What's going on at Rose and Crown?

[Ms. WDW]

I'm booking some ADR's for next Spring and I noticed something when booking Rose and Crown. I can't book anything past 4:30 in the afternoon. I'm a party of 1 and at this far out I've always been able to book a 6:00 or 6:30 table. But I was able to secure a table at 4:10 on this particular day and I said "ok late lunch or early diner".

A few weeks later I went into My Disney Experience and tried to modify the reservation. Again, after 3:30 there was nothing but a 4:35 table. Now, mind you, anytime prior to 3:30 there were several time slots available. I went to accept that 4:35 table and I got a message that I've never seen before. It said and I quote "Dining Event will change to Special and Unique Dining if you select this time? Is that OK?" Obviously not knowing what this is I didn't make the change.

Member Services has no idea what that message means and even went a step further and had a supervisor check another system used for dining reservations. The only explanation offered was "since this is not a Disney owned restaurant, possibly the restaurant is changing it's theme or dining options after the first of the year." It's not on the list of refurbishments either.

I realize that for some this is no big deal. But I like the Rose and Crown. And also my curiosity has got me as to what, if anything is going on.

 

[Eswift]

I can't read this font.

 

[Colleen27]

Was it by any chance on a day when there will be a F&G festival concert? Maybe we're going to see an expansion of the dining package concept with reserved concert seating, and that's taking a lot of tables out of inventory? It might also explain the erroneous "special/unique dining" flag, because that's how packages are categorized.

Rose & Crown always "closes" early - the last seating is usually 7:55 when Illuminations is at 9, to allow for the number of tables that will linger for the fireworks view - so there aren't those awkwardly late ADRs there that often pop up at other popular restaurants. So it is possible that you just got unlucky and all the "normal" dinner time tables were booked. Whatever is happening, it doesn't appear to be something happening at the first of the year. I have a March ADR at Rose & Crown that is perfectly normal. But it is mid-week, on a night without a festival concert, so if the issue is dining/concert packages that wouldn't have shown up on my search.

One other thought - did you try looking for a table for 2? There is often a lot more availability for 2 than for 1, even though they're the exact same tables, because Disney's software appears to have measures built in to minimize empty seats.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Are you going during the F&G festival? If so, most likely, Rose and Crown is part of the Garden Rocks dining packages and the times and event haven't been loaded into the system yet.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Was it by any chance on a day when there will be a F&G festival concert? Maybe we're going to see an expansion of the dining package concept with reserved concert seating, and that's taking a lot of tables out of inventory? It might also explain the erroneous "special/unique dining" flag, because that's how packages are categorized.

Rose & Crown always "closes" early - the last seating is usually 7:55 when Illuminations is at 9, to allow for the number of tables that will linger for the fireworks view - so there aren't those awkwardly late ADRs there that often pop up at other popular restaurants. So it is possible that you just got unlucky and all the "normal" dinner time tables were booked. Whatever is happening, it doesn't appear to be something happening at the first of the year. I have a March ADR at Rose & Crown that is perfectly normal. But it is mid-week, on a night without a festival concert, so if the issue is dining/concert packages that wouldn't have shown up on my search.

One other thought - did you try looking for a table for 2? There is often a lot more availability for 2 than for 1, even though they're the exact same tables, because Disney's software appears to have measures built in to minimize empty seats.

I never though about the F&G concerts! That's a possibility. Where can I find the dates for the Festival Concerts? Isn't it a little early? As for looking for a table for 2, no I didn't do that because in the past I've always had my "pick of times" when it was just me! Don't get me going about the table for 1 vs. table for 2. I go to WDW a lot alone and I had a "long discussion" with Disney about this practice! I'll give it a try later.

Thank you for your reply!!!!

 

[Ms. WDW]

Are you going during the F&G festival? If so, most likely, Rose and Crown is part of the Garden Rocks dining packages and the times and event haven't been loaded into the system yet.

Yes, I'll be there during that time. That's a possibility that another person mentioned. You never know!!!

Thank you for you reply!

 

[Ms. WDW]

I can't read this font.

Sorry. I don't know why. It's a standard font.

 

[Colleen27]

I never though about the F&G concerts! That's a possibility. Where can I find the dates for the Festival Concerts? Isn't it a little early?

The specific artists and dates haven't been announced yet, but it is a safe bet that there will be concerts Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights throughout the festival. So if you're planning to be at Epcot on a weekend that could be the problem - the tables are set aside for packages, even though they aren't yet open for booking.

 

[L&Lfan]

I can read it fine.

 

[Ms. WDW]

The specific artists and dates haven't been announced yet, but it is a safe bet that there will be concerts Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights throughout the festival. So if you're planning to be at Epcot on a weekend that could be the problem - the tables are set aside for packages, even though they aren't yet open for booking.

This is a Thursday. But definately something to keep in mind.

 

[Colleen27]

This is a Thursday. But definately something to keep in mind.

Hmmm... I wonder if that means more concert dates than in past years? Or maybe just a shift in which days they're offered? Last year they added Mondays to the concert schedule. Maybe this year will be Thurs to Sun instead of Fri to Mon?

I don't know about you, but I'm getting pretty impatient waiting for the full event info to come out!

 

[Eswift]

Sorry. I don't know why. It's a standard font.

Its gigantic on my phone. 1 word per line. Could be my phone.