WDW Restaurant Reservations (that don't exist)

[anisqoyo]

If WDW is going to allow every restaurant reservation, at every park , to be filled only by guests who are staying at one of their properties, what are the peons supposed to do when it comes to dining options -- other than wait in line for fast food? Additionally, why not notify their "guests" that there are no more reservations available 60 days out so we are not getting up at 5:45 am on a Saturday to make dining reservations that don't exist?

If the Disney managers responsible for these shortsighted decisions possessed any humanity, they would hold back some reservations for guests that cannot spend $300 a night, or more, on one of their hotel rooms, but who have kids that would like to enjoy one of their themed restaurants during their once in a lifetime visit to their parks. Unfortunately, Disney doesn't think in the best interest of their guest and, instead, force us to be in front of their computers at 5:59 am hoping to find a reservation, at any time, that doesn't exist. It takes absolutely no effort to show that all available reservations are full on the website before the 60-day window opens. Had I seen such a warning, I wouldn't have wasted my time trying to find something that doesn't exist.

Thanks Disney...thanks for nothing.

/Rant off

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I’m sorry you’re having a hard time. ADRs are definitely challenging right now because they haven’t reopened all the restaurants yet and the ones that are open have limited capacity. I would expect that more will start to open soon as the Covid situation improves.

That said, yes Disney does provide an advantage to those staying onsite, and it makes good business sense to do so. I’m also not sure how’d you expect them to tell you in advance that “nothing is available”, as availability changes constantly. What I think you really mean is that nothing you WANT is available, because if you’re flexible you can always find an ADR somewhere. There are also ways you can snag hard to get reservations, with a little persistence. I recommend the ADR finder on Touring Plans, I’ve always gotten every reservation I wanted using that service. Good luck.

 

[nevergrowup826]

There are plenty of in park reservations open for 60 days out right now. Are you using the App or a computer. If you are using the app sometimes ounhave to refresh to get them to load or keep picking different times or use filters. The ”no reservations available page” is just a glitch when you do your first reservation search on the app.

 

[tobikaye]

Also, I have found that the closer to my trip, I find more available as people change their minds. Heck, I was looking this morning at next week just for fun and could have gotten a dinner in any park. I will only make a few reservations for my trip at the end of June when my 60 days open, but will mostly wait until closer or at WDW to see what is available. Granted, I love new restaurants so I do not always pick the most wanted options.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

If you can't see the advantage of Disney letting people who stay on property get first crack at dining, I don't know what to tell you. There has to be some advantage to staying in their hotels, because those advantages have been less and less every year.

 

[yorkieteacher]

Agree with PP- app is glitchy and frequently shows no reservation available when you select a particular time, then change to another time and that previous time slot shows as available. Always use the website for dining reservations, and try at odd hours daily when you have a chance. Things really do pop up as people cancel. 30 days out and 7 days out are great times to try as those are dates final payments are due on packages or room only reservations.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Agree with other posters that the app is glitchy, if flexible in time & place can generally find something, more opens as you get closer and people change their minds, and reservation finders can be helpful (note that they don't book for you - just notify you when available). Other tips are to search for a specific time (vs. a generic breakfast, lunch, dinner) and if your party size is an odd number - consider going up one (e.g. if you're a party of 3, search for 4). I'm sorry you were disappointed this morning ... it is frustrating. I hope that you find what you're looking for.