ADRs - Does Disney leave room for walk ups??

[MisunderstoodLilo]

I think I know the answer to this, but thought I'd ask here, too. I'm thinking no.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Northern_Julie]

No but sometimes there are cancelations. You can try in the morning with guest realtions or ask the restraunt.
I have freinds who just got back and made no ADR's they got tired of CS and managed to get into Boma, Planet Hollywood and SiFi but were shut out of other options during there 10 days

 

[danielle782001]

There are places that are sure to turn you away without a reservation... Don't count on finding a place to eat at the last minute because you will be disappointed.

 

[bdcp]

I sat at CP and Le Cellier and watched disappointed people turned away without ADR's and that was in early Nov!

 

[TikiGoddess]

The last 2 times I've been there (in slow seasons) they've had signs up at MK saying there is no room at any of the sit down restaurants and I've seen tons of people turned away at the doors at other parks.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We saw so many people turned away on our anniversary trip last year, and it was the first week of February....nothing going on, but the restaurants were full. We saw it over Memorial Day week too, but I'd figured that.

 

[emma'smom]

The manger of Askershus told us that the credit card reserved restaurants have about a 2% no-show rate...but the average restaurant has about a 10-20% no-show rate.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

It really depends on what season, what time of day, and what restaurant.

I have walked up to Spoodles and Cape May more times than I can count. Sometimes it was early, sometimes late, and the seasons varied.

But there are some restaurants that are always booked full in advance -- Le Cellier, CRT*, Chef Mickey's*, etc.

*On the other hand there have been reports here on the DIS of people who were able to do walk-ups for breakfast at both these places some time in the last year. But I would not take that as a good bet.

For an 8-day trip, we usually make 3-4 lunch or dinner ADRs, for places we don't want to miss, and then we wing it for the rest.

 

[acourtwdw]

I agree with the pposter. It depends on the season and resturant. Last Oct. we called the WDW Dine line and got into Nine Dragons, CP and Primetime Cafe for the same night as we called. It is possible to do a walk up but there are a lot of variables involved.

 

[Eeyore2003]

They don't "hold" any spots open. But there are some excellent restaurants that you'd probably be able to get in last minute.
Rule of thumb
Never count on any of the big headliners. But to be honest. We find the food at some of the none headliners much better. No matter what time of year, make these reservations well in advance.

Second, never count on ANY restaurant in the summer, Jersey Week, December and major Spring break weeks. If you're going during these times or other busy holidays, always have all reservations made.

During other times of the year there's a good chance that you will probably be able to get in none headliners toward the last minute.

BUT, all that being said, I never count on that and always have a restaurant at least chosen for the night in advance. I can always change it when we're there last minute if we decide to and if we can. Which I did several times when we were there a couple weeks ago with no problem. It was not a very busy week.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) ssshhhhhh
2) don't spread this around
3) many deluxe hotel eateries only book 80% of the times/tables
4) this allows for walk-ups
5) it is done by not offering all the tables to the drs dining software
7) but, you didn't hear it from me

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Last August at the Magic Kingdom by City Hall on the board outside it said walk-ups were available for lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern. So while this might not happen everyday, there might be some days when the restaurants might be able to accept walk-ups.

 

[MisunderstoodLilo]

Thanks everyone! I had a feeling I was right on this one...just wanted to see everyone else's opinions before I corrected someone I know who's not on any message boards.

And Rusty...don't worry...I won't tell!

 

[Echie]

I guess it depends on how popular the place is, but we were just there for spring break last week and we saw 2 parties ahead of us in the check in line, say that they didn't have reservations and were hoping to be able to still get in at 1900 Park Fare (I guess maybe that isn't as popular?), and they were seated within 10 min, we with a reservation were seated immediately.

 

[sarcasticblonde]

We'd planned on being a walk-up for breakfast at Spoodles and Captain's Grille. We're doing ADR's for our lunches and dinners. Are you telling me that I need to make ADR's for breakfast as well? I figured most people would be at the parks already at 10am (which is when we'd probably be eating).

 

[Evil Princess]

Hey Rusty,

while that may be true for some places, the popular locations, such as Chef Mickeys, do indeed release their entire inventory to the DRC. The ones that don't are the ones that most likely would have availability anyway when you called.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Hey Rusty,

while that may be true for some places, the popular locations, such as Chef Mickeys, do indeed release their entire inventory to the DRC. The ones that don't are the ones that most likely would have availability anyway when you called.

1) Although Chef Mickeys usually doesn't have walk-ups, there are spots available.
2) At the last minute one might still get a table.
3) This is where the resort Lobby Concierge or Club Floor Concierge can help.
4) I have frequently gotten folks into CM when the system said they were sold out.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

1) Although Chef Mickeys usually doesn't have walk-ups, there are spots available.
2) At the last minute one might still get a table.
3) This is where the resort Lobby Concierge or Club Floor Concierge can help.
4) I have frequently gotten folks into CM when the system said they were sold out.

When it comes to #3 it's not always the case. In January 2001 we tried asking the Lobby Concierge at the Contemporary if there was anything last minute at Chef Mickey's or Ohana for dinner at anytime. I was told nothing was available, however they suggested going as a walk-in. So we tried that for Chef Mickey's and we were lucky enough to get a table for 3 and wait about 30 or 40 minutes. Now since we were staying at the Contemporary the waiting was not an issue because it's not like we needed to catch a WDW bus from the Magic Kingdom back to another Resort.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) There are only a limited amount of slots to be had not on ADR.
2) Once gone, they are gone.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

We ate at Boma Friday night with a walk-up reservation ... the wait was an hour-and-15-minutes on the nose. We were AKL guests so it was fine.