Plaza Inn Character Dining--am I missing something?

[lalasmama]

Long story short--thought I had my dining reservations made, but something happened and they didn't get into the system. So, I'm trying to redo my reservations. Plaza Inn has nothing coming up for the character breakfast. Is it likely that they really are fully booked on a random day in late June?

(I know I can call. Just trying to avoid call #4 in an hour, lol!)

 

[disneychrista]

Yes it is possible to have them be booked. Unfortunately the parks are getting more and more busy and late reservations are getting harder & harder to come by. Used to be you could make same day reservations not so much anymore.

 

[Winnowill]

NM. I was looking at the wrong thing.

 

[wendow]

Long story short--thought I had my dining reservations made, but something happened and they didn't get into the system. So, I'm trying to redo my reservations. Plaza Inn has nothing coming up for the character breakfast. Is it likely that they really are fully booked on a random day in late June?

(I know I can call. Just trying to avoid call #4 in an hour, lol!)

Our dates are June 20-23. I've been trying to get Plaza Inn for breakfast for two weeks with nothing coming up at all! Yesterday, I checked and there were 4 openings (I need 6) but thought I'd take the 4 and keep trying for 2 more. Before I could get it booked, it was stolen out from under me! That happens all the time with WDW reservations but I guess I was shocked for it to happen at DLR. I've been told for years (we've been in the planning stages for a long time lol) that I didn't need to worry too much about advance dining reservations. I think that might be changing!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Our dates are June 20-23. I've been trying to get Plaza Inn for breakfast for two weeks with nothing coming up at all! Yesterday, I checked and there were 4 openings (I need 6) but thought I'd take the 4 and keep trying for 2 more. Before I could get it booked, it was stolen out from under me! That happens all the time with WDW reservations but I guess I was shocked for it to happen at DLR. I've been told for years (we've been in the planning stages for a long time lol) that I didn't need to worry too much about advance dining reservations. I think that might be changing!

That is extraordinarily unusual for DL!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Long story short--thought I had my dining reservations made, but something happened and they didn't get into the system. So, I'm trying to redo my reservations. Plaza Inn has nothing coming up for the character breakfast. Is it likely that they really are fully booked on a random day in late June?

(I know I can call. Just trying to avoid call #4 in an hour, lol!)

Calling in all they can see is what you see to my knowledge. HOWEVER- are you staying onsite? There are a very small amount of reservations held back for guests staying onsite, you need your hotel reservation number and at least 48 hours notice to try to book them. I’ve had success using that service a couple times. It’s not 100%, but it’s gotten me a couple reservations when nothing showed online. More info: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/priority-reservations-hotel-guests/

 

[wendow]

That is extraordinarily unusual for DL!

No kidding, right! Again, in a way, it didn't phase me. I'm totally used to it for WDW. But once I put it all together...hullo, this is at DLR, and someone just stole my reservation...This is war lol. Game on! Kidding...I've kind of just decided what happens, happens....If we can get Plaza Inn, I'm thrilled. If not, I'm still thrilled.

This past Sept, we were at WDW when good ol' Hurricane Irma came barreling towards us. As you may remember, we had to move up our flights to get out before she it Orlando. We lost our character breakfast due to that. That was our first trip EVER with no character meal. We typically only do one, but it's a big part of our trip. In the end, we survived. We had an amazing trip. Even without a character meal. I had to take my dd to urgent care and lost 3/4 of a park day but we still had a great time. It's hard to have a bad trip. At least imo. So if we don't get in to the Plaza Inn for breakfast, pretty sure we will be ok. Having said that, I'll be trying daily until we leave and then for walk-ups lol!

 

[Geemo]

Long story short--thought I had my dining reservations made, but something happened and they didn't get into the system. So, I'm trying to redo my reservations. Plaza Inn has nothing coming up for the character breakfast. Is it likely that they really are fully booked on a random day in late June?

(I know I can call. Just trying to avoid call #4 in an hour, lol!)

If you give me the number in your group and the dates, I'll check often and see if I can snag a reservation for you.
I've done this for other DisBoarders, then we coordinate a time for me to cancel and for them to pick up the reservation under their account.
it's worked before....

Geemo

 

[Geemo]

Our dates are June 20-23. I've been trying to get Plaza Inn for breakfast for two weeks with nothing coming up at all! Yesterday, I checked and there were 4 openings (I need 6) but thought I'd take the 4 and keep trying for 2 more. Before I could get it booked, it was stolen out from under me! That happens all the time with WDW reservations but I guess I was shocked for it to happen at DLR. I've been told for years (we've been in the planning stages for a long time lol) that I didn't need to worry too much about advance dining reservations. I think that might be changing!

I just looked and found a reservation for 4people on June 20th at 8:20am and I took it.
If you're interested message me and we can arrange a time to change it over to you.
I've also heard of people with a reservation for 4 and having no problem adding a couple to it when they check in.

 

[kappyfamily]

If you give me the number in your group and the dates, I'll check often and see if I can snag a reservation for you.
I've done this for other DisBoarders, then we coordinate a time for me to cancel and for them to pick up the reservation under their account.
it's worked before....

Geemo

How do you do this? Don’t you have to put in your own credit card number to reserve?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Disney doesn't charge the credit card on the reservation unless no one shows up for the meal. So the party showing up for the reservation can pay for the meal with their own form of payment. Disney is fine with that. Also, if the timing works out just right, Party A can cancel the reservation and Party B (standing by, ready and waiting) can snag that cancellation -- then the credit card used will be Party B's anyway.

I just looked and found a reservation for 4people on June 20th at 8:20am and I took it.
If you're interested message me and we can arrange a time to change it over to you...

Geemo, thank you so much for doing this and helping to make another DISer's trip more magical!

 

[wendow]

I just looked and found a reservation for 4people on June 20th at 8:20am and I took it.
If you're interested message me and we can arrange a time to change it over to you.
I've also heard of people with a reservation for 4 and having no problem adding a couple to it when they check in.

Wow, thanks for snagging that for me! It appears some people are starting to let go of reservations as we get closer.

I’m not going to take the 8:20. That’s our first park day and I think those early hours are going to be most precious for navigating the crowds. If you see a later (like 10 or later), I’m all over it! Don’t feel you need to keep checking though. We are fine either way. Thanks!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Wow, thanks for snagging that for me! It appears some people are starting to let go of reservations as we get closer...

It isn't unusual to see reservation times open up as you get closer to your dates. The 24 hour cancellation policy/no show fee helps make openings a real possibility, so keep checking!

 

[wendow]

Just looked and there is Plaza Inn for 6/23 8:30 for 4 people. I didn’t take it for same reason as above but definitely some availability is starting to open. Yay!

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

Load up the Disneyland app and check for reservations couple times a day from now until your trip. I've been able to snag reservations on some very busy days that way. Of course, obsessively checking the app 15 times a day like I tend to do always helps.

 

[Geemo]

Disney doesn't charge the credit card on the reservation unless no one shows up for the meal. So the party showing up for the reservation can pay for the meal with their own form of payment. Disney is fine with that. Also, if the timing works out just right, Party A can cancel the reservation and Party B (standing by, ready and waiting) can snag that cancellation -- then the credit card used will be Party B's anyway.

Geemo, thank you so much for doing this and helping to make another DISer's trip more magical!

This is how I have made the change with a dining reservation. The other person and I will message or text back and forth for the set up. When it's time, one last text saying I hitting the cancel button so they can pick up the reservation.

I'm happy to help a Disney Fan acquire a reservation for their trip.
Being retired, I spend my fair share of time on the computer most days.

Wow, thanks for snagging that for me! It appears some people are starting to let go of reservations as we get closer.

I’m not going to take the 8:20. That’s our first park day and I think those early hours are going to be most precious for navigating the crowds. If you see a later (like 10 or later), I’m all over it! Don’t feel you need to keep checking though. We are fine either way. Thanks!

I'll let the 8:20 time go. If I see a 10 or later, I'll let you know.

Geemo

 

[wendow]

@Geemo
I was able to get a 10:40 on the 22nd for 5 people. I'll call dining tomorrow to see if I can add my 6th. Thanks for checking for me!

 

[Mamato4boys]

@Geemo
I was able to get a 10:40 on the 22nd for 5 people. I'll call dining tomorrow to see if I can add my 6th. Thanks for checking for me!

Yay!!! I'm so happy you got one!!

 

[Geemo]

@Geemo
I was able to get a 10:40 on the 22nd for 5 people. I'll call dining tomorrow to see if I can add my 6th. Thanks for checking for me!

Congratulations!!
When you call I'd expect the CM to not be able to add a person.
They use the same windows for making dining reservations we do.
If there isn't a reservation for 6 open, there generally isn't anything a CM can do.
You might do better if you were to talk with a supervisor CM.

I feel all will be fine when you check in for breakfast and tell the CM you have 1 more for 6 people.

Have a great visit to DLR.

Geemo

 

[PatMcDuck]

Just to add that I am also a fan of getting a 10:30-10:45 Plaza breakfast time...... We get on so many rides before breakfast. (we eat a granola bar or something earlier of course). And the restaurant clears out, it is not crowded, and the characters spend even more time with us than when it is packed.