Dinner Rec's for Spontaneous Meal w/o reservations

[howaboutme]

Hello,

Can someone recommend a few restaurants that don't need any reservations AND don't have any long waits? We are headed to Disney shortly and will most likely meet up w/ old friends that live nearby. We have our ADRs and have planned it a bit to death in regards to our own time. However, we will need to be flexible in regards to this dinner. I assume Disney Springs is the best place? Any restaurants there that don't need reservations and would have very little wait for a party of 7 or 8 adults/kids? Remember, this is for late August, in theory, slow season.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[loves to dive]

I don't know of any of TS that you are guaranteed to be able to walk up and get something, 9 out 10 times even if you are willing to wait it's not going to happen. You can, however, have pretty good luck in finding something in the morning and booking an ADR or even during the day if you don't have to have the "have to" places. We don't book in advance, we just do it the morning of or while walking around in the parks. We've had luck at Chefs de France, Spice Road and Marakessh in Epcot. Now that I'm thinking about it, you could most likely walk up to the restaurant in China at Epcot. It's typical Chinese food you would find at home but not horrible. I don't know about DS, we don't go there. The resort restaurants seem to not be as booked as well. Oh, and Skipper's Canteen in MK hasn't been crowded when we've been there but that was before they had ADRs. I think the Plaza in MK only requires ADRs certain times, it's Table Service but the food is sort of fancy sandwiches.

 

[howaboutme]

Thank you.

I do realize I left a very important given out previous. This has to be outside of the parks as we can't expect our friends to pay for admission. That's why I asked about Disney Springs. Restaurants like Rainforest Cafe, Wolfgang Puck's Cafe, etc. (We are already going to TRex)...Wondering if those are okay or if there are any other restaurants on Disney property accessible by the Disney resort buses.

Thank you all again!

 

[Pumbaa_]

I would still attempt ADR even same day or day before.

Olivia at okw is a true hidden gem too

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Even more flexible restaurants will have issues with 8 as a walk up. Your best bet is a Landry's Card at rainforest.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I'm not sure if there is a restaurant at Disney that can help you, especially with a part of 8.

 

[erinch]

I am here right now, and have grabbed a number of ADRs for almost immediately. Earlier has much more availability. Around 6 the restaurants on the west side looked dead , even on Saturday, at 6. House of Blues and Bongos looked like walk ins.

 

[howaboutme]

Ok. Thanks all for your insights.

It looks like we'll have to do some planning.

 

[nco91590]

Are you on DDP? What about eating at some of the lounges? Crew's Cup at Yacht Club has a pretty great menu. Burgers, lobster rolls, truffle fries (that are amazing btw). You can just walk right in there....

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

My suggestions, based on someone who does not believe that I should have to decide today what I plan to eat in December!
1. Boathouse - outside seating
2. Blue Zoo at the Swan/Dolphin
3. Il Mulino at the Swan/Dolphin (bar seating area)
4. Big River Grill at Boardwalk
5. Turf Club at SSR (never crowded)
6. Oliva's at OKW (usually not too bad)
7. Wolfgang Puck Express at Disney Springs - not a full TS but a nice compromise between QS and TS.

The big issue is the size of your party. If at all possible I would try to book something even if it's just a few hours in advance.

 

[gwynne]

Hello,

Can someone recommend a few restaurants that don't need any reservations AND don't have any long waits? We are headed to Disney shortly and will most likely meet up w/ old friends that live nearby. We have our ADRs and have planned it a bit to death in regards to our own time. However, we will need to be flexible in regards to this dinner. I assume Disney Springs is the best place? Any restaurants there that don't need reservations and would have very little wait for a party of 7 or 8 adults/kids? Remember, this is for late August, in theory, slow season.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

A party of 7 or 8? You need some reservations, or your group is going to be eating a lot of quick service.
Disney is pretty busy year 'round. I wouldn't count on a particular time of year being "slow".

 

[howaboutme]

Are you on DDP? What about eating at some of the lounges? Crew's Cup at Yacht Club has a pretty great menu. Burgers, lobster rolls, truffle fries (that are amazing btw). You can just walk right in there....

Not on plan but our alternative is to just do QS at AOA, where we are staying...

My suggestions, based on someone who does not believe that I should have to decide today what I plan to eat in December!

Amen to this!

My suggestions, based on someone who does not believe that I should have to decide today what I plan to eat in December!
1. Boathouse - outside seating
2. Blue Zoo at the Swan/Dolphin
3. Il Mulino at the Swan/Dolphin (bar seating area)
4. Big River Grill at Boardwalk
5. Turf Club at SSR (never crowded)
6. Oliva's at OKW (usually not too bad)
7. Wolfgang Puck Express at Disney Springs - not a full TS but a nice compromise between QS and TS.

The big issue is the size of your party. If at all possible I would try to book something even if it's just a few hours in advance.

Thank you! This is helpful.

A party of 7 or 8? You need some reservations, or your group is going to be eating a lot of quick service.
Disney is pretty busy year 'round. I wouldn't count on a particular time of year being "slow".

I agree. I thought I'd ask the forum just in case. I want to believe I can be spontaneous but it doesn't look like that's going to work out. Perhaps with no kids that's okay! Will try to see if an ADRs are available first and then see what happens. Thanks!

 

[lpizzuro123]

We were down this past May (end of the month) and decided to try to eat at Big River Grill around 5:30 - 6:00 with 6 adults and headed over to the Boardwalk and were seated within 5 minutes. We have eaten here in the past and love this place. I do not believe they take reservations.

 

[Minnesota!]

We have had tons of luck with day-of dining. You just need to be flexible. I would just go on your MDE in the AM and select "lunch/party of 8" and take the choices you are given.

Sanaa usually seems to have openings, as does Captain's Grille, The Wave, etc.

 

[Anthony1971]

Late August is slower However this year they have FD which is starting august 23 I believe... This should not have a huge impact on Disney Springs... If you are going on weekday in the earlier part of the day ?-6 at the latest (would try to stay on the earlier side 5 is always a magic number for a later time) you should have no issues at Springs and resorts--little to no wait.. been there many times this time of year.

 

[Jennasis]

ESPN Club on the Boardwalk doesn't accept reservations. Walk up and enjoy!

 

[howaboutme]

Thank you all again. After doing some additional research, it looks like the most flexible is doing any number of the QS restaurants at Disney Springs. I say Disney Springs because it seems to offer the most choices for people that don't settle in advance. I could be wrong...

 

[fauntleroy1953]

Mizners Lounge in the GF resort actually has a decent menu and it has a nice atmosphere

 

[VolvoManiac850]

I got in at 50s Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios without a reservation last year for lunch. There was a 20 minute wait, but that's not too bad for any restaurant. The atmosphere and servers make the restaurant what it is. You can say what you want about the food--I've never had a bad meal there--but it's a fun place to go and always on my "must do" list.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

As others have mentioned, it's not the same-day that's the problem it's your party size.

I would suggest making a reseveration through Open Table for a restaurant on the Boardwalk or at Disney Springs. You can change or cancel these without a penalty.