First Timers Disney Dining Reservations

[mad101]

Hi

Very exited and very confused. But am wondering we are doing a split reservations 4 Days at Poly and 5 Days AKL. I am just doing the basic dining package, I have made reservations at quite a few restaurants and character dining etc, but what I want to know is it okay not to pre book every restaurant as If we are having fun somewhere at the parks and we have to race off to our dinner to be seated at a certain time, have you got the choice of cancelling the reservation and is there a penalty for doing so? I have booked the ones I think we want to eat at, and is there much trouble just turning up to a restaurant when you feel hungry or are all restaruants booked out all the time unless you have a reservation and your only choice then is fast food options. There is 3 of us travelling. Also the resorts that you are booked into can you walk into the casual dining at anytime as a resort guest, or is it reservations only. We are travelling from January 6 to January 14 2012 are those dates especially busy or is Disneyworld just busy all the time?
Cheers

 

[Cafeen]

Early Jan, after most kids and adults have gone back to school and work, should be pretty light, so there should be some options open for walk-ins. However, Disney restaurants are super busy most of the time, so you'll likely still be shut out of certain locations.

You already did my first piece of advice, which is to make sure to book for places you know you want to go. The 2nd bit is basically, try it. There WILL be something open, it's just a matter of getting there. (And likely not a first choice).

As far as cancellation, if you had to put a CC down when you made the ADR, there's a 48-72 cancellation deadline. If you didn't, then there's no penalty.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I dont think you will have many problems walking up to restaurants without a reservation. My son and I have done this many times and was able to be seated at the following places (we went off hours mind you, between lunch and dinner): raglan road, teppan edo, rose & crown, tony's.

So give it a try. If you want to be safe, you can put the dining # in your phone and call an hour or so ahead of time if there's a place you know you will want to go to. Or you can get customer service at the park to check for you.

 

[mad101]

Hi
Just thanks for the information much appreciated
Cheers

 

[tzeitel]

Guest services in the parks can tell you what is booked for the day - Epcot even has a board outside their GS station. Best bet for walk-in meals is to get there at opening time (around 4-4:30pm for dinner). As long as you do not expect to be able to just walk in between 6-8pm you will be ok in January - good luck