Are ressies necessary in January?

[Booknut]

We're going the last week of January and the first week of February, are reservatios going to be necessary? We are going with our baby daughter who will be 14 months and we will be on her schedule which means making a reservation may be pointless

Will I have a good chance at getting into most restaurants if I just book that day? Do any of you have any experience with going at this time of year?

 

[mickeystoontown]

I've never gone this time of year but I would hesitate to go to WDW any time of year without at least a few ADRs. I would be miserable eating counter service for every meal.

 

[Mom2JPL]

I've never gone that time of year either, but don't you think your daughter will be on some sort of meal schedule by then? We went in Oct with our 3, ages 4, 3 and 12 months at the time of our trip, and made character meal adr's for each day. We made them for either first breakfast ressie of the day or a noonish lunch. After lunch we'd head back to the resort for a nap and then return to the park later, refreshed and ready to play! We'd have a cs meal for dinner and it worked out great for us! The baby just went along with everything...was THRILLED to see all the characters, and was happy as could be.

Have fun planning!

 

[Tricia1972]

I can see where you'd worry about your DD's schedule factoring in the BIG time difference between the UK and Florida.

If you have any restaurants that you really HAVE to go to (Chef Mickey, Crystal Palace, 1900 Park Fare, etc.) then I'd go ahead and make a reservation for there.

I think you're about 6-7 hours ahead of us? Do you normally have a 5:00 dinner at home? If so then maybe make an 11:00 lunch reservation for Crystal Palace, or a 10:30 Late Breakfast reservation at Chef Mickey's. She may be ready for a meal at that time.

For the rest, I'd just call Disney dining the morning of and see what's available for the day. January is not a very busy time so reservations may well be available the day of, however I'd hesistate to start walking up to restaurants. Just call 407-WDW-DINE and see what you can get, even hours before.

For CS, if you end up eating there to accommodate your daughter's schedule, there are some good choices that aren't just burgers and fries.

Tangeirine in Morrocco - World Showcase
Sunshine Seasons - The Land
Cantina de San Angel in Mexico - World Showcase
Sommerfest in Germany - World Showcase

Cosmic Ray's - Magic Kingdom

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We're going the last week of January and the first week of February, are reservatios going to be necessary? We are going with our baby daughter who will be 14 months and we will be on her schedule which means making a reservation may be pointless

Will I have a good chance at getting into most restaurants if I just book that day? Do any of you have any experience with going at this time of year?

You will not go hungry if you don't book a ressie until you're down there. But you might have to go outside a theme park to get in somewhere. There are some places off the beaten path that are good that you can snag one while down there. Certainly, if you absolutely want a specific character meal, you should have a ressie in hand long before you go. I would add Le Cellier and 'Ohana to that list. Also if you want a meal at a place with a view of Wishes or Illuminations during that time or CRT breakfast, you should make a ressie as soon as you're within your time window to do so.
Some places, you will probably be able to make one while down there. .

 

[DisMN]

This is the time of year we always go. You'll be fine without reservations, making them that day of course. You MIGHT want to make one or two must-do's but other than that I wouldn't worry about it.
You may also have plenty of luck doing a walk-in whenever the mood strikes.

Have a great trip!

 

[jenb1023]

We were just there the last week of January to early February and I had every ADR made ahead of time.

I am sure there are some reservations available last minute and walk ups available too but we waited quite awhile to get seated at several character meals even with ADR's.