Are dining reservations needed?

[Dreamer24]

We are first time disneyland visitors. We've done DW many times but never with a baby so this is our first time traveling with a baby (almost 1) and first time to DL. I'd prefer to not be tied down to a schedule if possible. We would never go to DW without reservations.

Should I be making dining reservations for DL? We'll be there the second week in October. The places we are looking to eat at are:
Goofy's Kitchen character Breakfast
PCH Surf's up character Breakfast
Wine Country Trattoria
Naples
PCH Grill Dinner

If I do not have reservations, am I setting myself up for no availability or a very long wait?

 

[pepe3penelope]

We are first time disneyland visitors. We've done DW many times but never with a baby so this is our first time traveling with a baby (almost 1) and first time to DL. I'd prefer to not be tied down to a schedule if possible. We would never go to DW without reservations. Should I be making dining reservations for DL? We'll be there the second week in October. The places we are looking to eat at are: Goofy's Kitchen character Breakfast PCH Surf's up character Breakfast Wine Country Trattoria Naples PCH Grill Dinner If I do not have reservations, am I setting myself up for no availability or a very long wait?

I would definitely do ressies for the character breakfasts. I don't have experience with the others so maybe someone else will contribute. Some of it may depend on when you are going and what days during the week you are going. Have fun !

 

[Dreamer24]

I left out the dates. We'll be there from October 5th to the 9th.

 

[SMD]

Well, if you try to eat dinner outside DL during a Halloween party, you may be in for a wait. Honestly, WCT and Naples aren't so great that you need to wait a long time if they can't seat you. And at Naples you can easily get food to go. I haven't done PCH since they changed the menu. One strategy is to send one person ahead to put your name in while the other changes the baby or something. Also, when the baby naps does that give you an idea of when you'll have dinner? You could call at that point and see what's available that night. I agree with PP, make reservations for the breakfasts. The size of your party will also have an impact, I've generally been able to be seated at dinner at most places with only about a 20 minutes wait, but with a party of 2, and usually not on weekends.

 

[kellietony]

We just were in DL July 20th-26th. On any day we were there, and it was crowded, I could get a reservation for most any restaurant the same day. It's not like WDW. Only a few were not available, and those were the fancier ones. Napoli had more limited choices by the time I looked as well, as it's pretty big with families. I booked the Thunder Mountain BBQ the morning we went, and had choices of 11:30, 1:30 or 2. I got the Surf's up breakfast the day before (Saturday 9 am reservation) with no trouble as well. and Goofy's Kitchen had scattered times available, but the Surf's Up had the characters we were more interested in - especially Pluto. PCH Grill was empty most evenings we went by. We never ate dinner there. Twice we walked to Downtown Disney and just did Earl of Sandwich, which is awesome for very reasonable prices and then can get on your way.

That being said, if they are must-do's, you may not want to wait until the day before like I did, but certainly don't need to be on at first thing 60 days out... Since there's no dining plan and alot of locals, the reservations process isn't like WDW's craziness.

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

Dining reservations are MUCH easier to get at DLR than WDW. Like some of PP have mentioned, you can often get them the same day, if you've decided where you want to go at what time.

It seems like a good idea to make reservations for breakfasts, but if you're able to be flexible, I would wait to make the others. There are lots of great places to eat.