Do solos need Dining Reservations?

[ElGordito]

I am taking my first solo trip to WDW at the end of August. I am wondering if one needs to make reservations at restaurants or if it is possible to just walk up and get a single seat relatively quickly. Part of my plan is to be much less "regimented" in my schedule than I was when traveling with family. Thanks for any thoughts on this!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Depends on where you want to eat. A single is seated at a table for 2 usually so you are competing with other couples for the same seats. If you are going to places that aren't as popular or serve food at the bar then you will probably be fine winging it.

 

[undchefreak]

I tried to get a table at The Plaza at the Magic Kingdom at the end of January (aka a very slow time of the year) and was turned away at about 7:30. They said that there would be no walk ins the rest of the night. If you have you're heart set on a certain place, make a reservation. You can always make a reservation online the same day, too (when available).

 

[Bete]

You do need reservations for the sit down restaurants most of the time. You may have better luck without reservations if you try at lunch time and do it either early or late like 11am or 2 pm.

Also, you may have better luck with resorts for sit down meals without a reservation.

I would make reservations; because, it's just better. Then, you are set and you won't be searching for a place. You still may have some problems with some places this close to your trip. The better places book up very early.

 

[simonsayz]

Always try to make reservations because there are a lot of people eating. 1 seating is the same as taking up 2 seats.

Like the previous poster mentioned you will compete with a lot of couples.

Sent from my galaxy s3 DISBoards app

 

[GaBelle]

Any restaurants that you will be disappointed if you cannot get to dine at? If not, then wing it.
If yes, then make a few ADRs.

 

[Simba's Mom]

As I solo, I've had pretty good luck by walking up to a restaurant right at opening. One day, I wanted to eat at 50s Prime Time, so I went to the kiosk right by the Tip Board. They couldn't find any openings for the day, but recommended that I show up at opening. Same thing at Rose and Crown one day. However, I've been turned down at a few restaurants later in the prime lunchtimes.

 

[Sir William]

I visited WDW solo in June. I made some ADRs for the few times I wanted to do TS.

One was for lunch at the Rose and Crown at Epcot. The evening before I decided to visit Epcot as it was raining and I thought the crowds might be lighter (they were). As I was passing by the R&C, I stopped to ask about being seated. The hostess was telling the people in front of me there was no space and I didn't have any real expectations, but thought I'd ask anyway.

As it turned out, there was a table for ONE available. It was a table with one chair by the fireplace and quite adequate. II received lots of attention from many of the CM who noticed I was dining alone. Two tables over was Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies.

The hostess said they would cancel my lunch the next day (at my request) but to be safe, I called in the next morning to verify the ADR had been cancelled.

In short, make ADRs if you can, but don't hesitate to do a walk-up. You've nothing to lose.