DL newbie question about dining...

[OFF TO WDW!]

We will be at DL for the first time on Monday, April 30th for 5 night.

My question is are full service dining reserves needed?

I'm on stress mode because of our trips to WDW where you need to make reserves or your not getting any good Dining times (if any at all).

We just want to go and have fun and I have made only two reserves, whic are for the Blue Bayou and the wine trattoria. Other than that, we have none others made. I hear that week we are there is slow, so if we choose to make no other reserves for a full service restaurant, will there be any issue with walking up for example to Cafe orleans and getting dinner?

We are not sure how difficult it may be to get a sit down dinner without reserves just walking up.

Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I always my ressies, better safe than sorry. I always see a line for walk ups at the table service places. Sometimes the wait is only 15-20 minutes. Only once have I been able to do a walk up, but it was between 6:30 and 7pm and it was at Storytellers inside the Grand. Cafe Orleans is pretty popular. However, all that said, you don't have to make the ressies right at the 60 day mark to get your desired places. I have made them 2 weeks out and still got what I wanted.

 

[mouseymommy]

I have made BB ressies the same day in summer, and got a great time. I have also called a couple weeks in advance for BBQ Roundup, and not gotten the time in wanted during Spring break. I think if you know you want to eat there at a certain time, make a ressie. If you are more flexible, you can wait.

 

[HydroGuy]

We will be at DL for the first time on Monday, April 30th for 5 night.

My question is are full service dining reserves needed?

I'm on stress mode because of our trips to WDW where you need to make reserves or your not getting any good Dining times (if any at all).

We just want to go and have fun and I have made only two reserves, whic are for the Blue Bayou and the wine trattoria. Other than that, we have none others made. I hear that week we are there is slow, so if we choose to make no other reserves for a full service restaurant, will there be any issue with walking up for example to Cafe orleans and getting dinner?

We are not sure how difficult it may be to get a sit down dinner without reserves just walking up.

Any thoughts appreciated!

You can safely leave the WDW ADR craziness behind when you come to DLR. Reservations are easily obtainable up to just a few days before, except for special places like Blue Bayou.

The reason is not that the dining at DLR is bad, it is mostly because of the different demographic at DLR and different mindset. WDW has 85% out of town visitors. DLR has only 30%. So there are many more local day trippers at DLR and they usually prefer fast counter service options for dining. That leaves the table service places more open. It is not unusual to be able to make a reservation for dinner sometime on the same day. Folks at DLR have not been conditioned to make reservations like they have at WDW so there is no mad rush.

With that said, if you know where you want to dine then by all means make the reservations as early as possible.

 

[Cinderpamela]

The big ones that you need ADR's for are the Blue Bayou (which you already have) and Napa Rose, and the Character Meals.

Other than that, DLR has a lot of good walk up options... Cafe Orleans you may have to wait a bit for, if your trying for peak hours, but you will be able to get in.

There are some great walk up options that we have discovered over the years, a few of our favorites are Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland, Celebration Roundup & Barbecue also in Frontierland (you can do an ADR for this but its not usually necessary especially if you are going during a slow time).
Another favorite is Whitewater Snacks over at the Grand Californian, its tucked away near the resort pool and it is a best kept secret for sure. To get there you can use the GC hotel guest exit/entrance that's over near the Grizzly River Run in in DCA.

It is a lot different than WDW in that you do not need as many ADR's going into the trip.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always make reservations, gives me peace of mind and I can always cancel.

Jack

 

[OFF TO WDW!]

The big ones that you need ADR's for are the Blue Bayou (which you already have) and Napa Rose, and the Character Meals.

Other than that, DLR has a lot of good walk up options... Cafe Orleans you may have to wait a bit for, if your trying for peak hours, but you will be able to get in.

There are some great walk up options that we have discovered over the years, a few of our favorites are Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland, Celebration Roundup & Barbecue also in Frontierland (you can do an ADR for this but its not usually necessary especially if you are going during a slow time).
Another favorite is Whitewater Snacks over at the Grand Californian, its tucked away near the resort pool and it is a best kept secret for sure. To get there you can use the GC hotel guest exit/entrance that's over near the Grizzly River Run in in DCA.

It is a lot different than WDW in that you do not need as many ADR's going into the trip.

Thanks all!

Cinderpam, any thoughts on how "Tortilla Jo's" is? It caught my eye.

Thanks

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks all!

Cinderpam, any thoughts on how "Tortilla Jo's" is? It caught my eye.

Thanks

I have thoughts. We really like Tortilla Jo's and usually hit it once every trip. Sometimes twice if we need another margarita.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Thanks all!

Cinderpam, any thoughts on how "Tortilla Jo's" is? It caught my eye.

Thanks

Just like Hydroguy, we really like Tortilla Joes too. There is a walkup window and then a sit down restaurant too. Both are good.

We also really enjoyed Ralph Brennans, had a late dinner there one night while live jazz band was playing.... again just walked up and got right in. This was in November just after Thanksgiving, it was busy but still able to get a table.

We have also tried the Italian restarant in DTD, and enjoyed it as well, but given the option would head to Tortilla Joe's first. Haven't been to Catal's but have read good things.

Have had lunch at LaBrea Bakery, nice fresh sandwiches and good size portions.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Rule of thumb about choosing a Mexican restaurant in the southwest (including all of Calif and AZ) if the place is crowded, that means the locals approve. If the locals don't love it, go elsewhere.

The locals approve of Tortilla Jo's.

 

[pixiewings71]

The big ones that you need ADR's for are the Blue Bayou (which you already have) and Napa Rose, and the Character Meals.

Other than that, DLR has a lot of good walk up options... Cafe Orleans you may have to wait a bit for, if your trying for peak hours, but you will be able to get in.

There are some great walk up options that we have discovered over the years, a few of our favorites are Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland, Celebration Roundup & Barbecue also in Frontierland (you can do an ADR for this but its not usually necessary especially if you are going during a slow time).
Another favorite is Whitewater Snacks over at the Grand Californian, its tucked away near the resort pool and it is a best kept secret for sure. To get there you can use the GC hotel guest exit/entrance that's over near the Grizzly River Run in in DCA.

It is a lot different than WDW in that you do not need as many ADR's going into the trip.

Not always, we have been turned away from CO multiple times for not having a reservation. For this reason I always suggest having a reservation for them.

Thanks all!

Cinderpam, any thoughts on how "Tortilla Jo's" is? It caught my eye.

Thanks

Rule of thumb about choosing a Mexican restaurant in the southwest (including all of Calif and AZ) if the place is crowded, that means the locals approve. If the locals don't love it, go elsewhere.

The locals approve of Tortilla Jo's.

The locals may approve of TJ's but I do not, we've eaten here twice, both times we've had less than stellar results. I won't get graphic but suffice it to say we were in the restroom a lot the next couple of days, and it only happens when we eat at TJ's, we won't go again. And I always say if I could only eat 1 type of food for the rest of my life, it would be Mexican, I love Mexican food!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Not always, we have been turned away from CO multiple times for not having a reservation. For this reason I always suggest having a reservation for them.

I guess I should add the caveat that if you are travelling at a less busy time you shouldn't have trouble getting a table at CO, but if its a must do ADR it sure couldn't hurt.
I will also add that on a busy Friday night once, we had to wait for about an hour, but it turned out they had called our name earlier and we hadn't heard it... we had been right across the way looking the Pirate shop... doh!