Can we just 'wing it' on the dining plan?

[mickey'sbud]

I will on be there 3 nights. So that's 3 days that we will eat TS. I have made one reservation at Tony's. We would like to eat at Chef Mickey's-no avail. And also either Boma's or 'Ohana's. This is in <2 weeks. What do you think our luck will be to 'walk-up and wait' for a table at these locations?

 

[Windsor Princesses]

It isn't an extremely busy season, I would just keep trying to make a ADR and if not try to eat meals at non-peak times, be flexable. If you don't make ADR and just try the walk-up you may just have to wait a little before you are seated. Good luck with the reservations, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Nadjalu]

What I recommend you do is schedule adrs for somewhere, then if you want try for those you really want while there.
At least you know you will be eating somewhere if you can't get into those.

Just an FYI, trying to walk up can take an extreme amount of time out of your day. For Ohana they will most likely tell you no, but if they do say ok you can wait, you will have a 2+hour wait. And you have to wait there, you can't roam or come back.
That is an aweful lot of time to "waste" waiting to eat somewhere. Especially if you have kids with you.

 

[Pikezh638]

We usually book a few of the higher demand dinners (never lunch) before we get to Disney, ie Hoop-de-doo, Cinderella's Castle. And if we decide while we are there that we want to eat somewhere we usually make the reservation that morning at the hotel. It has worked for us so far.

 

[Sandisw]

Last summer, we had reservations at Whispering Canyon for dinner but it was later than we really wanted. It was the only one we could get.

We called when we were at the resort, the day of, and asked if there was any way we could switch to an earlier time. They were able to do it.

So, I would say to keep trying up until you leave and when you get to Disney, call the Dining line from your room--you just never know!

Good luck!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Keep checking for ADRs even while there. There have been times when we have gotten and ADR the same morning of the day we wanted a meal. Also, we never use all the ADRs we make (I try to make one per day) due to schedule changes. As soon as I know we won't be eating somewhere I call to cancel. Some lucky person has even gotten a ADR at LTT on MNSSHP night that we cancel morning of.

Good luck.

(I didn't have to make any ADRs last year since we had QSDP and I loved that! Doing it again this year!)

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I will on be there 3 nights. So that's 3 days that we will eat TS. I have made one reservation at Tony's. We would like to eat at Chef Mickey's-no avail. And also either Boma's or 'Ohana's. This is in <2 weeks. What do you think our luck will be to 'walk-up and wait' for a table at these locations?

Sorry, but it's highly unlikely you are going to get a walk-up seating at Chef Mickey's or 'Ohana. Those are 2 of the most popular restaurants on-site at WDW and are known to fill up 180 days out. I would plan some other meals and just call back while you are there and see if they have any cancellations at CMs or 'Ohana.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

Yes, you can wing it. There's a huge misconception in the Disney community that it is ADR or bust. That has NOT been my experience. I've gone 4 times during free dining and have always walked up. The funny thing is that I always make ADR's and 50% of the time change them for various reasons. Not hungry, too tired, etc....... The thing to remember is that I am not the only one doing this. Many people cancel or just don't show up. I've walked up to Boma, Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, Crystal Palace, and others. I've never waited more than 15 minutes. I've also done last minute ADR's also. Once at Crystal Palace, we tried to walk up at 8:30 and was told that they were not taking any walkups. There had to be at least 50 people waiting. It was packed! But, me being how I am, decided to not give up. I stood in front of Crystal Palace, called WDW Dining and actually got an ADR for 20 minutes later.
Most people would not try once they saw the crowd and was turned around. Not me. I've also called to make a last minute ADR, was told that none were available, but showed up anyway and have always gotten a table within 15 minutes. With that said, I always recommend ADR's! It is the only way to ensure a table. But, if you are unsuccessful, don't give up, just show up, or call at the last minute. Good luck.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

Our first DDP trip was DxDP and we were TOTALLY CLUELESS. We didn't know anything about ADRs. We actually were able to get TS lunch and dinners just about everywhere we tried without ADRs- Tusker House, Liberty Tree Tavern, the TS restaurant at CSR, etc. I think you can wing it, but be aware that there may be some high demand TS restaurants where you won't be able to dine - or have a long wait. Just my experience!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Our first DDP trip was DxDP and we were TOTALLY CLUELESS. We didn't know anything about ADRs. We actually were able to get TS lunch and dinners just about everywhere we tried without ADRs- Tusker House, Liberty Tree Tavern, the TS restaurant at CSR, etc. I think you can wing it, but be aware that there may be some high demand TS restaurants where you won't be able to dine - or have a long wait. Just my experience!

Well, you have to take into account the travel season you are going in and the make up and ages of the people traveling. Can you show up at Disney with no ADRS and find somewhere to eat, or wait it out for a table or keep trying place after place? Sure. The question is, do you want to do that? I am a mother of 4 children and "winging it" and showing up and maybe getting a seat, or maybe not, or having to wait a long time is not a viable option for me. The thought of dragging my hungry children and husband from restaurant to restaurant, sounds like a form of torture. Also, with kids, you want to get those character meals booked as far in advance as possible. I mean, who wants to walk up to Chef Mickey's with your kids and be turned away? Not me. Plus, after this many trips, we all have our favorite meals and character meals and just showing up or trying for what ever is available would see like a big let down. Of course, this is our family, and what works for us.

Also, didn't mean to quote you on this post. I was talking in general what people need to take into consideration.

 

[LoriH91]

Well, you have to take into account the travel season you are going in and the make up and ages of the people traveling. Can you show up at Disney with no ADRS and find somewhere to eat, or wait it out for a table or keep trying place after place? Sure. The question is, do you want to do that? I am a mother of 4 children and "winging it" and showing up and maybe getting a seat, or maybe not, or having to wait a long time is not a viable option for me. The thought of dragging my hungry children and husband from restaurant to restaurant, sounds like a form of torture. Also, with kids, you want to get those character meals booked as far in advance as possible. I mean, who wants to walk up to Chef Mickey's with your kids and be turned away? Not me. Plus, after this many trips, we all have our favorite meals and character meals and just showing up or trying for what ever is available would see like a big let down. Of course, this is our family, and what works for us.

Also, didn't mean to quote you on this post. I was talking in general what people need to take into consideration.

Totally agree!! Our first family trip in 1998, we had no reservations & waited EVERYWHERE!! It was a nightmare. (Of course, this was before everything was online & I really way clueless.) Last year, with 5 kids in tow, I made sure we had at least one ressie every day. Unless it's a party of 2, I'd imagine most of the waits will be longer than you'd want. I'd recommend trying to get some sort of ADR in the park or near the park you'll be at that day, even if it's an off-time.