Are dining reservations a must at Kona?

[GoingtoWDWagain]

While I debate on resorts like I always do, I'd love some tips/suggestions on dining while at a resort. Are/Is/Was dining reservations a must for Kona? I know O'Hana's needs reservations or good luck getting a table but what about Kona? I really dread all this dining reservations, leaves nothing open for last minute changes, but that's Disney

Thanks a bunch

 

[Stitch And Friends]

I've never been there for dinner, but for breakfast it depends on how busy the resort (and parks in general) are. We stayed at POLY last week and got tables without reservations twice with only a 10 minute wait one day and no wait at all the other (this was probably around 10AM both days). The hotel appeared to be moderately busy during our stay. We tried to make an advance reservation for Sunday morning because we didn't want to take the chance of a wait since we were leaving for the airport but were told it was booked solid but we could try in the morning. They must have had cancellations because there was only a 15-20 wait on Sunday at 9AM!

 

[tinkandpan]

Not sure about bfast but the past few years it went from being one that you could usually get a table with no problem to one of the tougher ones to get from time to time.

 

[pbharris4]

I saw you are going in July. We mostly go in late June/early July and I see many, many people walk away from 99% of the TS restaurants wishing they had made ADRs. Kona has become very popular for all 3 meals. What I always do is plan my park days and non park days and them the restaurants come next. I make ADRs and then while we are there if we cancel one and then try to make another or cancel it altogether. At least you are guaranteed a spot if you want it, but make sure to cancel if you do not so someone else can have it.

Just a little bit of planning really goes a long way. Our summer vacations are breeze because of the little bit of planning I do. You'll love Kona!

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Are/Is/Was dining reservations a must for Kona?

I'd say yes.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Yes Kona does need an ADR.

 

[abc999]

Kona has become quite popular and at times may be harder to get in to than Ohana.

 

[Mickey_Man]

I really dread all this dining reservations, leaves nothing open for last minute changes, but that's Disney

Thanks a bunch

I still don't understand the dread behind making a reservation. This isn't just a Disney phenomenon. Try getting into your favorite restaurant on a Friday night in a city (not just NYC, even Hartford and New Haven here in CT). Reservations are just a framework - you can change them, cancel them, or blow them off (please don't though - it take 2 minutes to cancel when you decide not to go!). Of course you can make last minute changes - I have the WDW Dine line in my cell phone and make changes on the fly all the time. Make a ressie and if you decide to go, you'll be happy you have one. If you decide to change, it will have taken you all of 5 minutes to have made and subsequently cancel your ressie.

Happy Dining!!!

 

[alldiz]

I agree....make your ADR if you really want to eat there.

There are only a few places that penalize for last minute cancellations.

I've changed my ressie last minute.....cancelled, if we changed our plans...no biggie.
Once we didn't show up....we got stuck in a major rainstorm and were soaked by the time we got to the monorail....didn't want the kids to get sick so we turned around and went home.
We managed to get a last minute ressie at Capt Grill at YC.
Kerri

 

[simonkodousek]

We traveled to Disney World in July last year, and I would say to make ADR's. Unless you are planning to have a super early breakfast or super late dinner, make ADR's.

 

[HM]

Yep. Last august we had an early dinner there. There was a man in front of us at the podium trying to get a meal there. He was turned away. The hostess said that they were booked up all week. He was not a happy camper.

 

[Bev J]

I know it is hard to make ADR's 6 mo out, but if you want certain places then you need to. Kona Cafe is a busy place for dinner, well worth making that ADR. If the day comes and you just don't want to eat there or you want to change just call dining see what else is available for a time you like better and cancel the original ADR.

You will be surprised what might be available especially of your willing to eat at off times or a less popular place. Cancellations happen all the time.

We saw so many people bent out of shape because they thought they could just walk up and get on a list- .

We are working on our December ones now, I don't even know what I am making for dinner tonight but I know in 6 mo I will have some really good meals

 

[ZoZo]

I saw you are going in July. We mostly go in late June/early July and I see many, many people walk away from 99% of the TS restaurants wishing they had made ADRs. Kona has become very popular for all 3 meals. What I always do is plan my park days and non park days and them the restaurants come next. I make ADRs and then while we are there if we cancel one and then try to make another or cancel it altogether. At least you are guaranteed a spot if you want it, but make sure to cancel if you do not so someone else can have it.

Just a little bit of planning really goes a long way. Our summer vacations are breeze because of the little bit of planning I do. You'll love Kona!

Well said. I totally agree. I consider ADRs a "necessary evil." Make them; you won't regret it!