Eating on the Fly

[Dawn68PA]

Has anyone else done this? I know ressies are highly recommended but we're economising this trip and don't want to pay for the DP. In addition, I have a lapband and cannot consume a whole meal. We're fine doing CS and if we happen to find a TS and DH wants a full meal, we'll count ourselves lucky. We will have food in our room to supplement as well.

Anyway, what have your experiences been with this?

 

[ilovepete]

If you aren't picky I think it's fine, but I wouldn't go expecting to get reservations anywhere. If you are fine with CS if TS doesn't work out then it probably an OK choice for you.

 

[chartle]

We only do CS with only maybe one TS an its OK.

I'm not sure why you need reassurance that it will be OK?

I'm sure thousands of people only eat CS and do just fine.

We don't go to WDW to eat, we can do that at home.

Also I've never gone hungry only eating CS.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We never make reservations. We don't like to do TS meals because they are rather pricey. We find it much easier to do CS. There are a lot CS which are good like Pepper Market, Wolf Gang Pucks, Port Orleans River Side has a nice food selection area, Flame Tree BBQ at AK, and Earl of Sandwhich. Some nights we weren't real hungry so it was nice to have the options to grab something small like a salad or soup.


You will be fine.

 

[readytogotodisney]

We rarely make TS reservations before our trip. We eat 95% CS and if we do a TS we might call night before if we see or think of something we'd like to try.
If you do end up wanting to make TS reservations while there, be flexible and try for off times. Instead of noon for lunch, try either early (around 11) or late (around 2), same with dinner. You'll be more likely to get a reservation.
But really there are a lot of good quality CS meals out there, you'll be fine.

 

[AnitaDisneyVacation]

We often have no problem getting a table at Downtown Disney, particularly on the West Side. This isn't true of T-Rex and RFC, but HOB, Bongos, and Paradiso 37 often have walk up openings.

 

[GeorgeG]

Since we do a lot of day trips to WDW, we usually eat on the fly and haven't gone hungry yet. As long as you're flexible with what restaurants you eat at and/or okay with CS you should be just fine.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

You equate getting the dining plan with making ADRs but there is no correlation. You are going in September, and if free dining is offered, there won't be walkup opportunities at many places in the parks. If you decide to, put 407-wdw-dine in your cel phone. Could come in handy.

 

[sdzman]

Eating on the fly is doable as long as you are flexible. TS such as Ohana, most character dining and popular spots like LeCellier may be difficult to score but there are plenty of decent eateries like Boatwrights, Olivias, and most DTD spots that dont need ADRs. When we dont do free dining we hardly make and ADRs and just eat where and when we can.

 

[Dawn68PA]

I'm glad to hear there are good options. We've never done this, have always had the DP. We're going the end of October where crowds should be smaller than during FD (unless they extend it!) but we're going to be flexible and maybe even consider an off-site location

I'm always nervous trying something new and especially now with the lap-band I can't have bread, pasta or rice which I thought may hurt CS wise. I looked at some menus on All Ears and found there's quite a few options I could have

Thanks for all the tips on locations too!

 

[Bets19]

You should be fine. It's easier to get in w/o ressies with 2 people and some flexibility. At least that's been my experience. I am going w/o ressies this trip except for my birthday. That will be my splurge day.

 

[Niki in NJ]

I'm glad to hear there are good options. We've never done this, have always had the DP. We're going the end of October where crowds should be smaller than during FD (unless they extend it!) but we're going to be flexible and maybe even consider an off-site location

I'm always nervous trying something new and especially now with the lap-band I can't have bread, pasta or rice which I thought may hurt CS wise. I looked at some menus on All Ears and found there's quite a few options I could have

Thanks for all the tips on locations too!

It's definitely do-able, but will definitely take a lot of pre-planning to make sure you can find foods that you can eat.
Also, you might want to consider making one or two ADR's, just so you have them. You don't have to go, but at least you have something in case you change your mind and want a TS, which can be hard to get once you are there.

 

[MickeyNicki]

This is going to be our trip in just 3 weeks...no reservations at all at DH's request. We are going to chance it and whatever we get we get.

Should be interesting.....

 

[goofyintoronto]

This is going to be our trip in just 3 weeks...no reservations at all at DH's request. We are going to chance it and whatever we get we get.

Should be interesting.....

Im doing that as well for our next trip, at DS11 request. Lol. He's sick of rushing to an ADR he says. I think it might be fun eating on the fly. It'll be easier for us because its just us two. And i think overall its easier to accomodate 2 ppl rather than 4 or 6 for example. As long as your not picky about restaurants and times, you will be fine. Just for kicks, i've gone on the disney website and checked the following day for restaurant openings for Epcot for "lunch" ....and several openings came up!!!!