Not able to get the ADR's we wanted

[Forensicmom]

We're new to this and just booked our first trip last week. So now we're trying to make a plan and ADR's. Now we're having trouble getting any of the restaurants we want. Is there any way they will open up later? We can't even get a reservation for our hotel (Wilderness Lodge @ Whispering Canyon) until the last day we're there. Is this normal? If so, what do we do?

So far we've only got dinners @ SCi-Fi in Hollywood Studios and The Wave at the Contemporary.

We're hoping to make the rest tonight.

 

[lnh'smom]

Not sure when you are going but there are threads around here where people post what and when they are gonna cancel ADR's for others to try and grab. Also, keep trying! People cancel all the time. Good Luck

 

[TDC Nala]

Don't know when your trip is...but if it's relatively soon, and/or during free dining, it's not really unusual that you can't get specific restaurants. Restaurant reservations open at 180 days out and people have been booking their restaurants for free dining since before free dining was announced.

All you can do is keep checking and see if something opens up. when people cancel they will release the reservations for booking.

If you need reservations (like if you are on a dining plan and must be able to use your TS credits) you may have to settle for restaurants that were not specifically the ones you wanted.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

Keep trying online whenever you get a chance & you'll often find just what you want will become available.

Don't put in dinner or lunch when searching instead put a time. I find putting in 8 p.m. when searching for supper works well as it brings up times often overlooked. Ohana for example is available lots of nights at about 9 p.m. & Coral Reef often has late seatings available too. At lunch I put in a time of 1 p.m. to search & it'll pull up times from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Another hint is if you are a party of 2 & nothing is available try a party of 4. Often a party of 4 is available. You can then call & change the party size.

I've found everything I wanted by checking back online real often...including Ohana supper & LeCellier.

 

[Forensicmom]

Thanks. One problem might be that we're a party of 6 and we're going in November (16 - 22). I'm still working on it.

A few friends suggested that if we're planning a big day in the park then to try and eat in the park instead of leaving for hotel restaurants. THat's what we've been trying to do.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Thanks. One problem might be that we're a party of 6 and we're going in November (16 - 22). I'm still working on it.

A few friends suggested that if we're planning a big day in the park then to try and eat in the park instead of leaving for hotel restaurants. THat's what we've been trying to do.

Many of the popular park restaurants do seem to book up faster than some of the resort ones. Sometimes a break from the parks to eat can be nice and relaxing.

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

Thanks. One problem might be that we're a party of 6 and we're going in November (16 - 22). I'm still working on it.

A few friends suggested that if we're planning a big day in the park then to try and eat in the park instead of leaving for hotel restaurants. THat's what we've been trying to do.

Try for resorts that are close to the park. You'll probably have better luck.

 

[tinkerbellnsnowwhite]

The problem right now is that you are less than 180 days from your reservation, most people book 180 days out. However, alot of those reservations get canceled the closer you get to the trip. Especially around the 45 day mark. The reason the 45 day mark is important is because you have to cancel your trip by this day to get a full refund. I put the 45 day mark on my calendar and started checking frequently around then & was able to get more reservations. Also check the November cancelled thread on this site.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

The problem right now is that you are less than 180 days from your reservation, most people book 180 days out. However, alot of those reservations get canceled the closer you get to the trip. Especially around the 45 day mark. The reason the 45 day mark is important is because you have to cancel your trip by this day to get a full refund. I put the 45 day mark on my calendar and started checking frequently around then & was able to get more reservations. Also check the November cancelled thread on this site.

Excellent advise!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Thanks. One problem might be that we're a party of 6 and we're going in November (16 - 22). I'm still working on it.

A few friends suggested that if we're planning a big day in the park then to try and eat in the park instead of leaving for hotel restaurants. THat's what we've been trying to do.

You can also try for 2 tables of 3 ...

 

[Forensicmom]

THanks so much for the advice on checking the cancelled thread. I'm not sure if I would want to take my chances on two seperate tables since I'm sure they wouldn't guarantee they be next to each other.

 

[Aunt Bee]

THanks so much for the advice on checking the cancelled thread. I'm not sure if I would want to take my chances on two seperate tables since I'm sure they wouldn't guarantee they be next to each other.

Don't give up trying. I was able to book Le Cellier for 6 for dinner just by searching several times a day until an opening popped up. BOING, there it was and I grabbed it.

When I started out, almost all our choices were unavailable and now we have ALL of them. Slowly but surely.... Takes persistence but YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Aunt Bee

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Don't give up trying. I was able to book Le Cellier for 6 for dinner just by searching several times a day until an opening popped up. BOING, there it was and I grabbed it.

When I started out, almost all our choices were unavailable and now we have ALL of them. Slowly but surely.... Takes persistence but YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Aunt Bee

Yes just keep trying for the ones you really want. But if I can suggest to make some backup adrs just in case the others don't come thru. Then when they do come thru all you have to do is cancel the backup ones. But remember no matter what you are going to Disney and will have a wonderful vacation!!!

 

[josh29]

Keep trying! We had a rushed planning timeframe (last minute trip to Florida to visit family), and have managed to get EVERY character meal we wanted, just by trying every night and checking for what's available.

 

[MerriH807]

Try for TS lunches instead of dinners....sometimes they fill up a little slower...
Good luck

Plus do everything everyone else said..

Welcome to your new part- time job----looking for ADRs
(Believe me, I've been there)

 

[loveshak22]

A large part of the problem is that Disney doesn't do anything to prevent people from overbooking. So once the 180-day mark hits people go online and reserve a lot of places until they decide where they want to go. Then they release their reservations and it's hit or miss (and a lot of work for others) to find what you want.

The only thing the online reservations prevents is booking 2 reservations at the same time at the same place. IMO Disney should make it so that nobody can make more than 3 reservations in a day and they cannot be within 4 hours of each other. Or make people put down a credit card to hold a reservation. I think that would prevent a lot of abuse.

I totally understand everyone wanting to get to the restaurants of their choice but allowing people to book 3 reservations a day is generous and most people who know they can book multiple ADR's are familiar enough to pre-plan before they book.

Good luck! I'm in a similar situation where I'm checking 3-4 times a day for people to drop their ADR's so I can get ones for places I want to go.