Can you eat without reservations?

[ABDonovan]

Is there a way to eat at some of the restaurants without a reservation? My DH and I are still up in the air about going, this year, and our window opens sometime in January? I think? We are planning to go either the second or third day in July (not because we're crazy, but because his factory is shutting down for a week, during that time).

Since we're so up in the air, until we find out dates, and see if we're staying on site or with my uncle, I was wondering if we could squeeze by without reservations until a later date than when our window opens?

He's a little nervous about making reservations, anyways. This is mostly because when he went to Disney as a kid, his aunt paid for everything and made all the reservations. You know...women do the hard work. lol

I would just like some professional advice.

 

[lemondog]

The week of July 4th I would say your chances of getting into the TS restaurants inside the parks would be slim to none, perhaps some of the less popular resort restaurants would be doable but even then it's risky. Personally I would not attempt it but I know some people have had luck in the past, just prepare to eat at off-times.

 

[Cafeen]

If you have any "MUST DO" restaurants, then certainly make ADRs for them. Whether or not you'll truly need them (for those restaurants/meals) won't be known until the day of, but it's better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.

For other meals, it may be worthwhile to call the day before or the morning of to see what's available. Stay flexible and see what pops up, you may find a hidden gem . If else fails, the CS should also work (just keep way the heck away at peak times!)

If you do end up staying on-side and for whatever reason decide to go with a dining plan, then I'd certainly make sure to make ADRs. Outside of that case though, see above.

 

[PrincessSamanthaC]

If you decide to go in January as long as you don't mind the possibility of waiting just a little bit then you should be fine. But in July, I wouldn't even attempt trying to eat at a table service without a reservation. Some may even say they have no availability. It's all about chance...

 

[Grumpy92]

ADR General Rule: They are needed if:
* If you are going when school is out or is a holiday.
* Epcot during food and wine festival, Free Dining is offered
* Want to eat at character meals or popular restaurants (Le Cellier, BOG, Ohana, Cindy's, etc)
* Like to dine at the popular time of 6pm-8pm.

If any of the above apply for your visiting time period you pretty much wont be able to do any walk ups.

 

[Pakey]

I was there this year for 4th of July week (I was there for the 4th, 5th and 6th) and did walkups at Citricos, The Wave and Sanaa. I did not try any in-park restaurants.

I just got home yesterday from a week there and did walkups at Bluezoo, Brown Derby and the GF Afternoon Tea. Since we were there for Food & Wine we didn't do many sit down meals.