Dinner Reservations - Spring Break trip

[Tweedles]

Hi everyone! Looking for some advice about dining on my upcoming trip. I am bringing my kids down for their spring break, 4/14-19. I know it will be busy, but in the busy-ness of life, I also forgot to make dinner reservations. I tried yesterday, and of course there are none available. What is your experience with walking in and wait times? Is there a better time? Is it luck? Should we lose all hope for a sit down at Margaritaville or Antojito's? We are staying on-site at RPR.

 

[Disxuni]

You'll just have to wait depending on the restaurant and time you decide you want to eat. To lessen wait times go during odd periods for lunch (right when they open, or 2pm) and dinner (early dinner, perhaps around 3). Also, if anything just make sure to either snack before lunch, or dinner, or make sure to show up not hungry / starving when you show. That's always been my philosophy.

 

[EmJ]

Toothsome doesn't take reservations, so if you want to try and eat there, you at least won't already be at a disadvantage, so to speak. Like Disxuni said, I would go to dinner around 3:30, eat a big meal, and then get a snack like a hot dog, pretzel, or smoothie around 6:00 or 7:00.

 

[gotomu212]

Try calling the day before you want the reservation. In the past we’ve found it’s gone from “all booked up” to “we have tons of availability pick your time” the day before.

Also since you’re onsite many of the citywalk restaurants have priority seating if you show your room key.

 

[Tweedles]

Good advice! Thank you. I think we will try to equalize things with an off hour attempt at Toothsome. We don't have a particular need to eat at any given time, so maybe we will just go for early dinners and then rely on snacks for later. And a day before phone call can never hurt!

 

[christophfam]

All of the above is great advice. If it does get close to peak time (I’d never go AT peak that week) plan on showing up an hour before you really want to eat and go look around city walk. Cowfish will text you. Last time I was at margaritaville, it was a pager so someone had to stay close but my husband didn’t mind sitting outside by the restaurant while we shopped.

As long as you don’t get there when you’re hungry or if you go at odd times, you’ll be fine. That’s my plan anyway.

 

[Disxuni]

@christophfam I love your icon, btw.

Try calling the day before you want the reservation. In the past we’ve found it’s gone from “all booked up” to “we have tons of availability pick your time” the day before.

Also since you’re onsite many of the citywalk restaurants have priority seating if you show your room key.

That's a good tip as well. I didn't suggest that as I didn't know if Universal was like Disney when it comes to reservations. That often happens at Disney, because you have to cancel under a certain time, because if you cancel less than 24 hours, or do not show, you get charged $10-$50 per person (depending on what kind of dining you selected). But that's a good thing I forgot. Also, showing your room key is good too.