Free Dining Walk Up Decision

[ckpegasus102313]

My family absolutely loves Ohana and the Crystal Palace, and we make it a point of going there every vacation. This year when I was booking my dinning reservations, they were all booked up, so I booked a back-up the Plaza, I know it is completely different. When I arrived on that day I was hoping of checking to see if either of the restaurants would take a walk-up, which one do you think i should try Ohana or CP??

 

[MommyGina]

We like both, but like the variety of the food at CP better. There is so much more to offer and you don't have to wait until someone brings the food to your table if you are ready to eat. Also, DS and DD like to make their own ice cream creations!

 

[Myhappythought5]

My vote is for CP also. This is our must do for everytime.

 

[TillyMarigold]

Well, when you get to the MK the sign at Guest Relations will tell you whether or not CP is talking walkups that day, but I've never seen it do so. It will be easier to check that one because it's across from The Plaza, but I wouldn't count on getting into either.

 

[aubriee]

You might have a chance at 'Ohana if you get there about 30 minutes before they open, to make sure you are the first one in line, but I wouldn't count on getting into either, especially during free dining. We go every year during free dining and usually eat at both of those and have never seen them accept walk ups during that time. Your best bet would be to just keeping checking online every day and hope someone cancels.

Try about 45 days out especially, since that's when people have to cancel their trips, if they don't want to pay any penalties for canceling. People do cancel. I know just a few weeks ago, we decided to move our trip from the last week of Sept to mid Oct, so we'd be there for the Food & Wine Festival. I canceled both 'Ohana, CP, and even two ADRs for Le Cellier for that week in Sept.

 

[Leota]

I agree, I'd keep trying to get adrs online beforehand. Those are both extremely popular restaurants that are usually too full to take walk-ups. you may have to be flexible about dates and times during your trip if you really want to get in.

Good Luck!

 

[aussietravellers]

We tried twice for a walk up at Crystal Palace and got a table both times, once for breakfast and once for lunch.

Both times there was a Cast Member walking along the check in line at the restaurant asking if people had an ADR, most people in the line didn't. She would proceed to say there was no availability and the wait would be about 2 hours if anybody decided to wait and you would have to wait there for the table. Both times we didn't walk away like everybody else on hearing that, we just stayed in the line. On one occasion after everybody else left the line (aside from a few with ADR's and the family of 4 before us who also didn't have an ADR) and asked me if we had an ADR, I said no and she proceeded to say the story again about 2 hr wait etc. I just thanked her and said that was fine

Both times we were seated within 5 minutes of checking in, as did the family of four in front of us one of the times who also didn't have an ADR. So even if they tell you whilst waiting in line to check in that there are no tables for walk ups, there is a possibility of people not showing and there being space. Of course there is a chance that there won't be a table and you could wait for 2 hours

 

[Tricia1972]

You might have a chance at 'Ohana if you get there about 30 minutes before they open, to make sure you are the first one in line, but I wouldn't count on getting into either, especially during free dining. We go every year during free dining and usually eat at both of those and have never seen them accept walk ups during that time. Your best bet would be to just keeping checking online every day and hope someone cancels.

Try about 45 days out especially, since that's when people have to cancel their trips, if they don't want to pay any penalties for canceling. People do cancel.

I agree that your better chance could be 'Ohana, and really only if you show up early.

I have read too many horror stories about waiting an hour for your table, even with an ADR during free dining, that I don't think you'd be so lucky to get a table in just a few minutes at that time of year.


Now if I were going to choose where to eat based on food, I'd have voted for Crystal Palace. Based on chances of sitting without an ADR for free dining - my vote goes to 'Ohana.

 

[goofy4tink]

My family absolutely loves Ohana and the Crystal Palace, and we make it a point of going there every vacation. This year when I was booking my dinning reservations, they were all booked up, so I booked a back-up the Plaza, I know it is completely different. When I arrived on that day I was hoping of checking to see if either of the restaurants would take a walk-up, which one do you think i should try Ohana or CP??

It looks like you'll be there for that first week of free dining. This is a hugely busy time for dining. I wouldn't expect to get either of those being a walk-up. But...with that being said, you stand a much better chance of 'Ohana. And I would be there before they opened that night. CP is going to be really hard to get into without an ADR.

 

[SuzieN]

You can try but I don't think you'll get into either of these very popular restaurants during free dining. The Plaza is quite good though so I wouldn't worry too much about it!