No reservations available in HS?

[crazedprincess]

Our 180 days opened up this morning and I was on right at 5:00 AM central time. I got everything we wanted except for our Hollywood Studios day. We wanted Sci Fi but nothing is available for Dec. 2 dinner and nothing is available at any restaurant for dinner that day. Is there a reason for this? I have searched around the forum but can't find an answer. TIA.

 

[JillyBean0502]

I had a similar experience looking for a reservation at Akershus- was bright and early, couldn't find a single reservation on any date of our stay for any number of our party (varying from 2-7). I was personally hoping that they just hadn't released all of their tables yet and continue to look, but to no avail. I'd love to know if anyone else has some insight as well. Good luck to you!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

A lot of people's 180 days opened earlier than yours. It is more likely that the Free Dining frenzy took all the spots.

 

[melissa.t]

I'm having the same issue! I'm searching for December 1, and everything is completely booked! Could the Fantasmic dinner package be having an effect?

 

[Em's GiGi]

I've had the same experience. I honestly didn't believe there would be THAT MANY folks making dining ressies 6 months out; I have to say I was just shocked that most of my first choices were unavailable. Nothing at all for GG or Coral Reef the week of our visit; nothing for Akershus at all the week of our visit. I was able to get breakfasts (actually our preference because of a 2 year old's schedule) at Crystal Palace, BOG, and Hollywood & Vine, and lunches at CRT and Tusker House, but none of these are on the days we actually wanted to be in that park - for example, our CP & BOG ressies are for days we did not actually plan to be in MK because of crowd calendar recommendations. However, I guess rearranging days of park visits is the lesser of the evils. And it's kinda interesting in a different way that the restaurants have vacancies on the days the crowds are predicted to be heaviest in certain parks? Makes no sense to me at all.

All in all, I felt darn lucky to get all of those places for any day or time!! The ever-so-helpful-and-sympathetic CM who assisted me said to keep checking back; people change and cancel ressies all the time, but it will truly be a stroke of magic for something we want to open up at a time we can make it work. Yeesh.

I think the trick must be to make a "placeholder" resort ressie 10 days ahead of the actual planned reservation (put down the refundable $200 and everything) in order to gain access to the restaurant reservation calendar early. That's the only explanation for how these restaurants could ALL book up so freakin' early for every single time for every single meal for days on end.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You are booking during a period with free dining.

Free dining users are savvy and book up. They are online at 180.

 

[crazedprincess]

I realize it's free dining period, which I wasn't pleased about in the first place since I had booked our stay way before it was announced. I was just curious as to why I only had bad luck with HS and it was further into our vacation. There are absolutely zero dinner reservations for any restaurant in HS. Oh well... I will keep checking as I have done in the past. Good luck to all of you too!!!!

 

[Iowamomof4]

Something weird is going on though. It just doesn't make sense that Sci-Fi would be ALL booked up already. It's not *that* popular. Akershus? Sure, I'll buy that. BOG? You betcha. But Sci-Fi? No way.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I just looked, and they're only taking dinner reservations from 4-6:30. That's a very small window for dinner, especially during free dining.

 

[crazedprincess]

I just looked, and they're only taking dinner reservations from 4-6:30. That's a very small window for dinner, especially during free dining.

YES! I saw that too! That's another reason why I was curious if there was something going on that I wasn't aware of.

 

[Missyrose]

A lot of people's 180 days opened earlier than yours. It is more likely that the Free Dining frenzy took all the spots.

This isn't Free Dining Frenzy. Disney hasn't loaded everything and the half-baked park hours it released for November and December are a solid clue that Disney isn't quite sure what the late fall will look like hours/staffing-wise. And Disney is clearly holding back whole swaths of reservations. There's been free dining before for many years, but this is the first year I've heard dozens upon dozens of people say that they couldn't get an Akershus reservation, a CRT reservation or an 'Ohana reservation for their entire week with an onsite stay of more than a few days. Typically with free dining, the most popular eating times book up fast, but there are at least off-peak times available at 180+3 or +7, the reports have been there's nothing.

This isn't free dining.

 

[mcgill93]

I agree - something is definitely up. We go every year during free dining (even though we don't get it since POR was not included..) and I have never not gotten everything I want to get. I was up at 5:00 with a clear plan for each day - on the computer at 6:00. 'Ohana was gone, even for the last day of our trip (180+8) and for the Mama Melrose VIP Fantasmic Package, it wouldn't even go to December dates. When I forced it by typing it in, it said either "no dates available for that time", or something about difficulties checking availability at this time. I called at 7:00 and the reservations cast member told me that some dates have not even been released yet, due to park hours and holiday events scheduling. She stated that she herself has not made an 'Ohana reservation for someone in close to a week, which is very rare. She said to keep checking. I was able to get everything else (including CRT, Crystal Palace before park opening, 2 BOGs, Tusker House, 1900 Park Fare, Coral Reef, and Akershus (though not for dinner - lunch only), so not really sure what the deal is... We are there November 30th through December 8th. Good luck everyone!

 

[kermit27]

I have had less issues on our first two trips (in 2015 & 2014) booking reservations 4 months out then I did this morning booking at 180. Couldn't get Ohana for dinner, couldn't get Akershus for any meal including on the second to last day of our stay and the same with Garden Grill. Also, we are staying the week where free dining is not offered (11/30-12/6), so it can't be that. Hopefully stuff will open up!

 

[Iowamomof4]

I have had less issues on our first two trips (in 2015 & 2014) booking reservations 4 months out then I did this morning booking at 180. Couldn't get Ohana for dinner, couldn't get Akershus for any meal including on the second to last day of our stay and the same with Garden Grill. Also, we are staying the week where free dining is not offered (11/30-12/6), so it can't be that. Hopefully stuff will open up!

I have free dining (11/28-12/7). I do agree though, free dining can't be solely to blame for all these issues.

 

[kermit27]

I have free dining (11/28-12/7). I do agree though, free dining can't be solely to blame for all these issues.

ah... you learn something new every day... I did not know that if you start in a free dining time you didn't have to finish in one...

 

[Em's GiGi]

ah... you learn something new every day... I did not know that if you start in a free dining time you didn't have to finish in one...

Yep... as long as you have FD your first night, you have it for up to 14 days of your trip. Sweet!

 

[Tink1987]

So pleased I found this thread, thought I was going crazy yesterday. MDE app and website did not let us book anything until 45 minutes after release time. We haven't been able to get Ohana, 50's or Sci Fi Diner for the duration of our 10 day trip. I can't believe they 'sold out' within 45 minutes when there were V&A's, BOG, and many other popular ones available.

I understand what people have mentioned regarding free dining but I haven't had this issue with 50's or Sci Fi before - I've changed my times on those reservations so many times in the past up until our trip as our plans have changed. Also, I went straight to the end day of our trip so that wouldn't have been a day open to the 180+10 booking on the 2nd June.

I'm wondering if Ohana is actually having another refurb in December because we couldn't find one single ADR for 10 days? I then went back on the calendar and it was available for lots of times in November still? Did anyone else book one for the first 10 days of December?

 

[Tink1987]

ah... you learn something new every day... I did not know that if you start in a free dining time you didn't have to finish in one...

Yeah that was a pretty awesome find for us when we were booking this trip. I am from the UK and originally wanted to arrive on the 26th November but then quickly realised that it would be the busy Thanksgiving weekend. Our free dining offers ended the 30th November so we arrive then and get free dining for our 10 n

 

[dreaminginplaid]

So pleased I found this thread, thought I was going crazy yesterday. MDE app and website did not let us book anything until 45 minutes after release time. We haven't been able to get Ohana, 50's or Sci Fi Diner for the duration of our 10 day trip. I can't believe they 'sold out' within 45 minutes when there were V&A's, BOG, and many other popular ones available.

I understand what people have mentioned regarding free dining but I haven't had this issue with 50's or Sci Fi before - I've changed my times on those reservations so many times in the past up until our trip as our plans have changed. Also, I went straight to the end day of our trip so that wouldn't have been a day open to the 180+10 booking on the 2nd June.

I'm wondering if Ohana is actually having another refurb in December because we couldn't find one single ADR for 10 days? I then went back on the calendar and it was available for lots of times in November still? Did anyone else book one for the first 10 days of December?

On another thread somewhere (can't remember where now!), someone had called and spoke to a CM about 'Ohana. This CM said she personally hadn't booked 'Ohana for anyone in the last week - which is very unusual.

 

[Iowamomof4]

So pleased I found this thread, thought I was going crazy yesterday. MDE app and website did not let us book anything until 45 minutes after release time. We haven't been able to get Ohana, 50's or Sci Fi Diner for the duration of our 10 day trip. I can't believe they 'sold out' within 45 minutes when there were V&A's, BOG, and many other popular ones available.

I understand what people have mentioned regarding free dining but I haven't had this issue with 50's or Sci Fi before - I've changed my times on those reservations so many times in the past up until our trip as our plans have changed. Also, I went straight to the end day of our trip so that wouldn't have been a day open to the 180+10 booking on the 2nd June.

I'm wondering if Ohana is actually having another refurb in December because we couldn't find one single ADR for 10 days? I then went back on the calendar and it was available for lots of times in November still? Did anyone else book one for the first 10 days of December?

Someone made ADR's by phone this morning and the cm said Ohana hadn't been loaded into the system yet. That actually makes sense based on what I'm hearing. Breakfasts have been available so I don't think a refurb is coming.