I finally got my call from Disney, but I still was unable to switch to dinner anywhere else I would have wanted (San Angel was the only WS restaurant available, but really bad reviews+good Mexican food at home=no thanks) so I got a lunch ADR at Whispering Canyon at WL.

I was, however, offered a priority viewing for IllumiNations. Apparently the "Showcase plaza" (the area on the FW side of the lagoon between the boat docks) is going to be roped off as a VIP area only for people who are put out by the Teppanyaki closing. I got a confirmation number specifically for that. They told me to give the confirmation number at guest relations and we would be given some sort of pass to get into the "VIP area"

As someone who absolutely DOES NOT LIKE Mexican Food, even the Mexican food in California, you probably made a good decision in taking the ADR at Whispering Canyon. The Showcase Plaza is a great place to view Illuminations (that is of course if the wind isn't blowing in your direction). I think that's a darn good tradeoff. I hope you enjoy it.

I talked to Disney dining today and was able to switch reservations. She said that they don't have a date when teppanyaki will re open. We got the VIP seating to Illuminations - which is where future world and world showcase meet. She said that we would pick up a voucher for the VIP seating when we go to dinner. We switched to Nine Dragons - does anyone have info on it?

I have eaten at Nine Dragons twice, both times the food was very good-LOVE the iced green tea! If you want specific menu info look on this site or on Allearsnet.com for up to date menus. Both times there was no wait, once in late November/early December (party of 4) and at the begining of this month on a weekend (party of 2), both were for lunch.

We had a reservation for Teppanyaki during our trip from September 7th-15th, I'm not sure of the exact date. On the same night we also had reservations for a dinner in Mexico. After deciding that we wanted to do Teppanyaki more than we did Mexico, my aunt canceled our Mexico reservation while sitting on the beach about 2 weeks ago. 2 hours later, after we had left the beach and gone home for the day, there was a message on the answering machine from Disney saying that Teppanyaki would have a delayed opening. Well, after calling Disney back, we were able to get a reservation at Mexico, but at a much later time. (Disney also informed us that they had been calling people for a whole week about their canceled reservations). But after thinking about this some more, we decided to cancel, as we're not exactly dying to eat there. We've done it before, and it was great, but not something that we absolutely cannot miss. Also, we're over on our table service meals on the Dining Plan, since we have a couple signature dining experiences. So, we made a 10:15 reservation at Planet Hollywood. However we might skip this and just go to McDonalds or something, as we have a 6 yrar old and a 7 year old in our group and they'll probably be exhausted. Not sure yet. Anyway, the other day Disney called my aunt and offered us VIP seating for Illuminations, since our reservation had been canceled for Teppanyaki. We haven't gotten back to them yet and aren't sure if we'll do it.

Teppanyaki was supposed to reopen from refurb on Aug 21. I found out from another site that it has been extended to AT LEAST Sept 15.

This bothered me because I had ADRs for 8/31, and had not heard anything from Disney, so I called, and they confirmed that indeed- they will not be open until "hopefully late September" according to the CM.

Because the most recent WDW park update here on MP still shows the Aug 21 date, I thought I would pass along the info! I would hate for anyone to show up thinking they still had a good ADR and not be able to get a TS anywhere with the free dining crowds. As it was, I could not get dinner that night at any of the 10 places on my list, so I ended up with a lunch ADR.
i, too, learned of the late opening and had reservations for teppenyaki in september. i just contacted my itinerary planner via email, who confirmed that date had been pushed back. she also let me know they were contacting people with reservations and that all of the restaurants in that area had added extra seating and were going to great pains to make sure people were taken care of who had reservations. i got dinner seating at le cellier for the same time and they even gave me preferred seating afterwards for the fireworks.

i got dinner seating at le cellier for the same time and they even gave me preferred seating afterwards for the fireworks.
Wow, although totally different types of experiences, given the popularity of Le Cellier, that's a pretty sweet deal.

But it does make me a little concerned if they're increasing the seatings at other locations to make up for the late opening. It's not like they have room to add more tables (especially to Le Cellier and whatever Alfredos is called now). I hope they don't start rushing people, or having really long waits (even with ADRs - see, they shouldn't have changed the name!)

Hi gang! I helped a family plan their trip recently. They too had reservations in Japan at EPCOT. They were notified by Disney of the delayed restaurant opening and were offered a few other locations to choose from. I called a friend of mine at Disney and she gave me this hotline for future reference. If you had a reservation at the Teppenyaki Restaurant in the Japan Pavilion of EPCOT and wish to make a new reservation, call this number:
800-711-4344. This number is strictly for guests who had a reservation at the Teppenyaki Restaurant. Guests may not use this line to skip the 407-WDW Dine number. Disney reserves 800 numbers to take care of issues that arise, like this. My friend was not able to give me an opening date. I've seen dates ranging on here (and with other contacts) from October to November. But you have to remember that it is new construction that is going on and you can never put a deadline on construction work. Just keep your ears and eyes open for an announcement from Disney. Have a great day!

We had ADR for Japan on 9/23/07. I read about the delay in the restaurant re-opening and didn't wait until I received a call. The lady in reservations seemed surprised that I knew about the change. Told her I had read about on the net. She said they hadn't started calling people yet. I had difficulty finding a restaurant I wanted. We wanted Italy.They keep saying Alfredo's is closed in September. Heard this yesterday again when I called.(9-4-07). We ended up with San Angel Inn with 7:30 reservations. When I complained that it would delay us finding a decent place to view Illuminations, she offered the VIP viewing. She acted like she was doing us a favor. She didn't mention that this was a deal to appease all cancelled reservations for Japan dining. I believe she would have let me hang up without offering the VIP viewing if I hadn't complained. Not very Disney like.

Sorry about your guest experience! And I'm very surprised you hadn't been called yet. The family I was planning for was called a few weeks ago. Granted, they just returned home. Perhaps Disney is making calls based by priority (in other words... who is visiting first). Illuminations can be seen from anywhere around the World Showcase and staking out a spot is fun, but isn't really necessary. In fact, a great spot which many guests overlook is the outdoor seating of Norway's Kringla Bakery. You can enjoy a snack and the bakery is just up a little on a hill. Besides a few tree branches, you have a great view of the show and hardly anyone sits back there during the show. Just something to keep in mind. Glad you were given VIP Seating though - that will be nice. Enjoy!

Just to confirm for those who don't know, yes, Alfredo's is closed for two weeks. We talked to a server while we were there on the last night it was opened. Two weeks closed, training, then open again. The very next day, walls were up in Italy so you couldn't even go to the back area at all, so rennovations are taking place as well.

Yes, Alfredo's is currently being replaced by a new restaurant company, so major changes are taking place in the Italy Pavilion at EPCOT's World Showcase.

I was there last week, and near the elevator to up to the Japan restaurants they had a small desk with a cast member to reassign people who didn't know about the closing and hadn't been contacted.

I give my home phone when making ADR's, and no longer have a machine (long story) so if they tried to call me during working hours they wouldn't reach me.