Can you usually get same day ADRs in the summer?

[deedubb]

Starting to plan our August trip and realized there doesn't seem to be much to plan. Unlike our Xmas WDW trip, where I have to plan for FP+, all ADRs, dessert parties, etc, there doesn't seem to be anything I can think of to do at DLR (we are relative newbies for DLR). The only thing I might want to book are some meals but if they are often available same day in the summer, I might skip it as I hate being tied down to being in a certain place at a certain time. There are lots of QS we can do as a backup, whereas at WDW at Xmas, I would not want to be stuck waiting in a huge line for QS.

It will be nice to have a Disney trip where I can just wing it for almost everything.

 

[figment_jii]

It really depends on the place. There are usually some ADR available, but not for all places and all times. Usually, it seems the hotels and DTD have better availability than the in park locations.

 

[Malcon10t]

It depends on your party size. Some places you will be able to get same day reservations. If there is any place you MUST visit, I would recommend you get a reservation at least a week ahead of time. Examples where you need early reservations: Blue Bayou, Steakhouse 55 (dinner or tea, breakfast you might be able to get early enough) and Cafe Orleans. (Steakhouse is booked up for tonight even!) Even these you can try and get the day before, or a few days before for Steakhouse (it usually is booked a week ahead of time.)

 

[deedubb]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know much about the restaurants there but I have been following some of the food threads in this forum. Right now, I think I mainly want to do the fried chicken at Plaza Inn and brunch at Storytellers, so I'll book an ADR for the latter and probably wing the rest. We'll have a rental car and a full kitchen in the 1 bdrm villa so we'll probably eat in for a few meals since it's so convenient to do that at DLR.

 

[VandVsmama]

If you know there is a specific restaurant you want to go to, then you should make a reservation. Something like the Blue Bayou will likely not have same day reservations available, but you might luck out with next day reservations at an "off" time. Like 3:30 pm, for example.

Allears.net has all of the menus for the DL restaurants. That's always a good place to start to get an idea of what sort of food each place offers.

 

[GenGen22]

Carnation Cafe books up and you can't make same day ADR's. Not all the time but there have been two occasions where I wanted to eat breakfast there and couldn't get in as no walk ups were available. On one occasion I was actually able to walk up. So it really depends. But Carnation Cafe does have a really good breakfast too..

 

[rwhistler92]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know much about the restaurants there but I have been following some of the food threads in this forum. Right now, I think I mainly want to do the fried chicken at Plaza Inn and brunch at Storytellers, so I'll book an ADR for the latter and probably wing the rest. We'll have a rental car and a full kitchen in the 1 bdrm villa so we'll probably eat in for a few meals since it's so convenient to do that at DLR.

You don’t need an ADR for Plaza Inn for chicken. It is counter service for lunch and dinner.
We went in early March and the only ADR we could get on the same day was Cafe Orleans at 2:40. It was a rainy day and not very busy.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

If you want to book a dining package with a reserved viewing area for Fantasmic, Paint the Night or World of Color, I suggest booking ahead.

 

[DL_Forever]

Carnation Cafe books up and you can't make same day ADR's. Not all the time but there have been two occasions where I wanted to eat breakfast there and couldn't get in as no walk ups were available. On one occasion I was actually able to walk up. So it really depends. But Carnation Cafe does have a really good breakfast too..

I have on occasion been unable to get a walk up reservation at Carnation, but if I go to the Disneyland app I am able to get one.....not sure why they wouldn't book the same reservation as walk up.

 

[GenGen22]

I have on occasion been unable to get a walk up reservation at Carnation, but if I go to the Disneyland app I am able to get one.....not sure why they wouldn't book the same reservation as walk up.

I've tried booking on the App same day and it wouldn't allow me... Strange how these things work differently for everyone...

 

[gottalovepluto]

I remember walk-ups being taken on my fall trip at cafe Orleans- but they had to wait 2 hours! Add WOC dessert party, Napa Rose and Carthay Restaurant to the list of things you must reserve in advance for the busy season. Because it’s so easy to get around DL I find making it to my ADRs so much easier. There’s always a ton of stuff to do right near wherever I’m eating so I just do stuff in that area in the time leading up to the ADR.