Dining without reservations

johnvree

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 14, 2004
Messages
1,057
It's been a while since I planned a trip. I was surprised to see how quickly the available dining slots evaporated -- I wanted a 6:30 dinner at Yak & Yeti for a day in August. I tried making a reservation in the late morning at 180 days out and the only times for a party of 4 were 4:30 and 8:00.

So, assuming I cannot get a reservation for a popular restaurant at a peak time, what are the chances of getting in without a reservation and how crazy would the wait time be? Do restaurants not take walk-ins at a certain point or at certain times?

Thanks for any help.
 
You could go to the new quick service place in Animal Kingdom, Satuli Canteen. Excellent food and I like it better than Yak & Yeti.
 
Disney does not hold back tables for walk-ups. Assume that if you can't get an ADR, you can't get in at most places. The Landry's restaurants (Y&Y, RFC) are the exceptions because with the card you get the first available table without needing an ADR for it. Most restaurants will turn you away if they are booked up that day, some will let you wait but the wait can be quite long. ADRs are booked and cancelled every day, so you can always check back as often as you want to see if something has opened. As peoples plans change, ADRs do become available, so the day before you may find a couple of times have opened up.
 

I was able to get some last minute reservations at hard to reach restaurants when I checked the day before. People cancel reservations the day before when their plans change and they don’t want to get charged for not giving 24 hour notice. So there’s still chance you could get one!
 
Just to reiterate what PP's have said. Get a Landry's Select Card. It costs $25, but that $25 goes toward your dining bill. You will not need an ADR. You can simply walk into Y&Y whenever you want (and Rainforest and TRex), show them the card and get priority seating over those with ADR's. It gives you a ton of flexibility in your day and you don't have to worry about having an ADR! http://www.landrysselect.com
 
Please - for any sit down, even BREAKFAST.... get a Ressie. Over 12 years, 2X per year, eight days per vacation?
Dear Wife and I have seen too many hungry children turned away for an hour, as walk ups:(. Your choice.

All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong
 
You can try walk up at atypical times. Often tables are available then. At prime times, without ADRs, expect a long wait.
You can also look at touringplans reservation finder. We have had success there for getting ADRs.
For Yak and Yeti, a Landrys card may be your best bet.
 
Just to reiterate what PP's have said. Get a Landry's Select Card. It costs $25, but that $25 goes toward your dining bill. You will not need an ADR. You can simply walk into Y&Y whenever you want (and Rainforest and TRex), show them the card and get priority seating over those with ADR's. It gives you a ton of flexibility in your day and you don't have to worry about having an ADR! http://www.landrysselect.com

I thought the Boathouse was Landry's too, but this appears to not be on the website anymore. Did i imagine this or has it been removed?

Guess I need to go back and find and ADR to have my lobster roll then, since I was foolishly relying on my Landry's card for getting me a seat!
 
I thought the Boathouse was Landry's too, but this appears to not be on the website anymore. Did i imagine this or has it been removed?

Guess I need to go back and find and ADR to have my lobster roll then, since I was foolishly relying on my Landry's card for getting me a seat!

The Boathouse is on opentable though (much more flexible cancellation policy) as is Raglan Rd. I booked my reservation for Raglan Rd on opentable instead of through Disney Dining.
 
I thought the Boathouse was Landry's too, but this appears to not be on the website anymore. Did i imagine this or has it been removed?

Guess I need to go back and find and ADR to have my lobster roll then, since I was foolishly relying on my Landry's card for getting me a seat!

Landry's has a Boathouse in Canada, but they weren't involved in the Boathouse at Disney Springs. I believe that was Schussler Creative and Gibsons Restaurant Group.
 
The Boathouse is on opentable though (much more flexible cancellation policy) as is Raglan Rd. I booked my reservation for Raglan Rd on opentable instead of through Disney Dining.

Thanks! I did manage to find an ok-ish time for lunch on Disney's system :)


Landry's has a Boathouse in Canada, but they weren't involved in the Boathouse at Disney Springs. I believe that was Schussler Creative and Gibsons Restaurant Group.

Ah, that's why I was confused as i remember seeing it on the Landry's site. Thanks!
 


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