Deluxe Resort Dining options

[andrewmueller]

What dinner dining options are good in the area of the Deluxe resorts that aren't reservation required. We are staying at the Bay Towers for 2 night the second week of January and are trying to come up with a dinner plan for the night we arrive. We get in to MCO at 2pm that day and will probably grab a late lunch near the airport before heading to WDW and don't know if we want to do a big/$$ dinner that night and reservations seem to be pretty limited at this point at the resort full serve restaurants anyways. Suggestions??

 

[figment_jii]

What dinner dining options are good in the area of the Deluxe resorts that aren't reservation required. We are staying at the Bay Towers for 2 night the second week of January and are trying to come up with a dinner plan for the night we arrive.

Every Deluxe Magic Kingdom area resort has at least two dining options that are open during dinner. One is usually a Signature, which means expensive (though it depends on how much your order) and the other is a non-Signature or buffet.

Contemporary - I would guess that the Wave might have walk-ups available. It's unlikely that Chef Mickey's (character buffet) or California Grill (Signature) would be taking walk-ups. You can try, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Polynesian - I would guess that Kona might be a possibility, but it's unlikely that 'Ohana would be taking walk-ups or, if they are, be prepared for a long wait.

Grand Floridian - I would guess that Grand Floridian Cafe would be taking walk-ups. It's the least popular of the venues at the GF. 1900 PF (character buffet) is very popular, as are both of the Signatures (Narcoossee's and Citricos). Narcoossee's is especially tough to get near fireworks time. (V&A doesn't take walk-ups and it's very pricey.)

Wilderness Lodge - I would guess that Artist Point (Signature) might take walk-ups, but Whispering Canyon Cafe seems less likely.

So, I would guess your best bet (at least in terms of getting a walk-up) is at either the Wave (Contemporary) or Grand Floridian Cafe (Grand Floridian).

If you're willing to travel, you can probably also get a walk-up at one of the DTD venues. The third party places seem to hold some of their tables for their own reservation system and walk-ups. If you do get to DTD, I highly recommend Raglan Road.

 

[Mousemom234]

I'll second the GFC. We've never had a problem getting a walk-in at any meal, except a weekend breakfast. It's relatively quiet, not too overpriced, and the food has always been good. The service can be spotty, though.
AP often seems to have walk-in availability later in the evening, but it's chancy.

If you don't mind a buffet, Trails End, over at Fort Wilderness, can be practically empty in mid dinner-time. It's good food, and plenty of it, but I wouldn't call it 'fine dining' It's a nice boat ride, and you sometimes get to see the fireworks from the lake on the trip home

You also might want to check with Guest Services before you go out, and see if they can pop you into a restaurant. It beats arriving somewhre and being shut out.