Something strange about booking Oct dining

[las3888]

Dining at locations outside of EPCOT seem to be pretty normal and lunch (for me) has seemed somewhat normal. It's getting into EPCOT between 3-6pm that's the problem....

 

[BareNakedLadies]

Today was 180 for us and got everything we wanted. Did wonder about this, however...I was looking at the dates available for Luau and Backyard BBQ, and neither were accepting reservations past October 15 (our arrival date). I was logged in and was making reservations associated with our dining plan. Wanted Hoop dee doo for the 16th and reserved it with no problem, so I don't think it's a dinner show problem. Saw no other problems booking other reservations for the whole week.

 

[casper_jj11]

I had the same problem this morning. The earliest any adr was available for dinner at Epcot (between Oct 15 and 25th), with the exception of Akershus, was 5:50pm. I booked three ADRs at 5:50pm but really wanted 5pm. Hopefully something opens later.

 

[LilyWDW]

So I called this morning to see if anything showed for my dates besides the times offered. Via Napoli lunch was only showing the 11:30 and 12:45 and Les Chefs was showing 5:50 dinner at the earliest. Even the CM mentioned that was strange but nothing had been noted in their systems about what could be causing it.

She suggested I keep checking online and calling to see if anything opens up. We both thought that maybe once they release the F&W special events that some of these blocked times could be opened if they are not being used.

 

[sjs314]

So I called this morning to see if anything showed for my dates besides the times offered. Via Napoli lunch was only showing the 11:30 and 12:45 and Les Chefs was showing 5:50 dinner at the earliest. Even the CM mentioned that was strange but nothing had been noted in their systems about what could be causing it.

She suggested I keep checking online and calling to see if anything opens up. We both thought that maybe once they release the F&W special events that some of these blocked times could be opened if they are not being used.

Here I was thinking the Via Napoli problem was fixed if you called , did not know they are only showing 11:30 and 12:45 on the dining line.

I been trying to change things around but Via Napoli and Biergarten are two of the places we really wanted to eat at this trip ....I was so happy too with my plans. I wonder when they will release the tables if in fact they are being held for F&W events?

 

[johnnyf0614]

I booked this morning... I was able to get Les Chefs for 10/19 for 5:50pm, with no problems. Got Coral Reef for 10/21 at 6pm as well. I know you are looking for something earlier, but I would just keep trying. I didn't get the feeling that there were anything wrong with "Epcot" restaurants. If I remember correctly, they even had Les Chefs for an earlier time as well...

I was having problems with Fantasmic... I was hoping to get 10/20 and apperantely there is nothing available in any of the 3 restaurants.

 

[casper_jj11]

I booked this morning... I was able to get Les Chefs for 10/19 for 5:50pm, with no problems. Got Coral Reef for 10/21 at 6pm as well. I know you are looking for something earlier, but I would just keep trying. I didn't get the feeling that there were anything wrong with "Epcot" restaurants. If I remember correctly, they even had Les Chefs for an earlier time as well...

I got Les Chefs for 550 on the 19th as well as Coral Reef for 5:50 on the 20th without any problem either. The problem is there were absolutely no times available before that anywhere in Epcot other than Akershus. I was looking for 5pm .... I've never had a problem getting 5pm ADRs at 180 days out during Presidents Week, March Break or summer free dining in the past so this is truly bizarre ... let's hope times do open up once the Food and Wine activities are announced.

ETA: Just saw your note re Fantasmic. I think I read somewhere that you need to call to book the Fantasmic dinner pkg. I've never done it so I'm not sure if that's the norm or if there are problems booking it online right now. Give them a call and you may have better luck.

 

[johnnyf0614]

I got Les Chefs for 550 on the 19th as well as Coral Reef for 5:50 on the 20th without any problem either. The problem is there were absolutely no times available before that anywhere in Epcot other than Akershus. I was looking for 5pm .... I've never had a problem getting 5pm ADRs at 180 days out during Presidents Week, March Break or summer free dining in the past so this is truly bizarre ... let's hope times do open up once the Food and Wine activities are announced.

ETA: Just saw your note re Fantasmic. I think I read somewhere that you need to call to book the Fantasmic dinner pkg. I've never done it so I'm not sure if that's the norm or if there are problems booking it online right now. Give them a call and you may have better luck.

I actually just tried calling for Fantasmic, and nothing.... I was able to book Mama Melrose for 5:35pm, but that was the earliest. Hopefully the Fantasmic package will open up. I'm surprised that there was absolutely nothing available though.

 

[Pulpit]

that's a worry - I know some people will have booked at 180+10 but surely not all venues - where are you trying to get?

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the +10?

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the +10?

if you are staying at a disney resort you can still not book until 180 days from your arrival date but with your disney reference you can book for up to ten days of your trip (so if you arrive on the 1st of the month and stay for fourteen nights you can book for the first ten days of your trip. If you are going for a week you can book for the whole of your trip. )

 

[las3888]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the +10?

If you are staying at a Disney resort, you can call or check online at the 180 day mark and make ressies for the dates beyond that during your stay up to 10 days. So if today is 180 days b4 you check in, you can call and make your dining ressies for the day of your check-in, plus all the days of your stay up to 10 more. This gives you an edge to booking some of the hard to get stuff against those not staying on-site because they have to check day by day by day to get their ressies.

Anyways, I've never not been able to get decent availability at EPCOT for earlier hours (5ish) and I RARELY am this on the ball. And I have never ever seen Biergarten completely sold old. I have gone during the busiest week of spring break, F&W MANY times, and during free dining (which is the WORST when trying to get ressies) and still been able to make decent ressies.

I am thinking the restaurants are blocked for something between 3-6. I hope they open the times soon, but it was a little unfair when you are on the ball and trying to book 180 days out. Some might alter their plans and not think to check back in case they do open something else up. And if they do, who knows when it would be?

 

[Pulpit]

Gotcha, thanks!

Hopefully the times will open up for you...

 

[wdwfanatic316]

Just wanted to say I had problems booking Biergarten in Oct also. I tried every day of our trip 10/14-10/19 for lunch and dinner, and it couldn't find any openings. I'll keep checking and hopefully the times will show up! Can't believe all of these would be booked, I was able to get a Le Cellier and Cali Grill for our stay.

 

[ElizabethG]

I noticed the 3-6 thing too. The earliest ADR I could get for Coral Reef at 188 days out was 5:50.

 

[n2mm]

I noticed the 3-6 thing too. The earliest ADR I could get for Coral Reef at 188 days out was 5:50.

That happened to me this morning with the 190 days out (Oct. 26th). I choose 5:00PM and they said only 5:50PM was available. It took me 20 minutes to get it to just recognize my reservation for my room.

 

[dskib]

That happened to me this morning with the 190 days out (Oct. 26th). I choose 5:00PM and they said only 5:50PM was available. It took me 20 minutes to get it to just recognize my reservation for my room.

Ugh! Ditto about the room reservation! I thought it was my computer and tried 3 browsers

But I did get everything I wanted, though like everyone else, my Epcot choice - Teppan Edo - was available at 6:10, and I was shooting for 5-5:30.

Deb

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I got Akershus yesterday for 5:25.

 

[squirrel]

So only a few restaurants seem to have any times between 3-6pm.

Coral Reef
Akershus

Have I missed any others?

 

[Bnearing]

*sorry, wrong thread

 

[jimmytammy]

We booked our 180 days yesterday and had issue with Biergarten too. Finally booked for 3:05 late in our trip. You would think over 12 nights, one would show up available...not. Checked again this morning, nada. We were able to book other Epcot ressies like Rose and Crown, San Angel, Via Napoli and Nine Dragons, no problems. So it makes me wonder too if Biergarten doesnt have something special going on during F&W.