AR's - Can you still successfully book after arrival???

[hb2000]

Hello Everyone;

I have made AR's for all my "priority" meals in late August: Fantasmic, Le Cellier, etc.. Now I am wondering if I can book more casual dining fare closer to or during my holiday.

For example we want to try some breakfasts like Boma and Kona cafe before we book our final day's breakfast. This means we would try to book it about two weeks prior after sampling the two restaurants mentioned above.

Or, how about some of the resaturants that do not appear to be on peoples "high priority" list like say Rose & Crown.

Are there restaurants I could get away with booking after I get there??

If the answer is yes: could I make some bookings two weeks prior, or 1 week prior, or 3 days prior????

What park or hotel restaurants do you think I would be able to do this for??

Having planned the Important meals I guess I just hope to be more flexible for the remainder of our trip.

Thanks for your help
HB2000

 

[Bob P]

Hi HB2000,

I always think ARs are netter than no ARs. If you have your heart set on certain restaurants like Boma (which fills up fast) I would advise you to make the AR.

If you are going at the end of August you may run into the first wave of people arrving with the free dining package, so I think the restaurnats will be busier than they usually are at the end of August.

Rose and Crown is very popular around Illuminations time, so I'd advise an AR there too if you are going for dinner.

Having said that, you may be able to get everything you want when you get there. But be aware you may have long waits or be turned away from some places at peak times.

Enjoy,

Bob

 

[disney queen]

i agree w/BobP. you may have long waits or not be able to book what you are wanting. i would definitely make them beforehand if possible. happy eating!!

 

[xterratri]

I'm going to disagree. We just got home about 1 this morning so this is based on our experience for the previous 8 days. I had ADRs booked with 1 a day most days but we decided to do even more sit down meals. Booked Marrakesh for dinner day of and could have been seated quickly even without it on Memorial Day, did Brown Derby on 10 minutes notice Friday for lunch during MGM Star Wars Weekend, and then set up lunch at Olivia's for Sunday on Saturday night and could have gotten in without an ADR there too. Where it was necessary was CRT- when we were there on 5/29 for lunch, they were telling people no availability at all for the next 2 days. Will post dining reviews soon- did the outline already.

 

[scanne]

I'm going to disagree with the first two replies as well.

Here is my example:

I had PS's on Valentines Day 2004 for dinner at Crystal Palace. Our party size started out as 3 adults and 1 child. Well, my dad decided he wanted to go on the trip as well, so I called to add him. WDW Dining said they could not add him and to keep calling back. I called EVERY day to try and add him to no avail.

When we got to MK that day (Valentines Day - which was also a Saturday that year), I went right up to the Crystal Palace and asked about adding my dad to the PS. They said, "Sure, that won't be any problem at all." Then, about 30 minutes before dinner, a friend of ours that was in town, showed up at the MK and I again, went up to the hostess and asked about adding him. Again they said "No problem." We got a great table close to the buffet line but away from the major flow of traffic.

Moral of the story - and this is just my opinion - I feel the WDW dining doesn't have the whole "picture" when it comes to making PS's (now AR's). But if you go directly to where you wish to dine, especially the less popular spots, I think you will be accomodated. You may have to wait, but I think we almost always have to wait some time for the AR's we make anyway.

So, call from your resort once you're there and go to the eatery itself once you're there. Good luck!!!

 

[Ilovestitch]

I've always found it easy to make last minute PS's. When we've stayed at AKL and Polynesian we've called that morning to make breakfast ps's at Kona and Boma.

On this past trip, I called to make a breakfast ps for Boma and when the CM asked what time we wanted I said "NOW!" We were starving! They made a ps for us that was in 15 mins. so we walked down to Boma and was seated right away.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We made last minute PSs last month at WL as well - and pretty much had our choice of restaurants. Course, it wasn't high peak season like summer and the dining plan wasn't free yet

I think if you're set on doing a breakfast someplace, make a AR and cancel if you change your plans, so you're not stuck regretting that simple phonecall that would have saved you a spot. While there, take advantage of the guest services desk at your resort, they can look in their computer immediately and find you places to dine =)

 

[gigi1313]

we've never had a problem making last minute PS/ADRs... i try to book the "biggies" in advance but then fly by the seat of our pants for the less "hot ticket" places... i.e. we booked CRT, Fantasmic Dinner Pkg and HDDR in advance... did day of or day before for Donald's, 'Ohana breakfast, PSB and were walk ups for Garden Grill and Crystal Palace w/out a problem...

given the popularity of the free dining, and how some guests who were previously counter-service people will now be eating sit-downs, it might be a little tighter, but still calling day of or morning of for most restaurants should be okay...