Last Minute ADRs

[DisneyDreamer08]

Who's the crazy person that decided to add the dining plan 11 days before their trip

Long story short, we have the kids meal deal booked for January (free kids meal plan with each paying adult) We originally booked it as quick service and are paying out of pocket for two character meals (we let each kid pick one). At the last minute, we decided we wanted to add one more character meal. Once I started pricing out the cost, we realized it was more cost effective to upgrade to the regular dining plan. Last night I was scrambling to add a table service meal each day and rearrange a few fast passes. Surprisingly, there were multiple times available for the character meals we wanted. We already had Tusker House and 1900 Park Fare booked. We easily added the Disney Jr breakfast at H&V, Garden Grill and Crystal Palace.
We have two days at AK and right now, I have no TS scheduled for our second day. Other than Tusker House, only Rainforest Cafe and Tiffins are showing as available. Rainforest Cafe is out as my daughter has sensory issues and hates thunderstorms. And Tiffins is out as it is two credits and my kids are way too picky for a restaurant like that. I signed up for an alert for Yak and Yeti so I’m crossing my fingers!
We also have an ADR for lunch at BoG. I’d love to switch to dinner but of course, that is booked up as well. So I also signed up for an alert for that!
How successful have you been with last minute ADRs?

 

[Tuvalu]

We’ve always found availability the day before at a wide variety of restaurants, including hard-to-get places. Many people cancel their ADRs the day prior in order to avoid cancellation fees.

 

[carriebeth]

Be our guest dinner is two table service credit keep in mind, since you didn’t want to spend 2 on tiffins not sure you will want to use 2 at bog. Boma is a quick trip from animal kingdom and a good buffet option with availability usually open.

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

We’ve always found availability the day before at a wide variety of restaurants, including hard-to-get places. Many people cancel their ADRs the day prior in order to avoid cancellation fees.

This is what I’m hoping!

Be our guest dinner is two table service credit keep in mind, since you didn’t want to spend 2 on tiffins not sure you will want to use 2 at bog. Boma is a quick trip from animal kingdom and a good buffet option with availability usually open.

Yes, my thinking is that if I can get a dinner ADR at BoG, then I will use two credits there and not worry about a TS meal on our 2nd AK day
I’m on the fence about going over to AKL. We use Disney transportation so I’m not sure I want to wait for the buses and do the extra walking back and forth with two little kids.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Just remember you can use them at resorts and Disney Springs too. Meaning, just because it's an AK day doesn't mean you necessarily have to spend all three meals there that day.

 

[macefamily]

Keep trying and have faith. My daughter always seems to land us the last-minute reservations. She has found us some nice ones like California Grill, Be Our Guest, and Cinderella's Royal Table.

 

[larryz]

Get a Landry's Select card, and they might be able to squeeze you in at Y&Y even without an ADR.

 

[Nottamus]

We have always been lucky with last minute reservation. Granted, we tend to steer clear of the overly popular, overly booked ones...but Instead always head to our favorites.
Boma, yak & yeti, Sanaa...others.

“day of”reservations is how we do it now. Because who really knows what they want to eat 6 months from now!

 

[JIMINYCR]

Sometimes you just get in at just the right time and luck is on your side. When Ive been shut out on an ADR in my initial booking day I just keep logging in every day and so far hit on getting the one I wanted at some point. You just have to be persistent. With the number of people cancelling trips, changing their minds, switching dates, you do have a pretty good chance of it. The hardest time I ever had was during a free dining promotion period when everyone was competing for spots.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

How successful have you been with last minute ADRs?

Keep checking. Things open up all the time. You can also try just walking up. You'd be surprised how many times they can just "fit you in" (Don't count on that - but it happens more frequently than people may think)

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Get a Landry's Select card, and they might be able to squeeze you in at Y&Y even without an ADR.

They "will" fit you in. Also happens at Rainforest and TRex over at Springs. One of the benefits of the Landry's card

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

Thanks everyone! We are sticking with BoG for lunch. Didn’t want to waste 2 credits. I also booked a Chef Mickey’s brunch
We are still hoping for Yak and Yeti on our 2nd AK day! I’ll keep checking!!