Problem with ADR's

[Lilo and Minnie girl]

Hi to all, my husband and I and our DD are going to Dis in September for the Free DDP, and staying at CSR. We are having the hardest time booking our ADR's. This was kind of a last minute trip idea, with getting the DDP and all, we started trying to book our ADR's the week of Memorial Day for September, and ALL of the character meals were booked up for every day of our stay.. Does anyone have any tips as to what to do?? This will be our DD second trip to Disney, and she loves the characters, and would be heartbroken if she couldn't go to any character breakfasts, and lets face it.. I would too, because I love seeing her smiling face.. Any ideas??

 

[JoePa4Ever]

Sorry you haven't had good luck making your ADR's. I don't really have any tips, but I will say keep trying. Last year we didn't decide to go to WDW until mid-July & went during free dining Sept 3-Sept 8. We basically got all the ADR's we wanted. We got Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, Cape May Cafe & Donald's Restaurantosaurus for breakfast. At first we couldn't get O'hana or Whispering Canyon for dinner, but after a week of calling, some ADR's opened up and we were able to get them. Hopefully some ADR's will open up for you as well and you will be able to do the character breakfasts you want. Good luck!

 

[kimbac3]

A couple things off the top of my head:

Try for REALLY early in the morning. Or a dinner later in the evening.

Did you try the character meals at the resorts? The Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club has a character meal.

Keep trying back. People cancel everyday for various reasons.

Last year we decided last minute to do free dining in September. I was really worried about not being able to get what I want but I was pretty flexible and got pretty much what I wanted. Just keep trying!!!

Have a great trip!!!

Kim

 

[Rylee]

Just keep calling, and call early in the morning... 7am, if possible.

Try not to get discouraged, people cancel all the time and many will cancel as the "pay off" date approaches.

Inquire about places like the Garden Grill, Cape May, 1900 Park Fare, Akershus Banquet Hall - Princess Storybook Dining.

Good luck.



-

 

[Beckysc]

The last couple years during free dining, they opened up a special lunch seating at Chef Mickey's. They haven't announced it yet, so keep watching to see. Someone said they announced it around July/Aug last year.

 

[septbaby]

Be flexible, chaeracters are available beyond breakfast:

H&V had the Playhouse Disney meal for Breakfast or Lunch, no usually overly booked.

Crystal Place is Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner

1900 Park Fare is B or D
Garden Grill in Epcot is less popular
Beach Club as a breakfast at Cape May
'Ohana has a meal
Chip and Dale have a free Campfire every night at Fort Wilderness

 

[disnut8]

Be flexible, chaeracters are available beyond breakfast

Very good point. A lot of people want the breakfasts so they can do them even before a park opens or early enough that they don't "waste" touring time.

There are a LOT of character meals. I know because we don't like them (two adults who just want to eat) so our choices get kind of limited at times.

 

[Sparklin]

We are going the last week in August and have the same problem as you. I talked to a CM yesterday and she told me that as the dates approach more and more cancellations will come thru. So keep trying. She said generally more people will cancel up to the month that the trip is for because they book 180 days out and then book everything they think they might want. Then go back later and weed thru everything. They usually end up canceling. I hope that is the case for both of us!

 

[Dis31]

Check out the August/Sept cancellations thread people swap ADR and will give them away to fellow Disers before cancelling I've been able to pick up a few! Good luck and just keep calling

 

[skw444]

I agree with the advice to keep checking back (especially around the 45 day mark when people cancel reservations). We booked our trip last year for free dining in June and I was able to get everything we wanted including Le Cellier and CRT but I had to be a little flexible (taking lunch instead of dinner, eating at 4 pm for dinner). Good luck!

 

[dlstc]

What are your dates in WDW? I may be able to help you out. I booked some character breakfasts, including a Chef Mickey's I could live without.

Diana

 

[Lilo and Minnie girl]

What are your dates in WDW? I may be able to help you out. I booked some character breakfasts, including a Chef Mickey's I could live without.

Diana[/QU

Our dates are September 13-20 for the free dining.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

What about Tusker House at AK? That's a relatively new one. What about Liberty Tree Tavern dinner? Late lunch at Garden Grill? Be flexible with your times if you can. Good luck!

 

[deslynnpatterson]

i woud suggest to keep calling and try to see if anyone cancels i know i might have to change a few things around this week for my dinning-- and might call to see what i can get-- but people do chance there reservations all the time,and another suggestion might be that when you are in disney the week of your trip people change there minds, and plans a lot that week so you might me able to try to chance something the week you are there-- anything is possible

 

[dlstc]

Darn! I was hoping you just checked in by Sept. 20 and maybe your dates extended after that. From what I've read, as long as your first check-in date is Sept. 20 or before, they extend the free dining for the length of your stay, even if it's after Sept. 20th. I missed the free dining, as I am checking in on Sept. 21st, and have ADR's for Sept 21st - 25th.

(But don't cry for me! I received a pin code in snail mail and am getting 40% off my room rate, plus I'm splitting with 3 girlfriends. Result: AKL pool view for $32/night!)

Sorry I couldn't help!
Diana

 

[pinkerbell]

I have had free dining for the past two years.. last yr many ADR's were not available the first time I called, but about a month later opened up.. INCLUDING Cinderellas Royal Castle... I went from nothing toi my PICK of times... I think they do hold some ressies back as not to discourage people from booking... have you checked all the options... my kids 2 and four like
garden grill, 1900 Park fare (loved it!), cindy's, chef mickey's, ohana, Liberty tree tavern, cape may, and play and dine at Hollywood and vine.. all have charachter meals .. photo's in the link below...
If you try weekly, I think you will find tables will open up.. call in the a.m. if you can...
Good Luck!

 

[tina_la]

same as above poster. Last year I booked ADR's about the end of May too. About the end of June added a extra day and wanted to add a character breakfast. They had everything available! CRT and I think all the rest. We ended up with Chef MIckey's. Don't give up I think some will open up.

 

[Lilo and Minnie girl]

Thank all you guys for replying! We are going to continue to call and hopefully get all the ressies we want, i esp. want to get the 1900 park fare for my DD, but we'll see..