There has to be an easier way!!! ADRs

[Christine1103]

Newbie here!! Going on our first trip to Disney 11/30-12/6 ... DH, Me, and twins DD (4.5)...and we can't wait!!!

So I didn't know about ADRs etc etc....I was able to get a few key locations, Princesses in Epcot...however I can't find any other ADRs for character dining.

I go and check everyday to see if somehting has opened up....but this is such a process and I wonder if there's an easier way? I go day by day, meal by meal looking for an opening. Can I search breakfast for a date range? I so badly want to get us into Chef Mickey and Tusker house for character meals. Any hints for getting in last minute?

Thanks for any help/adivce you can offer!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I found Crystal Palace breakfast at 8:20 or 10:15 on 12/3. Or 9:05 on 12/5. Or 10:05 on 12/6. (all for table for 4)

I just searched "character dining" around 8:30 am (which searched 6:30-10:30 am) for each day. 1900 Park Faire came up a few times too. Did you look for Chef Mickey Dinner?


ETA: in the "time" section you can choose a specific meal (breakfast, dinner) instead of a time.

 

[mcd2745]

You have to just keep checking. Multiple times a day. I've noticed that the best time to check is very early in the morning. And keep checking/subscribe to the December cancellation thread.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

I didn't see CM or Tusker House but saw these for party of 4 this morning :

Crystal Palace 12/3 at 8:20 a.m.
12/4 at 10:15 a.m.
12/6 at 10:05 a.m.

Park Fare at 8:10 a.m.

Just keep checking daily & different things come up. Today lots of CP & Coral Reef for party of 4 opened up.

good luck!

 

[MHSweb79]

Are you on the dining plan? Because if you are, then you should keep trying for at least 1 ADR per day. People here report that putting in a specific time, rather than "breakfast" works better in pulling up available ADR's. Don't know why.

If you're not on any dining plan, you can eat very well from the many counter-service places in each park (and at each resort) for those days where you don't have ADR's.

And, finally, GOOD FOR YOU for doing the research and learning this critical tidbit. I really don't think Disney stresses enough the importance of booking ADR's well in advance of your trip, especially when they've been so successful in selling the dining plan.

 

[Ava]

Are you on the dining plan? Because if you are, then you should keep trying for at least 1 ADR per day. People here report that putting in a specific time, rather than "breakfast" works better in pulling up available ADR's. Don't know why.

I've found this to be the case also. When you put in a specific time, it searches 2 hours before & 2 hours after the time you entered. So if you want breakfast, I'd enter 9:00am - that will search from 7:00am-11:00am, which covers the whole time breakfast is offered.

Good luck, just keep checking every day. You can also try calling; the phone CMs might be able to search a range of dates at once instead of one day at a time.

 

[mcd2745]

And, finally, GOOD FOR YOU for doing the research and learning this critical tidbit. I really don't think Disney stresses enough the importance of booking ADR's well in advance of your trip, especially when they've been so successful in selling the dining plan.

That's a very good point. Even if, in their research, a first-timer had read the Birnbaum's guide (I know, I know)...it just says the same thing for Le Cellier as it does for say, Shutters - "reservations recommended" - basically implying that the demand for the two places is similar. It doesn't really give you the proper perspective of what needs to be done.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

People here report that putting in a specific time, rather than "breakfast" works better in pulling up available ADR's. Don't know why.

I noticed this too just when I did a general search for the OP. If I searched character dining for 8:30 am on one day I got 2 times for CP and if I searched "breakfast" the same day I only got one (10:15 is still breafast in WDW right )