November Dining Reservations?

[MouseDetective]

Hello everyone,
I'm a long time lurker, but a first time poster. I just booked a November trip to Disney World for the 14th-19th two days ago. While I got a good deal, I, unfortunately, missed the prime 180+10 reservation window. Do you think it is possible to get dinner reservations for BoG, Liberty Tree, and '50s Prime Time Cafe? While it may be exceptionally difficult, do you think it can be done? If so, do you have any tips? When is the best time to book online reservations? Is there a certain time frame where cancelled reservations rollover, or is it all done as it's happening (e.g. do cancellations pop up as soon as they are cancelled)? This is all relatively new to me. Any tips, advice, or comments are appreciated.
Thank you!

 

[amomma23]

Hello everyone,
I'm a long time lurker, but a first time poster. I just booked a November trip to Disney World for the 14th-19th two days ago. While I got a good deal, I, unfortunately, missed the prime 180+10 reservation window. Do you think it is possible to get dinner reservations for BoG, Liberty Tree, and '50s Prime Time Cafe? While it may be exceptionally difficult, do you think it can be done? If so, do you have any tips? When is the best time to book online reservations? Is there a certain time frame where cancelled reservations rollover, or is it all done as it's happening (e.g. do cancellations pop up as soon as they are cancelled)? This is all relatively new to me. Any tips, advice, or comments are appreciated.
Thank you!

Nothing is impossible. Start checking NOW. If you can be a little flexible with times or days, your chances increase a lot. Your best bet is to just keep checking any time you have a few minutes and be ready to jump on it when you find it.

 

[Polish Hammer]

Hello everyone,
I'm a long time lurker, but a first time poster. I just booked a November trip to Disney World for the 14th-19th two days ago. While I got a good deal, I, unfortunately, missed the prime 180+10 reservation window. Do you think it is possible to get dinner reservations for BoG, Liberty Tree, and '50s Prime Time Cafe? While it may be exceptionally difficult, do you think it can be done? If so, do you have any tips? When is the best time to book online reservations? Is there a certain time frame where cancelled reservations rollover, or is it all done as it's happening (e.g. do cancellations pop up as soon as they are cancelled)? This is all relatively new to me. Any tips, advice, or comments are appreciated.
Thank you!

You can score all of them, just keep checking every day, and several times a day. Also, subscribe to the November cancellation thread.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Not only that, lots of people grabbed rooms in anticipation of the free meal plan. Sometimes, things happen which makes it necessary to cancel those reservations. You have until 45 days prior to your arrival to pay for it. Look around that time. Also things pop up constantly. Try for the BOG fast pass. They do not make reservations for lunch, so you can do a walk in, though the wait may be long. The fast pass, I believe opens 60 days prior to your vacation there is a number you can call and a link to go online. I am going in December, and I have a reservation for BOG. I'm debating on cancelling if I can get a lunch fast pass. Also do not discount the phone! I got everything I wanted via phone. I have booked a couple online, but the majority have been by phone. Watch the cancellation thread like someone said, and good luck!
Also, one time when the free dining was new, we found ourselves at Disney World with no dining reservations. We quickly found out we could not get in ANYWHERE. We soon found out if we showed up at a restaurant 15 or so minutes before they reopened for dinner, we were able to slide in (probably no shows) We did this for Tony's Town Square, Liberty Tree, and Mama Melrose. The Brown Derby was a no go. Just keep trying!

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I just saw Prime Time dinner (I checked party of 6) 11/14 at 6:55

Liberty Tree 4:00 11/17

 

[purple figment]

Hello everyone,
I'm a long time lurker, but a first time poster. I just booked a November trip to Disney World for the 14th-19th two days ago. While I got a good deal, I, unfortunately, missed the prime 180+10 reservation window.

1. Do you think it is possible to get dinner reservations for BoG, Liberty Tree, and '50s Prime Time Cafe? While it may be exceptionally difficult, do you think it can be done?

2. If so, do you have any tips?

3. When is the best time to book online reservations?

4. Is there a certain time frame where cancelled reservations rollover, or is it all done as it's happening (e.g. do cancellations pop up as soon as they are cancelled)? This is all relatively new to me. Any tips, advice, or comments are appreciated.
Thank you!

1. Yes, you never know when a cancellation comes up. BOG will be the most difficult.

2. Persistence. Whenever FD is announced the number of people booking TS restaurants increases so you have to be persistent. Check online multiple times a day to see if a cancellation pops up.

If possible, be flexible about the time, date and which meal (B, L or D) to expand your choices.

You need to include everyone in your group who will be at the table regardless of age (including infants), but if you are an odd numbered group and nothing comes up for 3, 5, 7 try adding one person and check for 4,6,8. The Disney reservation system has a quirk that makes it more difficult for odd numbered parties to get reservations.

Make a back up reservation that you'll be happy with if your first choice of restaurant or time doesn't materialize, but be aware of the restaurant's cancellation deadline so you don't incur the $10 per person penalty if you do want to cancel the res.

Final payment for packages come due 45 days before arrival date so you might see an uptick in cancellations around that time.

You can subscribe to the November cancellation thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3278305

3. Anytime you have a chance.

4. Cancellations usually re-enter the system soon after they are made so it's a matter of being online checking just as a cancellation pops up.