Walk in to Character Meal? - The DIS Discussion Forums

CattailGal · 10-07-2011, 10:21 AM

We have reservations at the Tusker House. Now my MIL and SIL will join us for several days of the trip. I can't add them - or book them on their own. My kids want to do this ONE character meal. Is it possible to get reservations the day of the meal? Any suggestions? I suppose I'll have to cancel it. No availability the rest of the trip, either...

KC

Pakey · 10-07-2011, 10:28 AM

Tusker House has become the "it" character breakfast. Our last 2 times dining here, they were seating quite a bit behind ADR time and they were taking no walkups.

Can't your MIL and SIL do something on their own that morning while you take your children to this breakfast? Certainly they will understand how important this is to your kiddos.

Whatever you do, do not cancel this ADR. There is a slight chance you could get them squeezed onto your seating at the podium but there's probably no way you would get your entire group seated as a walkup without an ADR.

We go with extended family quite often. We do not expect to eat all meals together. I'm the grandparent and if one (or all) of my children want to do a character meal with their children and there's no room for me, I would be fine with that. I'd be heartbroken if they canceled to accomodate me.

Alesia · 10-07-2011, 10:39 AM

Since the ADR is important to your kids, I would keep it. Surely your MIL and SIL will understand that they won't be able to join you.

The chances of you being able to cancel and then get a walk up are basically zero.

Disney Crazy Debbie · 10-07-2011, 10:49 AM

I know that for me, I can't seem to stress enough to my family how important it is to plan ahead. But I am making the ADRs for everyone and while it is like everyone's first time of planning, staying on property and doing the DxDDP I have some experience so I have made list of planned days, restaurants, etc. and they never respond so they get what I plan. I know it's a while before we go but with everyone having children in school, scouts, etc. I wanted to get an approval for the dday of calling...2.2.12.

luvmy2babies · 10-07-2011, 11:07 AM

Don't give up Tusker House, especially if it is your only character meal. Delicious food, beautiful décor, great character interaction. We loved it and it will be the first reservation I try to make on my 180 day mark. You tried and that is all they can expect coming on late like this.

CattailGal · 10-07-2011, 11:44 AM

I've probably checked at least 100 times in the past two weeks, trying to add my MIL and SIL. It just clearned - I was able to change the reservation for the whole party at Tusker House. I can't believe it!

KC

stargazertechie · 10-07-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CattailGal

I've probably checked at least 100 times in the past two weeks, trying to add my MIL and SIL. It just clearned - I was able to change the reservation for the whole party at Tusker House. I can't believe it!

KC

Talk about the pixie dust! HOORAY!

KrysiaG · 10-07-2011, 11:53 AM

Were were able to add my parents onto our existing reservation for Cinderella's Royal Table on 7/6/11. We had a reservation for 6, as that was all that was available. We were told by the reservation person on the phone to try to have my parent's added to our meal as a walk on. They allowed it. My parents were able to dine with us (for lunch) at CRT without the reservation.

It wouldn't hurt to ask once you are there checking in! It worked for us.

Pakey · 10-07-2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CattailGal

I've probably checked at least 100 times in the past two weeks, trying to add my MIL and SIL. It just clearned - I was able to change the reservation for the whole party at Tusker House. I can't believe it!

KC

That is great news. I hope you enjoy your experience there.

PrincessMommy09 · 10-07-2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CattailGal

I've probably checked at least 100 times in the past two weeks, trying to add my MIL and SIL. It just clearned - I was able to change the reservation for the whole party at Tusker House. I can't believe it!

KC

That's awesome!!! I've been trying to add a Tusker House breakfast ADR for about a month. I'm hoping we'll get some pixie dust and be able to get a reservation. Maybe I'll go check now

TravelGrl · 10-07-2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CattailGal

I've probably checked at least 100 times in the past two weeks, trying to add my MIL and SIL. It just clearned - I was able to change the reservation for the whole party at Tusker House. I can't believe it!

KC

Yay! It pays to be persistent. Now your kids still get to have the experience they really wanted, and you aren't leaving anyone out.

mickeyluv'r · 10-07-2011, 01:02 PM

I'm not sure how you are going about trying to add guests (online?) - but more than once, I've been able to call WDW dining and have an extra person (or two) added to our existing reservations. Only a few places were not able to do that. (mostly signature dining places) However.....if I know that a family member is MAYBE joining us for a trip to WDW - I include them in my initial reservations, THEN I call closer to my dates and have the reservations modified if that person decides they can't go. More than one CM has told me that it's WAY easier to drop a guest than to add one.

I try to respect WDW, but it's kind of crazy that you have to plan your dining months (180 days) in advance.

andyman8 · 10-07-2011, 05:01 PM

Do not cancel the ADR. I think you should be fine. If they show up with you at the podium, they should accept them and bring them too (as it is more money for Disney), it may be a 'tight table', but still.

Silver Queen · 10-07-2011, 06:01 PM

So happy it worked out for everyone! Have a great time!

Marthasor · 10-07-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CattailGal

I've probably checked at least 100 times in the past two weeks, trying to add my MIL and SIL. It just clearned - I was able to change the reservation for the whole party at Tusker House. I can't believe it!

KC

That's fantastic! Persistence pays! I took my DS3 there for breakfast in May and we had a blast. Have a great time!

10-07-2011, 10:21 AM	#1
CattailGal Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 163	Walk in to Character Meal? We have reservations at the Tusker House. Now my MIL and SIL will join us for several days of the trip. I can't add them - or book them on their own. My kids want to do this ONE character meal. Is it possible to get reservations the day of the meal? Any suggestions? I suppose I'll have to cancel it. No availability the rest of the trip, either... KC

10-07-2011, 10:39 AM	#3
Alesia DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Orange Barrel Capitol of the World Posts: 7,955	Since the ADR is important to your kids, I would keep it. Surely your MIL and SIL will understand that they won't be able to join you. The chances of you being able to cancel and then get a walk up are basically zero. __________________

10-07-2011, 10:49 AM	#4
Disney Crazy Debbie DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 1,335	I know that for me, I can't seem to stress enough to my family how important it is to *plan* ahead. But I am making the ADRs for everyone and while it is like everyone's first time of planning, staying on property and doing the DxDDP I have some experience so I have made list of planned days, restaurants, etc. and they never respond so they get what I plan. I know it's a while before we go but with everyone having children in school, scouts, etc. I wanted to get an approval for the dday of calling...2.2.12. __________________ Disney Crazy Debbie 1975 - Holiday Inn, Orlando; 12/1975 (WDW), 2/1976 (WDW), 4/1976 (WDW) and 4/83 (DL) - day visits; 6/80 - Lake Buena Vista; 9/2000 Caribbean Beach Resort; 8/2004 POFQ; 8/2006 BCR and Disney Cruise; 6/2007 Disney Land Paris; 07/31/2012 Port Orleans French Quarters

10-07-2011, 11:07 AM	#5
luvmy2babies DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,672	Don't give up Tusker House, especially if it is your only character meal. Delicious food, beautiful décor, great character interaction. We loved it and it will be the first reservation I try to make on my 180 day mark. You tried and that is all they can expect coming on late like this. __________________ Me DD 10 DS, 3

10-07-2011, 11:53 AM	#8
KrysiaG Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 440	Were were able to add my parents onto our existing reservation for Cinderella's Royal Table on 7/6/11. We had a reservation for 6, as that was all that was available. We were told by the reservation person on the phone to try to have my parent's added to our meal as a walk on. They allowed it. My parents were able to dine with us (for lunch) at CRT without the reservation. It wouldn't hurt to ask once you are there checking in! It worked for us. __________________ Christine Mother to: Evan (6) Aidan (6) Bella (5) Sophie (3)

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10-07-2011, 10:28 AM	#2
Pakey Lobster A Boo Boo Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central California Posts: 18,944	Tusker House has become the "it" character breakfast. Our last 2 times dining here, they were seating quite a bit behind ADR time and they were taking no walkups. Can't your MIL and SIL do something on their own that morning while you take your children to this breakfast? Certainly they will understand how important this is to your kiddos. Whatever you do, do not cancel this ADR. There is a slight chance you could get them squeezed onto your seating at the podium but there's probably no way you would get your entire group seated as a walkup without an ADR. We go with extended family quite often. We do not expect to eat all meals together. I'm the grandparent and if one (or all) of my children want to do a character meal with their children and there's no room for me, I would be fine with that. I'd be heartbroken if they canceled to accomodate me.

10-07-2011, 11:44 AM	#6
CattailGal Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 163	I've probably checked at least 100 times in the past two weeks, trying to add my MIL and SIL. It just clearned - I was able to change the reservation for the whole party at Tusker House. I can't believe it! KC

10-07-2011, 01:02 PM	#12
mickeyluv'r DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 7,036	I'm not sure how you are going about trying to add guests (online?) - but more than once, I've been able to call WDW dining and have an extra person (or two) added to our existing reservations. Only a few places were not able to do that. (mostly signature dining places) However.....if I know that a family member is MAYBE joining us for a trip to WDW - I include them in my initial reservations, THEN I call closer to my dates and have the reservations modified if that person decides they can't go. More than one CM has told me that it's WAY easier to drop a guest than to add one. I try to respect WDW, but it's kind of crazy that you have to plan your dining months (180 days) in advance.

10-07-2011, 05:01 PM	#13
andyman8 DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 2,114	Do not cancel the ADR. I think you should be fine. If they show up with you at the podium, they should accept them and bring them too (as it is more money for Disney), it may be a 'tight table', but still.

10-07-2011, 06:01 PM	#14
Silver Queen DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,514	So happy it worked out for everyone! Have a great time! __________________

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