Week After Turkey Day Shenanigans

[jlundeen]

I really believe something is going on. I think Disney hasn't loaded all the reservations for December yet or something along those lines (or for the week after Thanksgiving). It's just weird. This is the third time I've made reservations for a free dining period and it is by far the hardest time I've had with getting close to what I wanted.

That could be too...along with accurate hours for AK and HS...hard to plan 6 months in advance, like they want us to, when there are holes as big as these.

 

[jlundeen]

Sorry - duplicate post - my browser is acting up. and you can't delete a post!

 

[micandminforever]

I believe they have not loaded all the dining reservations yet. I believe EPCOT is waiting on the candle announcement, DS is waiting on F!, and AK is waiting on ROL. When Disney finally decides on hours they will load the rest of the Dinning reservations. Someone on another thread even talked to a CM this morning who said for some reason the reservations for OHana was not load at all on the day she wanted the reservation.

 

[heath92681]

I believe they have not loaded all the dining reservations yet. I believe EPCOT is waiting on the candle announcement, DS is waiting on F!, and AK is waiting on ROL. When Disney finally decides on hours they will load the rest of the Dinning reservations. Someone on another thread even talked to a CM this morning who said for some reason the reservations for OHana was not load at all on the day she wanted the reservation.

I think this might be the biggest issue. While free dining increases traffic at table service, entire restaurants seem to be blacked out right now (Akershus). I'd be willing to bet more availability will be released as Disney finalizes schedules and staffing.

 

[jlundeen]

I think this might be the biggest issue. While free dining increases traffic at table service, entire restaurants seem to be blacked out right now (Akershus). I'd be willing to bet more availability will be released as Disney finalizes schedules and staffing.

Hope that is the case...it's just annoying that they have us trained now to get everything planned out in advance, but they can't do the same. Ok...done with my ranting for the day...

 

[heath92681]

Hope that is the case...it's just annoying that they have us trained now to get everything planned out in advance, but they can't do the same. Ok...done with my ranting for the day...

Agreed!!!

 

[Iowamomof4]

Hope that is the case...it's just annoying that they have us trained now to get everything planned out in advance, but they can't do the same. Ok...done with my ranting for the day...

I will make no such promise.

 

[heath92681]

my app is finally working....for the moment at least!!

 

[Meeko5]

How frustrating that ADR's are expected to be booked at 180 days, but then they randomly load them well after the fact so it takes away the perk of being an onsite guest when it then becomes a free for all!

Last fall during FD a bit of this was happening then too (Biergarten, some CRT, etc) but definitely not to this extent. It's crazy!

 

[Meeko5]

Anyone here want an Ohana dinner on 11/29? I've got a 5:15pm for 4. Let me know!

 

[plumsiren]

Plans are starting to come together!

11/28: Arrive at no-idea-what-time. Probably dinner somewhere in DS since we're staying at POFQ.
11/29: Breakfast at The Wave @ 8. Head over to MK and meet BFF's family immediately after. Spend morning in Fantasyland. Lunch at (as of now) Pinocchio, which I'm not excited about but then I'm not excited about any MK food options! Then maybe some Frontierland/Adventureland. Leave MK, return to resort, dinner ???, then Epcot at night.
11/30: Breakfast at resort, then off to DHS. Hoping to eat lunch at whatever the forthcoming Muppet-themed qs is. Boat to BW area to explore and maybe have dinner (suggestions welcome), then a stroll through Epcot to take the monorail to MK. Hoping for a late seating at BOG to do dessert but not counting on it. Head to Poly beach to watch the fireworks.
12/1: Breakfast at resort, then to AK for the morning. Bus to AKL for lunch at Sanaa, then bus back to AK and off again to CSR to walk around. Dinner at 6 at either Raglan Road or T-Rex (ugh) with BFF's family.
12/2: Breakfast at 9:30 at Whispering Canyon with BFF's family (bus to MK then boat I guess). Epcot at some point, and need to pick up rental car at some point. Lunch & dinner unknown.
12/3: Drive to breakfast at Trail's End, 9:25. Dad left to his own devices at least part of the day while I drive around exploring the resorts. Lunch & dinner unknown.
12/4: Huge question mark until we know what time we're flying out.

Still lots of room for flexibility and hopefully sticking in a few more of the ts meals I want!

 

[CCxmas]

Plans are starting to come together!

11/28: Arrive at no-idea-what-time. Probably dinner somewhere in DS since we're staying at POFQ.
11/29: Breakfast at The Wave @ 8. Head over to MK and meet BFF's family immediately after. Spend morning in Fantasyland. Lunch at (as of now) Pinocchio, which I'm not excited about but then I'm not excited about any MK food options! Then maybe some Frontierland/Adventureland. Leave MK, return to resort, dinner ???, then Epcot at night.
11/30: Breakfast at resort, then off to DHS. Hoping to eat lunch at whatever the forthcoming Muppet-themed qs is. Boat to BW area to explore and maybe have dinner (suggestions welcome), then a stroll through Epcot to take the monorail to MK. Hoping for a late seating at BOG to do dessert but not counting on it. Head to Poly beach to watch the fireworks.
12/1: Breakfast at resort, then to AK for the morning. Bus to AKL for lunch at Sanaa, then bus back to AK and off again to CSR to walk around. Dinner at 6 at either Raglan Road or T-Rex (ugh) with BFF's family.
12/2: Breakfast at 9:30 at Whispering Canyon with BFF's family (bus to MK then boat I guess). Epcot at some point, and need to pick up rental car at some point. Lunch & dinner unknown.
12/3: Drive to breakfast at Trail's End, 9:25. Dad left to his own devices at least part of the day while I drive around exploring the resorts. Lunch & dinner unknown.
12/4: Huge question mark until we know what time we're flying out.

Still lots of room for flexibility and hopefully sticking in a few more of the ts meals I want!

Are you getting rental car from alamo? Thats where we got ours last year. It worked out great because they have a satellite rental at Dolphin/Swan. I literally walked over from Beach Club and got our car. Not sure if there is a satellite near POFQ.

 

[plumsiren]

Are you getting rental car from alamo? Thats where we got ours last year. It worked out great because they have a satellite rental at Dolphin/Swan. I literally walked over from Beach Club and got our car. Not sure if there is a satellite near POFQ.

Haven't gotten that far in my planning yet, but I'd be willing to take a cab or Uber if the friends we're meeting for breakfast can't drop me off somewhere!

 

[CCxmas]

I think this might be the biggest issue. While free dining increases traffic at table service, entire restaurants seem to be blacked out right now (Akershus). I'd be willing to bet more availability will be released as Disney finalizes schedules and staffing.

I thought it was extremely odd that Akershus was COMPLETELY booked for bfast, lunch & dinner everyday of our visit but CRT was open several days/times when I called at 6a CST 180 days out for stay 11/27-12/3. I even asked if Akershus was closed for reno and the CM checked and said no. She even stated that that was very odd to see!!

 

[nooneshome]

DD was supposed to take a FD trip sometime this fall/winter but couldn't get her buds to commit. Now I want the two of us to go but there is nothing available at any of the values. I keep checking and hoping someone cancels or maybe they open a few rooms. Wish me luck and I hope to see you all there.

 

[CCxmas]

Plans are shaping up...

11/27-- Drive from Tampa from visiting family to arrive for 3p checkin. Nap for LO. Dinner at California Grill for 9p to catch the fireworks from the party. hopefully LO will handle alright. I keep telling myself its 8 back home
11/28-- MK, Lunch at Jungle Canteen, Fantasy Parade so LO can see her beloved Dragon, Nap, MK, Dinner at The Wave
11/29-- HS, early dinner 320 for Minnie's Dine + F!, nap, F!
11/30-- MK, CRT lunch, nap, MK (would love BoG for dinner)
12/1-- Epcot, hopefully get early dinner for the 630 Candlelight
12/2--??AK vs MK, no ADR, ?Christmas Party
12/3--?Epcot we need to be back at BC for Magic Express by 3 or just sleep in after party and eat brunch at Trattoria al Forno. Leaning on latter. TaF is amazing for breakfast if you haven't tried it yet!!

 

[babygsmama07]

Hi!
First time posting, but I've been lurking since just before free dining came out. This will be our family's first trip to Disney and I'm so excited! Originally I was able to book FD at CSR 11/28-12/6. Then I added a RO at POR for 3 nights when flight prices are showing almost that much cheaper to fly 11/25 rather than 11/28. And then on Wednesday afternoon, after trying to get ADRs as a 11/28 check in, I just happened to check and was able to book 11/26-12/6 ar CBR which is where we wanted. So my main question for now is how is everyone getting to Disney? This will be our first time flying with our children (DD7, DD4 & DS20mo.) and we are coming from CA. I'm trying to decide between SW and it's flexibility or United which has assigned seats and a nonstop flight. What would you do? Sorry if this is the wrong place for this question. I've just been following you guys the most and these forums are a maze to me!

 

[jlundeen]

Hi!
First time posting, but I've been lurking since just before free dining came out. This will be our family's first trip to Disney and I'm so excited! Originally I was able to book FD at CSR 11/28-12/6. Then I added a RO at POR for 3 nights when flight prices are showing almost that much cheaper to fly 11/25 rather than 11/28. And then on Wednesday afternoon, after trying to get ADRs as a 11/28 check in, I just happened to check and was able to book 11/26-12/6 ar CBR which is where we wanted. So my main question for now is how is everyone getting to Disney? This will be our first time flying with our children (DD7, DD4 & DS20mo.) and we are coming from CA. I'm trying to decide between SW and it's flexibility or United which has assigned seats and a nonstop flight. What would you do? Sorry if this is the wrong place for this question. I've just been following you guys the most and these forums are a maze to me!

Welcome to the DIS!

Since we are a hub for Delta, they are one of the very few non-stops from the Mpls-St. Paul. And after pricing SW, it's practically the same cost once you add everything up, at least without one of their very special deal-deals. Plus, we want pre-assgned seats, so, we do Delta...then Magic Express to and from the resort.

 

[CCxmas]

Hi!
First time posting, but I've been lurking since just before free dining came out. This will be our family's first trip to Disney and I'm so excited! Originally I was able to book FD at CSR 11/28-12/6. Then I added a RO at POR for 3 nights when flight prices are showing almost that much cheaper to fly 11/25 rather than 11/28. And then on Wednesday afternoon, after trying to get ADRs as a 11/28 check in, I just happened to check and was able to book 11/26-12/6 ar CBR which is where we wanted. So my main question for now is how is everyone getting to Disney? This will be our first time flying with our children (DD7, DD4 & DS20mo.) and we are coming from CA. I'm trying to decide between SW and it's flexibility or United which has assigned seats and a nonstop flight. What would you do? Sorry if this is the wrong place for this question. I've just been following you guys the most and these forums are a maze to me!

We fly from Nashville and always fly Southwest. I can't speak of United but my two cents for SW is this. I never get the early bird check in when traveling with our LO. The first time we flew she was 19m and I wasn't paying attention because several friends were on the same flight. We ended up boarding in B and still got 2 seats together since she was lap child. Our last trip she was almost 3. Still did not get early bird. What they typically do is let some of A seating on (the early birds) and then families traveling with small children. This is when we boarded and had no trouble getting 3 seats together. The same was on our return flight home. Let in part of A and then families with small children. We also have direct flights from Nashville so no worrying about changing planes, etc.. Hope this helps.

 

[heath92681]

Hi!
First time posting, but I've been lurking since just before free dining came out. This will be our family's first trip to Disney and I'm so excited! Originally I was able to book FD at CSR 11/28-12/6. Then I added a RO at POR for 3 nights when flight prices are showing almost that much cheaper to fly 11/25 rather than 11/28. And then on Wednesday afternoon, after trying to get ADRs as a 11/28 check in, I just happened to check and was able to book 11/26-12/6 ar CBR which is where we wanted. So my main question for now is how is everyone getting to Disney? This will be our first time flying with our children (DD7, DD4 & DS20mo.) and we are coming from CA. I'm trying to decide between SW and it's flexibility or United which has assigned seats and a nonstop flight. What would you do? Sorry if this is the wrong place for this question. I've just been following you guys the most and these forums are a maze to me!

Welcome! We enjoyed CBR last year! Debating between returning to CBR or trying out the Polynesian (sitting on reservations for both). We fly Southwest. We can get a direct flight and no worries about checked bags. We've been lucky that we've had no issues with the lack of assigned seats. We take Magical Express to/from the airport.