Do we need dining reservation in August?

[rileyz]

Hi all. We are staying at PPH club level 8/2-8/7. It's our first time at Disneyland, we go to WDW pretty much every year. With WDW we make our dining reservations way ahead of time because you basically have to. With it being our first time at DL I would love to have more flexibility with time and not be beholden to dining reservations. However, I also don't want to eat fast food all week. We plan on using the club level for breakfast and snacks but I know it's not a meal. Will we be out of luck trying to get into places day of? Thanks for any advice/tips.

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

if there are a couple you really want to do I'd probably plan ahead for those. I'm going the week after you and plan to be more laid back with the exception of Blue Bayou and the WOC dessert party. Being club level they can call and make ressies for you too if you decide to add a TS.

 

[palenskec]

I would maybe make a reservation if there is anywhere you really want to eat, but on the other days have an idea of what quick service places you want to eat at so you don't end up wondering around and getting hangry.

We just got back from a 4 day trip. Two of the days I had made us lunch reservations, and I'm glad I did. The other two days I knew which places I wanted to try and just made sure we were there around 11-11:30. That worked well for us too. We ate our biggest meal for lunch and then just shared or snacked around dinner time. My in laws did not take this advice and ended up wondering around and eventually eating hot dogs and pretzels for two meals in a row ... and were a little bit sad about it! LOL

 

[amyg1975]

I would plan a few. We normally make lunch reservations because we know we will eat around 12 every day. Dinner time varies depending on what we had for a snack and when we ate that snack, so planning a reservation for dinner was harder for us (but we have done it!).

 

[rileyz]

Thanks! Lunch reservations sound like a good idea. Then we can enjoy the wine and snacks in the lounge at night!

 

[Malcon10t]

Thanks! Lunch reservations sound like a good idea. Then we can enjoy the wine and snacks in the lounge at night!

Reminder that the lounge closes at 8. Park closes at 11 or midnight.

 

[rileyz]

Good to know, thanks. Can we still grab drinks from there like water or is it locked up? Thx

 

[disneychrista]

If there is some place you want to eat that takes reservations then YES make them. Otherwise, there are a lot more counter service options vs sit down at DLR, so having every meal planned is not as important.

 

[Malcon10t]

Good to know, thanks. Can we still grab drinks from there like water or is it locked up? Thx

They lock the doors promptly at 8.

 

[my*gracie*girl]

We always make a reservation for Carnation Cafe at least once/trip. If you want to eat at BB or anywhere else that is 'nice', you will absolutely need a reservation. I am always sad when we see people walking aimlessly at meal time being told over and over that only reservations are being seated. You can always get counter service, but we like to have a spot to sit and enjoy a meal at least every other day. PPH would be way too far away for us to go back for snacks....I would want to just pack in what we will snack on or snack in the parks. I am lazy about leaving though and don't like the walk to PPH. Even for 'free' snacks. lol

 

[wench]

I always make them ahead of time. Mostly because I really prefer table service & don't want to risk getting stuck with quick service every meal. And then there is the inherent need to book ahead after having been to WDW a few times. But, each trip I notice more & more people without reservations getting turned away from the restaurants. Especially Blue Bayou & Carnation Café. If you definitely want to eat somewhere, you should make them.

 

[The_Banking_Scot]

Hi,

For the popular table service restaurants I would in advance. I was in DL in mid April and Blue Bayou was turning away guests. Also I saw a lot of the counter service food places closing down early ( even at 630pm) with fewer cashiers than my previous visit in September 2015 so the queues were longer

 

[rileyz]

Thanks to you all for your advice. My sister is resistant to table service because her kids are picky eaters so we might have to go rogue and make our own reservations. I am not traveling from RI to DisneyLand to eat hamburgers. Lol

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Your sister can peruse the menus at Allears.net to see if there are things her kids will eat. Then, if she wants to join you, you'll know which TS places will work for the group. Otherwise, go rogue and have a great time!