Going w/out ADR's?

[experiment_627]

We will be at WDW 11/23-12/2, and we have only made ADR for CRT for breakfast and LTT the night of MVMCP. We both like the idea of being more spontaneous with our meals and even which parks to visit on the days were are there, but I am starting to get paranoid about not getting eat at our favorite places now. I honestly don't mind waiting for tables in order to keep our options open, but I was just curious as to what our average wait times might be. Some people speak of long wait times, but the definition of "long" can be different for everyone.

Opinions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[n2mm]

What are the "favorite" places you are interested in eating at. On several of my last trips this year (never during holidays seasons), walkins were not even an option at many places. Making an ADR the morning of works sometimes too. But as many have posted, MK has a sign when you walk in near the guest relations building saying what restraurants are available, but mostly by noon, the sign usually reads, no restraurants arre available, please visit our counter service restraurants. Good luck.

 

[experiment_627]

We really want to eat at several places at Epcot. Le Cellier, Chefs de France, Marrakesh, and Biergarten for sure. Last time we went, we didn't have ADR for anything and only had to wait a few minutes, but I know that has changed some places due to the dining plan.

 

[DVC Grammy]

If you have those favorites, you'd be better off to book them (if they're available). You've named some of the most popular restaurants in WDW!
Make a list of "second-favorites", in case you need them, maybe in DTD, or the resorts. Consider more breakfasts and lunches at the same, or similar places.
If not, look around for CS's that you enjoy.
Good luck!

 

[Bob P]

And don't forget it's Thanksgiving weekend. The parks and resorts will be mobbed.

 

[pezpam]

We just got back yesterday. No dining plan and mostly ate CS, but tried and/or just asked at a few TS places. Wait times without ADRs ranged from 35 minutes to 2 hours. Thanksgiving weekend will likely be a lot more crowded.

Try scheduling ADRs for a time that won't interfere with most of your sponteneity - early or late enough that, for example, you'd likely be done at MK and have time to get to EPCOT for your meal or you could eat at EPOCT and still have time to go to another park.

 

[Aidensmom]

I've had good luck at several places (The Plaza at MK, House of Blues, Rainforest Cafe, the table service restaurant at POR - can't remember the name) with getting a table within 15 minutes without an ADR if I go at a non-peak time, such as if we skip lunch and then eat "dinner" at 3:30 or 4. However, if your heart is set on eating at a certain place, or if you really don't want to do counter service, I'd make an ADR just in case.

 

[mdhkitten]

I'd go ahead and try to make ADR's at those places if any are still available, because I'm going November 28-30, and have an ADR at Coral Reef that I got a couple of months ago, and now there aren't any left because of the Candlelight Processional Packages. I seriously doubt that they will be able to accomodate walk-ins (if they can take them at all) during this time without a major wait due to the packages.

 

[goofy370]

We are going the same time you are. We will be there 12/24-12/2. We went in 2003. Thanksgiving weekend is PACKED. Then the crowds die out Sunday. We have ADR's for 1 meal a day. I figured we would plan for the 2nd meal when we get to the park. We are going with my BIL and his family who haven't been in eons. They have no idea about planning, and find my planning to be weird. So, I have let alot go this time around. I just changed meals for 12/1 yesterday and had no trouble doing so. For the more popular restaurants I would still try to make ADR's. Le Cellier fills up quick and I have seen people turned away.
What day are you going to MVMCP? We will be there 11/28.

See ya in the parks.

 

[Allison]

We were then in early December last year and LeCellier was not taking walk-ups.

 

[experiment_627]

Thanks for all the replies!

I am making a list of everywhere we HAVE to go and trying to make ADRs for those places. I knew it would be packed Thanksgiving weekend, but also heard the crowds would die down on Sunday/Monday (Just as goofy370 said). Anyway, DH and I are total foodies, so I really want to get as many of our favorites in as possible 'cause that is a big part of our enjoyment factor.

We have 7 days at the parks and two days that will will be milling around resorts, DTD, etc, so those days are going to be left open to eat whenever/wherever.

We will be at MVMCP on 11/30.

 

[disneymomof1]

I am going 11/24-12/2 and have made ADR's for everyday and I wanted LeCellier and was not able to get anything-lunch or dinner. I also tried Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner, nothing !! I have a toddler so times are important for me, we are staying at WL and I couldnt even get a dinner reserved at WCC only availability was a 9:45pm, way to late for us, had to take a late lunch. We were there last year around the same time with no ADR's and were disappointed because we could not get into a lot of our favorite places, I would definitely try and make some ADR's before you go.