FYI- Walk up's & add on's this week...

[caracap]

My sister was able to walk up at Tony's Thursday at 12:30 pm, and got right in, NO WAIT...NO ADR, and last night added 3 people to their ADR @ KONA when they arrived (unplanned friends that live in FL), and got right in without a problem

 

[milmore104]

Thanks for the info. DH didn't want me to "plan" our trip but I couldn't notmake some ADR's. He's hoping to walk up and get a table. Little does he know I have them all "planned" out.

 

[tiki23]

My sister was able to walk up at Tony's Thursday at 12:30 pm, and got right in, NO WAIT...NO ADR, and last night added 3 people to their ADR @ KONA when they arrived (unplanned friends that live in FL), and got right in without a problem

Thanks for the info. This kinda confirms the thought that has been rattling around in my head as to why it's been so difficult to get many ADR's on the phone: Disney is starting to leave more reservations open for walk-ups and ADR's made within a week or upon arrival.

Yes, I know that there are some restaurants that never seem to have walk-ups available (CRT and Le Cellier immediately come to mind.) And yes, I know that Disney wants the restaurants full but the average WDW guest (not a Dis'er!) is not going to be making ADR's 180 days out and is going to be awfully put out if they can't ever get into a sit-down restaurant to eat.

It just makes sense for Disney to be able to accommodate the average visitor as on the whole, Disney wants their business. They probably spend a lot more $ than we Dis'ers do - especially since they are not clued in to discounts and codes.

Just my $.02 - could be totally off-base.

 

[AUTimmy]

The family in front of us at checkin booth also get walk up at Hollywood & Vine character dining on Thrusday lunch.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for the info. This kinda confirms the thought that has been rattling around in my head as to why it's been so difficult to get many ADR's on the phone: Disney is starting to leave more reservations open for walk-ups and ADR's made within a week or upon arrival.

Yes, I know that there are some restaurants that never seem to have walk-ups available (CRT and Le Cellier immediately come to mind.) And yes, I know that Disney wants the restaurants full but the average WDW guest (not a Dis'er!) is not going to be making ADR's 180 days out and is going to be awfully put out if they can't ever get into a sit-down restaurant to eat.

It just makes sense for Disney to be able to accommodate the average visitor as on the whole, Disney wants their business. They probably spend a lot more $ than we Dis'ers do - especially since they are not clued in to discounts and codes.

Just my $.02 - could be totally off-base.

I'm not so sure that's the case. Now, if someone told me that they were able to walk up to LeCellier and get seated right away, then I may agree. I think there are just some restaurants that don't get that busy. I've been able to 'walk-up' and get seated within 10 mins at: Alfredo's in Italy, Rose and Crown, Nine Dragons, Marakesh, Tony's, Mama Melrose's.
It's also a question of how much help a restaurant has. I've been to LeCellier before, where they had a fair number of tables open,with no one at them (the whole time I was eating). There were people turned away when they walked up...not one person was seated without an ADR. When I asked a CM, he told me that if there isn't enough help, they don't use the tables.
So, if you get a restaurant that isn't all that busy, then they will most likely be able to accomodate you with a smaller staff.
Otherwise, why would Disney keep some tables open at some restaurants and not the more popular ones?