What do you do if you can't get the ADRs you want?

[lissiesmum]

Besides cry? My parents have offered to pay my plane fare so that my DD and I could go to WDW for the first time and we just booked our vacation for the first week of October...but of course all the ADRs are taken for Chef Mickey and CRT...do you usually call daily to see if their are any cancellations? Do you have any tips? I booked the Akershuh princess storybook dining in Epcot as an alternative to CRT, but I had my heart set on Chef Mickey's as I know my DD3 would love it. Please give me some hope that there is a small chance of me getting a ressie, and how should I go about doing this? I placed an "ad" on the wanted/cancel/trade list, but figured I'd ask for more hints just in case. Thanks in advance if you can help

 

[Metsoskil]

Just keep calling and checking to see if anyone cancelled. Last year we desperately wanted to eat at O'hana for dinner and couldn't get a ressie for the one day we had available. We called every day for 3 weeks and nothing opened up. Finally, the morning of the day we wanted we called and were able to get a 5:00 ADR, exactly what we would have chosen. Cancellations happen all the time. Just be persistant.

Especially check around the 45 day mark, as some people cancel their MYW packages with dining at the 45 day mark so they don't have cancellation fees.

I'm guessing that you'll get what you want.

 

[carmiedog]

nt

 

[lissiesmum]

Just keep calling and checking to see if anyone cancelled. Last year we desperately wanted to eat at O'hana for dinner and couldn't get a ressie for the one day we had available. We called every day for 3 weeks and nothing opened up. Finally, the morning of the day we wanted we called and were able to get a 5:00 ADR, exactly what we would have chosen. Cancellations happen all the time. Just be persistant.

Especially check around the 45 day mark, as some people cancel their MYW packages with dining at the 45 day mark so they don't have cancellation fees.

I'm guessing that you'll get what you want.

thanks for the tip on the 45 day mark...that actually may be any day now as I'm going in less than two months! I hope your guess is correct! I'm glad things worked out for you...I'll keep trying for sure

 

[Kae]

Ok have loved some the the meals we have had instead of the ones we wanted. Crystal Palce in MK is great no matter what meal you get. We went to Cape May breakfast at the BC when we couldn't get Chef Mickey & it is our hands down favorite Char Meal. When DS was 4 we ate at the Plaza in MK on a whim, he still talks about the milkshake he had. It is hard when you have you heart set on ameal but either way you & DD will have a great Trip.

Kae

 

[lissiesmum]

thanks for keeping things light, Kae. I've been planning this trip for two years now, went through a divorce in the middle of it, and now the trip for DD & I is even more important than ever. Even though everything may not be going like I planned, it will still be the most amazing trip for my princess and I

 

[JUJU814]

Hi Lissiesmom, Is it pronounced "Lizzie"? I have a "Lizzie" I took her to DW for the first time when she was 3 as a single mom....I have tears in my eyes thinking of it!

When you walk around the end of main street and turn the corner and your little girl sees Cinderella's castle staring at you and her eyes bulge out of her head...oh man..I'll never forget it as long as I live. Now 13 years later I have a 4 year old dd to look forward to that with!

You just keep calling..every day..more than once a day. We are going end of August and I just managed to snag a chef mickeys for party of 5 just a couple of days ago. I have no doubt you'll get one for October!

I also really think for that time of year you can probably get a same day...especially if you got there 20-30 minute before they open..or call that morning.

I would highly recommend the Princess storybook lunch in Norway at Epcot. I had no trouble getting that and I've been before..it's wonderful. Especially for little girls!

You are going to have a fantastic time no matter where you eat!!!!!

Julie

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Call 2 U DROP. I mean 3 or 4 times a day, yes I am for real, I tell you it works, Also take in mind that around and after that 45 day mark when vacations have to be paid in full you will see alot of ressies opening up.Also keep your eye on the October cancel and trade thread, If you put some work in, you will eat at CM. I BET YOU THAT!

 

[mickeynut1]

thanks for the tip on the 45 day mark...that actually may be any day now as I'm going in less than two months! I hope your guess is correct! I'm glad things worked out for you...I'll keep trying for sure

I agree with other posters to call EVERY DAY since people cancel all the time and you never know when something might become available.....and keep calling right up to and including the day you want to go . But along with that and calling around the 45 day mark, you might want to keep in mind that people who have room only ressies have to cancel 6 days prior to arrival to avoid a penalty. So there may be others with room only that decide right before to cancel, therefore possibly opening up an ADR at Chef Mickey's . So don't give up hope just yet.......keep calling until you finally get that ADR because it is very possible you will get it . Good luck and have a magical trip with your DD

 

[septbaby]

Be flexible on the times, don't be set on sticking to a meal schedule. We ate bfast at CM's around 11:30am. Food was fresh 5yo was awake and giddy (as were all the other little people there) and the characters and fun were amazing. Remember just going there will be so memorable and fun. I was so overwhelmed with CM's I don't think there is a good substitute. Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, Pluto and Donald. Singing, dancing, napkin waving, monorail whizzing by overhead. I don't think the atmosphere can be matched anywhere at WDW, so I hope you get an ADR here for Breakfast or Dinner.

CRT can be awesome, but there are a couple of other princess meals that might work consider making those ADRs too:
- Dinner with Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare was so fun when we too my 5yo cousin about 5yrs ago. She fit right in in her princess attire, the kids buffet was separate and at the right height and we enjoyed the food. Also take time to appreciate the Grand Floridian. She sent post cards home to mommy from the GF, your princess could do that for the grands.

- The big deal for the Norway princess meal is multiple princesses appear and there is a photo included in the meal price, so a meal and a priceless memory. The menu there is a bit electic, so the meal might make a difference for you. Good news is they serve B, L and D. Just be sure you have a park ticket for Epcot the day of your ADR. If you have parkhoppers you'll all set. It will cost $45 to add parkhoppers to each ticket otherwise you'll need to book this on your Epcot day.

Finally, don't feel you have to do it all' its not possible. She is three, and you'll have time to do this again before she's too cool to appreciate it!

Send my thanks to your parents for helping create this magic for both their princesses!

 

[lissiesmum]

wow, some of you are making me cry over here! I thank my parents every day for everything they've done for me. It's been a really hard year for my DD and I with her Daddy leaving and it was a shock for all of us. My parents have made a horrible situation much more tolerable, and have thrown in plane tickets on top of everything! I thank my lucky stars every day that they are in my life and I am so grateful for so many things, which is why being sad over not getting a ressie at CM's is kindof funny to me...I will continue to try for my reservation with all the gusto in me, and if it doesn't happen, then I will enjoy every waking moment of WDW with my DD anyway. This may be our only chance to go to WDW for awhile so I will make every moment count. Thanks to all of you for the well wishes, it really does mean a lot and I couldn't have planned this trip without all of the wonderful people here on the DIS!

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Your daughter is only three. Going to Chef Mickeys and CRT is not going to be a big deal to her. She wont even remember it when she gets older. It is a big deal to you though. My recommendation is dont fixate on it. I think the princess breakfast at Norway and the Crystal Palace character breakfast are better ressies for a child her age . She will love them both. Enjoy and relax.

 

[bkfree]

Take a deep Breath. There are so many great places to eat at WDW, no one do or die in my opinion.

Are you asking for just a certain day and time or are you asking what is available for the days you are their at CM?

Crystal Palace and Park Fare are just as great and Magical.
The Askerhaus food is just not for us, but if mine would eat the food, we would be there in a hearbeat. We have to try CRT, just cannot justify the price for the meal and we always end up seeing all the princess in the park anyway.

When I call, I put my restaurants in order of most important and I always list about 5 more than I need. I then have a blank sheet of paper with the days we will be there boxed off.

I don't ask for certain day to start with.I just ask for the Restaurant tell the if I want dinner or lunch then they tell what is available.
I then begin to fill in the ADR's on my sheet and begin to narrow it to the days until My calender is filled.

This way I get the ones I want because I am flexible on day, then time usually works out. Because there are so many to choose from we are never disappointed.

This will be our 3rd trip in Dec. and we will still have places left we have yet to visit after this trip.
We always try some new and some old favorites.
But the truth is, the planning and where we go is more for me and Dad, the kids would be happy and feel the magic no matter where we go and your daughter will be the same.
There are a milllion ways to play, do the parks and eat at WDW and they are all just as magical and memorable.

Relax, Have fun and Go with the Pixie Dust Flow

 

[k386trl]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=24679260#post24679260

Check out this thread for ADRs that dis'ers may be cancelling. That is how I picked up my CRT and Le Cellier! It may work for you. Have a great trip either way!

 

[IshallcallhimSquishy]

I read that Chef Mickey's was accepting lunch ADR's, you just have to ask if they are available, they won't offer.

Some other great advice is to try something new, its vacation and if you're on the dining plan you have nothing to lose. The experts on the DISboards can offer great advice when looking for a new dining adventure.

Best to you and all

 

[ElizabethB]

If your little one wants to see Mickey, book the Lilo and Stitch breakfast at Ohana. Mickey has been there each time we've done this breakfast. And, it is one of the nicest -- and sanest -- character meals, IMO. Book later -- toward 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. The characters spend plenty of time with each child, and they do a cute parade with the kids -- with Mickey leading the way -- every hour or so. We much prefer it to Chef Mickey's and we've done both.

You might also consider the Playhouse Disney breakfast if that is still being done.

If you want to eat in the castle and can't get breakfast try for lunch or dinner. Lunch is great with lots of princess interaction. We haven't done dinner but I think Cinderella is in the lobby for pictures.

I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing trip with your daughter. As another poster said, relax and breathe deeply. There are lots of wonderful and memorable moments available at Disneyworld! Sometimes magic happens when you least expect it!

 

[checkwriter]

I heard a review of the Askerhus princess meal on the Dis Unplugged podcast and it was positively glowing -- much more favorable than the recent review of CRT. I recall that there was much more character interaction, so I don't think you're going wrong there.

So I wouldn't fret too much if you can't get your first choices. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Kae]

Dd loved the Princess meal in Norway, we did breakfast. When we did it it was only breakfast. It was Me, DD, 2 DNieces, My Dsis & My mom, boy did we have a blast & the best Princess was Mulan-she was so funny. All the princesses were dead on. Snow White was so pretty & her voice was so cute.

1900 PF faire was fun & the little girls go crazy over the prince.

Kae

 

[kelleigh1]

And even if you call and call and still don't get it, ask when you check-in at your resort. Something may open up.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

What do you do if you can't get the ADRs you want?

1) Domino's
2) McDonald's