So what's going on?? (cindy's)

[Marie2794]

I just called to see if by chance I could get breakfast at the castle for our spring break trip, and I had my choice of any day/time for the entire week we are going to be there.



Same thing with breakfast at Chef Mickey's.

We have yet to eat at these 2 places because they are always full by the time I get around to making our ADRs, so I was shocked to have a full range of days and times to choose from.

What's up??

Not that I'm complaining, I just thought it was strange...



(this is for the week of 3/28-4/4)

.

 

[Tricia1972]

It is probably due to the system upgrade. Many aren't aware that there are three exceptions to the "No Dining Reservation" rule, and as far as they are concerned they can't make reservations past 3/22 for any restaurant. They don't know that it's business as usual for Victoria and Albert's, Chef Mickey's & CRT.

Glad you got what you wanted!

 

[TJA]

Very true what above poster said. I also was able to get Chef M and the Castle with a variety of choices for Easter break. There are also a fair amount of resorts available for Easter break, but I'm sure things will gradually fill up a bit more with the new 4/3 offer. What will be interesting to see is when we can all book beyond March 22 and how quickly restaurants will fill up! I'm sort of nervous about this because we're doing the meal plan for the first time so I really need to get ADR's in place!

 

[disney1990]

Personally, a lot of people I know are passing on Cindy's because of the increased cost of a meal there.

With the economy the way it is, and business way down at Disney, I wouldn't be surprised to find reservations available all of the place.

 

[mmmears]

I think it's a combination of the two.

Low booking due to low room bookings and people not knowing that you can book CRT & CM even though the other restaurants are not bookable for April yet.

Even since they instituted the pre-pay and forced people to pay for the photo package whether or not they wanted it, reservations have been down. I used to have to wake up at 3:55am to get ADRs here. A couple of years ago, with the $$$ changes, I called really late and had no problem getting in.

Just supply & demand, really. I dont think the quality has suddenly dropped (the food was never that great before).

We're booked for lunch in April, and got the date & time we requested!

 

[ElizabethB]

CRT, at least for lunch, used to be a must-do for us. No more. The price is high, the food only fair (my brother asked about the rolls we love and was told, you only get rolls with dinner -- no attempt to bring out a few since we asked -- it was just "sorry"). The waiters used to be wonderful, taking time to chat, interact with children, etc. In fact, one of our magical memories of Disney is "David" and how much he charmed our boys, discussing rides, pins, etc. For several years, they insisted on going back to CRT to see David, even though they didn't care a whit about the Princesses.

The last time we went back to see David, he was so stressed and busy he could hardly get the food out. No time, at all, for pleasantries. This is not to criticize David, this is merely to point out that WDW now has the lunch on such a tight schedule, you have to get the people in, seated, fed, and out in time to bring in the next group. It's like a ride, now.

We went back in September so my niece could meet the Princesses. It was a huge -- and I mean huge -- disappointment. The Princesses work the room so fast, now, it's like they are running a marathon. Snow White spent less than 30 seconds with our group of 11.

I told the manager we won't be back -- and we won't.

If our experience is any indication, I expect that reservations are going to become very easy to get, especially as the economy tanks.

 

[maryrego]

I agree I was quite dissappointed with Lunch on out last trip @ CRT. I booked a late lunch 2:30pm for 3 I think at the 180 Mark. Well about 60 days prior my brother and GF decided to come as well I called everyother day before we left spent over $100 on long distance calls trying to add 2 people. Well they decided not to worry about them they would just do there own thing. Even on the day of there was no room no way they could fit the other 2 in. So we split up and go to our reservation low an behold they seat the 3 of us in a table big enough for 6 and the restaurant was 1/2 empty. By then it was too late for hem to join us. Then with in 15 min of sitting we had seen all the princesses who came by so fast if you blinked you missed them and our meal was in front of us. I think we were out of there within 35 min. I really felt rushed and didnt feel like they even cared. The princess meal at Norway was more relaxing

 

[ms_missy66]

I'm not sure what's going on and pps were probably right, regardless, HOORAY FOR YOU!!!! It always feels so great getting the ADRS you *really* want! Enjoy them!!