Problems with ADRs online??

[NancyDVC]

My sister is leaving late next week to take her 4 yo grandson to WDW with his other grandmother. We have been trying for 2 months to get an ADR for any character meal. According to the online booking and the telephone reservations all the character meals for the week she is there are all booked except Cinderella's Royal Table. Am I crazy? Isn't this the one character meal that is booked many months in advance??? Why are all the others booked solid? I can't believe this. My sister attributes it to the upgrades and down time for the sites. (This 4 yo boy would not be thrilled to see Cinderella. He is more into Pooh and Tigger.)

Any suggestions? I certainly hope that there aren't any people out there with multiple ADRs who are merely hogging the system with multiple ADRs for some strange reason. Maybe they are ADR hoarders???

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

The online search always comes up with the "possibility of CRT" even if it really isn't available. It takes you to a different screen to check for actual availability. Check the cancelled ADR thread.

What are the dates and total party? People have been talking for awhile about no availability with hotel AND dining reservations for next week.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Are they on the dining plan? If not, have them check Garden Grove at the Swan/Dolphin (I can't remember which but they're attached).

Unfortunately, character meals do book up quite far in advance. Is your sister trying for times that aren't necessarily as popular or is she focussing on things like pre-rope drop or prime dinner times? Is she open to any day or is she really wanting the ADR for a specific day? Maybe something like a 10:00 ADR at 1900 Park Fare is available or maybe 10:00 at Tusker House? Maybe check to see if there's a Candlelight Processional package available at Garden Grill if a regular ADR isn't available there? Keep checking Chef Mickey because sometimes they'll open up for lunch if ADRs are becoming scarce.

She should keep checking several times per day for ADRs to open up. People cancel all the time, even last minute. Program the dining number into your phone and check a few times on the actual day when you're at WDW because people to cancel last minute for a variety of reasons. Don't give up hope, but don't pin all your hopes on getting in.

 

[NancyDVC]

There are 3 in the party. Two grandmothers and 1 4yo grandson. They are pretty flexible as to time and restaurant. Pre rope drop and dinner prime time are not in her plan. A breakfast or lunch, late lunch/early dinner would be fine. She adjusts her schedule to the 4 yo so she won't be stressing about getting up at the crack of dawn or eating at a prime time.
They are going Dec 10-16. One reason that things may be booked up is that the DVC member meeting is on Dec 9 and all teh DVC resorts have been bnoked for quite some time. But that shouldn't affect the following week.
We have both checked for any available times at any restarurant.
I just wanted to know if there was something strange going on because Cinderella's Royal Table seems available and in my experience that is the one that seems to get booked up first. Maybe there aren't enough 'princesses' going next week?
Yes they are on the dining plan. My sister feels it is less of a hassle.
We both work very hectic jobs so going online or calling often is not possible. As it stands now I told her to call when they check in at SSR and follow up every day.


I'm still going with the theory that there are ADR hoarders out there
Thanks

 

[Tricia1972]

Just checked for you for next week. On the online system using "Character" as dining experience and broad meal times "Breakfast" "Lunch" and "Dinner" I skipped CRT since you aren't interested in that.

Breakfast 12/10
Hollywood and Vine

Lunch 12/10
Hollywood and Vine
Tusker House(?!?!)

Dinner 12/10
1900 Park Fare
Garden Grove

Breakfast 12/11
Ohana Breakfast - Breakfast 12/11

Lunch 12/11
Crystal Palace
Hollywood and Vine

Dinner 12/11
Garden Grill
Garden Grove


I can check more days for you, but hopefully your sister can grab one of the ones I've listed above

(I also have to disagree with you on the horders theory . These are the hottest spots for Disney Dining and it is only one week out. You know how hard hot spots are to get at Disney)

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

I've a hint for you that works.

Search for a party of 4 not a party of 3 & you'll have more openings come up. Book the party of 4 & then call the dining # & they will change it to a party of 3 w/o any problems.

I searched party of 4 & found on Dec 11th:

Ohana 10:05 a.m
& Crystal Palace 1:05 p.m.

I saw others like Hollywood & Vine, etc.

Good luck!

 

[Tricia1972]

Found a Few More

Dinner 12/12
Crystal Palace
Garden Grove

Dinner 12/13
Garden Grove

Dinner 12/14
Garden Grove
(Not character at that time, but the popular 'Ohana showed up too)

Lunch 12/15
Crystal Palace
Hollywood and Vine

Dinner 12/15
Garden Grove

Breakfast 12/16
Hollywood and Vine

Lunch 12/16
Hollywood and Vine

Dinner 12/16
Garden Grove​

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Just checked for you for next week. On the online system using "Character" as dining experience and broad meal times "Breakfast" "Lunch" and "Dinner" I skipped CRT since you aren't interested in that.

Breakfast 12/10
Hollywood and Vine

Lunch 12/10
Hollywood and Vine
Tusker House(?!?!)

Dinner 12/10
1900 Park Fare
Garden Grove

Breakfast 12/11
Ohana Breakfast - Breakfast 12/11

Lunch 12/11
Crystal Palace
Hollywood and Vine

Dinner 12/11
Garden Grill
Garden Grove


I can check more days for you, but hopefully your sister can grab one of the ones I've listed above

(I also have to disagree with you on the horders theory . These are the hottest spots for Disney Dining and it is only one week out. You know how hard hot spots are to get at Disney)

Tusker House is not a character meal for lunch, only Breakfast

I would take one of the Crystal Palace ones. Tigger and Pooh are there at all times.

 

[Tricia1972]

Tusker House is not a character meal for lunch, only Breakfast

I would take one of the Crystal Palace ones. Tigger and Pooh are there at all times.

I know, that's why the (?!?!) because I was confused why it came up in search for Character meals

 

[2forMe]

The online search always comes up with the "possibility of CRT" even if it really isn't available. It takes you to a different screen to check for actual availability. Check the cancelled ADR thread.

What are the dates and total party? People have been talking for awhile about no availability with hotel AND dining reservations for next week.

ITA.. it is simply a buys time and the restaurants are indeed fully booked. I managed to get CM myself by constantly looking on-line a the Dec. cancelled ADR thread.

 

[NancyDVC]

Thanks for all the suggestions and help. Not being able to go online due to work schedules etc. I haven't been able to book anything yet. but we will keep trying. I just love the folks on these boards!