Something strange about this year's free dining

[nyz2004]

We're going to disney after thanksgiving. I couldn't find any availability of Chef Mickey and Ohana, which that week supposed to be the least busy time of the year.

My friend is going the week of Christmas, it's so easy to book Ohana and Chef Mickey's. I checked 12/24 Ohana is still available. Chef mickey is available on 12/25.

Why? Shouldn't Christmas be busier?

Can somebody explain?

 

[CarolMN]

Possible explanations -

More experienced visitors go the week after Thanksgiving than go Christmas week. The repeaters know that they need to make ADRs asap, esp during free dining. They are also more likely to be planners.

Disney probably increases the staff at the restaurants during the busy Christmas week. So there are more tables available. The week after Thanksgiving and those in early December are less busy, so they have less staff on duty.

 

[Jazcat]

we booked both of those at 180 days out at 730 am and we didn't get the timefor ohana's that we wanted we got 2 hours later

 

[USAswimmer626]

Another contributor to the unavailability might be the 180+10 ADR option.

 

[MamaJessie]

We are going that week too

Two weeks ago DH changed his mind and wanted to try CM for dinner instead of breakfast. Only time available? 9:15pm. Not happening.

At least we have our breakfast still.

 

[TDC Nala]

Thanksgiving is sooner.

 

[jblrn2b]

I think there are also blackout dates for free dining. I heard it on the DIS podcast. So the 24th is around a holiday which they have blocked out.