Wow, Disney dining reservations opened up yesterday morning. Little stressful, little exciting; especially since it was 5 am local here and trying to get reservations for 8 people. So what did we get? Had high hopes for several places and thought it should be manageable....
I prioritized which reservations I needed to go after first on a list that I kept nearby. I used our iMac and galaxy phone simultaneously to try and go quicker or in case one errored off, I'd have a backup. Here is our list, in order of priority in what to book first to last.
1. Candlelight Processional Dinner Package - We really just wanted to get this booked at any of the 4 restaurants. We have done the package at Biergarten a few times and Rose and Crown once and have loved both places. Garden Grill has always been a place we have wanted to try out but mostly for breakfast. The menu for Coral Reef does not excite us at all and that one was clearly our lowest priority but would happily try it if it meant guaranteeing us a spot for the processional. We had three dates available for the processional and would not mind hopping over to EPCOT if need by. So this was priority one, get any dinner package available on the dates of 12/27 - 12/29.
2. Chef Art Smith's Homecomin - This has become our holiday go to place for a nice meal out. We have been yearly for the past 5 years and really wanted to show this place off to my Mom and Ken (Mom's bf). The kids have all been with us with the exception of Matison (niece) and know that they like the food but would rather go to TRex which was not going to happen again this year. So our day off from the parks on this trip is probably the same as everyone else, January 1st, and wanted to get a dinner reservation here at anytime. In the past we've been able to book over the phone but they have not allowed this any longer and insisted that everyone has to use the Disney Dining Reservation System. So, was crossing my fingers to get this booked for 8 people for Near Years Day night.
3. 50's prime time cafe - We plan on going to HS twice during the trip and want to book this for at least one meal on our first day there. Have to get a PB&J shake!! So was hoping to get this booked for either lunch of dinner on the 29th.
4. Via Napoli - I guess this should have been rated higher up because of when we wanted to book this. We are planning on EPCOT for Near Years Eve and hoping to get this booked for dinner.
5. Hollywood Brown Derby - Second HS day, thought it would be nice to have a COBB salad and other good options for a dinner. Was going for this on 1/3.
6. Crystal Palace - My kids really like having breakfast here so I told them I would try and get this again for our last full day in the parks on 1/4. Should have done some research into this option.
7. Magic Kingdom resort area nice place - this is what was on my list and was planning on Narcooses, Citricos, or California Grill for dinner on our last day 1/4.
So I got up yesterday morning easier than I thought and got signed in to both devices. I had my list and just waited until 5 am to start trying for the Candlelight Processional. Dining packages opened up on Tuesday for anyone within 60 days of booking and I had started to read stories about not many openings and a few lucky had gotten some reservations but most were being shut out. I came into this hopeful but kept my expectations in check. Final results after a full day of checking and rechecking and moving around reservations..
1. So apparently Disney waited until 10:30 am to release Biergarten reservations for the the Candlelight Processional for the entire month of December. Thankfully I was able to get a 5:45 reservation and we are booked for the 8:30 pm show!! I started off the morning disappointed because there were no options for any of the three dates. I wonder if the other restaurants have yet to finalize contracts with Disney because I can't imagine they only opened up one place for the dining package?? Either way, was very excited to get this.
2. Homecomin - another morning disappointment. The only available time was 2:20 pm for a table for 8 people. Ridiculous, my worry that there would be no tables for a group of 8 was warranted and I could find tables for any smaller group besides 8 at all times throughout the day. I ended up booking Raglan Road, which we have enjoyed a lot in years past. It has been a while since we've been there but still was hoping for Homecomin to continue a tradition.... So yesterday afternoon I called the restaurant and explained that I could not get a table for 8 people for it was showing availability for any other size party. The nice lady explained that if you can get two reservations that add up to 8 around the same time then call that morning, then it would be no problem. I do not know why I did not think of this!! I booked two reservations for 4 for Homecomin' for 5 pm. Why this can't be done as a party of 8 on Disney's system if frustrating but was very happy to get this booked. This booking two reservations also helped me out with future disappointments too.
3. 50's Prime Time Cafe - So here is where I about gave up early in the morning. Was on my third option and had no luck to start with. I check Hollywood Studios and there is nothing available for the entire day. Looked for Sci Fi and nothing. I did find an early lunch for Brown Derby so booked that one for our first day at HS. I ended up later checking for smaller parties and nothing available at anytime throughout the day. Hoping a reservation tracker through Touring Plans finds one for us!
4. Via Napoli - Near Years Eve and EPCOT apparently means everyone trying to get any type of dining reservation possible. I could not find a single place open for 8 people at anytime on New Years Eve. Another early disappointment.. Thankfully I later tried to split us up to two parties and found some openings. So now we will have a late lunch (which works out since we will be sleeping in this day, hopefully) at Via Napoli for two parties of 4 at 1:40 pm. I keep checking to for different party sizes and found very, very limited options. NYE at EPCOT may not be the best decision I've made for this trip..
5. Hollywood Brown Derby - Since I booked this for our first day, we just switched things around right now and have 50's Prime Time booked for our second day. Working out so far but still would rather have it switched.
6. So yeah, should have looked into what meals they were serving at Crystal Palace because breakfast is not one fo them. Dad failure here. Maybe they will open it up soon?
7. Once again figured this would be easy, our last day of the trip and wanting to find a spot for dinner at a resort place. Nothing available!?! Once again later in the day I checked for smaller parties though, and plenty of options for two groups of 4, or a group or 6 and a group of 2 at the exact same time. Ultimately I was exciting to get two reservations for dinner at the same time at Steakhouse 71. If they can sit us together, great. If not, one kids table and one adult table would be find with us. Apparently 8 is where Disney says we don't want groups of this size to come eat anywhere. So much trouble.
Conclusion - ended up getting almost everything we wanted but took a lot longer and was much more difficult than expected. Just waiting to see if I can switch 50's Prime Time Cafe for our first HS day, if not, no big deal, but would be nice.