Late reserving....am I screwed?

[WishMom09]

SO just decided to plan this surprise trip in December....all the places I wanted to eat have no open reservation times!!!! Am I just screwed? Or if I call can they work some magic for me?

 

[Joeyswife3108]

Just keep checking. We planned a trip for 3 weeks from now and I was able to get Akershus, and Cinderella's Royal Table. I checked everyday though.

 

[scard192]

SO just decided to plan this surprise trip in December....all the places I wanted to eat have no open reservation times!!!! Am I just screwed? Or if I call can they work some magic for me?

no magic, everyone has the same chance for ADRs, others have had a huge head start on you. Does seem crazy to me that you have to book ADRs 6 months in advance, but it is what it is

 

[jimsuen]

Keep trying. Things open up all the time. The cancellation thread is a great resource.

 

[mousehappync]

That's plenty of time! It will take some effort, but totally feasible. I'm the queen of changing the entire dates of our trip-- I moved our most recent trip back by two weeks, giving me just 3 weeks to get ADR's. So far I have a pre-opening Crystal Palace, Be Our Guest dinner, O'Hanna dinner, Tusker House breakfast, and several easier to come by ressies! Still searching for a CRT and Garden Grill, but these boards have been so helpful in finding good ADR's on short notice.

 

[momneedscoffee13]

Ditto everyone - we booked our October trip at the end of August! We had just shy of 2 months to plan and I've got just about every ADR I wanted - 4 character meals, 3 highly sought after dinners, I FINALLY found my H&V breakfast this evening!!!....and I'm still searching and tweaking with a month to go! Cancellations happen ALL the time!! Just be diligent, I would check morning, noon, night, and every time in between all day long!

 

[jrsy_mom]

we are going on a trip in a short window and I had 6 weeks. By stalking the cancellation thread and checking several times a day I was able to get most of what i wanted even though I had to be flexible on times and days..

 

[smjm71397]

I booked early but have been making last minute tweaks for some items I couldn't get even tho I booked early! Stalking the
Cancellations thread is the best advice ever given!

 

[cag0621]

I agree with everyone to keep checking. We booked the trip that we are about to take only like 75 days out and I've found every reservation that I have wanted, including CRT and BOG dinner. Just keep looking

 

[cag0621]

I agree with everyone to keep checking. We booked the trip that we are about to take only like 75 days out and I've found every reservation that I have wanted, including CRT and BOG dinner. Just keep looking

 

[HansNotHands]

In the same boat as you... couple extra weeks to spare. Been stalking the boards and ADR site. Hope all works out!

 

[ldro13]

I am a late Booker too. Checking non-stop is so daunting

 

[2girlsR2good]

I am a late Booker too. Checking non-stop is so daunting

Me three. Actually, I booked early, but now my sister and her family are joining us. It's not just a case of adding people, but changing the plans around quite a bit due to the different needs of those involved and the fact that her kids have never been before. I'm thrilled she and her kids are joining us so I'm taking on the work. It's gone from a low-key annual visit to "let's show the cousins why we love Disney" trip.

 

[Michigan Doll]

Keep checking! I was late as well and just reserved CRT and Akershus on late notice. It is best to search keeping your options open on date and time as much as possible. I read on another post to check at the 45 days out and 10 days out as that is when cancellations need to be made for resorts and other.

 

[pmaurer74]

No. Start checking ADRS at the 45 day mark an on. Packages have to be paid by then and people start canceling. Sometimes the best reservations also come at 24-48 hours out because of the cc guarantee. I booked 5 months out and did not get everything I wanted to I keep trying.

 

[monique5]

S just decided to plan this surprise trip in December....all the places I wanted to eat have no open reservation times!!!! Am I just screwed? Or if I call can they work some magic for me?

There is still hope. Calling does work as opposed to the website/App sometimes. I was able to book a Fantasmic! Dinner Package by phone. I have made several changes (location & time) over the last 3 weeks. Website still says no availability.

Keep trying. Things open up all the time. The cancellation thread is a great resource.

Very true. Check the December thread several times a day. As we are closer to December, the thread has become more active. People are finalizing plans. Especially since we are in the December FP+ booking window.

That's plenty of time! It will take some effort, but totally feasible....but these boards have been so helpful in finding good ADR's on short notice.

You just have to check frequently. I booked @ 180D mark. However, Candlelight Processional Dining Packages were not available at that time. Also, flights were not available at that time. Made a few changes in July. Then changed trip by a day ---totally changing a few days schedule. Then heard rumor that Frozen would be extended through Holidays. Now it is a fact. So had to change plans for HS. I checked morning, noon & night---Dis & Disney website. Middle of night too, if woke up. It has paid off.

we are going on a trip in a short window and I had 6 weeks. By stalking the cancellation thread and checking several times a day I was able to get most of what i wanted even though I had to be flexible on times and days..

Must be flexible. Remember---this is your vacation. No matter what, ENJOY!

I booked early but have been making last minute tweaks for some items I couldn't get even tho I booked early! Stalking the Cancellations thread is the best advice ever given!

Keep checking! I was late as well and just reserved CRT and Akershus on late notice. It is best to search keeping your options open on date and time as much as possible. I read on another post to check at the 45 days out and 10 days out as that is when cancellations need to be made for resorts and other.

No. Start checking ADRS at the 45 day mark an on. Packages have to be paid by then and people start canceling. Sometimes the best reservations also come at 24-48 hours out because of the cc guarantee. I booked 5 months out and did not get everything I wanted to I keep trying.

This. Also, some reservations require full pay & 1 or 2D cancellation. HDDR, CRT, Wishes Dessert Party, etc. Many people have had luck within 2 days, the day before & the day of. Not sure about the Holidays. But there is always hope.

 

[chrismartinique]

no you're not behind at all! I got CRT and Akershus and BOG all under 20 days. Akershus and CRT with less than 2 wks to go. I also got Ohana with less than a month to go.
Selfish people hoard multiple ADRs per day and multiple of the same site per week cuz they "don't know what they'll be doing that day." Then they cancel closer to date when their plans become clear. Look every day if you can. And follow the cancel thread for your month.

 

[BaxterSaysMeoww]

I also booked last minute a couple days ago for December and the first day I checked for reservations I couldn't get anything I wanted, I felt exactly like you did. But I keep checking constantly and I got almost everything I wanted including Be Our Guest.. The only thing I'm still trying for is Sci-Fi which feels silly cause I've never had to keep checking and checking before for that.. I guess you just gotta keep checking and get lucky that you hit that button to check at just the right time. That's what I keep doing and so far it's worked so don't stress out!

 

[disneyfreak7]

Is there a best time of day to try to get a reservation maybe that was cancelled? We book free dining, quick service for our Dec 14-20 trip. I did ask my travel agent to try for BOG when our reservation window opened. I have always made my own but I decided to use a Disney specialist so I wouldn't have to get up at the crack of dawn. Well I have learned my lesson! She said she was up when it opened and couldn't get BOG and has been trying ever since. I am finding it hard to believe because that day on Disboards a lot of Disers who had same ressie window were able to get BOG. I am so bummed It is my DD 11th bday.

 

[BaxterSaysMeoww]

I am going dec. 12-18th and I got BOG scheduled for the 16th, it was honestly just luck of hitting search at the right time. I would still keep trying and checking though and don't stress cause something will most likely show up at some point. I always have the best luck finding reservations at night, like 9 pm or later.

But really keep trying and don't stress! When I went in May I changed our 2 person BOG to 4 people with no problem just by keeping checking on it. I even found one day of while I was at the parks, they always show up eventually!