Why no ADR's in early December? (Dec 8-15)

[LglBlonde]

I was led to believe that early December was good time to go because it would be less crowded. However, I'm finding it impossible to get ADR's during this period. I booked several about 2-3 months ago, and a few I've wanted to change but there is NOTHING!

Help! Explain what is going on! Will it be crowded those dates??

 

[TDC Nala]

It is currently a VERY popular time to go and stay in a Disney resort. DVC members love to go at this time period.

Just because the ADRs are booked up does not mean there will be crowds in the parks, in line for rides. It will most likely be MUCH better than the holiday period or high summer. Expect crowds in the restaurants, though.

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

It's also the popularity of the Dining Plan. Many people who used to "wing it" or eat counter service now are on the Dining Plan and are making ADRs.

 

[LglBlonde]

Deleted

 

[LglBlonde]

Interesting. Our previous trips have been in May & September. May was average busy in the parks. September was very easy in the parks. And for neither trip did we ever have any trouble getting ADR's, so I think I got lulled into complacency and did not make the time to make our ADR's 6 months out this time. Lesson learned!!!

 

[raven69david]

We're going 12-8 thru 12-15 too and put most of our ADR's at the 180 day mark. 2nd week is when we go as it's still value season and the crowds are lighter. Unfortunately, this little secret has gotten out and the last 3 times we've gone it's gotten worse. I got taken out by an ECV for MVMCP '05 as it was that crowded. We'll see what this year brings us.

 

[MeLaNie9]

I don't know if you had particular problems with Epcot restaurants, but many of the Epcot places had a certain number of reservations set aside for the Candlelight Processional packages and if you were trying to get a "regular" reservation it was very difficult. For instance, we called way back to try to get LeCellier dinner during our trip. We couldn't get anything, but when the CP processional packages became available we got right in for LeCellier with the CP package.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Sad to say, but I agree with this secret getting out. It's becoming more and more crowded in the beginning of December, but definitely a time that you should try at least once. We mostly go in fall and spring, but every few years like to take advantage of the beautiful holiday and Christmas events.

 

[LglBlonde]

Eeyore:

We've basically been when it's Hot - May, and even Hotter - September! So I'm looking forward to the cooler temps, and the Christmas decorations. It's also an opportunity to see the Christmas stuff without being there during actual Christmas week which I've heard is insane busy (and also very expensive!!) At least prices are still great for that time of year!

 

[dreambound]

It's really not that bad at all. Remember, restaurant capacity is NOWHERE near park capacity. Not even close. And yes, the dining plan popularity is chanigng the ADR situation. We were NEVER a TS family before now. In fact, I got the idning plan and still planned to just do mostly CS and a few trails' end meals. (It's never really hard to get in there.) But about a month or so ago my dh said I should make some ADR's just in case and I got nearly everythign I wanted. I changed things around for a few weeks and I didn't notice anything really booking up for that time until about 2 weeks ago. (we're there the same time as you.)

As for the crowds, yes, it is more popular than it used to be during that time. I hear stories of DEAD parks during that time frame years ago. WDW is just more popular in general right now, but this is STILL one of the best times of the year to go. A lot of people simply will not take off of work or school right between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

But I wouldn't equate lack of ADR availability with crowds in lines, etc.

Hope that helps!

Meg

 

[Sues423]

I believe the reason you had trouble getting ADRs is because Dec 2-8 is Pop Warner football week in WDW. They play their Super Bowl at the Sports complex. We went in 2005 and couldn't get into any of the restaurants we wanted to go to. However, we didn't have any problem with wait times for the attractions. We waited 45 minutes for Pooh. But every thing else was like 15-20 minutes. We made ADRs in the beginning of August for this Dec 2-8.

Sue

 

[LglBlonde]

Do they stay over an extra week?

We are going the week following PW.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Also remember there is MVMCP which closes all the TS restuarants to non-party goers. Then there are the CP packages which book up a lot of TS restuarants. That only leaves MGM and AK for parks with TS and AK only has 2 and both these parks close relatively early for this time of year. We have gone roughly the same time you are going for the last few years and going again this year. The secret is definately out about this being a quiet time. It is more and more crowded each year. While we have never been to WDW during a peak season(and never want to be) I do think you will find it reasonably quiet with it getting busier at the end of the week and on the weekends.

 

[LglBlonde]

Also remember there is MVMCP which closes all the TS restuarants to non-party goers. Then there are the CP packages which book up a lot of TS restuarants. That only leaves MGM and AK for parks with TS and AK only has 2 and both these parks close relatively early for this time of year. We have gone roughly the same time you are going for the last few years and going again this year. The secret is definately out about this being a quiet time. It is more and more crowded each year. While we have never been to WDW during a peak season(and never want to be) I do think you will find it reasonably quiet with it getting busier at the end of the week and on the weekends.

I can see your point as it relates to Dinner meals, but I've had trouble finding breakfast & lunches too! That's mainly what we are looking for, as our LO goes to bed at 7 pm! However, we did score a 5:30 Cali Grill on a night that Wishes is 6:00 p.m.

 

[dreambound]

The point of the holiday dinner packages as well as the parks closing early (MVMCP, etc) actually limiting the number of ADRs available is a good one.

Also, I think it really depends on when you have been in the past. Before my early Dec trip last time, I had only been in July. But just before my Dec. trip, I was told over and over that "the secret" was out and things just weren't as quiet as they had been in the past. But the place was EMPTY during the week. Crowded on the weekend compared to the weekdays, but not unbearable by any means. I think people who went in December 5 or 6 or more years ago will think it is much more crowded. Or people who have only been in September may think it is crowded. It's all perspective.

But please do keep trying for those ADRs. There will be cancellations and walk-ups available. Heck, I just got LE CELLIER 20 days before my trip! Anything is possible!

Meg

 

[SereneOne]

I think it is the luck of the draw, I called four months ahead of time and got CRT...faint! never ate there in my life...and every other reservation we wanted and I changed them several times. I just called in the last week or so and cancelled San Angel Inn for Whispering Canyon Cafe and got it...9pm ressies, but I got it...lol

Keep calling, there are cancellations every day! Good luck

 

[aubriee]

I can see your point as it relates to Dinner meals, but I've had trouble finding breakfast & lunches too! However, we did score a 5:30 Cali Grill on a night that Wishes is 6:00 p.m.

Congratulations on the CG ADR! I'll be there solo during the same time you are (Dec 8th-16th). I'm meeting fellow DISers every night, except Dec 9th. I have an ADR for Jiko that night and have been trying to change it to Narcoosee's with no luck.

 

[Straughn]

I have had some luck with last minute ADR's when it seemed that everything was booked. Try calling the day before or the day of and you might get lucky because of cancellations. Also, sometimes it is worth stopping by the restaurant when you are ready to dine. The down side of the DDP is that a fair number of folks book ADR's and then don't use them and are too inconsiderate to cancel them. If you are a large party, you might not have much luck, but a group of 2-4 might get seated because of "no shows".

 

[LglBlonde]

Thanks Straughn. We are going to be 2-3 adults and an infant, so that could work!

 

[dreambound]

Thanks Straughn. We are going to be 2-3 adults and an infant, so that could work!

Do you have any idea what you're looking for? I have booked 2 ADRs too many, so I will be dropping them soon.

OH! Another reason for booked ADRs, this was discussed recently, is that a lot of people double book ressies. Since people generally don't know what or when they'll want to eat 6 months in advance, a lot of people book more than they can attend. I try not to do this and I don't have more than one meal at a time, we just don't want to go over our limit for the DDP and we don't want more than one TS a day. So we're going to get rid of 2. I haven't decided which ones yet, but if you know what you're looking for, maybe that will help me figure out what to dump.



Keep trying though!