How is everything booked already?

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

Believe me, I am in the same boat you are! I went out of my way to plan this trip for that week. It definitely wasn't easy, and I'm seriously going to regret it if we get there and the crowds are insane!! It's possible for people to "catch on" though- I know that for sure! I live in Louisiana, and during Mardi Gras like half the state goes to Disney. Schools are out for an entire week in some areas, plus it's "off season" at WDW and you can get rooms crazy cheap, so it makes sense. Crowds used to be so low during Mardi Gras, now it's just as packed as the holidays! I am a former cast member, and I watched everyone "catch on." It sucks. I have a hard time seeing that happening the week after Thanksgiving though. There aren't many school closures nation wide, everyone goes back and starts prepping for end of semester/ 9 weeks exams before Christmas. It's not exactly easy to pull kids of a certain age out of school for that week, so I can't ever really see it getting crazy busy then.

Still, keeping my fingers crossed!

Absolutely hope you're right on the week after Thanksgiving. That's why we picked it for the first time this year!

 

[KTwiegs]

What i meant was that the crowds are supposed to be really low that week
I just get nervous at the thought of large crowds, I go out of my way to book trips at low crowd level times.

i do the same thing... low crowds are the number one thing for us...
all these ADR problems are making me very nervous for the crowd levels for this week...

 

[rosiebean]

I didn't book for the first week of December this year, but did so last year (made my ADRs around this time) and got most of what I wanted (for a large party of up to 11)...including Crystal Palace, Sci-Fi and Cali Grill at a fantastic seating time.

However, I was unable to touch CRT or BOG. And for whatever reason, Garden Grill had *nothing* available, which made no sense, because GG was *always* something available during past trips. It must have been that reservations for GG just weren't released. Suddenly, a month or so after I'd made my ADRs, tons of openings at GG popped up, and we got our res at the optimal day and time. It really does sound like that's what's going on with things this year.

Another note: the res finder at Touring Plans is great! I just got a Tusker House breakfast res for my trip in August just a few days after I put the info into the res finder. Worked great!

 

[chs27]

People cancel the day before a lot. Do a search for this afternoon or tomorrow. Almost every restaurant has am opening, except for BOG or V&A. Those seem to be the only adrs people hang onto. Reservations will open before your trip.

 

[KTwiegs]

I didn't book for the first week of December this year, but did so last year (made my ADRs around this time) and got most of what I wanted (for a large party of up to 11)...including Crystal Palace, Sci-Fi and Cali Grill at a fantastic seating time.

However, I was unable to touch CRT or BOG. And for whatever reason, Garden Grill had *nothing* available, which made no sense, because GG was *always* something available during past trips. It must have been that reservations for GG just weren't released. Suddenly, a month or so after I'd made my ADRs, tons of openings at GG popped up, and we got our res at the optimal day and time. It really does sound like that's what's going on with things this year.

Another note: the res finder at Touring Plans is great! I just got a Tusker House breakfast res for my trip in August just a few days after I put the info into the res finder. Worked great!

What were the crowds like for you last year?

 

[Lo Lo]

ALRIGHT, FOLKS!!!! I just got off the phone with Disney Dining Reservations, and the cast member I spoke with confirmed what we've all been saying- Disney is NOT RELEASING all available slots yet for the more popular EPCOT restaurants (Akershus and Biergarten, mainly) due to Food and Wine Fest and Candlelight Processional! She just told me to wait a few days and just keep trying. She specifically said "they are telling us NOT to really advertise it, but everyone is frustrated so I'm going to let you know- there are plenty of unreleased reservation slots for that week. VERY FEW people have gotten reservations at Akershus, and it's not because it's already booked up."

When I tried to get an ADR for BOG or CRT, she also informed me that they are seeing an unusually high volume of travel agents double and triple booking reservations for their clients. She said to give it a few days to a week and there will be plenty of openings after they cancel. (Does anyone else think it's crap that this is allowed?! It's infuriating!)

Lastly- it seems that ADRs for dinner at MK restaurants are being booked earlier for days in which MVMCP is scheduled- guests without tickets HAVE to be OUT OF THE PARK not a minute past 7:00 pm. This is also contributing to the chaos.

What is Akershus? Is it better than Biergarten? Trying to plan a dinner for my family at Epcot

 

[SaintsManiac]

What is Akershus? Is it better than Biergarten? Trying to plan a dinner for my family at Epcot

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/akershus-royal-banquet-hall/

 

[Lo Lo]

Just signed up for it - unfortunately not free any longer.

You could get it with any subscription level though.

The reservation finder is free! You have to sign up but you only have to do the free subscription! I just signed up yesterday around 3 or 4 for the free account and I've been able to use reservation finder!

I would still recommend checking multiple times a day yourself because I was looking for an Ohana ADR and I found one before the reservation finder did I normally check 2-3 times a day on my own for any ADR!

 

[Lo Lo]

Most good stuff was gone before the FD window opened (that only started on 5/29.)

I was this morning as well. I got everything I wanted day and time except Sci-Fi, would have taken early lunch or early dinner but could only get 2:55. And no biergarten. But I don't think that is sold out, I think it just hasn't been released yet. I had to move a few restaurants around. Narcoossees was sold out 12/3, which was odd.

I was not trying to get any real hard ones though, got Crystal Palace and Ohana breakfast.

Is Ohana's breakfast better than their dinner? I LOVE the dinner and we always make sure to get it when we visit but I've never tried breakfast!

 

[Lo Lo]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/akershus-royal-banquet-hall/

Thanks! Still learning the best places to go!

 

[rosiebean]

What were the crowds like for you last year?

Crowds during the week were fantastic! I've been several Octobers in recent years, and we much preferred the crowd that first week of December.

To give you an idea, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, four of us walked into Trader Sam's at Poly and the place was more than 2/3 empty (it became fuller as the evening wore on, but there were still seats available when we left). The bartender said it was the slowest week of the year. We went to AK on Wednesday and basically walked onto Expedition Everest, which we often single ride if that option is available. Didn't need it this time. Dino and the river ride were down the day, so we just kept going onto EE. We hit Frozen on Thursday morning after our breakfast ADR at Garden Grill...there was a 30 minute wait for the ride about 45 minutes after park opening (that was about the best wait time for Frozen that week...some rides just have long wait times no matter what). We were staying at BC and had park hoppers, so we went to Epcot almost every night and had nice, low crowds. Left dinner after Epcot one night and noticed a 30 minute wait for Soarin', so we hopped in line. Overall, we found wait times for most popular rides were reasonable during the week...Frozen, Dwarf Mine Train, and Toy Story Mania were the exceptions (though each had lower wait times early in the morning).

Things got much busier on Friday/Saturday (the second weekend after Thanksgiving Thursday). Cheerleaders were everywhere! But overall, the crowds on the weekend were still more manageable than weekend crowds I've experienced in October.

The weather was also fantastic! Highs in the 70s or 60s with no humidity, and lows were in the high 50s a few nights.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Is Ohana's breakfast better than their dinner? I LOVE the dinner and we always make sure to get it when we visit but I've never tried breakfast!

It's a very limited menu (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, mickey waffles, fruit) aycte breakfast, which you're paying a lot for to meet Stitch, Mickey, Lilo, and Pluto. If meeting those characters means something to you, then by all means...go. If not, I would skip it. There are better/just as good aycte breakfasts nearby for a lot less.

 

[Lo Lo]

It's a very limited menu (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, mickey waffles, fruit) aycte breakfast, which you're paying a lot for to meet Stitch, Mickey, Lilo, and Pluto. If meeting those characters means something to you, then by all means...go. If not, I would skip it. There are better/just as good aycte breakfasts nearby for a lot less.

Awesome good to know! THANK YOU!!!

 

[LiaNWillsmom]

Crowds during the week were fantastic! I've been several Octobers in recent years, and we much preferred the crowd that first week of December.

To give you an idea, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, four of us walked into Trader Sam's at Poly and the place was more than 2/3 empty (it became fuller as the evening wore on, but there were still seats available when we left). The bartender said it was the slowest week of the year. We went to AK on Wednesday and basically walked onto Expedition Everest, which we often single ride if that option is available. Didn't need it this time. Dino and the river ride were down the day, so we just kept going onto EE. We hit Frozen on Thursday morning after our breakfast ADR at Garden Grill...there was a 30 minute wait for the ride about 45 minutes after park opening (that was about the best wait time for Frozen that week...some rides just have long wait times no matter what). We were staying at BC and had park hoppers, so we went to Epcot almost every night and had nice, low crowds. Left dinner after Epcot one night and noticed a 30 minute wait for Soarin', so we hopped in line. Overall, we found wait times for most popular rides were reasonable during the week...Frozen, Dwarf Mine Train, and Toy Story Mania were the exceptions (though each had lower wait times early in the morning).

Things got much busier on Friday/Saturday (the second weekend after Thanksgiving Thursday). Cheerleaders were everywhere! But overall, the crowds on the weekend were still more manageable than weekend crowds I've experienced in October.

The weather was also fantastic! Highs in the 70s or 60s with no humidity, and lows were in the high 50s a few nights.

I know the week after Thanksgiving is supposed to be slow, but i doubt its the slowest week of the year. We went in 2013 mid January and it was super low crowds! Also , we used to go in late September and had super low crowds then too, that was before food and wine festival got so popular. Last year we went mid-may before most schools let out, and had super low crowds then as well. I am really excited about Disney during holiday times though!

 

[rosiebean]

I know the week after Thanksgiving is supposed to be slow, but i doubt its the slowest week of the year.

I think our bartender meant it was the slowest week of the year for him as a bartender . It may have just seemed that way to him after the crowds the week before!

It was great in December, but my neighbors swear that January is the time to go. I loved December for the weather and decorations!

 

[MamaPoppins1987]

I know the week after Thanksgiving is supposed to be slow, but i doubt its the slowest week of the year. We went in 2013 mid January and it was super low crowds! Also , we used to go in late September and had super low crowds then too, that was before food and wine festival got so popular. Last year we went mid-may before most schools let out, and had super low crowds then as well. I am really excited about Disney during holiday times though!

I should clarify- historically, it's the best week to go because of a combination of things- great weather, low crowds, no special events during the day (no Food & Wine, no cheerleading competitions, no major internationally celebrated holidays, etc.) pricing and dining specials...AND you get to experience all of the awesome holiday stuff Disney has to offer. It's like the perfect storm of the best Disney has to offer on a very low crowd week! THAT is why it's rated the "best week of the year" to go.

 

[LiaNWillsmom]

I should clarify- historically, it's the best week to go because of a combination of things- great weather, low crowds, no special events during the day (no Food & Wine, no cheerleading competitions, no major internationally celebrated holidays, etc.) pricing and dining specials...AND you get to experience all of the awesome holiday stuff Disney has to offer. It's like the perfect storm of the best Disney has to offer on a very low crowd week! THAT is why it's rated the "best week of the year" to go.

Totally agree. I really hope the crowds are what I'm expecting! I chose this week because of all those reasons (also my son's 5th bday), and I really want to see Disney during the holidays! Also my kids are young enough (pre school and 1st grade) where pulling them out of school for a week is not a bit issue.

 

[SG131]

Than

ALRIGHT, FOLKS!!!! I just got off the phone with Disney Dining Reservations, and the cast member I spoke with confirmed what we've all been saying- Disney is NOT RELEASING all available slots yet for the more popular EPCOT restaurants (Akershus and Biergarten, mainly) due to Food and Wine Fest and Candlelight Processional! She just told me to wait a few days and just keep trying. She specifically said "they are telling us NOT to really advertise it, but everyone is frustrated so I'm going to let you know- there are plenty of unreleased reservation slots for that week. VERY FEW people have gotten reservations at Akershus, and it's not because it's already booked up."

Thanks for the info. I'm actually going right when food and wine starts, but was willing to listen to venting cause I had reservation issues. Up until last week Askershus had a TON of availability and now all of a sudden there's when I'm going so the food and wine issue makes sense not that I agree with it. I was trying to rearrange my schedule and modify. Reservation accidentally got canceled when MDE froze I called and tried to talk to a manager but she said they can't do anything at this time. Crossing my fingers that the realize people are upset and open restaurants back up.

 

[KimBean]

Is Ohana's breakfast better than their dinner? I LOVE the dinner and we always make sure to get it when we visit but I've never tried breakfast!

I can't help. I've never had their dinner. Lol. Breakfast is good, it comes to your table and the juice is amazing. The two times we have had it, it was hot and fresh. And large servings unlike the akershus breakfast which was brought out on a tiny plate for 7 of us. You can ask for more but literally it was like one portion so we would have had to ask 7 times. Lol. Left hungry and disgruntled. That was many years ago though. Stitch is at Ohana breakfast and he is dd16 absolute favorite character.

 

[KimBean]

It's a very limited menu (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, mickey waffles, fruit) aycte breakfast, which you're paying a lot for to meet Stitch, Mickey, Lilo, and Pluto. If meeting those characters means something to you, then by all means...go. If not, I would skip it. There are better/just as good aycte breakfasts nearby for a lot less.

Huh. I found it a lot more variety than akershus. But we aren't big breakfast people so not a lot of exeprience. Definitely less than a buffet. But I enjoy it being brought to me. I think eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, biscuits, pastries, fruit, and Mickey and stitch waffles. More than I could eat. But not near the variety of a buffet. Oh we've also had breakfast at Kona. That was good. We are going to try to get to Captain Cooks at some point this trip for Tonga Toast.

Okay just checked Akershus it is still small. Eggs, bacon, sausage and potato casserole. Unless they have changed it you do get some pastries. Different meal is better there.