What's with ADRs?

[Redbudlover]

What is with getting ADRs? I can see having trouble getting ADRs for La Cellier at 170 days. I can see having trouble getting ADRs during free dining. But for heaven's sake, I tried last month to get an ADR for Whispering Canyon Cafe - where we are staying - for any meal in September and there was no availability except for 9:50 pm. Forget Donald's Safari breakfast either - no availability at all. So then I tried to get the breakfast for my trip the first week of December - no availability. That is almost six months in advance for breakfast! The only availablity for Cali Grill the entire week was at 9:50 p.m. And of course no La Cellier (sp?) either.

I am not even going to tell you where I could get ADRs. I luckily have some favorites that appear to still be under the radar. But I am really bummed I can't get an ADR for my DGD at Whispering Canyon when we are staying there....

 

[Married_Him_@_Disney]

I always book my ADRs at 180 days out and have no problems getting ressies - then again - I am DOCD (Disney Obsessive Compulsive)

 

[vicki_c]

I'd just keep trying -- I got ADRs for Jiko, Whispering Canyon, Hoop De Doo and Sci Fi less than 3 months out for our June trip on my first call, because we had planned a more last-minute trip.

So, I'd just call back once a week or so and see if anything has opened up.

 

[gottagodisney]

Possibly the problem is due to people double booking for the same time slot so they can "choose" between the two when down there.

I addressed this issue with a CM last nt. on the phone when discussing something else. She said that Disney is working on this issue so that people won't be able to double book dining. She said the issue would be resolved soon. They're on it!

Hopefully this will help you. I had similar issues but did get mostly what I wanted.

 

[hmdavid]

It is a bit of a challenge to get ADR's once you are within the 180 day window. We are planning a grand gathering with 11 people and are going during free dinning. To make matters worse, we booked our trip with less than three months to plan, so I have been on the phone with Disney a lot. Luckily, I have gotten most of the things that I wanted, with the exception of CRT and 1900, and all of our resrevations are for all 11 of us. I have been able to get Jiko, Chef Mickey's, Akershus, WCC, Ohana, and Boma so far. Just keep calling and chances are good that you will get what you want!!! Good luck!

 

[Redbudlover]

I will keep trying then. I never imagined I would have trouble getting breakfast ressies if I called more than three months out, much less 5 1/2 months out during a slow week.... I am encouraged if you got Hoop De Doo then.

 

[_queenie_]

Possibly the problem is due to people double booking for the same time slot so they can "choose" between the two when down there.

This is happening big time. It's funny how there's been lots of restaurants we couldn't get in to when we tried for an ADR months ahead of time, but could when we could when we checked with the concierge morning of.

 

[Redbudlover]

You got Chef Mickey's! That was another one I couldn't get. Did you call every day? Did you call multiple times a day?

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm guessing that September's free dining is a big part of the problem.

 

[hmdavid]

You got Chef Mickey's! That was another one I couldn't get. Did you call every day? Did you call multiple times a day?

Can you believe I was able to book it on my first try? I asked for it anytime in our dates and she told me that she could book us all at one table at 7:35 am! Could not have been more perfect! I thought that with my luck that day I should buy a lottery ticket... unfortunately that did not work out as well for me!

 

[jezebella]

Just keep trying....I called yesterday at 2pm in the MK and got 5:00 for Crystal Palace. I also called last week and got a 7:30pm at Jiko for next month. I know it's a pain....but that's the dining plan and free dining for ya!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

It's obviously the time of year. We're going 10/16 - 10/20. We called on exactly 180 days & got the exact time & date we wanted for everything. Later, I decided to flip 2 of our days & was still able to get exactly what I wanted. Then last night, we decided to add an ADR & I was able to get the time we wanted (7pm). We must have picked a great time to be there.

 

[Redbudlover]

This is happening big time. It's funny how there's been lots of restaurants we couldn't get in to when we tried for an ADR months ahead of time, but could when we could when we checked with the concierge morning of.

It never occurred to me that people would be double booking! I saw people getting ressies from the concierge myself and wondered if maybe each resort had some ressies on hold or something for restaurants in their own resort.

The thing that stunned me was not being able to get into breakfast 5 months out, not to mention Cali Grill when there is NO free dining....

 

[Redbudlover]

Can you believe I was able to book it on my first try? I asked for it anytime in our dates and she told me that she could book us all at one table at 7:35 am! Could not have been more perfect! I thought that with my luck that day I should buy a lottery ticket... unfortunately that did not work out as well for me!

 

[hmdavid]

Try checking this thread for people who are cancelling reservations for the time you will be there...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1802378

 

[_queenie_]

It never occurred to me that people would be double booking! I saw people getting ressies from the concierge myself and wondered if maybe each resort had some ressies on hold or something for restaurants in their own resort.

The thing that stunned me was not being able to get into breakfast 5 months out, not to mention Cali Grill when there is NO free dining....

We've gotten into breakfast lots of times with a ressie. This last trip we got into CG only a month before (wow, so immeadiate ), but in Feb '07 we got in two nights before with five people!

I think it definately doesn't hurt to get some back-ups (if you're cancelling then I think it's alright), but I would reccomend checking with your concierge everyday. If you have a small party and are not a planner, much like myself, getting your lunch reservation either earlier that day or the day before makes everyting so much easier.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Are you going during the free dining promotion?

 

[Kristineamb]

I know what you mean...I have been calling daily trying to get LeCellier (9/9) and Donald's Safari Breakfast (9/10) with no luck(downside of going during free dining I guess...) but I will keep trying...hoping @45 day mark might be able to snag something when people decide to cancel their trips...
Good Luck!

 

[Tricia1972]

A PP mentioned double booking. My hope is that by switching to a 90 day system vs 180 days people will feel less compelled to double book.

Making every meal choice for a vacation six months in advance is a bit daunting for some.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

What is with getting ADRs? I can see having trouble getting ADRs for La Cellier at 170 days. I can see having trouble getting ADRs during free dining. But for heaven's sake, I tried last month to get an ADR for Whispering Canyon Cafe - where we are staying - for any meal in September and there was no availability except for 9:50 pm. Forget Donald's Safari breakfast either - no availability at all. So then I tried to get the breakfast for my trip the first week of December - no availability. That is almost six months in advance for breakfast! The only availablity for Cali Grill the entire week was at 9:50 p.m. And of course no La Cellier (sp?) either.

I am not even going to tell you where I could get ADRs. I luckily have some favorites that appear to still be under the radar. But I am really bummed I can't get an ADR for my DGD at Whispering Canyon when we are staying there....

I hear ya! I had the same problems booking for my parents in December and I booked for them 180 days out and there were a couple of them she couldn't get and they are only two. I swear if they start taking CC for dinning to hold your ress you see how many dinning ress you would be able to book. I think people double book and don't cancel or just don't go. Back in April I had a 4:00 Le Cell and they were telling people they were booked . I looked around for an hour there were a couple of tables open. So what's that tell you?
THAT'S JUST MY OPINION.