Do I need dining reservations? 8/10 crowds

[mefordis]

Hi, just wondering if I need dining reservations for my upcoming trip, as I would if going to WDW?

All you DLR vets, do you make them during busy times or still just wing it?

Also, do you recommend the WOC package? If so, what restaurant?

What is the best place to go to plan a 3 park day trip? Some place like Easywdw.com?


Thank you!

 

[DetroitDisney]

1. You dont need dining reservations like at WDW. It is not nearly as crazy competitive for spots. Most places you can actually just walk in and wait for a table.
2. That being said, if you reallllly want to eat somewhere (cough Blue Bayou cough) then I would still suggest making one just in case.

I only reserved BB and that was about a week before we went on our trip. The rest we just walked into.

 

[ParkHopper1]

you do not need way in advance like WDW, but walk ups can be hard to get day of on a busy day.

We usually make reservations the day before or morning of when we wanna go to a restaurant and have pretty good luck. That way you know if there are no reservations available, there most likely won't be any walk ups available!

Have made plenty of dinner reservations at lunchtime of the same day.

 

[mefordis]

Thank you! I was also hoping not to have to get up at the crack of dawn for EMH. 8/10, on site resorts are all booked, do I need to use EMH too?

You are so helpful!

 

[DetroitDisney]

Thank you! I was also hoping not to have to get up at the crack of dawn for EMH. 8/10, on site resorts are all booked, do I need to use EMH too?

You are so helpful!

You don't NEED to use it. Like any parks, the crowds are really low early in the day, so if you get there at opening you will have short lines.

If you havent been to DL before, just keep in mind that with it being a "locals" park, the crowds are much lower during the week when people are working. Also keep in mind, that this means the number of parades/shows/fireworks are also reduced. Like when I went last week, no Fantasmic or Fireworks on Mon-Thurs. So I had to plan in to see those on the weekend.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Thank you! I was also hoping not to have to get up at the crack of dawn for EMH. 8/10, on site resorts are all booked, do I need to use EMH too? You are so helpful!

Did you get a room at a DLH hotel! If not, you will be limited to one Magic Morning at Disneyland only (assuming you have at least a 3-day ticket). EMH is only available to guests staying at Disney hotels.

I'm not a big WOC fan. That being said, if you are going to see it, do the Carthay Circle dining pkg. This will give you a great meal, and then a good viewing area for the show.

 

[purple figment]

What is the best place to go to plan a 3 park day trip? Some place like Easywdw.com?


Thank you!

Here's an excellent thread to get you started:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

As for dining reservations, if there is any TS restaurant you really want to eat at, it is best to make a reservation, but they don't have to be made very far in advance. Blue Bayou is the one restaurant that I have seen turning away walk ups so this is one that I would suggest making a reservation.

 

[mefordis]

Yes, thank God I did reserve at DL hotel early. I was hoping for a discount but of course that is not going to happen. I made the reservations at Cathay Circle. Thanks so much!

Did you get a room at a DLH hotel! If not, you will be limited to one Magic Morning at Disneyland only (assuming you have at least a 3-day ticket). EMH is only available to guests staying at Disney hotels.

I'm not a big WOC fan. That being said, if you are going to see it, do the Carthay Circle dining pkg. This will give you a great meal, and then a good viewing area for the show.

 

[McNs]

Today was a 6/10 and BB was fully booked and turning away people. I booked a couple if weeks out and had limited options, wanted dinner but only had lunch times available the day we were going. I missed out on Napa Rose because I left it too late to book.

As for crowds etc, one problem with mid week low season is the late opening, often 10am, and the park is busy right from rope drop. We have been going the hast couple if weekends and find the first hours on an early opening (therefore potentially busier) day to be better than the day we went when it opened at 10.

 

[valiamo]

Just back from a week in DLR.

Any of the better restaurants (Ariel's, Wine Country, or Cathay) were booked up early in the day, We called and reserved the WOC package for Ariel's at 9:00 PM the night before, and had my choice of seating times. It was sold out the day of around noon. We had 6:50 reservations and didn't get seated until 7:45, it was a loooonnnnggg wait that day. We were one of the last couples seated, and were the last party out of the restaurant.

I did find it a tad expensive ($41.99, plus drinks each) but it was our one big splurge for the week.

We saw the 10:15 WOC show, arrived at the fast pass area at 9:55, and had our choice of many prime locations. We were right against the main railing against the water, and dead center. Outstanding viewing location, no-one in-front of us.

If you are going to the Halloween party, the rides will be slow, and you can get in all the prime rides in less than an hour. We did Matterhorn, Pirates, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain, Star Tours, and Space Mountain, every ride had a less than 5 minute wait, start to finish 55 minutes total, what a hoot!

 

[mefordis]

Thanks for the tips! We booked Blue Bayou so far, and Cathay Circle WOC package. My kids wants a couple of character meals, too so I have to book Ariel's Grotto and Goofy's Kitchen, I guess.

I am so glad I decided to do some reading up on the time we are going because otherwidce I would have never booked anything! I assumed it would be slow since it is Nov 6-10. The MNSSHP will be over by then, unfortunately. I'm still unclear why that time will be so busy. Thurs - Monday 11/6-10.

Just back from a week in DLR.

Any of the better restaurants (Ariel's, Wine Country, or Cathay) were booked up early in the day, We called and reserved the WOC package for Ariel's at 9:00 PM the night before, and had my choice of seating times. It was sold out the day of around noon. We had 6:50 reservations and didn't get seated until 7:45, it was a loooonnnnggg wait that day. We were one of the last couples seated, and were the last party out of the restaurant.

I did find it a tad expensive ($41.99, plus drinks each) but it was our one big splurge for the week.

We saw the 10:15 WOC show, arrived at the fast pass area at 9:55, and had our choice of many prime locations. We were right against the main railing against the water, and dead center. Outstanding viewing location, no-one in-front of us.

If you are going to the Halloween party, the rides will be slow, and you can get in all the prime rides in less than an hour. We did Matterhorn, Pirates, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain, Star Tours, and Space Mountain, every ride had a less than 5 minute wait, start to finish 55 minutes total, what a hoot!