10/7-10/14 with DDP and 3 kiddos. Where can I eat TS without ADRs?

[finz2left]

With 3 kids under 7, I'd like to keep it a bit flexible. I can do my TS for lunch or dinner -- only 1 for BF (Chef Mikey's, LOL). Where can i be reasonably sure I can grab a TS credit meal during the days and/or nights without more than 2 hours notice. Buffets are fine.....

 

[wdwobsessed]

Honestly?? I would make a TS ADR as a back up just in case you cannot walk up somewhere.

Then ... call in the AM to see what is available the day you want to dine.

I know of "less popular" places like Concourse Steak House at CR or The Plaza at MK.

I just wouldn't chance it and be left with nada or something you really dont' want!

Maybe others will have better advice!

WDWO

 

[noahynav]

I believe that Beaches and Cream is walk up only. IT is a TS and you cannot make ressies in advance. That may be an option for you.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

They were taking walk up at lunch time at Chefs de France when we were there a few weeks ago. Yacht Club Galley is usually not very busy. I've gotten in at the Plaza at MK after 2 with only a short wait. Hollywood and Vine may be a choice at MGM.

But frankly, I would make some ADRs. I would not want to wait over an hour with 3 kids or wander place to place as they got more and more hungry. If you end up having to eat counter service cause you can't find anything, you will be wasting the TS credits.

 

[stitch626_in_time]

At EPCOT, we almost always go to Nine Dragons (China) at lunch right when the World Showcase first open (or at least shortly thereafter), there is almost never a wait. We also walked up to Biergarten (Germany) between 5 & 6 for dinner and only had about a 15 minute wait.
We also managed to walk up at Ohana's ....but we waited about and hour to see if there were any cancellations. I recommend having a backup plan though, just in case. Hope this helps!

 

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

If being flexible is your number one priority, you can always "downgrade" a Table Credit to a Counter Service Meal.

Other advice if you have a cell phone try dialing for ADR's during the day at the park, you be suprised how many people cancel last minute. During last years Free dinning program, I was able to switch numerous ADRs. One good thing in your favor is Free dinning ends 8 days after you arrive, so the TS places should be back to normal bookings. Remember most ADR's don't require a Credit Card, so as soon you know the park you are visiting that day call and book atleast one backup ADR, at approx. time you plan to eat. I seen to many people walk up to TS podium only to told " Sorry booked thru the night". Having an ADR gets foot in the door, I wouldn't be suprised to seated one to two hours before your ADR time, think opposite of FassPass. Too early good, anything beyond 15 min bad.

 

[ReneeA]

I would make at least SOME ADR's. We went last year the end of August - the parks weren't very busy - but the only restaurant they were taking walk ups was Yacht Club Galley. All of the others were turning ALL walk ups away.

I wouldn't chance it.

 

[jmurphy625]

We walked up to Tony's 10 minutes before they open and they sat us....we just had to wait until they opened and ours was the first name they called. There were few families waiting already but I think they had adrs...It was a nice little waiting area w/lady and the tramp showing.

We were really just looking to get out of the heat...it was a little early to eat, but we didn't make many adr's so we figured we'd take a seat if we could get it.

 

[tripplanner]

We like to stay flexible also and have usually made firm plans for a few meals in advance. In the past years, it's really not been a problem. We would always come up with a list of three choices on the day we wanted to eat, call dining, and always got one of the three choices. On our last trip, it didn't work out that way. The only availability we could find was always late. Like after 8:30 late. We are not late eaters and would call first thing in the morning, again in the afternoon, again before supper - just in case anything opened up. It was frustrating. The only place we were able to get into on those unreserved days was Chef Mickey's. We showed up when they opened and got on a list. Surprisingly, we didn't have to wait long. My advice would be - plan ahead now. You can always cancel the reservation, if it doesn't work for you. We're going again in November, I'm planning on getting ADR's for all of sit down meals.

 

[finz2left]

Thanks for the great advice everyone! I will go ahead and book a few ressies and I will call and cancel if it looks like they won't work.

And, as for downgrading, I didn't realize we could do that!! I might actually use that option a few times. My sanity is worth more than a few dollars and desserts,

Ears to you all!

 

[n2mm]

I agree with others that you need to make some ADRs. Your dates are over the Colombus Day weekend and that part of your trip will be the hardest to get seatings for. That is generally the busiest weekend of October, with Halloween weekend coming in second. If you plan to do the MNSSHP, you might want to get tickets, or plan to do it during a weekday. Last year the Friday before Colombus Day weekend sold out early. We are there Oct. 14-27 and made our ADRs months ago and could barely get in to some places for a party of 6, esp. LeCellier, but did manage to snag a 7:20 seating on one of our 5 choices for days.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Dining at 'unpopular' times - such as RIGHT at restaurant opening - gives you a decent chance of getting seated.
Staying away from popular restaurants helps too.
Consider Trail's End Buffeteria at Fort Wilderness if you're at Magic Kingdom. You can take a boat over.
Resort restaurants, especially NOT the Magic Kingdom and Epcot ones, tend to be less busy.

 

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

Thanks for the great advice everyone! I will go ahead and book a few ressies and I will call and cancel if it looks like they won't work.

And, as for downgrading, I didn't realize we could do that!! I might actually use that option a few times. My sanity is worth more than a few dollars and desserts,

Ears to you all!

If your going to do use TAble Credits for Counter meals then I highly suggest saving your reciepts. I got a daily update at the front desk everyday just to confirm my totals.

A couple things to remember:

Most CS meals are outdoor seating in the Florida Heat, most TS meals are indoors with A/C, something to factor in keeping your "sanity"

The TS meal includes a gratuity, that means some CM is not going to be able pay his/her rent now


Now my sarcastic rant is over try over www.allearsnet.com in the Dinning section to check out the menus both CS and TS. Some people on these boards say we are obsessive planners, I believe we are just more knowledgeable about what Disney offers.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

You will also have more luck if you try to do a walk-up during parades/fireworks. I think our family will be doing the same thing in combination with a few ADR's I already made. When I called for the first week of October, just about all the buffets were available at some point during the day, but Le Cellier, Mama Melrose's (w/Fantasmic), and a few other upscale restaurants had little to no availabilty.