Disney Springs reservation question

[ClapYourHands]

I'm a newbie to the world of Disney ADRs. I'm 6 months out, and honestly have no idea which park I'll be in on any given day. As the dates get closer, I may try to snag a reservation from a cancellation, but food has never been a focus on our trips and my kids could really care less about character dining.

That said, we might want a break from nuggets and fries (okay, my kids won't want a break, but I'll want them to eat something else). I was wondering how hard it would be to get a table at DS. Where would I need reservations and where could I expect to walk in with a reasonable wait? If I'd need reservations, about how far in advance would they be needed.

Looking for kid friendly (boys ages 8 and 10) and fairly inexpensive.

 

[SteveH]

IMHO you are better off planning when it comes to WDW if you are going any type of busy season, which is now about 12 months a year.

It's easier to change plans, and forgo eating TS then trying to get a TS reservation last minute. First step is figuring out which parks on which days, again you can bail on you plans, but having them does make it easier IMHO.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You will need reservations at most sit-down restaurants in Disney Springs, but can often get them same-day by calling or using Open Table.

 

[Jennasis]

At Disney springs last week we got walk up seating at Homecomin' and Raglan Road. However we are a party of 2 so you may have different luck depending on your party size. We also tend to eat dinner earlier than most 4:30-5:30.

 

[Skippyboo]

As the previous poster said, it is easier to make a reservation and then cancel it. The DS restaurants aren’t that hard of ADR as certain park or hotel restaurants are. You cancel them up to the day before without any penalty. If your going during the free dining period, you definitely want an ADR.

T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe would probably be cool for your boys. There are also fast casual places like Blaze Pizza, Polite Pig and Dluxe Burgers that are Quick Service so you don’t need an ADR.

 

[ClapYourHands]

As the previous poster said, it is easier to make a reservation and then cancel it. The DS restaurants aren’t that hard of ADR as certain park or hotel restaurants are. You cancel them up to the day before without any penalty. If your going during the free dining period, you definitely want an ADR.

T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe would probably be cool for your boys. There are also fast casual places like Blaze Pizza, Polite Pig and Dluxe Burgers that are Quick Service so you don’t need an ADR.

Thanks for the QS suggestions.

Not going during free dining, but I expect it will be pretty busy (Jersey week).

 

[ClapYourHands]

IMHO you are better off planning when it comes to WDW if you are going any type of busy season, which is now about 12 months a year.

It's easier to change plans, and forgo eating TS then trying to get a TS reservation last minute. First step is figuring out which parks on which days, again you can bail on you plans, but having them does make it easier IMHO.

Disney hasn’t published November park hours, so I’m waiting to see which days are EMH. My plan is to RD the morning EMH, and bail when the park gets too crowded. We might do resort time or a sit down lunch before hopping over to a less congested park (where we will have our FP set up).

Alternatively, we might stay through to early evening, break for early dinner, and return to take advantage of short waits during fireworks.

 

[SteveH]

Alternatively, we might stay through to early evening, break for early dinner, and return to take advantage of short waits during fireworks.

That's what we did, I'm not really into Fireworks so was a great time to get a few rides in, but navigating the hoards can be a challenge.

 

[gharter]

We have been there during Jersey week and it can be crazy busy.
I would get a plan for what parks on what days now. You can look online to see what days are EMH days for which parks and plan from there. Will there be some changes, probably, but you should be close.
If you want to eat at certain restaurants, this can be very difficult without ADRs. If you are willing to eat at odd times or wait a long time, walk up can work. Or if you are planning to eat at not so popular restaurants, walk up can work.
I would suggest getting TS reservations for what you think you may want now, and modify later if you change your mind.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

There are a ton of DS restaurants on opentable.com. I would simply go there either the night before or day-of and see what's available. It's free to set up an account and you don't have to put down a cc hold. https://www.opentable.com/landmark/restaurants-near-downtown-disney-orlando?page=1

opentable typically has more restaurant availability than the WDW website.

Alternatively, if you think Rainforest Cafe or TRex would appeal (both kid friendly and reasonably priced), simply get a Landry's Select Card. It's $25 to join, but that $25 goes toward your bill. You simply show the card at the check-in desk and you get priority seating, whenever you show up, over people with reservations. This will also work at Rainforest Cafe and Yak & Yeti in AK.