Disney Springs without a Reservation- best eats?

[PartyOfSe7en]

We will be going to Disney Springs in June on our day off from the parks. We have 2 infants and 3 kids under 10 with us so stressing to make a reservation on our day off isn't super appealing. What are some great places to get good dinner foods at Disney Springs without an advanced reservation for a party of 9 (counting the infants)? We don't mind window service, just want to hear experiences of food that is worth eating thank you

 

[NYCgrrl]

So your main concern is that it seats 9 guests including the infants?
Well than most anywhere in DS.

Just peruse the menus at My Disney Experience, pick the ones that appeals to your group the most and book it at opentable.com. Last December we ate at various restaurants at DS either as a walk up or by making a reservation same day. The only long term ADR we secured was for NYE.

The only non QS I can think of that you can't make ressies at is Homecomin'. Also not sure about T-Rex/Rainforest Cafe or Planet Hollywood.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

If you want a little certainty without being stuck with an ADR, try making a reservation on Open Table. Most DS restaurants are available there, without you having to secure it with a credit card, and cancelling is easy and penalty-free. To cancel you can either just call the restaurant or cancel online (I suppose you could just not show up, but I don’t recommend it out of fairness to others).

Almost anywhere in DS can seat 9. The only issue becomes whether or not they can seat 9 together at the time and location at which you’re wanting to eat. Even counter service places get busy so your best odds there are to plan on eating at an off time (early dinner/ late lunch as an example).

 

[PartyOfSe7en]

Thank you guys for your responses! Those are both very helpful and good advice. I am not worried about who can seat us, I just don't want to be on a set timeline after using touring plans and ADRs for park days. We are planning to have an early dinner. I'd like to be able to just walk up and eat somewhere with less than a 45 minute wait. Are there yummy quick eats, less busy spots or other options at Disney Springs or will I be setting myself up for disappointment if we don't plan something prior to the day of?

 

[Pygoplites]

Absolutely agree about using Open Table! Many times, MDE will show no availability but then when you check Open Table there are all sorts of restaurants available--even immediately.

As far as quick service, just about everything in DS is pretty good--better and cheaper than inside the parks. I like Blaze Pizza because it is reasonably priced and almost unlimited choices (so many toppings and sauces). Quite a few of the table service places also have a quick service restaurant attached.

Check out menus online to see what looks appealing. Maybe steer clear of T-Rex for infants...the sights and sounds may be upsetting (although older kids would love it).

 

[Aimeedyan]

We have easily walked up to Homecomin' and House of Blues, which are two favorites of ours.

Often, we just make a reservation via Open Table or MDE on our way to Disney Springs - there is always something available, if you're flexible in where you'd like to eat and then you won't be tied to a time until you really want to eat.

 

[firefly_ris]

Thank you guys for your responses! Those are both very helpful and good advice. I am not worried about who can seat us, I just don't want to be on a set timeline after using touring plans and ADRs for park days. We are planning to have an early dinner. I'd like to be able to just walk up and eat somewhere with less than a 45 minute wait. Are there yummy quick eats, less busy spots or other options at Disney Springs or will I be setting myself up for disappointment if we don't plan something prior to the day of?

There are a lot of well liked QS (non-reservation) places in Springs, places like Polite Big, D-Luxe Burger, Morimoto Street Food all seem to be pretty well reviewed and are not table service places.

Also, I have had plenty of luck snagging reservations at places while literally on our way over to Springs. Last month we were on a bus to Springs and I booked Raglan Road for 30min from that point. So stuff might pop up too.

 

[sponica]

As long as it's not a Friday or Saturday it should be an issue, it can get more crowded with locals and vacationers on fridays/saturdays

 

[cruisin5]

T-Rex is a Landry's owned restaurant. You can get their "card" for $25 from their website which gives you $25 off your first bill AND the next available table! Seriously, just flash the card and you'll be seated quickly.

 

[soccermom54]

DH and I love Polite Pig and Earl of Sandwich for counter service in Disney Springs. We have had good luck at House of Blues without a reservation for lunch. I have sworn off T-Rex because of the noise. It is just too loud for me personally and I left the last time with a killer headache. I agree with the earlier post that it might scare a little one