Dining in early December- do I need reservations?

[lissiesmum]

I'm new to the site and haven't been to Disney since I was a child. I see you can book out reservations for quite a ways in advance, but was just wondering if you absolutely have to in the slow seasons. I know for character dining and the shows it's a must, but what about if you wanted to eat at an Epcot or resort restaurant? Could we call when we get there? We will be staying 10 days onsite and purchasing the DDP, but I feel like if we book all dining reservations ahead of time, it leaves you no time to make changes. Also, if I do book, and need to cancel, what is their cancellation policy? I'm confused and need some help

 

[dsnymomof4]

We've been there the past 2 years in early December and it was anything but a "slow period." Yes, I would definitely make reservations. The restaurants we ate at were pretty crowded all of the time. You probably don't need to do it 6 months ahead, but definitely before you go. You may get lucky and find openings at last minute, but they may be for really early or really late times. If you have some restaurants you don't want to miss, it's better to make them ahead of time. I believe if they require a cc hold, you have until 24 hours before to cancel. Otherwise, whenever you realize that you don't need the reservation, you should call CRO and let them know, so they can open it up to other guests. Happy planning!

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

We're going in early December, and we are making reservations...

I personally don't like having to plan things in advance, but as people say here, its better to have a plan and cancel than to be stranded without a place to eat dinner, especially on the DDP.

Also, since you haven't been in a while...you might want to try and attend the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. You can make a dinner reservation with tickets, and I do believe that is on the DDP. Its a wonderful show!

 

[HayGan]

You probably don't need to do it 6 months ahead, but definitely before you go. You may get lucky and find openings at last minute, but they may be for really early or really late times. If you have some restaurants you don't want to miss, it's better to make them ahead of time. I believe if they require a cc hold, you have until 24 hours before to cancel. Otherwise, whenever you realize that you don't need the reservation, you should call CRO and let them know, so they can open it up to other guests. Happy planning!

I have been the first week in Dec for the past 2 years and ressies are a must! Especially for the more popular restaurant and times! Make a list now of what you want and call at your 180 day window. You can always change later. We found that we had a hard time getting any good times or restaurants when we wanted to switch!

 

[ppony]

I concur with the others. They are almost essential, at least for sit down places. At least for the most part, we did come acorss a few you could walk in to (Grand Floridian Cafe and Sci Fi Diner) but I would never count on that. I felt bad for a family in frpont of us at Chef M's dinner opening when they thought becuase they had arrived 1/2 hour before opening and were first in line for check-in they would get a seat. Nope. Luckily for us though, they let our son open the restuarnt that evening and it was the grandest time! I also agree that especially on our last trip in early-mid Dec. it was getting to be FAR from "slow". Some of the days were absoluetly JAMMED in the parks (weekends especially) to where one day AKL was closed for a bit and this was over a week before Christmas on that day. We're going to try Jan. next time. Dec. is just no longer as relaxed as it used to be. My advice would be to get at least 1 ressie ( best for dinner) each day and perhaps half of your breakfasts that you don't want to do a food court...and winging it at lunch is not hard with counter service.

 

[Eponine1]

All I can say is YES, YES, YES!!! I 100% agree with the others. I've been doing early December for a while now and you will need them for any sit down restaurant. I can't tell you how many times I heard other people being told that nothing is available for the entire evening.

 

[Magic2000]

I definitely agree with the other posters - make some ADRs!! We've been going in early Dec for the last 7 years and it is busy!

In Dec, 2006, we had lunch at LeCellier around 11:30. While waiting to be seated, we heard MANY people get told they were booked for the day! They could not take any walk ups at all that day. Last summer, my aunt was told at LeCellier that they were booked for the next eight days. She could not get an ADR for any of the days they were there, and they were not taking walk ups.

Later that evening, as we waited for our table at LeChefs de France, again MANY, MANY people were turned away. I really felt bad for one family who had an elderly couple with them. They said they'd been turned away at quite a few of the restaurants at Epcot.

I usually try to make at least one sit down meal each day. If something comes up and we need to cancel, its easy to just make a phone call and cancel.

Good luck!

 

[holcomb-mania]

On Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 'Ohana had a 2hr+ wait for walk-ups at dinner. I waited less than 10 minutes.

 

[MinMouse]

I concur with everyone here. Make your ADR's. If you're on the DDP you don't want to pay for TS and only be able to get CS because the TS restaurants are full. For years we made our "must have" reservations and made others the night before when planning the next day. With the popularity of the DDP this didn't work on our last trip. We had 4 of 6 ADRs made. We spent A LOT of time scouring for two more meals. Ended up eating at Coral Reef at 2:30 p.m. (was traveling with my parents and this was a poor one . . . . they like to eat at "regular" meal times) and had to go to Beach Club one day to get a breakfast reservation from the concierge for Cape May breakfast (couldn't get an ADR from the dining folks). Bottom line . . . . get your ADRs so you won't be disappointed.

 

[Viki]

YES!!!

 

[KevinYee]

Sadly, there's no such thing as the "off-season" anymore at WDW. Especially when it comes to the restaurants.