Has anyone ever "winged it" with TS meals?

[mom2aandp]

I am going over my ADR's for July and I just remember how much we disliked having to leave somewhere to make a TS meal on time. Last time we were in MK and needed to be in Epcot for dinner, the kids were having so much fun and crowds were low so we wanted to stay. We went to Guest Services, they cancelled the res for Epcot and found us one in MK @ Tony's.

I would make a ADR for something we didnt want to miss with the kids, but I just feel like it would be more relaxing of a vaca without running to ADR's. I truley am looking for anyone who has ever done this, just walked up or visited guest serv for aval. tables. NOt looking for flames or for people to tell me I am nuts. You cant tell me this hasnt crossed your minds! Especially people with kids.

 

[smiths02]

I am going over my ADR's for July and I just remember how much we disliked having to leave somewhere to make a TS meal on time. Last time we were in MK and needed to be in Epcot for dinner, the kids were having so much fun and crowds were low so we wanted to stay. We went to Guest Services, they cancelled the res for Epcot and found us one in MK @ Tony's.

I would make a ADR for something we didnt want to miss with the kids, but I just feel like it would be more relaxing of a vaca without running to ADR's. I truley am looking for anyone who has ever done this, just walked up or visited guest serv for aval. tables. NOt looking for flames or for people to tell me I am nuts. You cant tell me this hasnt crossed your minds! Especially people with kids.

This will be an interesting thread to watch. I have seen a few reviews in the past of people doing this...usually adults w/o kids and not on the dining plan.

 

[minnie mum]

I'll be interested to watch the replies as well. It's definitely a lot easier to wing it if you aren't on the DDP and are going during a quieter time of year and free dining isn't being offered. And a lot easier if it's just adults, and you don't have to contend with children who really want to eat NOW. DH and I have done this when we haven't been on the DDP- just book the really important TS ADRs and then check last minute for others. But this was always during quiet times. And we were OK with eating CS if we couldn't find anything else.

But the OP is going in July with high crowds and heavier demand for TS. One thing I'd like to suggest, though, is to make your ADRs for a TS restaurant that is in or close to the park that you are going to be touring that day. Then you aren't faced with leaving a park you are having fun in, and travelling all the way to another park or a distant resort. Just good time management. Not flaming, just a suggestion.

 

[goofyintoronto]

My DS12 & I winged it with MANY restaurants and got in with no problems. Some of them were: Sci Fi, Teppan Edo, Raglan Road, Rose & Crown, Tony's.

But then again, its just us two. I think with parties of 3+ its a little more difficult.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I wanted to add something.... as long as your not too picky, im pretty sure that you will find a few available restaurants to choose from at the last minute or even when checking the morning of. There are tons of restaurants in disney, there's bound to be a few that will accomodate. Esp with this new credit card guarantee thing going on, its been a lot easier to get a last min ADR. (from what others have told me).

 

[jog58]

It's just the husband and I but we've never winged it. I like knowing where we are eating, I even pick out what I want to eat before that.

I have control issues.

 

[maxiesmom]

We winged it for one meal this past March when we had free dining. We were in Epcot, and there was actually a good number of restaurants to choose from. And we were a family of 6, with the youngest being 11yrs old.

But I'm not sure I would do too much winging it in summer when the parks are busy. I think it would depend on which park I planning on being at that day too. Epcot has a ton of choices when it comes to sit down meals. The Magic Kingdom, not so much.

 

[goofyintoronto]

It's just the husband and I but we've never winged it. I like knowing where we are eating, I even pick out what I want to eat before that.

I have control issues.

 

[cluvsdisney]

DH & I did this in January. We made one ADR for lunch at LTT before we arrived but our other meals were somewhat on the fly. We stopped at guest services in EPCOT to see if we could get a table at Boatwrights (which had availability) and made an ADR for Sci Fi on the boat ride to Disney Studios. We walked into ESPN Club for lunch.

 

[grammimouse]

One time had neice and nephew with DH and self, no DDP and the little ones were amazed at Garden Grill ( because it revolved ). We went to guest services after they saw it in the AM , inquired about a ressie and enjoyed a lovely lunch there , the very same day. Good luck !!

 

[LilyWDW]

It totally depends on time of year, time of day, if free dining is offered, how busy the parks are, how big your party size is, what time you want to eat, and many more variables. What someone can do in January might not really help someone in July because SO many variables are different.

 

[butterfly71076]

Never, we have always had ADR's. I've never worried about leaving somewhere to head somewhere else because I always plan ahead and look for restaurants where we are that day. Makes it much easier than running around so you don't miss your reservation.

 

[Forever Fairy]

It will depend on a few factors like free dining or crowds. As others have stated, if you don't mind eating at non peak times and aren't picky, you may be able to get in. DH and I usually make a couple of "must do" restaurants but then try to wing it the remaining days. However, it is just the two of us.

Just keep in mind that there may be places that won't have availability and as long as your ok with CS instead, I think you'll be fine.

 

[mom2aandp]

I am sure we will just stick with the ADR's. My DH did not think it was a good idea. This is the third time in 3 years going to WDW in July so I know how crazy it can get. Thanks for the input. We did end up leaving one day open w/o any TS meals. I am not too worried about just one day.
Thanks

 

[jmkrat]

When we first started going to Disney, we never made any ADR's and always did walk up. We never had a problem getting a table. I don't think I would do it now though. I am not sure what the difference is we did this about 13 years ago. I never go without an ADR now, I just don't want to take a chance.

 

[peacelover]

We have done it a lot of times. It depends on where you are staying as well, and how picky you are.
It is easiest to wing it if you are in the boardwalk area. You can just look up dining on your laptop and see what is available at the last minute, or you can call disney dining and see what is available where you happen to be at the moment.
Other times we have just walked up to Kimonos or one of the lounges and gotten a bite to eat.
If nothing else, you can usually get into the restaurant that is at the resort you are staying at.

 

[kgleine]

both of our vacations last year we did this. we didnt know where we would be, what we'd be in the mood for or what time we'd be hungry. it was me my dh and my son. we got into ohana for breakfast 2x each trip, la cellier for dinner kona for dinner chef mickeys for dinner, tonys, mama melrose, scifi, crt, hollywood and vine, and others i cant think of. we literally called the dining line as we were walking to them (because if you just walk up they will tell you guest services or the dining line) and every single one was about a 5-10 min wait. it was great! and it made me wonder why everyone says its so hard to get into things... but i realized i got in them for the reasons i didnt make them, others didnt know where they would be, if they would want that, or if their kid was napping and cancelled them. it does work, and it was pretty stress free.