Do I need reservations for lunch??

[nutterbutter2010]

I don't know if we will actually want to break for lunch in a sit down, but if we do, should we have reservations, or will we be able to just walk in? We are going at the end of Dec, beginning of Jan.


Thanks!!!


ETA that it will most likely be either a party of 4 or 6 and were looking at places like the 50's restaurant, and places in Epcot. What about character meals for lunch? I'm sure theres no way to walk in for them, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

 

[look1angel]

I don't know if we will actually want to break for lunch in a sit down, but if we do, should we have reservations, or will we be able to just walk in? We are going at the end of Dec, beginning of Jan.


Thanks!!!

Speaking from experience I would definitely make reservations! It's rare that you can just walk up & get seated. Not saying it doesn't exists but it's very rare. I went one year & tried to get anything for a TS for 5 for lunch or dinner & nothing was available.


I do recall in Oct of 07 I got seated at The Garden Grill in EPCOT for 2 without ressies but that never happened again.

Like I said it's rare. Why not just make a DR & if you don't think you'll use it then call ahead (24hrs) to cancel so someone else can use it.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Don't count on getting in anywhere in any of the parks even at lunch around Christmas/New Years without reservations. Parties of 4 will be next to impossible. Parties of 6 even worse. People are already making their reservations NOW and the popular places are already booking up. Resort locations MIGHT be do-able at off meal times though I wouldn't count on it.

 

[princessmom29]

I would absolutely have a ressie. You wil likely not get into 50's, and I wouldn't count on EPCOT either. 50's is small and pretty popular. I know for my trip it sold out by 10:00 on the first day it was open for booking. You might get lucky, but that is a big group to try to get a walk in for, and iti s highly unlikely you will find one, especially with Free Dining going on over your dates.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

Speaking from experience I would definitely make reservations! It's rare that you can just walk up & get seated. Not saying it doesn't exists but it's very rare. I went one year & tried to get anything for a TS for 5 for lunch or dinner & nothing was available.


I do recall in Oct of 07 I got seated at The Garden Grill in EPCOT for 2 without ressies but that never happened again.

Like I said it's rare. Why not just make a DR & if you don't think you'll use it then call ahead (24hrs) to cancel so someone else can use it.

Guess that means I have to sit down with the hubster and plan plan plan. Like, we already know we are going to Epcot on Tues and Thurs, but now we will have to make a definate plan on what other days we will be in what other parks, etc. I really want to try that 50's place!
Like you said, I don't have to actually GO to the reservation as long as we cancle far enough in advance, but its always good to have them. I have to admit, I really do LOVE planning, but when I have to involve others.... not so much!!!!!! LOL Hubby is pretty good though, just don't know about the other 14 people in this group

 

[nutterbutter2010]

I would absolutely have a ressie. You wil likely not get into 50's, and I wouldn't count on EPCOT either. 50's is small and pretty popular. I know for my trip it sold out by 10:00 on the first day it was open for booking. You might get lucky, but that is a big group to try to get a walk in for, and iti s highly unlikely you will find one, especially with Free Dining going on over your dates.

Theres free dining over New Years??? WOW, I didn't know that!

 

[Hopefully]

Yes,
Especially any popular theme park restuarant which would be 50's Prime Time Cafe.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

Do they offer the free DDP normally around NYE, or is it because of the recession and such? Can you still get rooms with the Free DDP now?

 

[clanmcculloch]

Do they offer the free DDP normally around NYE, or is it because of the recession and such? Can you still get rooms with the Free DDP now?

There were a couple of ways that people got free dining around NYE.

1. They got a birthday pin code (only select few people got these).
2. They started their vacations on or before December 17 (the last day of the public free dining promotion) and stayed through NYE.

I have free dining through December 29 by starting my vacation on December 17.

This promotion just ended.

They've NEVER offered free dining to the public in December before this year so I wouldn't count on it happening again. It's strictly due to Disney having trouble filling rooms. If the economy doesn't pick up by middle of next year then they MIGHT offer it again but there are no guarantees. I actually got a Disney Visa because in the past they have offered free dining to DV holders through late December without offering it to the public.

 

[Darcy03231]

Since you're going to be in WDW at one of the busiest times of the year, you need reservations.

I'm going the first week of December and made my reservations on my 90 day mark. I was unable to get the Princess Breakfast at Akershus on any of the days I am there and had to take an odd time on Le Cellier as it was already booked for the times I wanted.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

Since you're going to be in WDW at one of the busiest times of the year, you need reservations.

I'm going the first week of December and made my reservations on my 90 day mark. I was unable to get the Princess Breakfast at Akershus on any of the days I am there and had to take an odd time on Le Cellier as it was already booked for the times I wanted.

Sorry you couldn't get the Akershus for breakfast!! Why not try for dinner? I called this morning and got their dinner at 6.35pm. We've done the dinner before, and it was quite good. Have a great trip!

 

[PoohsFan1]

Since you're going to be in WDW at one of the busiest times of the year, you need reservations.

I'm going the first week of December and made my reservations on my 90 day mark. I was unable to get the Princess Breakfast at Akershus on any of the days I am there and had to take an odd time on Le Cellier as it was already booked for the times I wanted.

I too am sorry you didn't get Akershus for breakfast. We will be in Disney from 12/1-12/8 and we did all of our ADRs at our 90 day mark as well. We were able to get Akershus breakfast but Le Cellier, we had to settle for a 11:30am lunch ressie rather than the dinner ressie I was hoping for. I am just glad that I did get one.

To the OP, I too agree with everyone else to get ADRs to the places you want to eat. The only time that I was ever able to walk up to a restaurant and get seated was in 2005, back before they had FD. We were able to walk up to 50's and get seated within 10 minutes, now that is unheard of. However, you may be able to walk up if you were going to one of the resorts such as Captain's Grill at YC or someplace like that (places that are not as well known). Even in March, when we were standing in the Land next to Garden Grill, I tried calling to see if I could get an ADR for sometime that week and there was nothing available. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

 

[TDC Nala]

That time of year (peak crowds and some are still on free dining up to January 31) I would not count on being able to get into any table service restaurants in the parks without a reservation. You should probably make reservations for any TS meal you want to have.

The free dining offer is good for check-ins up to December 17 and can be a maximum of 14 nights. Guests on free dining checking in on December 17 and staying 14 nights have free dining for their entire stay up to December 31. How likely it is that a lot of guests will fit this category is debatable.

I'm not sure of the date and don't have time to look it up but I believe the free dining offer expires this week. If you haven't already booked it it may be too late.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

Ok, I've made 3 reservations so far!!! First was the one I made for the Akershus for dinner. Just now I made one for dinner at Tony's Town Square in MK and for the Prime Time one in DHS. I'm really excited for the one in DHS, but I don't know anything about the Tony's one. Any opinions about it??