Please help with MGM dinner reserv. problem

[Threehearts]

I have a strange question and I hope my fellow DISers can help. I have been trying to make ADRs for the last week in August. We only had 30 days prior to arrival to start(late resort reserv.) so I had a lot of trouble getting anything but the CMs are giving me new information on the MGM restaurants. I have the dining package and need a dinner ressie for around 5p-6pm prior to Fantasmic. We usually get the package but I don't want to pay the dinner charges when the meal would be included in our MYW Dining package. When I try to get any of the 3 restaurants of my choice(H & V, 50's PT or Mama Melrose) the CMs tell me that dinner is only served up until 5pm. I explain that I do NOT want the Fantasmic pkg. but they insist that these restaurant hours are 3-5pm ONLY. I've been to WDW many times and this is news to me. Perhaps I have missed an update but I don't want to eat that early. I know how to get to Fantasmic on time by eating at 5:30ish. Can anyone tell me if these hours are true for all of these restaurants? Thanks. Threehearts

 

[jjohnson]

I have a 5:40 at H&V. I've tried many times to get a later time but haven't had any luck. Try calling back & speaking with someone else. There has to be later times. Good luck!

 

[lainie25]

I called about 70 days out and had the same response. I did get a 5:10 for mama melroses but that is the latest they would give us. I have called many times since then hoping to switch the time but no luck

 

[Kaycee]

The later times are offered at MGM restaurants usually between 30 days and 3 weeks before the date. This is true both for the FDP and for regular meals. Who knows why they do this, but it has been this way for several years. Good luck getting the time that you want!

 

[Threehearts]

Thanks , everyone. I guess what I can't understand is why the CMs are telling me that these restaurants DO NOT serve dinner after the 5pm seating. It's not a question of later times being booked, they are saying that after 5pm, no one gets a reservation, later times don't exist. Ugh!! Threehearts

 

[Noah122898]

I just got Mama Melrose at 6:20 for 8/27/05, yesterday the latest they had was 3:50. Keep trying..

 

[srfrgrl07]

Thanks , everyone. I guess what I can't understand is why the CMs are telling me that these restaurants DO NOT serve dinner after the 5pm seating. It's not a question of later times being booked, they are saying that after 5pm, no one gets a reservation, later times don't exist. Ugh!! Threehearts

they're telling you that because that is the latest time that is available for booking right now..and they can't speculate if/when they will open up for later times because they don't make that decision and things aren't always the same year to year. Chances are, they will open up later times but it's not for sure. The cast members are not at the restaurant, and they are looking at a grid where the reservation times do not go beyond the 5pm or whatever seating time.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I'm glad I'm not the only one - 4:40 at Mama Melrose on 10/25 was the latest we could get and I called 90 days out

 

[JandD Mom]

More times opened up today because I got one! Keep trying!

 

[Lizzybee]

I had my choice of times at Prime Time for 8/27 and had no problems at all bumping my time later because I scored a surprise ressie at CRT lunch and didn't want a 4:55 ADR at Prime Time after a 2:10 ADR at CRT. Anyway, I was offered a 7:30pm time, but that would have run into Fantasmic, so I took a 6:30pm ADR. Good luck and pixe dust to you!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I called on Tuesday for the 2nd week in September and CM told me to try again next week for later times. At 90 days out I was able to get a 5pm ADR for Mama Melrose's but I'm hoping for a later time.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I have an ADR for H&V for 5:50 on August 23, I made this ADR back in early July.

 

[enchantedny]

I have been going crazy for almost 85 days now trying to get a later ADR for Mama Melrose any day of the week of 8/21-8/26. Originally had 4:40 on 8/21 made about 85 days out. Got home from vacation Sunday and called and all they had all week was 3:50 on 8/24. Called again this morning and was able to get 6:00 on 8/24. They also had some later times available but I want to be able to see Fantasmic after. My friend that I am traveling with really wanted to try this restaraun. I hope it is worth it. Good luck to everyone else trying!

 

[philaround]

Thanks , everyone. I guess what I can't understand is why the CMs are telling me that these restaurants DO NOT serve dinner after the 5pm seating. It's not a question of later times being booked, they are saying that after 5pm, no one gets a reservation, later times don't exist. Ugh!! Threehearts

When you're within the 30 to 90day window Disney's computers will only show a short open window for ADRs. Either 3 to 5 or 3 to 6. Somewhere between 30 and 21 days out they will open later slots. If you get a knowledgeable CM they will tell you to make the early ADR and call back between 30 and 21 days before and change your ADR if later times have been opened. If you get a CM who is not very knowledgeable you will be told these are all the times and there won't be any better ones later.
I always make the early ADR just in case I can't get the later one closer to arrival date.

 

[Threehearts]

I think I finally get it. I'll keep trying. We leave on the 23rd. Threehearts(Susan)

 

[Paul in CT]

The latest resy we could get for the Brown Derby was at 5:20 for the second week in September. Maybe I will try again in a week or so.

 

[funshipm174]

When you're within the 30 to 90day window Disney's computers will only show a short open window for ADRs. Either 3 to 5 or 3 to 6. Somewhere between 30 and 21 days out they will open later slots. If you get a knowledgeable CM they will tell you to make the early ADR and call back between 30 and 21 days before and change your ADR if later times have been opened. If you get a CM who is not very knowledgeable you will be told these are all the times and there won't be any better ones later.
I always make the early ADR just in case I can't get the later one closer to arrival date.

I have a trip planned for November 4th and tried for reserves around 5-6pm for that entire week. Same thing here, I was told 4-4:10 pm latest times available.

 

[MarieS]

It was interesting to see this thread--glad I'm not the only one having this problem. I have a 4:20 ADR for Oct 27. Appreciate the tips on when to call back. I'll keep trying--thanks!

 

[jjsoccermom]

I got a 5:40 on October 5th for 50's prime time today!!

 

[aubriee]

I'm beginning to wonder about the CM who made my ADRs. At 89 days out I got everything I wanted including Hollywood & Vine at 6:00pm. With the free dining we also decided not to do the Fantasmic Pkg. She had no trouble booking it. I had called twice previously that week trying to get CRT, without success. However the same ressie for CRT that was unavailable the day before, I got the next day around 10:00am. She also gave me an ADR for Planet Hollywood on our first night (9/17) at 8:30pm and I have since read on here that Planet Hollywood doesn't take ADRs after a certain time. She seemed to know what she was talking about though and also told me that Cap'n Jacks and Big River Grille did not take ADRs.