Where did I go wrong! :(

[Kbullz]

On my 180 day mark I was on computer @ 6am also had phone ready for 7am.
I will be traveling with my husband, son 6 and daughter 4. Also with my in laws. My daughter is really into princesses and of course my son..not so much I was trying to get a good mix of characters to keep everyone happy. That plan did not go so well!
Wanted to book for Chef Mickey on wed Dec 4th dinner- all booked up. Wanted to do BBB MK in morning on 6th they only had a 1 00 appt. Was willing to do any time seating for Castle was only able to get a 1:30 lunch...which lead to daughter not being able to get BBB. Tried to get in on the 5th but both are completely booked up. Have been trying to get a reservation for 6 on Dec 7th Chip n Dales harvest feast. Was only able to get it for 4 people. With hopes that if I call everyday maybe I can have 2 squeezed in. No such luck so far.
I spoke with a very nice woman on the phone who told me that not all of the reservations have been opened up to them. I have no clue what this means. She said that for Dec. 5th not all the tables have been opened for dinner. The same for Chip in Dales Harvest feast for dinner. ??
I was under the impression that 180 days meant that I can make all reservations and that all seats should be open?
So this is what I was able to get so far
Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner -Dec 4th


The pirates league on Dec 5th later that night the Merry xmas party

Cinderella's Royal Table Lunch -Dec 6th

Chip n' Dale's Harvest Feast Dinner only for 4 people but need it for 6 on Dec 7th

I also have a back up reservation at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall for dinner if I can't get the dining for 6 people at Garden Grill

Play 'n Dine Lunch Dec 8th @Hollywood
Donald's Safari Breakfast Dec 9th @animal Kingdom

Just looking for advice on the best way to try and get BBB, Chef Mickey's, and the xtra 2 people put into reservation for Chip n Dales. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I usually have no problem getting the ADR's I want when calling or going online 180 days out. We didn't even have any issues booking 'Ohana for all 3 of our trips this year. All dates we wanted were available. I'm not sure why they would hold seats back?

 

[sublimesting]

On my 180 day mark I was on computer @ 6am also had phone ready for 7am.
I will be traveling with my husband, son 6 and daughter 4. Also with my in laws. My daughter is really into princesses and of course my son..not so much I was trying to get a good mix of characters to keep everyone happy. That plan did not go so well!
Wanted to book for Chef Mickey on wed Dec 4th dinner- all booked up. Wanted to do BBB MK in morning on 6th they only had a 1 00 appt. Was willing to do any time seating for Castle was only able to get a 1:30 lunch...which lead to daughter not being able to get BBB. Tried to get in on the 5th but both are completely booked up. Have been trying to get a reservation for 6 on Dec 7th Chip n Dales harvest feast. Was only able to get it for 4 people. With hopes that if I call everyday maybe I can have 2 squeezed in. No such luck so far.
I spoke with a very nice woman on the phone who told me that not all of the reservations have been opened up to them. I have no clue what this means. She said that for Dec. 5th not all the tables have been opened for dinner. The same for Chip in Dales Harvest feast for dinner. ??
I was under the impression that 180 days meant that I can make all reservations and that all seats should be open?
So this is what I was able to get so far
Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner -Dec 4th


The pirates league on Dec 5th later that night the Merry xmas party

Cinderella's Royal Table Lunch -Dec 6th

Chip n' Dale's Harvest Feast Dinner only for 4 people but need it for 6 on Dec 7th

I also have a back up reservation at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall for dinner if I can't get the dining for 6 people at Garden Grill

Play 'n Dine Lunch Dec 8th @Hollywood
Donald's Safari Breakfast Dec 9th @animal Kingdom

Just looking for advice on the best way to try and get BBB, Chef Mickey's, and the xtra 2 people put into reservation for Chip n Dales. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Not sure if you looked but there are 2 BBB's, the Castle and DTD. I'm not sure what they mean by not opening up all seating yet but I'd definitley call back. Also keep in mind that although you were ready to go you have 10 days worth of people making reservations who are staying at Disney for 10 days. So, if your visit started on December 10th, you still have to compete with folks who's visit began on December 1st and are booking reservations for the days 2-10.
Also keep your castle reservation as eating there, I think, would be a greater experience for your daughter (and son) than BBB.....also the food is quite good and how often do you get to g into the castle.

 

[Zipadeelady]

On another thread here I read that someone else couldn't get into BBB. They actually went to the barber shop on Main St. and they did their little girls hair in an up do with glitter and sparkles. It may not be as fancy atmosphere but at least she can still get her hair done.

 

[Allygator]

I was going to suggest the barber shop as well. Do you think it could have something to do with the size of your party? Perhaps you can try a reservation for two or three for Cinderella's royal table and maybe your in laws can take your son some where that is more interesting for him? T-Rex, Coral Reef, Sci-fi?

 

[momof1princess]

Did you try and make an additional res for 2 at the Feast just in case? Just a thought...

 

[Gabe1]

I was going to suggest the barber shop as well. Do you think it could have something to do with the size of your party? Perhaps you can try a reservation for two or three for Cinderella's royal table and maybe your in laws can take your son some where that is more interesting for him? T-Rex, Coral Reef, Sci-fi?

The Barber Shop does an amazing job with updo's for the little princesses. Frankly, better than BBB and so much cheaper! I think these two CMs that work there garner excellent tips because they are amazing substitute for BBB.

 

[shipley731]

They might be holding back some dinner reservations at the Garden Grill due to Candlelight Processional Dining packages. Last year, packages starting selling on June 26.

 

[amarti1]

We had to keep calling back constantly for the week of Thanksgiving reservations. For whatever reason, they didn't open all the restaurants on the 180 day mark. It was quite a pain, but we finally got everything we wanted....

 

[coachwnh]

On my 180 day mark I was on computer @ 6am also had phone ready for 7am.
I will be traveling with my husband, son 6 and daughter 4. Also with my in laws. My daughter is really into princesses and of course my son..not so much I was trying to get a good mix of characters to keep everyone happy. That plan did not go so well!
Wanted to book for Chef Mickey on wed Dec 4th dinner- all booked up. Wanted to do BBB MK in morning on 6th they only had a 1 00 appt. Was willing to do any time seating for Castle was only able to get a 1:30 lunch...which lead to daughter not being able to get BBB. Tried to get in on the 5th but both are completely booked up. Have been trying to get a reservation for 6 on Dec 7th Chip n Dales harvest feast. Was only able to get it for 4 people. With hopes that if I call everyday maybe I can have 2 squeezed in. No such luck so far.
I spoke with a very nice woman on the phone who told me that not all of the reservations have been opened up to them. I have no clue what this means. She said that for Dec. 5th not all the tables have been opened for dinner. The same for Chip in Dales Harvest feast for dinner. ??
I was under the impression that 180 days meant that I can make all reservations and that all seats should be open?
So this is what I was able to get so far
Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner -Dec 4th


The pirates league on Dec 5th later that night the Merry xmas party

Cinderella's Royal Table Lunch -Dec 6th

Chip n' Dale's Harvest Feast Dinner only for 4 people but need it for 6 on Dec 7th

I also have a back up reservation at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall for dinner if I can't get the dining for 6 people at Garden Grill

Play 'n Dine Lunch Dec 8th @Hollywood
Donald's Safari Breakfast Dec 9th @animal Kingdom

Just looking for advice on the best way to try and get BBB, Chef Mickey's, and the xtra 2 people put into reservation for Chip n Dales. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Id call back and give it a go again. we didnt even have issues getting BOG twice in july when we booked on our 180. hopw its better for you. keep trying

 

[Kbullz]

I just went back on computer and was able to get Chef Mickey's for the night we arrive!!..hopefully it is a good sign.
I tried to rebook the Chip n Dales feast I found it weird that when I put in for 5 people it would give me a time but for 6 people nothing. Good suggestion for doing 2 people and than 4 people for the bookings. I will try that as well.
I figured the pirates league has the mermaid makeover didn't even think of doing the barber shop.
Really appreciate the suggestions.
I know that I am getting a little obsessive. I just know in my heart this might be the last big Disney trip before the kids get older and want to start going to Universal and Disney.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Don't worry your not anymore obsessive than the rest of us on this site

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I just went back on computer and was able to get Chef Mickey's for the night we arrive!!..hopefully it is a good sign.
I tried to rebook the Chip n Dales feast I found it weird that when I put in for 5 people it would give me a time but for 6 people nothing. Good suggestion for doing 2 people and than 4 people for the bookings. I will try that as well.
I figured the pirates league has the mermaid makeover didn't even think of doing the barber shop.
Really appreciate the suggestions.
I know that I am getting a little obsessive. I just know in my heart this might be the last big Disney trip before the kids get older and want to start going to Universal and Disney.

The system is notorious for having load issues (among other things). I'd even try calling back about BBB. Last trip, I had to wait 30 - 90 min for all times to load into the system for the bulk of our ADRs. Garden Grill took nearly a week to load any times... just b/c they were messing with the Epcot ADRs over Candlelight Processional. As a person who is usually obsessed with stalking ADRs...I totally understand. Hopefully, it will all come together.

 

[PixieDust62]

Remember to cancel your backup reservations if your first choice comes through. Many restaurants now charge a $10 per person fee if you don't show up.

 

[BareNecessities]

I'm a little confused with how the ADRs work at 180 days. Lets say my trip starts december 22-29, and my 180 day mark is on june 25. Does that mean i can make my ADRs for my whole trip on the 25th or will i have to wake up at 6 that whole week to make the reservations for each day?

 

[copcarguyp71]

I'm a little confused with how the ADRs work at 180 days. Lets say my trip starts december 22-29, and my 180 day mark is on june 25. Does that mean i can make my ADRs for my whole trip on the 25th or will i have to wake up at 6 that whole week to make the reservations for each day?

Whole trip is available on the first day of your window opening...Good luck!!!

 

[Sparkle81]

I'm a little confused with how the ADRs work at 180 days. Lets say my trip starts december 22-29, and my 180 day mark is on june 25. Does that mean i can make my ADRs for my whole trip on the 25th or will i have to wake up at 6 that whole week to make the reservations for each day?

You can book for your whole trip, as long as you're staying onsite

 

[sublimesting]

I'm a little confused with how the ADRs work at 180 days. Lets say my trip starts december 22-29, and my 180 day mark is on june 25. Does that mean i can make my ADRs for my whole trip on the 25th or will i have to wake up at 6 that whole week to make the reservations for each day?

You can book 10 days worth at the 180 day mark. If your trip is longer then you would have to wait until day 170 to finish booking.

 

[Gabe1]

Just found this on all ears and it just goes to show you there are black out dates that we are all unaware of.
Wish they would have a way of indicating so we could stop trying.

... from*****: Good news! I was planning a trip to Disney World with my daughter and her family the week of September 10 and was trying to book Cinderella's Royal Table, only to find out (by finally calling them directly) that they "might" be closed that week IF they didn't finish all the work scheduled for the recent May closure. They told me to check back after May 21. When I checked back, I found that September 11 was open and I booked my breakfast. I know you reported a few weeks ago that it would be closed, but your readers might be interested in knowing that those dates are now available. A little Disney Magic to brighten my day and perhaps someone else's!