mark when balances on trips are due. Maybe some people will have to cancel their vacays and reservations will open up.

This would be my suggestion also.
We are going Dec.3-10th. I have ADR's for dinner at
Boma
50's Prime Time
Chef Mickey's
Chefs de France
Tutto Italia
Askerhaus( got it yesterday)
Kona
and Breakfast at Crystal Palace.

Try The Wave, Cape May, Kona, Restaurant Marrekesh, Beirgarten.
Also try for late lunches or early dinners.

I could not get, even after many calls-O'hana or Park Fare.

Try calling and just give the day and they can tell you what is available.
I say make whatever ADR's you can at whereever, then at least you have a back up plan if you cannot get the others.
We have had luck once we arrived at WDW getting guest services to help change some ADR's.

 

[emmsmama]

The one ressie I was able to get was at Cape May for dinner. I'm going to go through the whole schedule again that I made up and see what other dates/times I can make work. I'd like to at least get one princess meal and one Mickey and/or friends meal. Ohana would be awesome because I know my kids would love Lilo and Stitch.

It's crazy how much planning has to go into eating if you want ADR's. I'm really kicking myself for not doing it 180 days out now because I didn't think it would be this difficult. I figured I might not get a few of my choices, but to only get one sucked. I won't give up though, even if I have to keep trying once we get to Florida for last minute ADRs

 

[TPCShauna]

We are going the second week of December. I made most of my ADRs 180 days out. After that, DH and I decided to move our Boma night and add Narcoosee's and Tusker House character breakfast. I've also been trying to change my Le Cellier to three adults and move my Cali Grill earlier (we have a 9:35pm).

I've called every day since mid-July. I have been able to add Narcoosee's and Boma for great times after two calls. I added Tusker House for breakfast after two months. I'm still working on the Le Cellier and Cali Grill ressies. Cali Grill has had two openings for 4 tops for my date (Dec. 9) but none for 2.

My point with all this? Keep trying as you just might get lucky. I got lucky with my Tusker House ressie and my fingers are crossed that I will be lucky with the other two.

Be persistent! Good luck!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I've been trying to get an earlier ADR for Cali Grill for 3 months now for mid Dec. I already had one for 9:20 and was able to move it up to 9pm because I kept calling so it is worth a try. I'm still calling to try to get an even earlier one though.

 

[tzeitel]

Are you staying during one of the new free dining days? If so, that might be why you are having problems booking adrs.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I made our ADRs the 180+ days out for our November trip. Along the way my husband and I decided we wanted to try Cali Grill (just the 2 of us to celebrate our 15th annivarsary a bit late). I never thought we'd get in being the week of Thanksgiving, but after calling a few times over a few days we got lucky and got a 7:15 reservation (WISHES is at 9pm) on the exact day we wanted (though we were open to almost any day of our trip).
So, if you keep trying you never know what you might get, people cancel all the time. I never thought we'd be so lucky that someone would cancel and we'd get to go and during WISHES no less?? Keep trying...