*~~Official December 2016 Thread~~*

[BaxterSaysMeoww]

When is December do you go?

I'll be going December 16 - 22. How about you?

 

[xlsm]

Still in California, but I'll update the thread with our new friends when I get home next week!
I'll be up at 3am for ADRs in the morning...sitting at the pool now and can barely keep my eyes open, so this should be fun, lol!!! I hope I wake up with the alarm!

 

[dnllmz]

Good luck with ADRs today!

I received a bunch of touring plans messages that Mama Melrose opened up some dinner times for the 10th. No fantasmic but nothing after 3 was available before so it's better than what I had. I'm sure other HS restaurants opened more up today if anyone was waiting on that.

 

[SEASONK]

Was able to get all my ADRs today!!!
17th - Hollywood & Vine @ 10:10
18th - Sanaa @ 2:10
19th - Garden Grill @ 4:00 (may try to change this one to a later time)
20th - BOG @ 11:05 and WCC @ 6:45
21st - Akershus @ 6:25
22nd - 'Ohana @ 9:30 am (this is our departure day)

I was super nervous since I was booking for a party of 9. Also I couldn't get the app to work, so I had to use my phone's web browser.

 

[Rickat96]

Was able to get all my ADRs today!!!
17th - Hollywood & Vine @ 10:10
18th - Sanaa @ 2:10
19th - Garden Grill @ 4:00 (may try to change this one to a later time)
20th - BOG @ 11:05 and WCC @ 6:45
21st - Akershus @ 6:25
22nd - 'Ohana @ 9:30 (this is our departure day)

I was super nervous since I was booking for a party of 9. Also I couldn't get the app to work, so I had to use my phone's web browser.

Congrats! The 22nd at O'hana- thanks for sharing that this is your departure day-gave me the idea to book a breakfast at 1900- before we head on home.

 

[lcborn2run]

I REALLY appreciate that you took the time to write out all this information! I am going to print it out on Monday when I get to work. A new trick I learned from you is putting the reataurants in "favorites". Thank you!

Also Im staying st SSR and since my family of four is older (dd-22 and ds-18) I had planned most our dinners in DTD so we dont have to worry about transportstion during this extremely busy time. Can you explain what you mean about those restaurants? Are they not available to book with the regular Disney Dining?

We will be there at the busiest time of the year and thanks for the new tips for me.

You're very welcome! I've gotten so many great tips here through the years so I wanted to give back a bit

I'm far from an expert, but it appears that when I clicked on certain Disney Springs restaurants, I found that you didn't even get the option to book it (Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar). Others, it looks like you can book, but no availability when you try. For example, I clicked on Crossroads, House of Blues for a dinner reservation. I put my date in, it searched, and said nothing available for that night. Now, I'm very sure the place isn't booked up for every dinner that far out, so I'm assuming they don't take reservations there this early. I searched on "Open Table.com" and it also said that restaurant doesn't book this far out. I also tried to book Flying Fish on the Boardwalk via Disney, but same response. Again, I'm sure they are not actually booked this far out. I did book Paradiso 37 (ate there in the past, pretty good). You can book Raglan Road as well. We have eaten there, was very good, but my kids are somewhat fussy (16 and 18 years old, so I'm going as mainstream as possible!! lol). D'luxe burgers at Disney Springs getting good reviews, but counter service. Good luck!!!

 

[avincent]

I'll be going December 16 - 22. How about you?

Dec 20 - 24 short trip this year but school and work won't allow us to go any earlier and my kids are still young enough to want to be home in time for Santa.

 

[Kudmani]

Anyone have a fun recommendation for Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day dining? We're a little late getting started with the planning, but still time before we have to make ADRs. It will be our first trip to WDW for Christmas...kids are 11, 8, and 2.

 

[Em's GiGi]

You can add me to this list! We're traveling 11/28 to 12/5 and are staying at AoA. It's my grandson's first trip - he'll be 2 1/2 when we travel. It will also be my SILs first trip as well!

This forum helped me get the best deal for us (free dining) and has also helped me figure out the best way to do ADRs without losing my mind. Now it's time to really start getting excited!

 

[BaxterSaysMeoww]

Good luck tomorrow morning. We're arriving Dec. 10th which is the first day of Free Dining for that month. My ADR day was on Monday and like you I was a little excited/nervous. I was able to get everything I was hoping for (BOG dinner, CRT dinner, 3 PPO breakfasts, etc., etc.) at my preferred days and times so I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

Just an FYI: I was using multiple devices @6:00am (laptop w/Windows10, iPad and iPhone) and my +10 ONLY opened up on the laptop. On iPad and iPhone I only had access to the first day of my trip. I've read on hear that this happens a lot and some have to wait until phone lines open at 7:00am to call and book with a CM. Hope everything goes smoothly and you get everything you want.

Just as you predicted.. My days only opened up using the website on my laptop. I tried the app first and my days were open but I just kept getting 'sorry, an error occurred' messages. So I tried the website through my phone, only my first day was showing up as bookable. So I moved on to the laptop and after having to constantly refresh, my days showed up, but every time I searched something new I had to start over and refresh cause my days would close out again. Pretty frustrating! I was able to get almost everything I wanted though, so it ended somewhat well. I still have six months to get the last two reservations so I'm not too worried about it.

 

[sassy2000]

Booked my adr's today for our Dec 16-22 trip. Staying at Coronado Springs.
16th- Sci Fi diner dinner
17th- 1900 Park Fare dinner
18th- Chef de France
19th- Tusker House lunch
21st- Ohana dinner
22nd- Crystal Palace breakfast
I wanted Akershus or Coral Reef for dinner but none available the entire stay. Very weird.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

Hi all! In all the years I have been on the dis, I never clicked on the Doing the Happy Dance thread and never knew about all these
theads for vacations! Someone on the TP Board directed me here, wow and so happy I found you all LOL

My family of 4, dd-22 and ds-18, will be at SSR Treehouse Villas from December 26-January 1. Can't wait.
I am somewhat stressed about making our ADRs since it seems lots of people are having a difficult time
With the exception of Chef Mickey our first night of arrival (I know, it really isn't good but we have been doing this our first
night since the kids were so young and they still say they will go so how can I not book it?), my meals are more Signature than
Character so maybe I'll have an easier time? Not sure, don't think so but I can hope LOL

For those that will be at Disney the same time, what are your plans and what do you plan on doing NYE?
I'm going to make most of our ADRs at DTD since we are a boat ride, even walk if we wanted, away.

Plan on getting to the parks about 45 minutes before RD and out by lunch. We spent one day at MK last year on December 27, prior to a cruise, got there about an hour or so before RD and my dd and I did everything twice and left by lunch. So far my family is on board for RD but we will see. I'll make my FP for after lunch since
I don't expect us to be going back to a park in the evenings. Not sure about that though either. I think if we were closer or walking distance to a park, it
would make it easier to do but being sooo crowded, I rather not have us waiting for busses to take us to packed parks. Trying to be a stress free
during this time of year as possible.

So happy I found you all here!

I am hoping to make use of a couple morning EMH this year. Hopefully we do just as well as you. I couldn't not go into the parks for fireworks though!

 

[BDL]

Anyone have a fun recommendation for Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day dining? We're a little late getting started with the planning, but still time before we have to make ADRs. It will be our first trip to WDW for Christmas...kids are 11, 8, and 2.

That's great that you'll be there for Xmas. As for the dining, Depending on where you are staying, if you are staying at a Mod or Deluxe, you may want to look into an early breakfast or a late dinner. Might be the only time of day when you will have elbow room and time to talk.

 

[Bethislucy]

Congrats on everyone that got their ADR's. now if the CP list will come out.

 

[Claireywalsh]

Hi there guys, joyfully joining in, we are going to be at beach club 22nd to the 29th!! My 180 day is this weekend and I'm nervous!! Eeeeeek

 

[Corsetopia]

Woo hoo! Got most of what I wanted w/ADR booking today! (I had to be up at 4am my time, ughhh, but worth it).

17th - TREX (Our arrival day dinner tradition)
18th - Sci Fi
19th - Tusker House
20th - BOG lunch, Ohana dinner
21st - Hollywood & Vine, Minnie's Seasonal Dine
22nd - Holding off on this day for a PPO breakfast to pop up

I notied Akershush and Coral weren't available for me either, Sassy. I thought it was weird, especially for Coral Reef.

This will be our first time trying out BOG and Ohana! It would be nice if Wishes was scheduled the night we have Ohana res, but as of right now it says it's not going to be going on.

 

[dnllmz]

Got my fantasmic!

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

Ditto on getting Fantasmic package--now we wait for CP!

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Got my fantasmic!

Congrats!
What date in Dec. did you get it for? Not showing any availability for our dates in Dec.

>>EDIT<<
Just got a F! res. @HBD. I guess the website was being a little wacky for me. Thanks to everyone for the heads-up.

 

[SJSloan]

I did my ADR's on Sunday and overall it went pretty well. We are a party of 9 and surprisingly we only has to split up 1 reservation. Here's what we got:

12/17 - Liberty Tree Tavern 11:00am, Whispering Canyon Café 6:10pm
12/18 - Garden Grill 8:10am (party of 5), 9:10am (party of 4). BOG 2:15pm
12/20 - 50's Prime Time 11:00am, 1900 Park Fare 6:10pm
12/21 - Tusker House 8:00am, Rainforest Café 5:45pm
12/22 - Crystal Palace 8:00am, Minnie's Holiday Dine 5:35pm

We are still on the hunt for another 8ish Garden Grill reservation for a party of 4. I have no idea how it was booked up so quickly. When I searched for a party of 9 at 8:00 that morning EVERY other pre-park option was available except Garden Grill. And I have also searched about 50 random dates from now until December and 90% of them had opening at 8ish for 4/5 people. The only explanation is Candlelight Processional, hopefully once they get that ironed out more will be available.

We would also like Minnie's Holiday Dine to be a Fantasmic package. I know some have been released this morning, but there are no dinner options at H&V from 12-16 on. I'll keep stalking.