Booked 1st Disney Trip only 2 mths in advance and all the cool reservations are gone

[LisaTC]

I'm sure walk-ins are available, but would be dependent on the time of year, day of the week and time of day. Obviously, if you walk in to one of the most popular eateries at 6pm for dinner, you should except a no table available. If you go for lunch at say 2:45, you may luck out. Flexibility is key as is checking many times during the day. I've gotten an ADR for one we wanted to try and couldn't get the time we wanted, so I checked even an hour later and scored our preferred time, FWIW.

 

[DCbride]

You should definitely go early if you are a walk-up. We wanted Italy and had such a hard time getting and ADR, I called the restaurant directly (they gave me a business card the day before) the morning when they opened and got a great time.

 

[KYMickey]

Unfortunately Disney has taken any possibility of spontaneity out of trips to WDW! Between the dining plan, free dining, 180 day ADR's, etc it's next to impossible to plan a good trip was desirable dining choices less than six months in advance especially during the busy season. In addition the variety and quality of Food Service has also declined. I'm sure your children will still greatly enjoy the magic but unfortunately for the parents the magic has been greatly reduced.

 

[KathleensKid]

Don't worry. Keep checking. I personally would not risk a walk up with 2 little kids involved. I know, in my family, we'd have extremely unhappy kids on our hands if we travelled all the way to Chef Mickeys, could see into the restaurant and were turned away. We liked our chracter meals, but even if you don't eat with the characters it is okay.

You can see mickey and minnie in MK. Their new M&G spot near the train station is really nice, and your photos will have a terrific background rather than random people and their dirty breakfast dishes.

So maybe skip a character breakfast, eat a quick cheap breakfast in your room and spend the money you saved money to buy a photopass in advance instead.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Bob NC]

Another helpful hint. A 5 and 2 yo only know you can eat with Mickey if you tell them.

 

[barbarabini]

bob

that is the best hint of the day possibly the year

 

[eliza61]

Also I know you wanted a meal with Mickey but don't forget you get see Mickey and get an autograph and picture at various places. Epcot I think still has the character stations

 

[TDC Nala]

I agree that walkins can be possible, although I do not believe WDW restaurants have a specific walkin policy (that translates to tables being held open for walkins - that doesn't happen)

 

[bumbershoot]

How can I take my 5 and 2 year old to Disney and not have a meal with Mickey

Well...IMO it's not that big a deal. I took my then 2 year old and later 5 year old to Disneyland without having a meal with Mickey. He never once wondered about it.

It's only been in the last year that Disneyland has had a Mickey character meal, so that's MANY years of little kids not dining with Mickey out there!


If it works for those who go to Anaheim, it can work for those in Orlando. It's NOT the end of the world, I promise.


And, I'll let you know something else...little kids, if they like the characters, have a really hard time *eating* at character meals. They are too busy and too bewildered to remember to eat. So you either force them to ignore the characters (that are so important to you while planning) so they can eat, or you let them ignore their food...and then deal with the hunger meltdowns later on.

Characters meals can be good for kids who are used to the whole experience, but don't go into your first character meals thinking that they'll have the WHOLE experience...something's gotta give, in general, with character meals for newbies...

We didn't do even one character meal until our third visit to Disneyland...and my son lived to tell the tale.