General Dining Strategy ???s from a "Veteran"

[Ronald Duck]

DW and I have been to WDW on-site many times (see signature) but I've spent almost all my time on the Resort Boards and have never posted a Dining question...nor have I spent much time lurking on the Dining Boards. We do enjoy eating, though

In the past, we've much preferred the "walk-in at odd times" approach to dining and it has served us well. But, "the times they are a-changin'"! It seems clear that with huge early-season crowds (we almost always go in late June, including this year) and with the populatity of the Dining Plan, I need some perspective from others:

This year, my TA did book a few ADRs, but for various good reasons we have cancelled them all...so we're left with not a single ADR! What's your perspective (from recent experiences) on how hard it will be for us to enjoy a few lunches and maybe a dinner if we go with our usual "no ADR" approach?

As one example, last year on July 4 we entered a very busy Epcot at 10:30, headed to World Showcase, and grabbed a walk-up table at Le Cellier right at 11:00 am...no problem! Are we going to be able to do that this year?

 

[tndisneyfan]

I just got back so I'll tell you what I noticed. When we were there the parks weren't too busy, but most restaurants were full at dinnertime. You could probably get in for lunch at most place and if you aren't picky about when you eat dinner you can probably get in somewhere for dinner. If you are going at a busy time of year, who knows . I wouldnt' risk not having a couple of ADR's.

 

[Christine]

I went last June during the "first run" of the dining plan and had some trouble. I could not book Boma for a second night. One night I did not have any ADRs and I callled "all over the world" and the only thing I could get (that wasn't at 8:45 p.m.) was Marrakesh. We ended up eating there but I wasn't thrilled with the restaurant AT ALL.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think what you will find without ADRs is you cannot be particular about time or place. And you will be happy to find what you can.
If you have a favorite restaurant, then make an ADR. If you don't mind spending more time calling or driving/bussing around, then go with what suits you at the time. (Or eat at counter service, rather than table.)
Many restaurants will send walk ups away, or not be able to book until 8:30 at the earliest.
I am sure week days are easier than weekends.

 

[Ronald Duck]

Many restaurants will send walk ups away, or not be able to book until 8:30 at the earliest.

I know that you are right, but it just doesn't quite make sense to me. I'm trying to figure out how dining traffic has re-distributed itself due to all the people on the dining plan. After all, WDW is always crowded in the mid-summer, and there are only so many mouths that need to be fed. So, there must be SOME restaurants that are LESS busy than they used to be, right? Are some of the resort restaurants taking a hit?

 

[dawnball]

Restaurants that aren't on the dining plan or that take 2 credits are fairly easy to get into from what I can tell. We called and got a same-day Citricos for example, and the restaurant wasn't crowded (half full, maybe less) when we got there or when we left.

Also, restaurants that are seen as a "bad deal" on the dining plan tend to be less full. I think that more people are eating on property and at TS locations with the dining plan.

 

[Luv2Roam]

What I have found are the restaurants that were sure bets to get seated as a walk up are now even full.
The popular places need to be booked months in advance.
I also agree with dawnball, and really the other posters too.
It just depends on how selective you are, where, when and what you do to eat.
The more expensive eateries that require two credits pp are easier to get in than those requiring the standard 1 credit pp.
The more kid friendly the establishment, with one credit pp, the busier. Which stands to reason.