Tips for last minute dining/reservations, please

[sharbev]

What should I try next? Last minute and I wasn't able to get any ADRs via phone or online.

Do I keep trying daily, hoping for cancellations?
Do I try upon arrival - again hoping for cancellations?

My boys are 6 and 7, celebrating birthdays while there and my DH and I are celebrating our 10th anniv (married at GF). They have done most of the character dining, so they don't care as much about that. But I'd still like to have something planned. I expected Ohana to be sold out for dinner, but I had a glimmer of hope for 1900 Park Fare breakfast.

Staying at POFQ Mar 7-10th, using DDP, and going to MK and HS parks.
Looking for dinner Wed night and breakfast Thurs late AM, in particular.
Thanks for any advice!
~ shari

 

[It'sWDW4me]

What should I try next? Last minute and I wasn't able to get any ADRs via phone or online.

Do I keep trying daily, hoping for cancellations?
Do I try upon arrival - again hoping for cancellations?

My boys are 6 and 7, celebrating birthdays while there and my DH and I are celebrating our 10th anniv (married at GF). They have done most of the character dining, so they don't care as much about that. But I'd still like to have something planned. I expected Ohana to be sold out for dinner, but I had a glimmer of hope for 1900 Park Fare breakfast.

Staying at POFQ Mar 7-10th, using DDP, and going to MK and HS parks.
Looking for dinner Wed night and breakfast Thurs late AM, in particular.
Thanks for any advice!
~ shari

Yep, keep trying. Every day. Multiple times per day. Even when you're at WDW - call from your room. Reservations get cancelled at any time - day or night.

Good luck to you!

 

[sharbev]

Thanks, Mary! I'll keep plugging away!! ;-)

 

[Stacy's a freak]

If you happen to be at HS you can always sit at the bar in 50's Prime Time. The bar area is open to anyone if there are seats available. Yes, your children would be sitting at a bar but it's not liking going to some local watering hole. It's neatly themed and they serve the full restaurant menu there.

 

[Nadjalu]

Not sure where you are trying to get in but I did a search on the 9th of Mar and tons of stuff pulled up.

Cape May at 5:05
Grand Floridian Cafe at 5
Kona at 5
Liberty Tree Tavern at 4:25
The Plaza at 5
The Wave had several around 5

As well as late ressies (8 or after) at Whispering Canyon, Crystal Palace, Tony's.

Good luck.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Keep an eye on the March 2011 cancellation thread.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

On the 9th I pulled up:
50sPT at 4:20 or 7:15
Cape May 5:10 or 6:25
GF Cafe between 5 and 6
H&V at 5:50
Kona, LTT, The Wave...

The 10th breakfast:
GF, Kona, The Wave, Whispering Canyon (all around 10 am)

 

[kmedina]

When looking online, type the date and dining period (breakfast, lunch, dinner) without specifying the restaurant. You can also type in a specific time, but it limits you to two hours either way. It will show you every restaurant that has availability and the times. There are 44 available for dinner tomorrow and 19 for breakfast. If you do not have a specific one in mind, you will find good places to eat. Book the one that looks the best ASAP.

For specific ones or more popular ones that are currently booked, keep checking back both online and by phone. Many people cancel at the last minute. One of the breakfast reservations tomorrow is for Chef Mickeys (a pretty popular one). You may not get the most desired ones, but you just may. If you book an alternative one and find a more desired one later, just make sure to cancel the less desired one as soon as the one you want is confirmed.