Suggestions for booking ADRs late into travel window?

[Crystal_27]

DH just surprised me with a spur-of-the-moment trip in March. While I'm grateful that we're going to be able to go, I'm freaking out about the fact that ADRs just simply aren't available. To an uber-planner like me, this is just short of a nightmare. Do you guys have any advice (other than to just keep calling Disney Dining) that you can share? I've already made a few compromises and booked late lunches opposed to dinners, but that's only getting me so far... I do appreciate any advice.

 

[acourtwdw]

If you are need of a 3 top (you, DH and DD) and can't get an ADR, then try for a 4 top. It might work. I know that sometimes we have trouble with 3 and bump it to 4 and no problem.

 

[Crystal_27]

If you are need of a 3 top (you, DH and DD) and can't get an ADR, then try for a 4 top. It might work. I know that sometimes we have trouble with 3 and bump it to 4 and no problem.

WOW - I didn't even think of this!! I'll definitely try it. Thank you!

 

[septbaby]

Character meal: Play 'n Dine at H&V (B or L)

Resort Dinners: Grand Floridian Cafe, Captain's Grille

Park Dinner: Hollywood & Vine, Any place in the World Showcase at Epcot (not LeCellier)

No ADRs: ESPN Club, Beaches & Cream

I just booked a weekend for late Feb, got Boma Breakfast exactly when I wanted it. Not sure if I'll do any other TS meals on this budget trip.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I have nothing more than keep calling! I tried every day for a month to get into Sci-Fi for our last trip. Finally about 2 days before we left a bunch of times were open. Also, some of the restaurants do take walk ups. I thought walk ups were a thing of the past but almost every restaurant we went to in November were allowing walk ups. Even Sci-Fi that had about 40 people waiting for tables at 8:30 p.m. (when we were there).

My boyfriend thinks all vacations can be planned in a week. He couldn't understand why I needed to make ADR's for our last trip. I still don't think he understands .

 

[BellaBaby]

If you are need of a 3 top (you, DH and DD) and can't get an ADR, then try for a 4 top. It might work. I know that sometimes we have trouble with 3 and bump it to 4 and no problem.

What about if you have 5 people? We have 2 adults and 3 kids. I thought we had to wait until the 90 days window for CRT and found out when I called at the 90 days mark, they were completely booked!! We prefer lunch, but will take breakfast. I figure I'll keep on calling, but should I try to split us up into 2/3? Today when I called she said she just doesn't have a table for 5, even tho I said my 3 y.o. could sit in a high chair. We ate there 2 yrs ago and I got a table no problem about 3 mos. out when we actually knew we were going. Anyway, we had a table w/ 4 chairs and he sat at the end in a high chair, so I figured 4 top...

 

[OKW Lover]

You may be surprised at what's available. We just booked a "spur of the moment" trip in early April and got the two ADR's we wanted without any difficulty.

 

[ryanmcin]

We had great luck with adding and changing our ADRs on our trip last month. We probably changed or added 10 ADRs while we were on property and the only one we couldn't get was Le' Cellier.

Seems the softness in the economy is making ADRs a little easier to get on short notice.

 

[staceyeileen]

Since I live in the area we more often than not decide to go to Disney on only a few days notice. We made day before dinner ADRs for Tokyo Dining and Nine Dragons in Epcot on Jan 2nd, and in DHS a couple weeks ago we had 50's PT and Sci Fi. You have to make some compromises on the times (late lunch or late dinner) but you can usually get in somewhere.

 

[zarvgirl]

I'm new to Disney.....but from making a couple of ADR's......I've learned that some of the resort restaurants that aren't as popular but come with great reviews seem to be more available....I had no problems making ADR's for Kona, or Maya Grill.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I keep calling every chance I can. Worst case I do lunch for dinner. Which I don't see that as being a bad thing. HAVE FUN !