Soooooo frustrated with trying to get ADR! How does this look??

JUJU814

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jul 30, 2008
Messages
1,397
I booked a very last minute vacation just last thursday. We are going August 25-Sept 1 and staying at Grand Floridian. I was shocked to find how difficult it is to get ADR at the places we would like! I figured for sure we could at least have dinner at GF Cafe if other places were booked. Nope! We can't get in there at all. I'm wondering if I should keep trying or just be happy I got what we did. I have been calling about three times a day trying. Each time or every other time I call something does work out. The CMs tell me people are constantly cancelling. Tonight I got some dope who almost booked the wrong restaurant AND wrong date three times!!! I hope she finally got it right. Then I said, as I usually do, "ok, thank you so much for your help. I think I'm all set for now. I'll keep trying! After all, people are always calling to cancel right?" Very flatly she says "no not really..we don't get many cancellations at all" Yeah, ok. LOL

I'm just tired of trying and wonder if it's more important to me and if my family will even care!

Here's what we've got:

Aug 25 noon: GF Cafe; 6pm Citricos
Aug 26 8:30 Mary Poppins Breakast at park fare; 6pm Flying Fish Cafe
Aug 27 early bkfst at GF cafe; 1:15 storybook lunch norway; 6 p Citricos (may scratch that..not sure yet)
Aug 28 early bkfst at GF cafe; 2pm 50s prime time cafe; 7:30pm narcooses
Aug 29 early bkfst at gf cafe; 12:45 chef mickeys character and I think for dinner that night we'll head to Coronado springs because at pepper market you don't need a ressie and they have some "real food" at that one
Aug 30 7:40 am Ohana's character breakfast; 2:15 crystal palace; 9:40pm Boma for hubby and me night out..pizza in room for kids (16 year old to babysit little ones
Aug 31 early bkfst at gf cafe; 1:40 at Coral Reef; 6:45 San Angel Inn in Mexico

I wish I didn't have 2 Citrico's ressies, but right now it's all we can get that's at our resort, or on the monorail. We want something easy to take the kids to. I'm desperately trying for Konah Cafe for dinner but no luck yet.

Is it true there are constantly cancellations? SHOULD I keep trying or just give up? Do more things open up as you get closer to the date? Any inside hints? Thanks!

Julie
 
We are arriving the weekend before you and I have been cancelling and rebooking new stuff for the last 3 weeks with no problem, even cancelled Kona breakfast for Aug 24 and rebooked Boma instead without a hitch. Free dining starts on the 24th so that is probably why you are having such a hard time.

I would not do so many GF Cafe breakfasts..I would get bored with it...did you try Kona, The Wave, Whispering Canyon etc for breakfast instead?
 
Well, we're trying to eat bkfst at the hotel so we can get going with the day. If we eat at other resorts, that means travel time, HAVING to get their at a specific time etc.

I might try Konah for bkfst, where it's on the monorail.

I sure would love to get Konah for dinner one night!

Yeah, it probably is too many character meals..sigh. I'm on the phone with Disney right now asking a question about my ressie and she can't find it!

Julie
 
there will be some cancellations, but you will have to have some luck to snag cancelled spots at this point...everything's booked because your days are during Free Dining. So basically there's a lot of people who are also trying to switch and/or add to the ressies they already have.

Keep trying, though. Disney Magic may happen:wizard:
 

We have just cancelled 2 dinner reservations for 2 Adults and 2 Children

sci fi dine at DHS on sat 31st aug at 6:15 and
shutters at Caribbean beach resort 5th Sep at 7:30

if it helps anyone
:goodvibes
 
Do more things open up as you get closer to the date? Any inside hints? Thanks!

Julie

I think you're in good shape, actually, for planning a last minute trip during free dining. Looks like you are doing a park during the day and then heading back toward your resort for the evening? Not sure how your park-touring is set up.

But to answer the above question, I think you should just wait until you get to Disney, and try calling the "morning of" to see what's been freed up - if anything! - for dinner. And if you don't get anything else, you'll be fine doing some CS places here and there.

Have fun! We'll be down there for a few of your days (and not to bum you out, but we have a Kona ADR for our last night dinner!).
 
Keep calling. I find that my ADRs are like a house of cards. One thing changes and they all have to be tweaked. I just got a fireworks cruise which meant some switching around.

If you are looking for pleaces to eat on the Monorail why not try the Wave at the Contemporary? I was there right when it opened and I really enjoyed it.
 
you've got plenty of nice places to eat, and on such short notice!

especially narcoosees!!
 
Did you try to get the "afternoon" tea at the GF? It's a lot of food and you could try to go at 5:00 so it could be dinner.

I think that, for last minute during free dining, you got a bunch of nice places.
 
I have been trying for Kona also during that time frame and ended up at The Wave, which I am now looking forward to. Have you tried to get in there?
 


Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE








DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom