Dinner reservations

[MinMou]

I have every intention of making reservations for the character meals we want. But do you make reservations for casual restaurants?

I was reading about the Carnation Cafe on the Disney website, and it said reservations were recommended. Same thing for Big Thunder Ranch BBQ

 

[Meriweather]

They do fill up. I always make them and cancel if we have a change of plans

 

[hiroMYhero]

I always make reservations for Café Orleans and Storytellers.

Probably didn't really need them for Storytellers but it is nice to be seated almost immediately.

 

[nicolispicoli]

I agree with @Meriweather. I always make whatever I think I might want and adjust them closer to my dates if needed.

 

[ImDMous]

We try to make them, but if we don't have any for some reason we will swing by and ask what the waits are like. You can usually tell from the park crowd feel if there will be long waits or not too bad. For planned trips, we always make reservations. For impromptu day trips, if I think it will be a crowded day, I'll check on my phone on the way there if there is anything left for the day or try to show up when the restaurant opens for whatever meal we want.

 

[courtneybeth]

If I'm planning a restaurant meal I always make a reservation. It bypasses the waiting -- usually reservations are open within 24 hours of when we want to eat, save for Fantasmic and some of the character dining. It's a great idea to see Paint the Night if you can get the patio seating for the 850pm show.

 

[DHSbutcher]

We usually make our reservations really close to when we want to eat, we've always found availability, but then again I'm usually a party of 1 or 2.

 

[camouseketeer]

Regarding the Carnation Cafe, I absolutely agree with the PP. We visited Carnation Cafe twice this week, and we needed our reservations both times. Today, being the actual 60th anniversary, reservations were a must , as they took no walk ups at all. But even a few days ago, waits for walk ups at 11:30am were 45 minutes. We were seated within 5 minutes of our reservation time. October is a busy month. I would definitely make reservations.

 

[MinMou]

Thank you everyone!

 

[NorthernCalMom]

How about Big Thunder Ranch BBQ? I really want to try it this time. We never went before and only have one day in the park with the entire family (the other two days it's just me and the kids). We're planning to be there right at opening (that's 11:30am, right?). I called the reservation phone number to find out if they recommended that we reserve a table (there's 4 of us), and the person I talked to said, not necessary as long as we come early. I love the flexibility to walk up there and either eat right away or, if we aren't hungry enough yet, to make a reservation for later that day, if available. But I would hate to miss out if it turns out that they are either full or if we waste a great deal of our precious late morning time just sitting there waiting. Anybody have any advice or reassurance for us? We're planning to go on August 5.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Anybody have any advice or reassurance for us? We're planning to go on August 5.

We have found the table service restaurants to be very accommodating when you have made a reservation. We have arrived for our reservations up to an hour early and explained we were early but were checking to see if we could be seated. In all cases, we were seated immediately.

I would suggest making a reservation for 12:30 or so and if you find yourself in the area closer to 11:30 or 12:00, check in at the podium and explain you have a reservation. That way you'll have a couple of options.