Rest. reservations.....realistically

[mindy6540]

So, I've booked a trip to WDW and because I booked it 60 days out I am basically SOL for any dining reservations. I'm so frustrated!!
I called to book 50's prime time for any time in a 5 day span....lunch or dinner....the cast member said nothing available. In five days? For lunch or dinner? hmmm ok......I said to her, 'this is just a wild guess here but I'm assuming nothing will be available for any restaurants' She laughed.
I didn't even bother to request anything else.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

That's exactly the reason that I don't like the 180 days ADR policy. It makes it impossible to book a lastish minute trip. My husband and I wanted to go away for May long weekend. We wanted to go to Disney but since we were 30 days out, we figured that we'd have no luck with dinning so we decided not to go.

 

[shellyminnie]

Although it may be a pain, keep trying! Something may open up. Or just show up at a non-peak time and you might be able to get in.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Get on the reservation/cancellation thread on the Dis for your month and keep calling the dining line - you will get something and there's a chance you could get virtually everything you want. Don't despair...just be very persistent!

 

[mindy6540]

Thanks for your encouragement! After I posted this I thought I should stop my whining lol ...... I'm goin' to Disney!!

Not to get into a long winded explanation but I am taking the kids solo, I divorced recently and it's a trip to mark a long couple of years......well, my sister recently separated from her husband and I invited her and my nephew to come. I was thrilled that she accepted!! Her son's favourite restaurant is 50's Prime Time.

I'll call again....I was a little surprised at the cast member...little bit of 'tude lol

 

[pigletto]

Hello fellow Ontario person!
O.k.. here's what you need to do (I know it's frustrating).
Like the previous poster suggested get on the cancellation trade thread for your month and check it every day several times a day.
Second.. CALL AND CALL AND CALL. 3 or 4 times a day if you can. Take what they have and work from there. People cancel all the time. Up until the very last second call and ask for that reservation. Be willing to take lunches and breakfasts .. they're generally not as popular. (with the exception of Character breakfasts). Even call the day you are going to the park from your cell phone. Alot of people cancel last minute.
Also be willing to eat at some of the less popular places.... maybe restaurants at the resorts.
I promise persistence will pay off to some degree. You may not get exactly what you want, but I am sure you'll be able to get things you are happy with.


Thought I should add.... if you didn't know there was a promotion awhile back that has ended now. But you are going smack dab in the middle of free dining.. that's why everything is so jammed up.

 

[MickeyNicki]

That's exactly the reason that I don't like the 180 days ADR policy. It makes it impossible to book a lastish minute trip. My husband and I wanted to go away for May long weekend. We wanted to go to Disney but since we were 30 days out, we figured that we'd have no luck with dinning so we decided not to go.

Not always true, we go on last minute trips all the time and are always able to get reservations for something.

We are leaving in 2 weeks and I am still playing with dates and times and have been getting everything I request.

When I cannot get a dinner I try for lunch or do a big breakfast TS like Boma or Cape May.

Dont give up a trip because you cannot get into the restaurants you like, try some new ones

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Oh my gosh Mindy! I just read your sidebar and you are from Niagara - me too! Funny and we are going just a week apart from each other. We will be there Sept. 9-15 - how about you?

 

[pigletto]

LOL Girls... I'm from Niagara too

 

[disneydreamgirl]

We should all be singing "It's a Small World" right now!

 

[pigletto]

Oh no.. now I'll be singing it for the rest of the day

 

[mom of princessx2]

Don't be discouraged because last year I made ressies for LeCellier about 160 days out and my only choice was 1pm for lunch-Fine I took it but when we checked in at the counter 2 other groups came up w/no ressies and got in. I think most leave a few tables open for walk ups especially for lunch.

 

[HappyCamper87]

Thanks for your encouragement! After I posted this I thought I should stop my whining lol ...... I'm goin' to Disney!!

Not to get into a long winded explanation but I am taking the kids solo, I divorced recently and it's a trip to mark a long couple of years......well, my sister recently separated from her husband and I invited her and my nephew to come. I was thrilled that she accepted!! Her son's favourite restaurant is 50's Prime Time.

I'll call again....I was a little surprised at the cast member...little bit of 'tude lol

I really hope you get 50's PTC for your trip.

Sometimes I think winging it may be more fun than a totally planned out trip. I will never now because I am planning obsessed. But I do know the best experiences at Disney are not planned ones. Keep trying for your picks because I think you may get lucky as it gets closer. People can cancel their trip a week prior and still get a refund.

If you are there and you still do not have an ADR for the place you want to eat that day, try calling WDW DINE in the morning. The three times I have done this I got an ADR where I wanted.

Sending you all the support and best wishes I can.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful trip.

 

[Mom2Evie]

Oh my gosh Mindy! I just read your sidebar and you are from Niagara - me too! Funny and we are going just a week apart from each other. We will be there Sept. 9-15 - how about you?

There are a couple of groups of us from the Dis that will be at Pop the same time as you. Look for us around the pool in the evenings! I'll be there from Sept 10 to 14th. I wish the trip were a couple of days longer but Dh wouldn't let me take DD out of school for more than 2 days.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

I will look for you! My DH agreed to four days only - he wasn't keen at first but I convinced him that this will not hinder DS(10) from getting into university! I think trips are so good for our kids. They learn so much. DS has a workbook for the summer, so he's still somewhat in the groove for school. Hope to see you!

 

[Allison]

That's exactly the reason that I don't like the 180 days ADR policy. It makes it impossible to book a lastish minute trip. My husband and I wanted to go away for May long weekend. We wanted to go to Disney but since we were 30 days out, we figured that we'd have no luck with dinning so we decided not to go.

I don't think 180 days is the issue. If the window was 90 days, people planning at 60 or 30 days would have the same problem.

It's the dining plan that's filling the restaurants.

The OP is going during the free dining period which makes ADR's even more scarce.

 

[summertime_girl]

I'm going to Disney for the third time in two months, and this is the first time I've ever made reservations in advance. I agree that they must leave some walk in tables, because we've always gotten in, sooner or later. The only place we couldn't get a table without a crazy wait was Rainforest Cafe on a Sat. night in Downtown Disney.

 

[mindy6540]

I agree the dining plan adds to the mayhem......I was just surprised that over a five day span there was nothing available at 50's I'll carry on and keep trying.
I didn't have the cahones to ask about CRT

When I have previously been in WDW I haven't had any trouble making ressies in the morning. Believe it or not my last trip we saw the hostesses from CRT asking people if they would like to have breakfast with Cinderella (I swear this is true) I was shocked knowing that I have been one of the crazies dialing the phone at 659am lol
I wouldn't recommend this if you have your heart set on it but hey, you never know.
Big Thank you to fellow Disers and Canucks!! You made my day!
Melinda

 

[Allison]

I'm going to Disney for the third time in two months, and this is the first time I've ever made reservations in advance. I agree that they must leave some walk in tables, because we've always gotten in, sooner or later. The only place we couldn't get a table without a crazy wait was Rainforest Cafe on a Sat. night in Downtown Disney.

No, they don't leave tables for walkups.

My husband and I were there for a weekend in February and the Epcot restaurants were completely filled. None of them were accepting guests without a reservation. The CM's at LeCellier were recommending counter service at Mexico. Earlier that same day, the MK had a sign stating all their restaurants were full for the day.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Think outside the parks, go for the resort restaurants. There is always availability.

We're going Sept. 4-7. I called last week for Spoodles and Flying Fish and got the exact time I asked for at both places. I even shifted the Flying Fish time by 30 minutes and still no problem.

Personally, we do a limited number of in-park TS meals. After a heavy meal we are ready for naps, not more park time!