Are we Out of Luck?

[ojeilatan]

Seeing as it's my family's first trip to WDW, we were unaware of some things....particulary about making dinner reservations well in adavance of our trip. We fly out in three days, on the 1st and are staying until the ninth.

After reading about how far in advance restaurants can be booked up, I have a few questions for those of you more experienced than me. We figure that we will have lots of trouble getting into some of the more popular restaurants, and are most likely SOL in that area.

- If you can manage to get into the restuarants on a wait time, how long is the average wait?

-Are there some places to eat that are easier to get into without a reservation that you would reccomend?

-If we were to call today, what are our chances at getting a reservation?

Just to add a ittle info, we are a famiy that isn't very picky, enjoys almost anything, and does not mind eating early or late.

Thank you so much for your help!

[illini]

I've never tried walking up, so I can't help on the wait time. I would guess at least an hour wait at most places if they'll seat you at all. I think it will get harder to find places as your stay progresses.

Some of the WS restaurants are easier to get into, and some are the hardest tickets at WDW. Marrakesh is easier, but still not easy.

I'd call *right now*. Have a list of some places you want to try, and take what you can find. You can always cancel them later. If you get a good CM on the phone, they'll help you out a lot, too. Make sure they know that you didn't realize about ADRs and they may be more sympathetic and thus more willing to help you.

[Ian]

I wouldn't worry quite so much ... it's probably not as hopeless as you think ...

- If you can manage to get into the restuarants on a wait time, how long is the average wait?

It really depends. I've done walk-ups at restaurants that WDW Dine told me were full and gotten seated immediately. Other times I've had to wait 45 minutes to an hour. But the nice thing about WDW is that you can always wander around and do some things while you wait for your table.

-Are there some places to eat that are easier to get into without a reservation that you would reccomend?

I would say yes. The most popular places are Alfredo's in Epcot's Italy, Chefs De France in (surprise, surprise) Epcot's France, Coral Reef (at the Living Seas pavilion in Epcot), Teppanyaki Dining (at Japan in Epcot), California Grill (at the Contemporary), and a few others. But you might have luck if you try China (Nine Dragons), or Canada (Le Cellier). I can get in there at times. You may have luck eating at some of the resort restaurants too. They fill up a little more slowly than the theme park restaurants. Exceptions being like Jiko at Citrico's and places like that.

-If we were to call today, what are our chances at getting a reservation?

If you're flexible with your times and dates, I would say they're excellent. It's busy around this time but not crazy busy and there's no free dining, so I think you'll be able to get most of what you want. You may have to go at some less-than-ideal times, but I still think you'll be okay.

[MOJoe]

Don't wait and take a chance on getting seated without a reservation. Call now and get the best seating times you can. Your situation may be different, but i would rather know that i have a reservation at a certain place and time, than just taking my chances. Crowds are beginning to pick up now that schools are letting out. So the odds of getting table service are dwindling by the day. Call now!

[Dawneeeey]

Hi!

I would call ASAP, you may not be able to get the times of day you prefer (dinnertime, lunchtime) but you may be able to get off times, earlier than dinner, or really late. Some restaurants may be just booked solid, and don't accept walkups.

The other thing to do is make as many ADRs as you can but when you get to the park, go to Guest Services and see if you can move things around. Castmembers there have been extremely helpful to me in the past when Le Cellier was completely booked, they offered other suggestions, even places I hadn't thought of.

You should be ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I promise.

Eat, drink and be with Mickey!!!

[Disneyatic]

Last year was our first trip to WDW and I was fortunate to get an awesome CM who helped me through the ADR process.
Do you have an idea of what parks you are going to be at which days?
If so, I would also write down the places you would like to eat and then call 1-800-wdw-dine and talk with the CM to see what is available on the days you are in certain parks.
Being flexible on your times will really help and hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised!

I would try to make at least a few ADR's and not leave everything to the luck of walk ups when you get there.

[ojeilatan]

Thank you so much everyone, you've been extremely helpful! We will be sitting down tonight and calling in to see what is available. We may try a few walk ups for lunch, but we will see what we can get for dinner. And we do have an idea of where we will be, so that should help loads. Thank you so much again! If anyone else has any more suggestions, they would be greaty appreciated

[tinkerbell04]

Keep us posted on how you make out. Good luck!

[dtootsie42]

Do you have an idea of what parks you are going to be at which days?
If so, I would also write down the places you would like to eat and then call 1-800-wdw-dine and talk with the CM to see what is available on the days you are in certain parks.
Being flexible on your times will really help and hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised!

I would try to make at least a few ADR's and not leave everything to the luck of walk ups when you get there.

Excellent advice. We always have a general idea on where we are going to be each day and base our meals around that park. I would call and see what you can get, try to be flexible and I'm hoping you'll get some of the places you want. If Dinners don't work try lunch and then have a snacky dinner.

[ojeilatan]

Keep us posted on how you make out. Good luck!

Thanks and will do! I'll have a pre-trip report up a few days before we leave!

[anneb]

Here are some places I'd bet you are likely to still get in, even as walk-ups, especially if you are willing to eat early:
Marrakesh in Epcot
The sit-down Chinese Restaurant in Epcot
Grand Floridian Cafe at the GF
Citricos at the GF
Spoodles at the Boardwalk
Either Gulliver's Grill or the new Italian Restaurant at the Swan
The Dolphin Fountain at the Dolphin (no reservations).
Bistro de Paris at Epcot (excellent, but not really suitable for kids).
Some of these - especially the Bistro de Paris, Citricos, and Spoodles, are really very good restaurants that have never been full when I've eaten there early (such as 5:30 to 6:00 or so). Marrakesh is also a great experience - very pretty, very unusual, with belly dancers and musicians - and not bad food. Because it's cuisine is less familiar to most Americans, it can usually take last-minute or walk-up diners.
I also encourage you to go ahead and call. I once snagged a table for two at the California Grill just a couple of days in advance!

[ojeilatan]

thanks anneb! I'm saving this list, so that if we are closer to these restaurants when we have a reservation elsewhere, we could maybe cancel at do a walk-up at some of these. These also sound like good places to try for lunch! thanks again!

[vamaggie]

Even if you don't get ADRs for a lot of table service meals, there are quite a lot of good counter service meal choices. Last time we went we did a lot of CS meals but treated them more like TS in that we took our time, relaxed and people watched while we ate. We did this both at the parks and at the resorts and it was great. Good luck and enjoy your first time at WDW!!!

[merlinmagic4]

I was going to say what vamaggie said! There will be quite a few counter service restaurants at each park so you will be able to eat if the table service spots are booked. We like Columbia Harbor House in MK a lot and actually have chosen that over a table service. If you go there, sit upstairs where it may be quieter. I would take a look at your park days, look at the table service restaurants that you might enjoy, and call tonight to see if you can get an ADR. Good luck!!

[wendy*darling]

I am assuming you are not doing the Disney Dining Plan... am I right?
I think you will be fine. I'd try for ADR's at your first choices- for lunch or dinner. Lunch is often easier- and cheaper!
Also consider character breakfasts- some of them are not too hard to get into last minute.

If you are striking out at the places you want to eat- go for counter service. There is a lot of excellent counter service food to be found in the parks. You will not starve! In the World Showcase- most of the countries have a CS place. Yakitori House in Japan and the Fish & Chips stand in the UK are our favorites. Also in Epcot, the Land Pavilion has an excellent CS place downstairs.
If you are not on the Dining Plan, there's no harm in eating mostly counter service meals. You will still have a filling and enjoyable experience.

I look forward to reading your trip reports from your very first trip to WDW!

[cgriff]

Would you happen to be staying at a concierge-level resort? I've heard of the concierge staff making some remarkable ADR magic happen, even this late in the game...

Good luck. I bet it will work out pleasantly for you, and you'll have some teriffic dining!

cgriff

[BronxTigger]

I'm a little late coming to this thread, but I wanted to add my 2 cents anyways.

Last year, we decided to go to WDW last minute (FOUR days before our departure date, we booked the plane tickets and hotel). I called to make some ADRs (in August) and did not have much trouble.

Are you on the dining plan? If not, you don't need to eat a TS meal every day. If you are on the DDP, you will definitely want to use those TS credits.

Call now, but also keep calling each day, as people get caught up at WDW and change plans (we canceled 2 of our 4 ADRs on last year's trip) and you may be able to get some same-day ADRs.

Good luck!

[Marilyn Michetti]

Ya know? Lots of times, it's just being at the right podium at the right time. We've walked up in Dec. and were seated within minutes, but this is June????

Call, and see what you can get. I've got my fingers crossed for you. Whatever happens, you'll find something wonderful to enjoy at a walk-up or resort if you miss a premier restaurant.

[disneygirlie11]

Last year we changed our plans and went to MGM instead. Right when we got to the park we actually went to the service center to see about mailing a letter. When we were there a CM told us that he could check and see if there were any openings at any of the restaurants. We got into 50's Primetime Cafe at dinner with no problem.

[disneymom2000]

That is something a lot of people don't know about. If you don't get in somewhere you might like to try, as soon as you get to the park in the morning go to the customer service desk and check the listing. Sometimes people are nice enough to actually call and cancel a reservation in advance if they decide not to hit the park they planned on that day. Then something may open. There are usually several chances to try and get in somewhere you will like. Good Luck and have fun.