Going reservation free... are we nuts?

[MrsMinease]

DH and I are considering going reservation-free to leave us total flexibility in how we enjoy our 3 days at Disney. Are we nuts? We've bought the DDP but are unsure which days we'll spend at which park and did not go with the park hopper option.

Will we be eating hot dogs and hamburgers the whole time we're there? Are there certain restaurants where we'd be more likely to be seated without a reservation?

 

[jlm]

You can call the dining line while there, or go to concierge at your hotel. You will get in some where....you will just need to be flexible with places and times.
We didn't make a couple of ressies the first year....ate at 9pm for one and just didn't use the other.
Some people do this and have great luck with it. I always book at least a few-or all
Jen

 

[HM]

You really should reconsider. You're going to spend a lot of time trying to find some place to use your Dining credits each day, defeating the purpose of being 'carefree'. If I were you, I'd change to the QSDP and add in TS restaurants OOP if you can find a place to eat.

 

[RitaE]

It really depends on when you are going. If it is during a crowded park time or during free dining, you will likely struggle with times and restaurant choice.

Personally I'd make a few ADRs and then if you decide you want to go to another park that day .... just cancel them or not show up. I'm usually of the mind I'd rather have them and not use them than not have them and not be able to get them.

 

[MSLRAC]

It depends on when you are going and where you want to eat. If you're going during free dining, then yes, I think you are nuts and there is a good chance that you'll be eating CS quite a bit. But if you are going during a lesser attendance period and are flexible then you might get lucky.

But I would call the dining line each morning instead of walking around trying to find a place to eat. We had a couple of last minute changes and they were awesome.

 

[vicki_c]

I would not pay for the DDP and not make ADRs. Without the DDP, it's worth a shot. But there's no way I would pre-pay for my meals and then possibly not be able to use the credits at TS restaurants.

But if you have your own transportation, and are willing to eat at odd times and at not popular restaurants - then you can probably make it work (I say transportation in case you end up eating at Turf Club at SSR but are staying somewhere else, for example - so you don't spend all your time trying to get to someplace).

 

[Cafeen]

It's entirely possible, but as mentioned it make take up some considerable extra time in transportation.

Also as mentioned, it will be best to call once you know which park you're going to and can see what's available.

Typically, in order of likelyhood getting in somewhere:

1. Out of the way resort restaurants (Maya Grill, Turf Club, etc)
2. Downtown Disney
3. Epcot Resorts/Boardwalk/Less Popular MK Resort Restaurants (The Wave, GFC, etc)
4. Epcot
5. MK, AK, DHS, Popular MK Resort Restaurants (Ohana, 1900 Park Faire, Chef Mickey's)

Epcot is a little more likely due to the number of tables available in the park. With several more locations than any of the other parks (I want to say "combined", but not sure about that). AKL would fit somewhere between the resort levels, it's a bit out of the way, but there's only 3 restaurants there and they're pretty popular.

 

[MrsMinease]

Thanks everyone! I was feeling guilty about booking a resveration we might not use, but it seems that's the safest way to go.

Off I go to the reservation website!

 

[kevgraub]

Thanks everyone! I was feeling guilty about booking a resveration we might not use, but it seems that's the safest way to go.

Off I go to the reservation website!

I think making some just in case is a very good idea.

The thing to do is try to cancel the reservation as early as you can. For example, if you book a reservation at Epcot but decide the day before you are going to MK, then please call and cancel the reservation so that someone else can get your time slot.

The suggestion someone else made of just not showing up would not hurt you, but it may be keeping someone else from getting a table that day.

 

[tigger51276]

Last year when I went (Oct) I made ADR's for 8 of out the 10 nights we were there and for the 2 nights I didn't make reservations boy was I sorry. I figured I'd be able to find something at EPCOT and started trying to find something around 6:30pm, at that point the ADR place at EPCOT will not help you find a place, you have to walk to each restaurant and see if they have anything. I was there with 2 small kids and so I started in Mexico and by 9:30 when the park was closing I'd had no luck. I then took the monorail to the Grand Floridian and again no luck there, so we took a bus to DTD....let's just say by the time we found a place to eat it was almost midnight...to say the least, this year I'm making sure I have reservations for each night we are there.

 

[Cafeen]

Last year when I went (Oct) I made ADR's for 8 of out the 10 nights we were there and for the 2 nights I didn't make reservations boy was I sorry. I figured I'd be able to find something at EPCOT and started trying to find something around 6:30pm, at that point the ADR place at EPCOT will not help you find a place, you have to walk to each restaurant and see if they have anything. I was there with 2 small kids and so I started in Mexico and by 9:30 when the park was closing I'd had no luck. I then took the monorail to the Grand Floridian and again no luck there, so we took a bus to DTD....let's just say by the time we found a place to eat it was almost midnight...to say the least, this year I'm making sure I have reservations for each night we are there.

Doh must have been a long night.

For future reference (yeah, I know, hindsight 20/20 ) the dining reservation department cannot make a reservation for less than 2 hours out (usually). It's typically best to call once you know where you'll be that day and see what's open. Stopping by Guest Services at the park (again, earlier in the day than dinner time) would also work to help you find a place.

For others, following the "Call once you know" or "Stop by guest services at the park you choose" can help to avoid this. So, it's possible to go without dining reservations, but just walking up is going to be the least chance of getting in.