Why are these two restaurants booked?

[fredflintstone]

I am helping a friend book their first Disney trip 13-20 December this year. Of course I want them to have the most amazing time and love Disney like my family and I do. I am trying to book Garden Grill for dinner (which she booked blindly for their arrival day), and well it is a waste of a ticket as they won't get in until about 2pm ish best case. I am also trying to book Hollywood & Vine for lunch, but they are booked every day of the week! What gives? These 2 restaurants I have never had a problem getting....in the middle of summer no rush. I don't understand. They are a family of 5, but still, it is making me sad. She really wants those two!!! Any thoughts as to why they are both booked?

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

I had no problem getting H&V when my ADR window opened for my September trip. But we added the Deluxe dining this past week and tried for Garden Grill but it is booked. I will say to keep trying fo any last minute cacellations. I tried for 2 weeks and lucked into a breakfast at 'Ohana. Preserverence is key! Now if I can land a flipping T-Rex ADR...

 

[Rivermonster]

I have had some luck with availibility with GG opening up after 180, but not T-Rex. Keep looking and I hope you get what you're looking for!

 

[oylerfam1]

Now if I can land a flipping T-Rex ADR...

Did you try calling T-rex directly. Worked for us in April when I couldn't get an ADR.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Call the restaurants directly. Bet you'll have some better luck doing that.

 

[Lesverts]

I think the Garden Grill is more a blackout and not a booked due to CP packages. I have been trying to get a Garden Grill on December 4, but nothing yet. But other Epcot restaurants have been blacked out, then opened.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

Did you try calling T-rex directly. Worked for us in April when I couldn't get an ADR.

That's a good idea! I'll try that.

 

[carmelhp]

I am helping a friend book their first Disney trip 13-20 December this year. Of course I want them to have the most amazing time and love Disney like my family and I do. I am trying to book Garden Grill for dinner (which she booked blindly for their arrival day), and well it is a waste of a ticket as they won't get in until about 2pm ish best case. I am also trying to book Hollywood & Vine for lunch, but they are booked every day of the week! What gives? These 2 restaurants I have never had a problem getting....in the middle of summer no rush. I don't understand. They are a family of 5, but still, it is making me sad. She really wants those two!!! Any thoughts as to why they are both booked?

I don't know, but there are persistent complaints about getting any HS restaurant reservations in December. I was finally able to get a H&V reservation for 2:00 on Dec 27, but that was it for that whole week. Don't know what's up. Much more popular spots have lots of availability for the same time period.

 

[fredflintstone]

Thanks for the tips! I keep checking and will do as there is plenty of time, but it just really baffled me! They don't seem to be priority restaurants so I didn't think it was an issue and they are going the week before it get crazy busy for Christmas. I really thought reservations would be easy for them. We went in August last year and had zero problems for them. Just crazy! No problems with Ohana or Chef Mickey's but these two are impossible for the whole week. Will keep checking back!

 

[Lesverts]

I did get Garden Grill finally, but not on my preferred day. Oh well.

 

[lovndisney12]

I have tried since my ADR opened up last week for Mama Melrose's in HS - regular or Fantasmic. Nothing. I had multiple options for the much coveted BOG - both lunch and dinner during this same time. My guess is all the availability is not loaded into the system yet - and I've seen the same complaints for H&V. I just keep checking.