Dining Reservations?

[Bruin_mouse]

Curious what experiences on here have been with how necessary dining reservations are at DLR. I read several places that they aren’t that important at DLR, but since I’m a DVC member I’m used to planning way ahead and made our dining reservations for our trip in three weeks right at 60 days out. Out of curiousity I looked today and Blue Bayou only has a reservation for 9:40 and Carthay Circle is completely full for the whole day, but Napa Rose is open. These reservations are for off days (Sunday-Tuesday) in the off season (February). Just wondering what you all think?

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

I'm usually with a large group (my family alone is 7 now), so I always try to make reservations as far in advance as possible. That said, if you miss out on reserving spots, there are usually decent walk-up options. Highly recommend reserving anything you feel REALLY strongly about, but it is kind of fun to play it by ear too.

 

[Cal-Pie]

I think those who say reservations aren't so important at DLR are just comparing it to WDW. If there is something you really want and you need it at a specific time, or have a larger party, definitely grab it around 60 days. You just don't need fret about it for a month before it opens and then get up in the middle of the night to make a reservation like WDW.

 

[Malcon10t]

Do you want to do Blue Bayou? If so, schedule it a month out at least (if you are larger than a party of 6, make it further out.) If you want to do Classic Tea at the DLH, make it the day it opens. Any other sit downs can usually be done 2-4 weeks out easily. Some can take walk ups, but it is safer to try and get a reservation if you know you want to dine at a specific place. For example, Fri-Mon, breakfast at Carnation, the first hour you MIGHT get a walk up. After that, not happening. Sat/Sun, no lunch reservations almost 100%. Cafe Orleans, walk ups MIGHT be taken at opening, but after that, rarely on weekends. Blue Bayou is another you usually need reservations. Week days are usually easier for walk ups. But if you have more than 6, reservations are usually easier.

 

[sherilaine]

Certain dining options do book up especially for larger groups and specific times - if you want to do character breakfasts or Blue Bayou, or any specialty time dining then you should book well in advance. Other stuff such as regular restaurants during the day are normally not bad for walk up and even if you reserve a few weeks or a few days ahead of time.

We went to Blue Bayou or last trip and honestly I could not believe the number of people we saw walking up and being told "sorry we are completely booked for today".

 

[katyringo]

I think they are becoming a bit more necessary at Disneyland then they have been in the past- especially the ones mentioned here. Blue bayou. Lamplight also seems to be needed if you the upstairs.

If you for sure want something I’d book it at 60 days. I’ve also seen it be more necessary for larger parties to book right at 60 days.

 

[Malcon10t]

Lamplight also seems to be needed if you the upstairs.

Upstairs is walk up only. Downstairs is reservations and walk up. While reservations are great, we walked up during Christmas/NYE week with a party of 8, and were seated within about 15 mins downstairs.

 

[katyringo]

Upstairs is walk up only. Downstairs is reservations and walk up. While reservations are great, we walked up during Christmas/NYE week with a party of 8, and were seated within about 15 mins downstairs.

Oh yeah I meant down stairs. That’s good to know!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Curious what experiences on here have been with how necessary dining reservations are at DLR. I read several places that they aren’t that important at DLR, but since I’m a DVC member I’m used to planning way ahead and made our dining reservations for our trip in three weeks right at 60 days out. Out of curiousity I looked today and Blue Bayou only has a reservation for 9:40 and Carthay Circle is completely full for the whole day, but Napa Rose is open. These reservations are for off days (Sunday-Tuesday) in the off season (February). Just wondering what you all think?

Keep in mind that "off season" no longer = low crowd/no crowd season at DLR. There is now low/non-peak/off season, which = lower crowds and more refurbs, shorter hours, lower staffing, abbreviated entertainment schedule, and usually more park promotions to get the locals in to keep the crowd levels up. Then there is high/peak/crowded season, which = higher/much higher crowd levels, longer hours, fuller staffing, more/all rides running at full capacity, full entertainment schedule, etc. As for off days, Mondays have been consistently busy days for the past year or so. So it isn't a suprise that certain TS restaurants have few openings, even in Feb. Also, 3 weeks from now is Valentine's Week (lots of locals head for the parks) and ends with President's Day Weekend -- so that week/weekend will be busier, even for Feb.