Seems I might be too late..

[nadiat]

I am going to disney world with my kids (boy aged 7, girl aged 4, and a baby girl that will be 5 months old). We are going to disney world between the 18th of April until the 24th and then going on a three day disney cruise on the 25th 26th and 27th.
I didn't realize that I am too late but today when I tried to book bibbity bobby boutique (in the castle), disney royal princess dining, and chef mickey they told me it is all sold out for my dates.
I'm thinking those are probably the only things I would have needed to do and book for but I didn't realize I needed to book it in advance…

now what should i do? is it hopeless?

What about the cruise? Would they have the same thing?

Really appreciate the help! I haven't had time to sit down and plan my trip and now I seem to be missing out on those important features. (busy with 3 kids, studying for my university classes… things are crazy right now)

 

[vicki_c]

I would keep checking, people do cancel, but it's likely you might not get those. The week you are going is one of the highest attendance weeks of the year. I will be there as well, but I made my reservations 5 months ago, on the day they opened.

As for the cruise, I'm not sure, I've only done one and I don't recall that we reserved anything or much. Guess it depends onnwhat you're trying for. Check the Dis cruise forum for more help on that one.

 

[flutterby3744]

I would keep trying. People cancel sometimes and you can get a res.

I'm trying for BOG now...checking multiple times a day. Others have had luck with it. Fingers crossed!

 

[MouseMomx2]

Yes, unfortunately all of those are very popular and book up fast. Keep checking...multiple times per day, if necessary...and you may get lucky. As for the dining, make sure you check the day before you want to go. There is a 24-hour advance cancellations policy so reservations sometimes open up in that window.

Since you are doing a 3-day cruise you won't have any of those options on board. There is a Bibbity Bobbity Boutique on the Fantasy, but it does 7-day sailings. You will definitely have the opportunity to meet the characters, including the princesses, but there are no character meals on the 3-day sailings.

You trip will be great, with or without these things so hope for the best but prepare yourself for the very real possibility that they will not happen this time. If you are staying at a WDW resort you can make FP+ selections to meet some of the princesses in Fantasyland and Mickey Mouse on Main Street. You can also try to get an Akershus reservation (in Norway at Epcot) for princess dining and Tusker House (in the Animal Kingdom) for a fun character meal (but, FYI, no Mickey). There is a Bibbity Bobbity Boutique in Downtown Disney that may have openings as well.

Have a great trip!

 

[glvsav37]

I am going to disney world with my kids (boy aged 7, girl aged 4, and a baby girl that will be 5 months old). We are going to disney world between the 18th of April until the 24th and then going on a three day disney cruise on the 25th 26th and 27th.
I didn't realize that I am too late but today when I tried to book bibbity bobby boutique (in the castle), disney royal princess dining, and chef mickey they told me it is all sold out for my dates.
I'm thinking those are probably the only things I would have needed to do and book for but I didn't realize I needed to book it in advance…

now what should i do? is it hopeless?

What about the cruise? Would they have the same thing?

Really appreciate the help! I haven't had time to sit down and plan my trip and now I seem to be missing out on those important features. (busy with 3 kids, studying for my university classes… things are crazy right now)

without knowing your full itinerary while on property and not on sea, there are some other options if you are flexible.

1. there is another BBB at down town disney...its bigger so you may have a better chance to snag a chair.
1A. Otherwise, if you want a 'makeover' experience, you can also try the pirates league that is also in the MK. Granted, its not 'princess' but your DD can be a mermaid and your DS will get to be a pirate which is more boy-focused. Even adults do it (we do) so its fun for everyone!

2. If Royal table is sold out and you want a princess experience, you could also do Norway (can never say the name there), most of the same princesses are there, or across the way from MK is 1900 park fare in the Grand Floridian, that has Cindy and her stepsisters.

For alts to meeting the fab 5 at Chef Mickey, there are a few locations where you'll get most (but not all) of them...Y&B Club's Cape May, Tusker House at AK, etc.

good luck.

 

[3happydancers]

without knowing your full itinerary while on property and not on sea, there are some other options if you are flexible.

1. there is another BBB at down town disney...its bigger so you may have a better chance to snag a chair.
1A. Otherwise, if you want a 'makeover' experience, you can also try the pirates league that is also in the MK. Granted, its not 'princess' but your DD can be a mermaid and your DS will get to be a pirate which is more boy-focused. Even adults do it (we do) so its fun for everyone!

2. If Royal table is sold out and you want a princess experience, you could also do Norway (can never say the name there), most of the same princesses are there, or across the way from MK is 1900 park fare in the Grand Floridian, that has Cindy and her stepsisters.

For alts to meeting the fab 5 at Chef Mickey, there are a few locations where you'll get most (but not all) of them...Y&B Club's Cape May, Tusker House at AK, etc.

good luck.

Excellent suggestions! This is what I would do!

 

[nadiat]

i see online that there is breakfast at akhersus which is also something that could be nice?

What are your must do eating experiences? Is Akhersus better for lunch or breakfast?
What about for my son? Is there any fun dining experiences for him?

 

[nadiat]

Yes, unfortunately all of those are very popular and book up fast. Keep checking...multiple times per day, if necessary...and you may get lucky. As for the dining, make sure you check the day before you want to go. There is a 24-hour advance cancellations policy so reservations sometimes open up in that window.

Since you are doing a 3-day cruise you won't have any of those options on board. There is a Bibbity Bobbity Boutique on the Fantasy, but it does 7-day sailings. You will definitely have the opportunity to meet the characters, including the princesses, but there are no character meals on the 3-day sailings.

You trip will be great, with or without these things so hope for the best but prepare yourself for the very real possibility that they will not happen this time. If you are staying at a WDW resort you can make FP+ selections to meet some of the princesses in Fantasyland and Mickey Mouse on Main Street. You can also try to get an Akershus reservation (in Norway at Epcot) for princess dining and Tusker House (in the Animal Kingdom) for a fun character meal (but, FYI, no Mickey). There is a Bibbity Bobbity Boutique in Downtown Disney that may have openings as well.

Have a great trip!

would we have had any character dining experiences on the 4 day cruise? We just cancelled our 4 day cruise and booked a 3 day cruise since it fit into our schedule better.

 

[glvsav37]

I am going to disney world with my kids (boy aged 7, girl aged 4, and a baby girl that will be 5 months old). We are going to disney world between the 18th of April until the 24th

Really appreciate the help! I haven't had time to sit down and plan my trip and now I seem to be missing out on those important features. (busy with 3 kids, studying for my university classes… things are crazy right now)

I came back to add something...a few of my suggestions were outside the park (i.e. BBB in DD). Don't dismiss it as an option b/c of location. Taxis are a very underused and largely unrealized mode of transport around property. Yes, they cost a few bucks but on a vacation where you are trying to do a lot, it beats the heck out of waiting for a bus. Plus, you have a very little one who most likely has a stroller. If you req a van taxi, you don't need to fold the stroller up (on buses you do), you can just pop it in the back. Taxis can be called from the bell desk at any hotel on property and I have never waited more the 5 mins for one. We find ourselves using them more and more.

BUT......you last point about being stressed with life....Relax! You will be in disney! away from all that 'life' stuff. If you can't do EVERYTHING (and you really can't in a place as big as WDW)...there will always be a next time. Enjoy your time away with your family. Vacations should not be stressful.

Excellent suggestions! This is what I would do!

Thanks "LI Neighbor!" ..Suffolk County (Selden) family here...you?

 

[tmfranlk]

i see online that there is breakfast at akhersus which is also something that could be nice?

What are your must do eating experiences? Is Akhersus better for lunch or breakfast?
What about for my son? Is there any fun dining experiences for him?

If you can get into akershaus, I would go with that. I like it at least as much as the castle. My personal preference is breakfast, but I've heard lunch is good too.

For your son you can do Disney Jr breakfast/lunch at Hollywood and Vine if he likes Disney Jr (Handy Manny, Jake, Sophia and Doc McStuffins). Crystal Palace is good with all Pooh characters. I'd suggest Garden Grill in Epcot to replace Chef Mickey's or try for the 'Ohana character breakfast. If you're going to Downtown Disney for Bibbidi, your son might also like T-Rex Cafe or Rainforest Cafe. They're not character meals, but have a fun environment. You can book those by calling the restaurants completely. Don't rely on Disney's system for those as they only control a handful of the tables that wya.

 

[elittleton]

I have gotten all the hard to get restaurants at one time or another in the weeks before a trip. I was even able to get one the night before. I suggest just keep trying several times a day. I was able to get Akershus last week for the week after next. It was booked solid and I lucked up on an 8:15 breakfast. I check every time I think about it because you never know when a time will come open.

My daughter prefers breakfast at Akershus.

 

[3happydancers]

i see online that there is breakfast at akhersus which is also something that could be nice?

What are your must do eating experiences? Is Akhersus better for lunch or breakfast?
What about for my son? Is there any fun dining experiences for him?

Besides breakfast at Tusker in AK and Cape May at the Yacht & Beach club, your son might get a kick out of breakfast with Lilo and Stitch at the Poly!

 

[glvsav37]

i see online that there is breakfast at akhersus which is also something that could be nice?

What are your must do eating experiences? Is Akhersus better for lunch or breakfast?
What about for my son? Is there any fun dining experiences for him?

We prefer breakfast there, my kids are kinda picky eaters and the selection is less Norweign...oh and the cheese hash brown are whoo-hoo!

For your son, there are less boy focused ones outside of the fab 5 (MM, MM, DD, Gof and Pluto). So there are few if he likes those.

But hollywood and vine has a Disney Channel one that has Sophia, Doc McStuff, Jake and 1 other (I forgot...nevermind...Hany Manny. Thanks tmfranlk!).

We like 1900 park fare for breakfast bc they have the most face characters (outside of a princess one)...the mad hatter is a blast.

Hopefully one day they do a Toy Story/Pixar meal, hopefully!

 

[nadiat]

I came back to add something...a few of my suggestions were outside the park (i.e. BBB in DD). Don't dismiss it as an option b/c of location. Taxis are a very underused and largely unrealized mode of transport around property. Yes, they cost a few bucks but on a vacation where you are trying to do a lot, it beats the heck out of waiting for a bus. Plus, you have a very little one who most likely has a stroller. If you req a van taxi, you don't need to fold the stroller up (on buses you do), you can just pop it in the back. Taxis can be called from the bell desk at any hotel on property and I have never waited more the 5 mins for one. We find ourselves using them more and more.

BUT......you last point about being stressed with life....Relax! You will be in disney! away from all that 'life' stuff. If you can't do EVERYTHING (and you really can't in a place as big as WDW)...there will always be a next time. Enjoy your time away with your family. Vacations should not be stressful.



Thanks "LI Neighbor!" ..Suffolk County (Selden) family here...you?

I know. With the stresses of life we were taking this holiday as a means for all of us to just relax and enjoy… But I'd hate to get there and realize that I missed out on so many opportunities.
This forum is a wealth of information but the hard part is since there are so many threads, its so hard to sift through and get as much info as possible.
I think I could be up here the whole night and only get a tenth of the way through…

I would really welcome any suggestions… I wish to be spoon fed the info lol… some of you are so great with planning your disney vacays!

 

[glvsav37]

I know. With the stresses of life we were taking this holiday as a means for all of us to just relax and enjoy… But I'd hate to get there and realize that I missed out on so many opportunities.
This forum is a wealth of information but the hard part is since there are so many threads, its so hard to sift through and get as much info as possible.
I think I could be up here the whole night and only get a tenth of the way through…

I would really welcome any suggestions… I wish to be spoon fed the info lol… some of you are so great with planning your disney vacays!

The sad part is, you will miss out. There is just sooooo much to do that no one can see and do everything without staying there for a month or more.

I find those that try and jam everything in leave exhausted, upset and don't come back.

The good news is....that WDW aint going anywhere. It'll all be here next time you can come.


My best suggestion, is just be organized and realize what you can fit into a given day. Be realistic and be flexible. Anything you do outside of that is a bonus.

You have a little one that may dictate how you tour...naps, feedings, etc.

If you are having an issue learning about "everything" I highly suggest 2 things (and while this board is great, it is not one of them)

1. Get a guide book. Yes an old fashioned paper guidebook. The internet is great, but you will find yourself getting lost in opinions and slap fests. Soon you forgot what you are researching. I prefer the Birnbaums guides (but I am biased) b/c they tend to be shorter and more to the point then some of the others.But the real benefit is they are all organized and will walk you thorugh your trip.

2. Take a look at getting a Touring Plan. There are sites out there that for a few bucks, will give you access to pre-made plans that you can follow to maximize your day. Some offer a few options that best fit your family ages and goals.

 

[denneg]

I would suggest the breakfast or lunch at Hollywood and Vine, assuming your kids are into the Disney Jr. Characters (Jake, Manny, Doc and Sofia). We personally like it better than Chef Mickeys, it's a lot of fun for the kids, and these characters are hard or impossible to meet in the park.

We have also done the Garden Grill at Epcot for a Mickey meal, and enjoyed that.

 

[ilovebassets]

There's just so much to see and do that you shouldn't stress about character meals at all. Last trip was the first time we did a character meal at all (we did 1900 park fare breakfast and crystal palace lunch). While we enjoyed them, the fact that we didn't do them before in no way diminished the fun of our previous trips!

I agree with another poster about getting a real paper guidebook and not being on the "expert" forums too much.

If characters are important to you, there are ways in Epcot, MK, and animal kingdom to fast pass character experiences. Character meals are
Not necessary to experience the characters!

 

[BubblyTrip]

Two CMs have told me the week before your trip is the best time to call for cancelations for BBB and Pirates League. People do last minute canceling. They suggested calling several times a day.

If you can't get appointments, you can still bring costumes and do your children's hair and makeup before they go the parks.

I also find new times pop up for many of the character meals all the time. Keep checking MDE when you have a chance.

 

[mjkacmom]

Definitely keep trying, but if you plan on eating at any table service restaurants, now it the time to make your ADR's. Don't expect to walk up to restaurants and expect to be seated.

 

[Hannathy]

I want to add that my kids have never done any of the things you couldn't get reservations for and haven't missed it at all! They have had many wonderful trips to Disney that they have loved and still talk about at 32,(nephew that I took all the time), 22 and 15. And want to go back.

There is so much to do at Disney that is included in our ticket that you really don't need to pay extra to fill up your days.

Go and enjoy your trip and don't stress over booking all the extras, because they are just extras.