Basic PS Question

[skyhawk]

I see the point of making PS arrangements as early as possible, but I feel if you do that, then you are kind of "locked in" to those times. For a care-free vacation, that I am trying to NOT overplan (I tend to do that), it seems to take some of the spontaneity away. Would hate to be enjoying something and feel pressured to leave in order to make my PS time. Also, coming across a restaurant by accident is sometimes makes it more appealing than a menu in a guide book.

Ok - now to my point..... Aside from character meals - I was not planning on making any PSs. Is this a good idea, or will I have to wait too long for a table? (Going end of August when crowds start to thin out a bit).

 

[SunshineKathie]

I felt the same way you did, after all, we're going to be on our Disneymoon. That was when my travel agent said that I can always do PS's now and if I want to change them do so by going to the front desk at my resort and they can change it for me.

 

[kandmwedding]

I always make one PS a day, just so that if crowds are bad I'll have something to fall back on. But like Kathie said, you can always make the PS and then cancel it if you find someplace else you'd like to go. I just like to know that if I need it, a table is just about waiting for me at XYZ restaurant.

 

[oogieboogie]

We base our PSs on which park we think we'll be going to on what day depending on EMH and operating hours.

We do 2 PSs per day usually or at least 1 PS per day - we'll make our PSs as soon as we can. One, it gives us a placeholder, and two it lets us figure out our daily food budget once we know where we're eating.

However.... once we get there, it's a whole different story. While we'll still keep some of the PSs to the original time and date, depending on how we feel that day or depending on mood, we'll change our PSs around almost every day.

So the moral of the story is: Have PSs lined up just in case. It doesn't cost you a dime to make PSs. If you find you can't get to it or don't feel like making it to your PS, big deal! Just dial *88 from any payphone on WDW property and you can cancel, rebook, change or make new PSs at any time.

 

[SunshineKathie]

If you find you can't get to it or don't feel like making it to your PS, big deal! Just dial *88 from any payphone on WDW property and you can cancel, rebook, change or make new PSs at any time.

This is good to know. Thanks!

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

It's often easier to change a PS than get a new one as well.

For instance, if you have a 6:30PM at Brown Derby and need a 7:30PM one, you are more likely to get it than someone who just calls cold.

If you plan on eating many sit-downs, it really is a "must" in my opinion. You hear people all the time who do just fine getting in on a whim, but that's not a risk I am willing to take. When I hear people waiting 45 minutes, even HOURS for a table, all I can think of is the wasted park time waiting to eat. If the wait was that long, I'd grab a burger to go.

I think some good advice was given earlier in this thread - which I follow. I plan one PS per day (maybe 2 for something special, like a character breakfast and then a seperate sit-down dinner).

If you are somewhere and can't make it, with few exceptions (Fantasmic! package, CRT, etc.) there is no penalty - if they didn't take a credit card at the time of booking, you don't have to worry about it.

If you plan at eating at any of the popular places (Le Cellier, Brown Derby, Sci-Fi, any character meal) it's really advisable - plus personally I just have a heck of a fun time planning.

N.E.D.

 

[ncbyrne]

One trip, in early May, with my DGDs I didn't make any PS. Since they are such picky eaters I figured we do counter service. However, once we go to WDW we decided to try a sit down. The waits were VERY long at most restaurants, and one actually turned us away without a PS. So much for spontaneous dining. Now I always make at least one evening PS based on our park itinerary.

 

[cdntourguide]

Until a couple of years ago I never made any PS's as I could always get into a sitdown restaurant, might have had to wait a while, but I got in.
With very few exceptions, I now find that a PS is a must to get into the sitdown restaurants.
I was at Magic Kingdom last week, I did have PS's made but wanted to change times but could not get seatings at Crystal Palace Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. In fact there was a large sign posted at City Hall that all sit down reservations were booked and to try out the counter service establishments.
On Monday last week I was able to walk right in to Sci-Fi, but when I walked out after having a great lunch people were being turned away as all tables were booked for the day.

 

[weregoingtodw]

I always make one PS a day, just so that if crowds are bad I'll have something to fall back on. But like Kathie said, you can always make the PS and then cancel it if you find someplace else you'd like to go. I just like to know that if I need it, a table is just about waiting for me at XYZ restaurant.