Could use some advice about reservations...

[Andiamo]

My wife ,daughter(5) ,and I are going to Disneyland for the first time in September specifically the week of the 16th to the 21st. Do you think I need to make advance reservations for the 3 of us. At DW I know it was highly recommended. We could use some restaurant suggestions as well. Thanks so much!

 

[Girimama33]

It is not as necessary at DL for the advanced reservations for most places. If you wanted to dine at Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle or Ariel's Grotto, I would book those in advance.

 

[interstate70s]

It depends on where you want to eat. Character/princess meals, definately make reservations. If you want to do Blue Bayou, or Carthagy Circle you'll need reservations there too.

 

[kayleigh83]

It is not as necessary at DL for the advanced reservations for most places. If you wanted to dine at Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle or Ariel's Grotto, I would book those in advance.

I should add though however that even these places you can often get bookings much closer to the date than you could at WDW. I booked a 2 pm weekday lunch for the Carthay Circle 12 days out from the date (booked on July 15 for July 27).

 

[Andiamo]

Thanks for the advice.Last year at Disney World it seemed that because we made reservations for everyday there,it controlled our days.Everything revolved around getting ready in time for dinner.Its nice to wing it once in a while.We definitely want to try Blue Bayou.

 

[Congo Queen]

It is nice to leave your schedule more flexible when possible, and sometimes you don't know until that day how your dinner plans may play out. Here is something that has worked for me in the past that may help with v last minute reservation requests, if you find yourself in that situation. If you are staying at a Disney hotel, ask their front desk or concierge staff to help you. Once while at the park around lunch time, my family decided that it would be great to have dinner at Napa Rose that v same night (my mom who lives in So Cal had surprised us by showing up at Disneyland to have fun w/ us that day.) So right away I phoned the Disney dine reservation line and they told me nope, so sorry, all tables all booked up tonight. I was about to report this disappointing news to our group coming off the teacups, when I thought, heck we are staying at GCH for darn sake, they might be able to help. Called GCH, asked for concierge, told her I was staying in the hotel and hoping to eat at Napa Rose that night, and shazam she found me a table, no problem.

 

[Andiamo]

We are meeting some friends that live in Ca. so a last minute reservation may be in need. We are staying at the DLH so taking your advice I am sure we will be able to work something out with the concierge there. I am hoping that the time we are going will be less crowded.