Chance of getting ressies day of visit?

[Twinklee]

Dh and I are making our first trip Sept. 28-Oct.5 without our dd. He is running the Wine and Dine marathon and we've decided to take it easy this trip. No commando touring....no plans. That's fine considering we've been enough times to do the parks without a written out plan, but we've decided not to make dining ressies either. All I'm going to bother with is knowing which parks have extra magic hours on what days and what parks are having thier nighttime shows and on what days.

Is it possible during our timeframe to get last minute ressies(the day of) or have a chance of just walking up and getting in a restaurant? Of course I have an idea of what restaurants will be probably be more crowded than others, so I won't be there thinking I can get in any restaurant I want. I mean, I know Marakesh is always an option since its never crowded. What about other park restaurants?

 

[DVCconvert]

Of course anything is possible. I think it will depend on which places, and the times you try to do a walk up (and how long you're willing to wait).

sorry this may not be too helpful...but there's really no for sure answer to a question that has so many variables.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Dh and I are making our first trip Sept. 28-Oct.5 without our dd. He is running the Wine and Dine marathon and we've decided to take it easy this trip. No commando touring....no plans. That's fine considering we've been enough times to do the parks without a written out plan, but we've decided not to make dining ressies either. All I'm going to bother with is knowing which parks have extra magic hours on what days and what parks are having thier nighttime shows and on what days.

Is it possible during our timeframe to get last minute ressies(the day of) or have a chance of just walking up and getting in a restaurant? Of course I have an idea of what restaurants will be probably be more crowded than others, so I won't be there thinking I can get in any restaurant I want. I mean, I know Marakesh is always an option since its never crowded. What about other park restaurants?

I was there last year around the same timeframe as yours, and i walked up to a few restaurants (table for 2, like you) and i had NO problems getting a table. I think 2 ppl are far easier to seat than 4 or more. I honestly dont think you will have an issue. The only prob you might run into is with character meals. Other than that, you'll be fine.

 

[sharonabe]

If you'll check the dining review thread, someone has one titled "Reservations....we don't need no stinkin' reservations." It's interesting reading and may give you some ideas.

 

[Dacky619]

We're a party of two and even in July and August haven't had an issue getting a same day ADR if we were willing to wait. Now, we weren't walking into Le Cellier or anything like that, but if you are flexible, you should be ok.

 

[Twinklee]

Thanks for the replies. We are so up in the air about whether or not to make ressies, try to save money by not eating at sit down restaurants, not be tied down to what park we HAVE to go to each day because we have a ressie there.....that sort of thing. It doesn't help that my dh is a VERY picky eater and his idea of fine dining is a hot dog from Casey's, where I like to try new restaurants every trip.

I'm a compulsive planner and have always planned our trips to the max, even having a list for each day of what order to ride each ride. Since we are going without our daughter this trip, I think it would be nice for a change just to take things easy and not overplan like I have in the past. Its nice to know that it might not be too hard to walk up and get seated. We've always gone in the spring when its pretty crowded and ressies are pretty much a must.

 

[whacked]

If you have a smart phone that will allow you to use a browser in the parks, you can pull up Disney Dining reservations.

If you have a phone that knows where it is, you can ask for available restaurants "near me".

Otherwise, you can get a list of all restaurants with available times either in the park you're in, or in the world. You can then immediately make a reservation online.

As of this writing, it is 11:20 in the MK, and my phone says and my phone says the following is available in the MK for 2: 12:40 for LLT, 1:10 for Plaza, and several times for Tony's. There are a number in Epcot including Les Chefs which is supposed to have a good prix fixe lunch.

 

[eah7]

We had our computer. I adjusted our dining plans almost daily for a variety of reasons. I was amazed at the number of reservations available.
Depending on where you are staying, I think Captain's Grille (YC) and GF Cafe are probably fairly easy to be served at. We had reservations at GC and there were many empty tables. Have read on hear others say that about GF Cafe as well.

Have fun!

 

[Cee]

I've been very lucky getting last minute ADRs. Just call and say, "what have you got for dinner this evening?" Maybe suggest a few places and they will suggest a few and go from there. Be flexible and you won't be disappointed!

 

[MickeyNicki]

We just did a week of no reservations last month and had no trouble...be flexible, call dining line daily and just chance it. We have had a few walk ups at the F&W too but mostly for lunch

 

[bluejasmine]

Its a risk.. Not impossible but be prepared to wait youll be there during FD.. As soon as you get to your resort ask front desk to help you or you may need to do that each morning to ensure a place to eat. Anything you really dont want to miss Id book..

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

A few years ago in December 2008 my friends and I were able to walk into Liberty Tree Tavern at the Magic Kingdom for lunch without any ADR's and were seated within 5 minutes. I should also mention a few days before I tried getting an ADR for any of their table service restaurants on that specific day no matter the time, however the Cast Member said nothing was available. So I am not sure how we got a table despite what I was told.

Later that day we were at Hollywood Studios and we were able to walk into 50's Prime Time Cafe for dinner, once again only waiting 5 minutes to be seated.

So my examples proves that sometimes going as walk-ins without ADR's can be done and if you don't ask you won't know what the answer would be.

 

[TisBit]

Flexibility is the key. A table for two is much easier than more than two...but it really depends on what other people are doing at the same time. If they have a lot of no shows, you are golden, if they have tons of walk ups, your sunk.

I would almost make one or two ADR's, this way if you are not getting in when you try to walk up you have a back up plan.