Dining options without reservations

[ItsyBitsy25]

Hi all. First time poster here. My husband and I are going to Disneyland for his birthday in a few months. Here's my problem -- I really want to do something special for him, but he's so stubborn with dining reservations. He really dislikes being tied down to a particular time and thus, we usually end up getting quick service meals (which are very good in Disneyland actually!). Even though I'm sure he'd be happy with a beer and a pretzel or corndog, I wanted to do something semi-nice for his actual birthday. He said he would be interested in checking out some drinks and appetizers at Carthay Lounge or Alfresco Tasting Terrace. Do those typically have pretty long waits?

Are there any sit down places (parks, hotels, or DtD) that are generally good for walk-ins? We don't mind sit down places, it's just the darn reservations he's against... and I'm doing my best to keep to his birthday wishes!

 

[lizardlife]

Carthay can get busy. Alfresco's definitely less so but their options are a lot smaller.

Sit-down restaurants, Catal tends to be a hidden gem in DTD and can be good for walkups and very nice for something like a Birthday meal. I think Steak 55 in Disneyland Hotel is another hidden treasure where not tons of people know about it or care to go that far, I suppose, and I think you'd have a really good chance getting a table as long as you don't go at the super peak times. Splitsville seems to have a lot of seating as well, so I think they're worth a call.

In the parks, it's a lot harder mainly because they don't have tons of sit down restaurants in the first place, but if I were the gambling type, I would probably ask at River Belle Terrace or even Cafe Orleans if it's a really off time (I've walked in at 4:30 and gotten a table for 4 no problem before). In DCA, I think both Carthay and Wine Country Trattoria are doable, again if you're willing to eat either an early or a late meal depending on time.

Places I wouldn't bother asking: Blue Bayou, Carnation Cafe, Lamplight Lounge, Napa Rose, Goofy's Kitchen. Conversely, despite it's lack of reservations, Trader Sam's is always packed.

 

[Malcon10t]

Another option for you might be the Napa Rose Lounge. Steakhouse 55 lounge is really good, but it gets very crowded.

 

[ADLFAN]

How about the Hearthstone Lounge in the Grand Californian Hotel?

 

[julesann]

I have always had great luck at the Napa Rose Lounge/bar when I want a good meal but am not sure of my timing. Incredible food and atmosphere and--for the most part-- walk up seating.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

First of all: Welcome to the DIS Boards!

For walk ups at Carthay Circle Lounge and NR Lounge, try to go during non-peak times. When will you be visiting? If you'll be at DLR during Halloween Time, the line for CC Lounge in the evenings can be long (the line is outside, so you'll see at a glance whether there will be a long wait), so go early. Lamplight Lounge might be fun -- upstairs is a bar with the appetizers menu. Downstairs is the bar with the full menu. There have been uneven reviews, but we've had good food and good service downstairs. Again, recommend going during off peak hours there to avoid a long wait.

 

[ExcitedMama]

Would he be interested in Fantasmic? If he doesn’t like being tied down you could do Hungry Bear, choose a time to eat and it’s quick, and then you get a pass for the show. You could get something fun to eat while waiting, like a cupcake or something, and enjoy the show.

 

[ghtx]

Make a reservation, don't tell your husband about it. When you are at the park, pretend like "on a whim" you've decided to check out this restaurant. Try to check in with the host while your husband isn't watching.

Or even better, tell your husband to stop being such a pain-in-the-butt about reservations

 

[figment_jii]

I think the key is eat at off times, if you want the best shot at getting a walk-up without a long wait. As others have said, it can be hit-or-miss. Another option would be to look to see what is available a couple of hours before you want to eat and try to snag an ADR at that point. Otherwise, I agree that you'll probably have a better time getting a walk-up at the hotels or DTD. There aren't a lot of in-park TS dining options. I've seen guests get a walk-up, be told a very long wait time, or be turned away from most all of the TS locations (most often at Carnation Cafe, Cafe Orleans, Blue Bayou, and Cathay Circle) in the park; it just really depends on how busy things are that day. The lounges are another good option (no reservations accepted), but I would definitely try to go at an off time. Alfresco Terrace is very small and Lamplight is new, so both may have fairly lengthy waits if you get there at a busy time.

 

[wowsmom]

I second (third?) Napa Rose Lounge and Hearthstone Lounge and would also recommend Storytellers - they have a full menu as well as the buffet and can almost always seat walk-ins. The only time I've seen them be turned away was a rainy night in mid-December when everybody was emptying out of the parks. We go there often with a reservation, but they've always been able to seat us early when we've asked (like when the drive cross town takes less time than anticipated).

 

[Indiana Scott]

We go to dinner early (4:30ish) and even though we never have reservations, we rarely have to wait for a table. We like Carnation Cafe, The Plaza Inn in the park and Tortilla Joes and the Jazz Kitchen in DTD for early walk ups.

 

[22Tink]

Make a reservation, don't tell your husband about it. When you are at the park, pretend like "on a whim" you've decided to check out this restaurant. Try to check in with the host while your husband isn't watching.

Or even better, tell your husband to stop being such a pain-in-the-butt about reservations

This is exactly what I was going to say! Just book it! He may be grumpy about reservations but would he be even grumpier about a long wait or even no table at all? I know my husband would be!

 

[Hojoanaheim]

I LOVE Napa Rose, my favorite place to eat (better than Carthay, IMO) I have gone there a couple times without a reservation. They normally have seats in the bar area and they serve the full menu at the bar; truffle mac and cheese YUM!

Tangoroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel is great for drinks too! Last I went we didn't need a reservation. If you can get a seat inside that would be great because of the ambiance but the seats outside are nice too. Nice little get away from the busyness of the parks.

Happy Birthday to your husband,
Kriss