Do I need dining reservations?

[jaykay]

We are WDW veterans and are accustomed to planning every hour of every day. We will be visiting Disneyland for the first time Oct 25th - 30th and have 4 day PH tickets. How difficult is it to get a table this time of year? We don't even necessarily need to eat at sit down restaurants but I'm worried we will get there and change our minds. I would love to do this trip with minimal planning but I also don't want to be disappointed.

 

[Keels]

I only make dining reservations on race weekends, and even then ONLY if:
1. I'm traveling with a large group (six or more)
2. We want a specific, popular place at a specific time, ie. Sunday brunch at Steakhouse at 10 a.m. after the half marathon
3. Dining package for nighttime events

Blue Bayou will book up for early slots with people that want to have a shot at a waterside table, but will still have availability throughout the day. You can always jump in and book something on the app as well, even just 15 minutes out - I was even able to do this over Mother's Day Weekend.

Dining at Disneyland is WAY more laid back than WDW. WAY.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I would go ahead and make your reservations now, just for the peace of mind. You will have until 24 hours prior to your reservation to cancel if you do change your mind. If you want prime dining hours, have a large party, or have dietary needs that require a chef to come speak with you, I would definitely make reservations ahead. Also, if you want TS dining at DL on a MHP day, those locations close early so non-party guests can dine and leave the park. Shorter dining hours means fewer than normal available reservations. Also, DtD TS places fill up because non-party guests head there for dinner. So it can't hurt to book ahead of time. By the way, Oct. 30th is the annual CHOC Walk at DLR. The parks will be crowded and TS places can be packed, especially for breakfast. If you want a TS reservation for that date in the morning, book ahead.

 

[disneyxica20]

we've eaten lunch at blue bayou twice and made our reservation just the day before. they only had a few times available, but we weren't picky, so it worked out fine. one time we were lucky enough to be seated near the water (without asking).
we've eaten at carnation cafe once and we didn't make a reservation, so we were not allowed to request a specific table, but again, we weren't picky. this time, we were lucky enough to be seated outside and were able to see soundsational while we ate.
if there is specific seating you want, a specific time you want to eat, etc. then i would make your reservation fairly soon. if you're flexible and not picky then you can probably get away with waiting a few days out.

 

[T0rrent]

For Blue Bayou i'd make a reservation. You can normally get one the day before and sometimes same day but if you try to walk up, chances are you may be turned away.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I try to make one a day a couple of weeks in advance of my trips. That way I know I have something booked. QST places are usually available bit may have long lines and limited places to sit. The last time we were there, at not nearly as population of a time, we didn't have any reservations and regretted it.

 

[SMD]

If you want to have a TS dinner on a Halloween party night, in DL, DCA or at a hotel, I'd make an ADR. Also, if you wanted to do TS on Sunday, because it's CHOC Walk.

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

We just got back. We had Blue Bayou booked in advance; the rest I would just go to the Disneyland app and book 20-30 minutes before I wanted to go. We got into Wine Country Trattoria, Storytellers, Surfs UP! Breakfast with Mickey as well as a second visit to Blue bayou on the fly. And I booked Aladdin's PtN lunch too. I cancelled a few too and it was easy on the app; just pushed a button.

 

[figment_jii]

I would also make reservation if you know you want to eat at a specific location or at a specific time or if you want to eat at the Blue Bayou. In general, getting reservations at DLR is much easier than getting them at WDW. You can usually find pretty good reservations with less than a week to go and sometimes that day. That being said, I have found that it's getting harder and harder to do a walk-up. I've been there when they were turning away walk-up guests at Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, and Blue Bayou.

 

[GatorChris]

While not as crazy as planning for WDW dining, DL reservations should still be made at least a few days in advance. Because DL is different in that people visit for 2-3 days rather 6-8 days like they do in Orlando, people are OK with eating CS meals a lot. Plus, with options just outside the park for cheaper, some folks go that route. If you're a long-time WDW goer like me, make the reservations for peace of mind.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would also make reservation if you know you want to eat at a specific location or at a specific time or if you want to eat at the Blue Bayou. In general, getting reservations at DLR is much easier than getting them at WDW. You can usually find pretty good reservations with less than a week to go and sometimes that day. That being said, I have found that it's getting harder and harder to do a walk-up. I've been there when they were turning away walk-up guests at Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, and Blue Bayou.

We've always had an ADR at Blue Bayou, but have been turned away at both Carnation Café and Café Orleans.

 

[4Siamese]

Much the same response as the other posters, we like to make 1 ADR at our must do favorites (BB, Carthay, Napa Rose) just so we know we have them, but we have also walked up and gotten in without much of an issue.

I would ultimately rather have a ressie for piece of mind.

 

[SuperRob]

I'll give you the same advice I give anyone. If there's anything you'd be heartbroken to miss out on, make a reservation. There shouldn't even be a question about that. At WDW, that means six months out, but at DLR, you can usually still find spots for smaller parties at a month out.

That said, my trip is in two weeks, and it's hard to find breakfast at the Plaza Inn or dinner at Blue Bayou for a group of five/six. A couple might be easier to seat. And they do hold some tables for walkups, but I'd rather not chance it unless I can't get a ressie.

 

[Happyjenz]

I always do one reservation a day, whether its breakfast, lunch or dinner. I don't want to crazy schedule, but one a day gives me something to help plan a little bit around, and makes me take a break. I have also seen people turned away at Blue Bayou, Carnation Cafe and Cafe Orleans.