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AA Mom And Kids Mickey Ice Cream Bar; DinoLand U.S.A.; animal kingdom
  • On Oct 31, 2010
    Zainab from ON Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I just booked our Disney vacation for arrival in Disney in 3 weeks, to celebrate my little princess's 4th bday. Her one wish.. meal with the princesses, but NOTHING is available. Are there any secrets to getting in at CRC or Akershus, or any other place

    Zainab:

    Don't give up!

    Here's my secret to getting into popular restaurants: Target those which require a credit card to guarantee the reservation.  Why? Those are the restaurants where guests will definitely cancel their reservations ahead of time, afterall who wants to lose money!  And good news for you: both Akershus and Cinderella's Royal Table both take credit cards to guarantee reservations, so these are restaurants where you might be able to get a reservation due to a cancellation.

    Typically, those who will cancel a reservation because their entire trip is canceled do so around the 45-day out mark (the time frame they won't lose their deposit).  Since this has passed for your vacation dates, look to target those who will cancel on the 7-day out mark.

    Because the dining reservations system releases seats for dining immediately, you can call any time, day or evening, and might get a seat. I put the Disney Dining number (407-939-3463) in my cell phone and call whenever I think about it: in the carpool line, in the line at the grocery store, while I'm sitting at my son's ball game. I've gotten reservations at Akershus AND Chef Mickey's within 48 hours of when I wanted the reservation by being persistent!

    If you arrive at Disney and STILL have not secured a reservation, go to the restaurant on the day you want to dine there when it opens and ask if there are open reservations during the day. If you still get a 'no,' ask about the wait times for stand-by reservations. (I have gotten a standby reservation for lunch at CRT.) I've found that the cast members at the host podium know exactly what they have and will be candid about the wait.

    Wishing y'all a magical vacation!
    Whitney
thumbnail image for Whitney

Meet the Panelist: Whitney, Mississippi

My family of 6 appreciates Disney's value! Although Ft. Wilderness is our second home, we've enjoyed the resorts for business, reunions and romantic getaways. For me, Disney also means dining: last count, I'd eaten at 55 restaurants around the World! Learn More About Whitney

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