Dining with children without reservations . . .

[MousekeMommy]

Due to our youngest child's medical issues, planning meal times is difficult. I want to avoid stressing everyone out, so I don't want to make any advanced dining reservations that we have to keep.
With that in mind, what are the best places to eat that we do not need reservations for? (We could make them 2 hours or so in advance, but anything more than that would be too planned for our needs). I realize that we may be limited to counter service places or going off-site--if that's the case, please say so (and feel free to make suggestions about those, as well ) We will be at SSR July 10-14, and will have a car.
Our children are 4 & 5 years old, but do not require "entertainment" during dining (they are very "good eaters" who are very well-behaved during "down time", so more "adult atmospheres" or 1/2 hour waits are fine--although entertainment is always a plus for all of us .
Any advice is very welcome.
Thank you!

 

[gigi1313]

my advice to you would be the "off beat" resort restaurants like Boatwrights (at POR, our family's FAVORITE!) and Shutters (at CBR) as well as the restaurant at Old Key West, Yacht Club Galley (easy to get to from Epcot or MGM by boat)... also, if you find you can eat at "off times" you will have far more success than trying to eat at noon or 6pm...

also, some of the epcot restaurants are less popular than others... we've done walk-in to china, germany and morocco... same for magic kingdom, the plaza is a better chance than say LTT...

program the 1-800-828-0228 number into your cell phone and be ready to dial it when you're feeling hungry... the cms can tell you what's available for your time period!

 

[Tam1067]

If you go to the resorts, you can sometimes get walk-ins especially at lunch or just at the start of dinner. Last July, we were seated immediately with no ADRs at Kona at the Polynesian for lunch, right around 12:00.

It was a great, relaxing meal and also an escape from MK.

 

[dbmarie]

We have made or changed reservations on the same day but you may have to be willing to wait a short while for a table. Also Beaches and Cream (on the DDP), Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood do not take reservations so you could keep those in mind.

 

[Lewisc]

Due to our youngest child's medical issues, planning meal times is difficult. I want to avoid stressing everyone out, so I don't want to make any advanced dining reservations that we have to keep.

The dinner shows, CRT, Fantasmic Dinner Package and California Grill are the only ADRS you have to keep (or pay a penalty). You can make ADRs any place else, including Chef Mickey's, WCC etc and cancel at the last minute, or even just not show up.

 

[MousekeMommy]

These tips are just what I needed! I appreciate everyone's input

 

[auntie]

I would definetly make some..so that you have a basic idea of what you want to do and where you might go. Sometimes that's actually less stressfull, than not having anything, and then having to find a place to eat.
As mentioned..make a few ADR's..character breakfasts are most relaxing and fun for the kids. If you go..you go..and if you don't..then you don't. Either way..you're covered.
I'm not big into ADR's..not especially a fan..but with the new Dining Plan..it does appear that there is much more of a requirement for them, if you want to have a couple of sit down meals. So..I've bowed to the pressure and made ADR's for our May trip. As much as I hate to admit it..I feel pretty good that I have meals for us each day..IF we choose to go with it. Likely we will as we are adding the dining plan for the first time and I'm excited to see how it goes. Good Luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[Flagondry]

How would the kids do with a daily planned BF? At least that way you are dealing with the start of the day when things can be easier to predict. If I were in your shoes, and I felt the BF's would work, I would make an buffet ADR for each morning. That way you can fill up and have lots of choices of proteins, fresh fruits and yummy carbs. If you find that doesn't mesh well with your family the first day you can always cancel.

For a later meal Then I'd just do the quick calls for same day ADR's if you want or have a handy list of CS in each park that would work for your family.