Ahwahnee Dining Room reservations?

Question

My family and I are staying at the Ahwahnee in August. Very excited for our first time visit to Yosemite. My question is about trying to book dinner reservations at the Ahwahnee Dining Room.

The official site connects you to Open Table. It appears dining opens 6 months to the day in advance. So our day to book is coming up. But here is the rub: Each and every day that is already available, has no availability between 6pm-7:45pm.

Does anyone know how this really works? Ordinarily, I might think I need to try to book at midnight or whatever time it might become available. But every single day that is "available" to book has 6pm-7:45pm unavailable. Those times must be blocked out. Meanwhile, the website advises you to book your dining through Open Table, but you clearly can't from 6-7:45pm. I've also put in an email request, but have received no confirmation.

Any thoughts or experience on how to actually make dinner reservations? THANKS in advance of any and all advice!

Answer

The Ahwahnee Dining Room is one of Yosemite’s most sought-after dining experiences, and it’s very common for prime dinner times, especially between 6:00–7:45pm, to be fully booked or blocked. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the reservation system works and tips for successfully booking a table.

Understanding the Reservation System:

The official site links to OpenTable, which handles reservations for the Ahwahnee Dining Room. OpenTable typically releases reservations exactly six months in advance, and availability can fill instantly for the most popular times.
Times between 6:00–7:45pm are prime dining hours. Hotels and dining rooms often block these for larger parties, hotel guests with guaranteed tables, or private events. This is why you may see them unavailable even when OpenTable shows other times open.
Email requests may take time to confirm, especially during peak summer months. Don’t rely solely on email if your preferred time is crucial.

Tips for Booking:

Be ready the moment reservations open, usually at midnight Pacific Time, six months before your intended date.
Consider flexible dining times. Early seating (5:00–5:45pm) or later seating (8:00–9:00pm) are often easier to secure.
Call the dining room directly if possible. Sometimes they can accommodate special requests or inform you about waitlists that aren’t visible online.
Check OpenTable frequently. Cancellations can happen even on the same day, and prime times may open up unexpectedly.
As a last resort, plan for an alternative nearby option. The Yosemite Valley Lodge and Wawona Hotel also have dining, though they may not offer the same grandeur as the Ahwahnee.

Additional Advice:

Consider booking multiple nights and being flexible with which night you dine at the Ahwahnee. This increases your chances of snagging your preferred time.
If traveling with a larger party, smaller time slots may open up due to how the restaurant allocates tables; smaller groups sometimes have better luck securing a reservation.
During peak summer months like August, persistence is key. Monitor OpenTable daily and set alerts if possible.

In summary, the 6–7:45pm window is often pre-blocked due to hotel guest allocations and popularity. Booking right at the six-month mark, being flexible on time, and monitoring OpenTable for cancellations are your best strategies for securing a dinner at the Ahwahnee Dining Room.

Ahwahnee Dining Room reservations?

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