Best Table Service - No Reservation

[Seaton]

I am a solo Disney traveler about seven hours away from the World. I usually take my Disney trips on a whim without any plans. I know people often make reservations months in advance and it can be difficult (if not impossible) to get into some of the most popular restaurants without one.

My question is: What are some of the better restaurants that you can get in w/o a reservation - or maybe one made just a day or two in advance? My food preferences are steak, cheeseburgers, and seafood.

 

[sharonabe]

I don't have any specific recommendations for you, but with the cancellation charges within 24 hrs, it's now much easier to get SOME day-of ADRs, so it's no longer as impossible even at some of the most popular restaurants. I suggest just start checking every morning for a week or so to see what is available. You'll probably see a pattern, and be able to check out menus and make a better choice when you do decide to go.

 

[chs27]

Download the MDE ap. to easily check what openings are availabe. There are always last minute listings.

 

[jimmytammy]

One of our favorites that usually be walk up is Nine Dragons, specifically their Honey Sesame Chicken dish. Marrakesh is another easy walk up, though I cant say its a go to for us. ESPN, if a big game isnt going on is a good choice.

 

[AngiTN]

I wouldn't plan on trying without any reservation at all. Some locations will take your name but most will not. Since it's sort of a PITA to get a handle on which will and which will not I would make ADR
I believe you have a very good chance of getting in any restaurant you want if you check for a reservation the day before you plan to eat. Add in flexibility to eat at off times and you really increase your odds of getting a table. With cancellations and what not it's really not hard at all. Especially with you only needing a spot for 1.
One hint though, sometimes Disney's system is wonky and you can find availability for 2 but not for 1. You won't be charged a no show fee if you make a reservation for 2 and only show up with 1 so if you can't find something at the location you want for 1, check for 2. Won't hurt.

 

[loves to dive]

I wouldn't plan on trying without any reservation at all. Some locations will take your name but most will not. Since it's sort of a PITA to get a handle on which will and which will not I would make ADR
I believe you have a very good chance of getting in any restaurant you want if you check for a reservation the day before you plan to eat. Add in flexibility to eat at off times and you really increase your odds of getting a table. With cancellations and what not it's really not hard at all. Especially with you only needing a spot for 1.
One hint though, sometimes Disney's system is wonky and you can find availability for 2 but not for 1. You won't be charged a no show fee if you make a reservation for 2 and only show up with 1 so if you can't find something at the location you want for 1, check for 2. Won't hurt.

This. We usually only make one ADR in advance, tea at the GF, otherwise it's the night before or the morning of for us. We actually enjoy going to GS at the park we are at that morning and letting them find us something. We've had some great interactions with CM and it starts to get like a game for them to see what they can find. We usually wait until after the mad rush at park opening to do this so it isn't too busy there, the one at Epcot is the best for this as they don't seem to be as busy as others (the one sort of caddy corner to SE). If we are going to do it the night before, I tend to wander down to concierage at the front desk and ask them to look. They usually aren't real busy and they'll look all over the place for me.

 

[Anthony1971]

Personally we rarely make ADR's and if we do it is the same day. We have never been turned away and the wait has always been under 20 minutes but we also do not eat at some of the most popular places as truthfully they just are not that good as far as food quality. You are also a party of 1 or 2 (table top size) and those tables are even easier to get.. when I go out with just my wife I have never had a problem anywhere we went and a short wait. Some places that are hard to get like Ohana you would have a long wait but truthfully the food the there is just not good.. 10 years ago it was easy to get and the food was far better but still not something we really loved, Kona is far better. Logic is look every ones must do and stay away...but there are just not a lot of them. The exception to this rule would be during free dining even when went during peak times like 4th of July we did not have a problem.

 

[Mazz519]

Kona at the Poly... Turf club at Saratoga Springs.... and nine dragons are usually always available the same day

 

[maryj11]

I have read Captain's Grille at the Yacht Club.

 

[Seaton]

Some of the restaurants I'm interested in are Le Cellier, The Coral Reef, Rose & Crown, and Yachtsman (impressed that they have prime grade beef).

 

[AngiTN]

Of those I think you may have a good chance of a walk up to Coral Reef.
Le Cellier, and Rose and Crown are usually pretty full.
Yachtsman, I'm not sure.
I do think you'd stand a very good chance of getting an ADR the day before, or even day of. Maybe at off eating times. You'd save yourself trouble by checking for an ADR vs. walking up to see if you can get on a waiting list.

 

[MJ6987]

Not done it myself but what about some of the restaurants where they have bar / lounge areas where you can sit and order from the menu? I haven't got a list but I'm sure others know - Hollywood Brown Derby, California Grill, 50's Prime Time I think are some

 

[LSLS]

A lot of the higher end restaurants have bars you could go sit at and get a meal (specifically coming to mind is California Grill). Captain's Grille, we walked in there no problem and the food was great. Le Cellier would be tough. Maybe try for Shula's at the Dolphin?

 

[Seaton]

Of those I think you may have a good chance of a walk up to Coral Reef.
Le Cellier, and Rose and Crown are usually pretty full.
Yachtsman, I'm not sure.
I do think you'd stand a very good chance of getting an ADR the day before, or even day of. Maybe at off eating times. You'd save yourself trouble by checking for an ADR vs. walking up to see if you can get on a waiting list.

Thanks. I figured Coral Reef would be as hard as any due to the unique atmosphere.

Not done it myself but what about some of the restaurants where they have bar / lounge areas where you can sit and order from the menu? I haven't got a list but I'm sure others know - Hollywood Brown Derby, California Grill, 50's Prime Time I think are some

I have been to dozens of high end steakhouses in places like NYC and Las Vegas, and I usually just sit at the bar. Good to know those places also have a bar. Thanks.

A lot of the higher end restaurants have bars you could go sit at and get a meal (specifically coming to mind is California Grill). Captain's Grille, we walked in there no problem and the food was great. Le Cellier would be tough. Maybe try for Shula's at the Dolphin?

I have been to the Shula's in Hoover, AL. Liked it fine, but if I go for a steak outside of the parks it will probably be Yachtsman. Those of you who have tried both Shula's and Yachtsman, how would you compare them?

 

[sotoalf]

My parents got into Yachtsman Steakhouse in December at 5 p.m.. Their reservation was at 6:55.

 

[Seaton]

My parents got into Yachtsman Steakhouse in December at 5 p.m.. Their reservation was at 6:55.

I'm not real sure what you're telling me here. Your parents showed up at 5:00 for a 6:55 reservation? Why?

 

[AngiTN]

I'm not real sure what you're telling me here. Your parents showed up at 5:00 for a 6:55 reservation? Why?

I think they mean either
at 5 they looked for an ADR and got one for 6:55
Or
They had an ADR for 6:55 but showed up early and got seated at 5:00

 

[loves to dive]

You probably are not going to be able to walk up to Le Cellier, I think the steak there is over rated. You probably won't be able to walk in at Yachtsman but shouldn't have a problem getting an ADR morning of.

 

[Seaton]

I think they mean either
at 5 they looked for an ADR and got one for 6:55
Or
They had an ADR for 6:55 but showed up early and got seated at 5:00

Well, at least both of those scenarios are good.

 

[sotoalf]

I'm not real sure what you're telling me here. Your parents showed up at 5:00 for a 6:55 reservation? Why?

I meant that if you show up early you might get a table.