What's up with ADR's this year???

[Dewy]

Hi all,

We've been going to DW during the 2nd week in October for the last 10 years. Have never had too much trouble getting ADR's for the restaurants we wanted and we usually hit the most popular ones. For this year(10/11 - 10/18) I've been looking since mid May and everything we want has no availability and I've been checking almost daily since . I know Columbus day week is busier since we've been going for so long but I've never seen it fill up so early before. Is something big going on this year? What am I missing?

Thanks to all who reply.

 

[Nancyg56]

I don't know if there is anything special happening, but if last year was any indication, the parks are wicked busy in October now. I was blindsided by the volume of people who were in WDW last year, so perhaps the restaurants are booking earlier because more people will be there. WE used to find October pretty quiet and loved that time of year, but last year I was shocked at the difference a few years October absence made.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

IMO I think that people are getting more and more educated about WDW and how things work-discussion boards, social media, and now Disney's own MDE has spread the word about these things. I'm hoping that our September trip will be low crowds, but I'm not holding my breath for a second on that with reports that the crowds increase every year.

 

[heath92681]

Reservations are tough to get for November this year as well...

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I think they've cut back on staffing at restaurants during less busy times and as a result, there are fewer ADRs available.

 

[dvc at last !]

we have had the same ADR problem.

 

[ErinsMommy]

The resorts appear to be booked for our 11/8-11/17 trip - I thought we were coming off peak -- doesnt look that way now

 

[dvc at last !]

The resorts appear to be booked for our 11/8-11/17 trip - I thought we were coming off peak -- doesnt look that way now

We will be there just about the same time.
It is Food and Wine and the weekend of November 7th the Half Marathon Run at Epcot.

 

[alicat8]

I've been looking for the same week for a family member and can't believe how tough it's been! Been checking for months now!

 

[Disneyliscious]

Havent been since October 2009 but if what Im reading is any indication of crowds, and if its what I expect - to be very crowded, we will quickly become January converts.

 

[tinkerbella16]

IMO I think that people are getting more and more educated about WDW and how things work-discussion boards, social media, and now Disney's own MDE has spread the word about these things. I'm hoping that our September trip will be low crowds, but I'm not holding my breath for a second on that with reports that the crowds increase every year.

My thoughts exactly! Wish we could go back about 10 years lol the parks used to be empty Sept-Nov! Not anymore. Each year crowds keep increasing more and more. I hope my early Nov trip won't be too bad, but I am also not holding my breath, as their is so much going on anymore during that time frame.. between F&W, marathon and Jersey Week. I know it won't be "holiday" busy, but it just isn't the same. This is the first time in years I'm going without some kind of discount.. no free dining or a room discount.

 

[5kidsmommy]

Havent been since October 2009 but if what Im reading is any indication of crowds, and if its what I expect - to be very crowded, we will quickly become January converts.

We went last January and it was amazingly busy.

 

[5kidsmommy]

I really think ADRs are so full because people are tech savvier than ever before. Also people are waiting until they do their FP+ and are hoarding reservations. Plus the now with Disney buddy type apps people can quickly scoop reservations up.

As far as busyness I was really worried about the week I am going in November because it looks like all the rooms are full that week. Well I went on to Disney's site and took the weekends off and only looked for rooms during the week and surprise all but 3 types of resorts have rooms available. So fingers crossed that it's not truly sold out.

One last thing if you are going during free dining people that don't normally do ADRs may be doing them this time. Good luck!

 

[10CJ]

We are going this Oct as well. From my experience they did not release all ADRs at the 180 mark.

You then just had to get lucky to be checking when they did release them. For example I was looking for a better Via Napoli time. Someone posted on here about a bunch of times opening up and I was able to grab one.

I feel like I have heard other people mention the same experience with other restaurants.

I know BOG was only serving dinner 4- 6 when I first tried to book on Halloween party nights. There was nothing for a long time. Then some times did open up one day and I was able to get one. Then a few weeks ago dinner was extended to 6:55. Today they opened up 7-8 for party goers.

 

[ejgonz2]

Hoarders, sniper services, message boards/FB, etc all contribute. I've had a really tough time getting what I want for september 22-28. Just need CRT now but it's taken a ton of work plus scout to get what I wanted.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Hoarders, sniper services, message boards/FB, etc all contribute. I've had a really tough time getting what I want for september 22-28. Just need CRT now but it's taken a ton of work plus scout to get what I wanted.

Free dining maybe? I got everything I wanted for September at 180 days. I only waited for Wishes DP because it wasn't offered yet.