Okay...I learned my lesson. U really, really need to make ADRs

[IggyLans]

My DH's cousin and her family are going in September (I think second week of?), they did not book with free dining. I asked them this past Saturday if they have any ADR's, and they said they still are trying to decide where to eat, or they'll decide once they're there. I told them if I were them, I would call and make ressies ASAP, because of free dining most of the restaurants are pretty booked. They said "but we're not going for free dining, we should be ok", and I said that everyone else is, and they're eating on the premises. I think the light bulb went on at that time. I sure do hope they will make some ressies, going with 2 toddlers. But that's just me.

 

[LWcalif]

We rescheduled our trip from 9/22-9/29 and are going 9/8 instead. I've got several dining ressies that I haven't cancelled yet. I posted previously on this board and the LeCellier's were taken, but I still have Coral Reef, Tony's, Prime Time, Chef's de France & Jiko. I'm also going to post one more time and what isn't taken by a Diser will be cancelled. Send me a PM if you are interested & I'll give you the ressie #'s.

Forgot to mention my ressies are for a party of 4 or 5 depending on the night.

 

[2forMe]

Sorry but you have to plan ahead.

Seriously was this necessary.. the OP realizes this now.. I find the tone insulting.. pointing out whta the OP realizes already.

 

[Princess_Dot]

Originally Posted by byoung
Sorry but you have to plan ahead.

I don't want to fuel an argument, but isn't the OP planning ahead in some way? She now has tons of suggestions and alternative solutions if she can't get the ADRs she wants. This is way more than some folks go down to WDW knowing.

Sorry if that sounds like I'm attacking byoung. I really don't mean to be, I just wanted to point this out to the OP. This way she doesen't feel discouraged.

 

[Snow_White]

OP, I was just wondering if you've been able to make any ressies at any of the places that we've suggested! Good luck!!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Try the Mayan Grill ( I hope I have the name right) ( not the pepper market) at CSR, It was one of the best meals we had - nice atmosphere. the food was absolutely great.

Just FYI, it's the Maya Grill, not Mayan Grill

 

[jaksmommy]

Well, Le Cellier was completely sold out that week. The Hoop De Doo Revue only had a 9pm opening and Coral Reef had a 2pm on Sep 23rd (which I grabbed). We are a family of 3, 2 adults and a 9 year old boy. I would like to do a character meal, but I don't see one that would be interesting to a 9 year old boy.

We are leaning toward the following:

Le Cellier
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma
Nine Dragons
Liberty Tree Tavern
Sci Fi
Hoop De Doo Revue
Boma

My husband wants a good lamb dish (yuck!) and I would like a good Ribeye.

I will be calling every day and watching the cancellations on this board. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

 

[aristocat]

Alfredo's is closing at the end of august i believe... good luck with your choices

 

[solferino]

Well, Le Cellier was completely sold out that week. The Hoop De Doo Revue only had a 9pm opening and Coral Reef had a 2pm on Sep 23rd (which I grabbed). We are a family of 3, 2 adults and a 9 year old boy. I would like to do a character meal, but I don't see one that would be interesting to a 9 year old boy.

We are leaning toward the following:

Le Cellier
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma
Nine Dragons
Liberty Tree Tavern
Sci Fi
Hoop De Doo Revue
Boma

My husband wants a good lamb dish (yuck!) and I would like a good Ribeye.

I will be calling every day and watching the cancellations on this board. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Try the restaurant in Morocco for the lamb. (I agree with you, I can't eat it either!)

We did the Lilo & Stitch b'fast at 'ohana for DD's 7th birthday- it was fun but it's basic breakfast food. You're definitely paying for the entertainment as far as I'm concerned. The character meal at the garden grill is excellent. He'll enjoy the atmosphere and kitschy movies at Sci-fi. Don't forget about 50's PTC- the server we had the last time was a hoot.

 

[aubriee]

Well, Le Cellier was completely sold out that week. The Hoop De Doo Revue only had a 9pm opening and Coral Reef had a 2pm on Sep 23rd (which I grabbed). We are a family of 3, 2 adults and a 9 year old boy. I would like to do a character meal, but I don't see one that would be interesting to a 9 year old boy.

We are leaning toward the following:

Le Cellier
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma
Nine Dragons
Liberty Tree Tavern
Sci Fi
Hoop De Doo Revue
Boma

My husband wants a good lamb dish (yuck!) and I would like a good Ribeye.

I will be calling every day and watching the cancellations on this board. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I ate at the Turf Club at Saratoga Springs during my May trip. They have a sirloin steak that you can get with a crab topping or a blue cheese,portobello mushroom topping and even though it is not listed on the menus at Allears they also had lamb chops on the menu. Service was very good, as was the steak I had. I'm afraid they didn't have a ribeye though. Turf Club is an out of the way place where it shouldn't be a problem to get an ADR.

 

[aubriee]

I can sympathisize. I usually have all my ADR's done at 180 days but this time we are going with another family who is very laid back and was afraid to book too many things so I didn't book any lunches and didn't book dinner for the night of their arrival.

We would really like to take them to Ohana's the night they arrive so that we they can see the Electrical Water Pageant and the last time I checked the only ADR available is 9:40! What would happen if we just showed up? I've never done this before for dinner....

17 days and counting!

I wouldn't think it was possible. 'Ohanas is always busy. About a week ago I called and cancelled my ADR there and the CM on the phone asked me if I was sure and asked if I knew how hard it was to get an ADR there, telling me it is almost as popular as Le Cellier and CRT. I know last Sept I tried for over a month to get a different time at Ohanas and finally just gave up and kept the late time I had. Everytime we've been to 'Ohanas we've seen them turning people away.

You might get a chance th eat there as a walk up, if you showed up just as they opened, but then you'd miss the Electrical Water Pageant.
As far as being inside the restaurant during Wishes or the EWP I think your chances would be slim to none and slim just left town.

 

[digman6]

Well, Le Cellier was completely sold out that week. The Hoop De Doo Revue only had a 9pm opening and Coral Reef had a 2pm on Sep 23rd (which I grabbed). We are a family of 3, 2 adults and a 9 year old boy. I would like to do a character meal, but I don't see one that would be interesting to a 9 year old boy.

We are leaning toward the following:

Le Cellier
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma
Nine Dragons
Liberty Tree Tavern
Sci Fi
Hoop De Doo Revue
Boma

Well LTT is a charcter meal at dinner hour if your going then, what about Chef Mickeys my son who is 11 wants to go to that. Its not a charcter meal but WCC is alot of fun for all ages.Ohana does fun things at night for all kids too.
There is some charcter meal, forgive me as the name of it can not come to mind BUT~ it has chip and dale its a outdoor cooking meal and its" _____trail". Over by the Wilderness I think they do some kid things , its suppose to be good its over looked quit a bit by other places thats all.
.

 

[DAniece]

I meant to say I booked in May the reservation for our trip at the end of September. (does that make sense, it still sounds funny). We will be staying at POP Sep. 22-29. I will try some resort restaurants, I never thought of that. And, hopefully, I can pick up one or two at the 45 day mark. I just hope people will make their ADRs early and then change them if they need to. Thanks for all of the responses.

IF you can be more flexible, another option... if you go back to the resort in the afternoon OR the evening before, check with lobby concierge at your resort We've been able to have a bit more flexibility that way AND they're usually able to help steer you towards what is most likely to have openings and what is most likely to suit your tastes

EG

 

[jaksmommy]

Just wanted to update...Persaverence does pay off. We were able to get the following restaurants:

Maya Grill 9/23 630pm
Merakesh 9/24 645pm
Boma 9/25 720pm
Sci Fi 9/26 1245pm
HDDR (cat. 2) 9/26 5pm (couldn't believe I finally got it)
LTT 9/27 820pm

We are still hoping for the Concourse or Le Cellier sometime in there. We will also be doing ESPN while we are there. So, if you don't have your ADR's yet don't give up. Just call several times a day.

 

[daisyduck123]

I would like to do a character meal, but I don't see one that would be interesting to a 9 year old boy.

My DS9 loves:
Chef Mickey's
'Ohana
LTT
Cape May Cafe

(Virtually any character meal that has Chip, Dale, Mickey, or Stitch and is NOT a princess meal!)

 

[jaksmommy]

My DS9 loves:
Chef Mickey's
'Ohana
LTT
Cape May Cafe

(Virtually any character meal that has Chip, Dale, Mickey, or Stitch and is NOT a princess meal!)

You're right, we won't be Doing Disney every year so it would be nice to get a Character meal in before my son gets any older. I may try for one for the first night we are there. We are planning to just chill and enjoy the resort that first night. I want my son to have a great experience while we are there. Thanks for the input.

 

[septbaby]

You're right, we won't be Doing Disney every year so it would be nice to get a Character meal in before my son gets any older. I may try for one for the first night we are there. We are planning to just chill and enjoy the resort that first night. I want my son to have a great experience while we are there. Thanks for the input.

Actually, you have a character meal, LTT dinner on 9/27 at 8:20pm.
Hopefully you kept the Coral Reef lunch as that will probably earn you really big Cool points with the 9yr old. You could also try for the Garden Grill at Epcot. Its all you care to eat, seems less popular, is a rotating restaurant (cool pts again) and is not a princess meal. You would need a park ticket so not sure you'd want to go there on that first night on if you weren't going to a park.

 

[andy_fish]

Keep trying back!

Last year was our first trip and the only ADR I made ahead of time was CRT, because my SIL had talked to me about not being able to book a dinner if you didn't call far enough in advance. I didn't know (Honestly!) that this applied to all ADR's.

When I was on the phone with a CM one day regarding something else they asked 'Do you need to make any dining reservations?'



There were openings but not at so many of the places we would have probably picked. Couldn't get any character meals either.

Once we arrived (August 21st during FREE DINING) I was able to make a few more via the phone in our room. We got one to Crystal Palace too. Basically that trip we had to eat where was left open. We still had a great experience.

This year I have been a planning geek, only to enhance our dining experience because last year it kind of was hit or miss. The character meals will definately be a plus in our family of 4 little ones and dh loves to try a steakhouse. (I'm a vegetarian, so this is not usually something I'm accommodating to when we go out to eat at home ) Point is, I'm trying to find something for everyone to enjoy which will be an additional magical experience added on from our first trip.

Keep calling back and I really hope some of your choices open up for you!

Same thing happened to us last year...we had no idea we had to make ADRs and we were there smack in the middle of free dining. It worked out...we had some great meals (mostly at resorts) and had no regrets.

 

[eeyore45]

I meant to say I booked in May the reservation for our trip at the end of September. (does that make sense, it still sounds funny). We will be staying at POP Sep. 22-29. I will try some resort restaurants, I never thought of that. And, hopefully, I can pick up one or two at the 45 day mark. I just hope people will make their ADRs early and then change them if they need to. Thanks for all of the responses.

We're at Pop those same dates! I'm trying to tweak our ressies, and its disheartening not to be able to make changes - but (and there is going to be someone that misunderstands...)

WE"RE GOING TO DISNEY!!

I never realized Coral Reef was such a good place - it was never on my radar, now that I've read so much about it, I'm going to try and add it in, if I cant, I cant... but I think we do have ADR's now for every night - (booked late)

I have an 8:30 adr at LECellier - ouch that's late!! Going to keep calling and see if there is anyway to get this earlier!!

We are trying lots of new places, so that's always good!!