So I guess offsite people are just SOL at 180?

[Gentry2004]

I'm on day 3 of the 6am search and it's really really bad. I knew it would be but wow. Yes, I've signed up for the reservation finders but still I'm in shock. It was a lot easier just 1-2 years ago. And I'be NEVER had an issue getting BOG lunch! Same with CP late breakfast.

 

[nursejackie]

This is the first time in years we haven't booked our onsite accommodation before the 180 day window so we are 'off site' guests as far as ADR's go this year. We are having a bad time too but even when we can book at 180 +10 days we don't get everything we want straight away. Just check the site daily as well as the cancellation thread on Disboards and you'll come up trumps, we usually do (with persistence).

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

There is simply no way that +10 is having this effect alone. Disney for whatever reason isn't populating the system with all available reservations at the earliest window.

 

[Dakota731]

My friend was st WDW for spring break and got all her reservations the day before at top places so that proved to me there is a lot of double booking and cancelling going on.

 

[supersnoop]

This time of year is always terrible. Were you booking for the same general dates the past few years?

 

[rastahomie]

How do locals/annual passholders do it?

 

[Vacationlover01]

There is simply no way that +10 is having this effect alone. Disney for whatever reason isn't populating the system with all available reservations at the earliest window.

.
I am praying you are correct. At my 180 day out last Wednesday I could only get 1/2 of the ADRs on my list and I am staying on site and tried to book my most important places and couldn't get any of those. And I was being flexible. I would have changed my park days if I had to. There were not and so far I have not yet seen a single opening the entire week I'm there for ohana dinner, BOG (any meal), sci-fi (will only be at HWS one day), any MK pre rope drop breakfast. So disappointed, but I'm trying several times a day and do have the TP reservation finder looking for us (not one notification yet).

 

[amberpi]

I am never able to plan a trip to WDW half a year in advance. I don't plan much more involved trips then, as its just not possible with my career...with the exception of V&A Chef's Table, and sometimes I can't get V&A at all when I want, I've never had a hard time within a few weeks of the trip. It DOES take some constant attention, but I also often get lunch ADRs same day, so don't give up hope at all! Things will definitely come open - just keep checking and it'll work out just fine

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Um. No.
I stayed offsite for the first time in 14 trips this April the week leading up to Easter Sunday and I made my ADR's at 180 days out one day at a time and was easily able to get what I wanted including an ADR for 14 for BOG lunch.
Remember though YOU are competing with FD

 

[supersnoop]

How do locals/annual passholders do it?

I just booked a trip for about 30 days out. I could have gotten CRT and Akershus. I wasn't picky, but I was able to book a reservation that worked with all my plans. I think we're dealing with the time of the year, when Disney has lots of parties and special events that restrict availability. It happens this time every year.

 

[PSULion]

Definitely try the touring plans reservation finder. I've gotten 3 adrs in the last 2 days that I couldn't find at 180 days, including 'Ohana!

 

[Regan117]

That's sort of the point. They have to offer incentives for on-site guests, and this is one of them. You may still get what you're looking for. Just be persistent.

 

[AngiTN]

There is simply no way that +10 is having this effect alone. Disney for whatever reason isn't populating the system with all available reservations at the earliest window.

This time of year is always terrible. Were you booking for the same general dates the past few years?

Yes, it's always bad but something else is going on. I agree with PP, no way is everything being populated right now. Maybe the glitches with Resort booking are causing some issues with the dining data base too. Whatever it is, something is up. There are not that many restaurants totally full.

 

[bumbershoot]

And I'be NEVER had an issue getting BOG lunch

Lucky! I've had rotten luck with bog from the beginning.

But after reading all these threads (and having been around for a "little" while) I also agree that something else is going on. It's never been like *this* before. FD has an effect, but not on *everything*.

 

[miss1180]

we booked in may for August-- so we missed the 180 mark by a long shot. we're staying on site-- but still, even right at 3 months before the trip, we still managed to get all of the reservations we want. Pre-park breakfast at EPCOT, Whispering Canyon, ohana breakfast-- you just have to stick with it and keep searching. particularly i think at 60 days out a lot open up as people make fast passes and start to firm up plans more...

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Similarly, be braced to not get top-tier FP+ at 30 days.

This is how the incentive works, and you're dealing with Free Dining, who are people who are very aware of planning timelines and booking windows.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Mouse dining is also an option for reservation finders. They allow more than 2 searches at once.

I think people are also realizing they can book an on-site stay, make their reservations at 180+10, then cancel the stay and they get to keep the reservations; the only thing that happens is their deposit is in Disney's hands for a couple weeks. I'm not passing judgement on it, and I didn't even realize it was an option until well after my 180+ day.

Another thing is Disney has been so delayed with posting accurate hours and event schedules, so people are not certain what day they will visit which park. So they book plenty of back-up reservations and cancel the extras closer to the trip.

 

[Lucas103]

I recently booked a last minute trip - leaving in 2 weeks. I was able to get Ohana for dinner, and BOG for lunch and dinner. Keep searching, people tend to cancel the night before to avoid the no-show fee.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I just looked for meals on July 1st. BOG Lunch was an option.

I don't get the hysteria, it's not that good and if you check close to your date it's generally open as people change plans.

 

[lorileahb]

Agreed - things open up 60 days and 30 days out as people cancel / finalize their plans... then, the week of our trip, we almost always have gotten everything we have wanted - even 8 a.m. BOG for PPO and 8 a.m. PPO Akershus. At 180 days we didn't get our BOG dinner - I'm not going to stress... start checking back closer to time. Stay calm and positive!