Dining in DLR - Are Reservations Necessary?

[Lothlórien]

Is it difficult to get a table in DLR/COA or even a resort on the day of like it is in WDW?

We are making our first DLR trip in April. I think we want to do a character meal and the 55 Steakhouse. If we went the day of would we most likely be turned away? I have suggested to the other members of the party that we make reservations, but they do not want to because they don't want to be tied down to a particular day.

 

[sherilaine]

If you are going during a busy time, still spring break portion of April or weekends, I'd say you should make one for character meals especially if you have a large number in your party.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Walk up accommodations can be hard during busy times...But I will often make reservations day before or even day of once we figure out where and when we wanna go without much problems.

It is not like WDW where you have to plan well in advance, but don't expect to be able to walk up to wherever you want whenever you want and get seated.

 

[StormyCA]

The only place I'd definitely make reservations for are Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle, Napa Rose, and Steakhouse 55.

 

[Vincent405]

Is it difficult to get a table in DLR/COA or even a resort on the day of like it is in WDW?

We are making our first DLR trip in April. I think we want to do a character meal and the 55 Steakhouse. If we went the day of would we most likely be turned away? I have suggested to the other members of the party that we make reservations, but they do not want to because they don't want to be tied down to a particular day.

We had 2 reservations per day for our 5 day trip last week. I would definitely make reservations, just for piece of mind. But, I did see and hear several people getting turned away from a few restaurants since they did not have reservations. Same day checking brought up only bad times when I tried to change a few, bad as in much later then I wanted. So, mandatory-no, but IMO, recommended.

 

[Ndusmama]

Is it difficult to get a table in DLR/COA or even a resort on the day of like it is in WDW?

We are making our first DLR trip in April. I think we want to do a character meal and the 55 Steakhouse. If we went the day of would we most likely be turned away? I have suggested to the other members of the party that we make reservations, but they do not want to because they don't want to be tied down to a particular day.

Depending on which character dining you want you probably don't need reservations too far in advance. Like StormyCA said for blue bayou, Napa rose, Carthay circle, and steak house 55 a couple of days in advance should work. I know from experience Napa can get booked like wdw. Blue bayou usually leaves a couple for people who get in at opening and run/walk really fast to make a reservation. Steakhouse usually has same day reservations but I haven't been since they changed menu. And just FYI steakhouse has a great breakfast if you don't care to do goofy next door. For goofy character make reservations a few days before.

 

[texasgingerbread]

If you want the first reservation of the day for Minnie's Breakfast (it opens 50 minutes prior to regular opening on EMH day) then I'd snatch that one. We only have one MM so we're taking advantage of the 9:10 Minnie's on a 10:00 opening day because we woulnd't be in the park anyway. When I went to make that reservation 60 days out it was gone but I called and they made magic happen. 9:30 was the first one and I logged in at 8:00am CST.

 

[figment_jii]

I think it's usually possible to find reservations with fairly short notice, but getting walk-ups are much tougher. I've seen guests being turned away at Carthay Circle, Blue Bayou, Carnation Cafe, and Cafe Orleans. I've also heard folks being told walk-ups were being taken, but the wait was somewhere around an hour. It doesn't seem limited to the busy times of the year anymore or just on weekends. I saw guests being turned away from Cafe Orleans on a Tuesday in September. So, if you know you want to eat somewhere specific, I would look to make a reservation.