Do I really have to have ADRs?

[spiritsnitch]

This is our first WDW trip with any planning whatsoever. We have been known to just go on a whim. This time, we have reservations at AKV and are taking our 2 year old for his first trip. I think we're going to skip a meal plan because I think we can save more without one, but I would like to take him to a couple of character meals. I was thinking Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys, but maybe Cape May or Tusker House, too.

I would love to get in for Breakfast because DS loves breakfast food, but particularly at Chef Mickeys or Crystal Palace because they're convenient-not trying to get in before park opening, just an easier place to get once we're already at MK.

We've eaten at Liberty Tree (when it was a character meal) and Crystal Palace for dinner, and Akershus for lunch with no reservations. Actually, a CM made us res for LT earlier that day, but the other two had no reservations. We walked right in Akershus and waited about 40 minutes for CP.

I've looked online and can't find any reservations. Admittedly, I'm not good at this process and I am really not particular about when or where (just need to be semi close to a decent dinner time, but we'll try to appease him with snacks).

What I'm wondering is 1) Can't we go without an ADR and just wait? or 2) Can I call Disney and basically say, I am looking for these two restaurants any time between May 10 and 15th for just about any meal?

Thanks for indulging the questions of someone who is breaking the cardinal sin of ADRs-not actually planning them in advance. But, hey, a week out is advance for us-and I've been trying to get my husband to just commit for months. I finally just said, I'm doing it!

 

[Cafeen]

1) You can. But be prepared to be flat-out refused. If a restaurant is full, it's full. They don't reserve space for walk-ups.

2) I believe so. There used to be a way to do this on the old system (~2010), but they removed it from the guest UI (User Interface) when they upgraded to the current system. I'm relatively sure that it still remains on the CM UI though. Even if not, they can search day by day for you anyway, it's what they get paid to do

Many of the character meals have surged in popularity, so walk-ups and such are difficult. I'd keep trying, even when you are down there. The new cancellation fee may help things as you may be able to nab a last minute cancellation too. Keep trying, worse comes to worse, you're not worse off than you are now anyway .

 

[canopynut66]

with a two year old would be sure had ADR'S for where you want to eat as most character breakfast or meals are usually full. and with WDW having a credit card hold on a lot of the more popular places now if you do not show up and do not cancel in the time allowed it is a cost of $10 per person charge to your credit card. if you check the counter service windows and see the lines well any TS is going to be just as bad if not worse of a wait. hope you get in where you want.

 

[merbobear]

I would just keep checking online daily or calling daily to see if there are any reservations that open up for the meals you want. Good luck!

 

[RealBlast3]

I know some people don't like overplanning their vacations and think they're more fun to do things spontaneously, but especially with Disney, I think you're really asking for trouble if you want table sittings and don't make dining reservations. Since I'm sure you want to maximize all the time you have there, it's much better to make the reservations in general, than be forced to wait, like 40 minutes.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think it is a lot different waiting 40 minutes for a meal when it is just adults doing the waiting, then it is waiting with a 2yr old in tow.

The restaurants you are naming are some of the most popular ones at WDW. And now they require a credit card to hold the reservation, so odds are people who have booked them really will show up.

I would call Disney and see what they can do for you. Otherwise start checking the day before you want to eat at a certain place, that is when people have to cancel by in order to not get charged a no show fee.

Good luck!

I want to add that I just did a quick search, and it took about 15 seconds to find availability for the Crystal Palace for one of your days. So keep checking, stuff opens up all of the time!