For those that have stayed off site Disney

Were you able to get a hard to get dining reservation? Last year we stayed off site at a low-med crowd level time and were able to get most dining reservations at exactly 180 days but couldn't get the 8am breakfast for BOG and Tusker House (wanted for both the restaurant experience and the early entry).

Next year we are going to plan a trip during a low-med crown level time and would like to get these 2 reservations (or Cindrella Castle or Askerhaus possibly) but wondering if the only way is to stay on site for the 180+10.

For those that have stayed off site Disney

You'll get them no matter what imo. I'm staying onsite, but people cancel all the time. If you don't get it at your 180 day, keep checking. As park hours change, people solidify their plans, change with fast passes or even cancel trips, things change all the time. Even the night before people cancel so they don't get the no show fee.

Sign up for res finders on touring plans (up to 2 for free) or Mousedining. It searches for you and texts you when something becomes avail.

Editing to add, ppo (pre park opening ones) are def more challenging....but cancellations do happen.

Message edited 5/6/2017 3:09:18 PM.

Re: For those that have stayed off site Disney

Re: For those that have stayed off site Disney

I think you will still get it...try the dining reservation finder...I was able to get all of the dining reservations that I wanted even booking much closer than 180 days, including pre-park breakfasts and BOG. I would look every day...people change their plans a lot.

Re: For those that have stayed off site Disney

For those that have stayed off site Disney

We stayed offsite when we went and booked our trip only 3 months out. We were able to get all the reservations we wanted. I just kept checking every other day. People always cancel and times open up. I even joined a Disney FB group for the month we were going and people posted what their cancellations would be so others were ready to snatch them up.

For those that have stayed off site Disney

There only a 10 day difference in reservations for off site/on site. I'm sure you will be fine. We have never booked a trip 6 months in advance, and have been able to reserve some "hard to get place" by checking every single day.

Re: For those that have stayed off site Disney

For those that have stayed off site Disney

We've been able to get breakfasts in the 8am hour staying offsite. Not exactly 8am but, 8:15, 8:20...

We didn't try BOG and weren't able to get Tusker House though (but, we had a large party so I attributed it to that - 8).

I was able to move things around though closer to the date.

For those that have stayed off site Disney

I think the biggest thing with staying offsite with be the fast passes. Frozen ever after in Epcot is usually all distributed before the 30 day mark.

For those that have stayed off site Disney

We stayed off site. Got to the magic kingdom 1st day there and went to Cinderella's castle. We got reservations for the next morning at 8am, no problem.

Re: For those that have stayed off site Disney

Re: For those that have stayed off site Disney

Re: For those that have stayed off site Disney

I've only stayed off property, we have time shares.

I have always gotten what I need reservation wise. Sometimes I've had to wait until last minute, one trip I got bippity bopping two days before at 8:20am in MK. A spot opened and we got lucky.

I've also gotten lucky fast pass wise, I was in MK last April pretty soon after mine train opened and was searching for fast passes for it as we were heading to dinner and a reservation popped up. I tried for weeks to get a fast pass for that ride, and it came up for us while we were in the park.

I've learned with Disney you just have to be diligent and keep looking. You'll find something close to what you are looking for.

Personally, I like being off property and having a little more living space on the days we aren't in the parks. I wouldn't stay on property for reservation purposes. Also, my DH grew up going to Disney regularly and he prefers being off property too. We like to be on our own schedule and not to rely on disney transport the whole trip.

Have a great trip.