Have you ever gone to the world without reservations?

[Cptnkirky]

I agree...we are going May 15-22 and are constantly looking at the reservations and they are going fast. If you don't really have anywhere specific you want to go and are ok with hoping over to a resort restaurant that is not as popular, you might be okay. I can tell you, I am always seeing openings for the wave, Kouzzina, Kona cafe, Olivias cafe, biergarden. As for going and reserving last minute or no reservations at all, you are probably going to be extremely restricted. Good luck!!

 

[ftwildernessrick]

I would definately do the ADR's. Since the DDP started, ressies & seating have become harder. Not too many years ago I used to be able to walk up to Chef Mickey's & many other TS restaurants without a ressie at about 5:30 and be seated. Now when I am in line to check in for my 5:30 ressie, people are walking up to see if seating is available and they are told maybe after 9:00.

 

[ancestry]

There is no way that I would purchase the dining plan and NOT make ADRs. In fact if I was booking late or doing a last minute trip I would try to get my ADRs before even trying to book the dining plan.

However I would not hesitate to go without ADRs if I didn't have the dining plan and was willing to forego table service restaurants on most nights.

 

[imthatgirl]

I'm surprised that no one ever goes without them. In 2006 we went down with the dining plan for the first time. Actually it was free dining and I knew nothing of the disboards nor did I know you needed reservations.
We ended up going to the concierge in the morning to see what was available and we ate at Chef Mickeys, Garden Grill and whatever it was called in the contemporary where The Wave is now.
I guess you can't do that anymore.

 

[FireDancer]

More often then not I go with either no reservations or only one dinner reservation for Boma. I go solo, non-peak, eat at non-standard times, and (other then Boma) don't have any restaurants I have to eat at. I also don't purchase the dinning plan and usually eat at only one TS per day.

If I were going at a busier time I may not chance it but I purposely avoid busy times. It really does depend on how you tour and when you go.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Nope, never have, never will.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We decided last week to take advantage of the kids play and stay free next month. We will be booking on tuesday for May 17th-22nd. We will be getting the meal plan because we feel it saves money and hassle.

We are planning to not make ressies. We were thinking of either checking with the concierge in the morning for the park we plan to go to or checking guest services in the morning.
Are we crazy? Can this be done?
We have no demands on restaurants and were thinking we may end up at some great places we never would have reserved.

We're leaving in 8 days, and we don't have ADRs yet. And we don't plan to make any. DH has such a structured work schedule that he refuses to make plans on vacation, except for his golf tee times. Fortunately, he's very flexible on what/where he eats-"so many great WDW resturaunts, so little time" is the way we always figure it. However, we've never had a problem getting what we want, since we don't have our hearts set on Le Cellier or CRT

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

When we went this past Sept we cancelled our Le Cellier ADR on our last day to eat at Liberty Tree Tavern just because we wanted to be in MK on our last day. We called that morning to make these changes and had no problem doing so. The Cast Member said"maam, is there any reason you want to cancel Le Cellier?" Maybe she thought we were crazy because it's such a popular ADR. We have yet to try Le Cellier and hope to our next trip!!

 

[Dogwithahat]

I am going to be there May 16-19 and have made some ADR's. When we go on the DDP we always make them just to be sure. I read on another thread that there is a travel agent convention there at the same time of my visit. Also, a lot of colleges get out mid-may, so families with older children can go then. Its my first trip in May so I am no expert on the crowds, hoping for the best.

 

[sotoalf]

During less busy periods you'll generally you'll have less trouble getting into a deluxe hotel's all-purpose restaurants (Kona Cafe, Grand Floridian Cafe, The Wave, Captain's Grille), which almost always have tables available for walk-ups. I wouldn't suggest the "themed" sit-down restaurants (California Grill, Whispering Canyon, 'Ohana).

High-end "signature" restaurants like Citricos, Yachtsman Steakhouse, and Flying Fish usually have tables too.

 

[Planogirl]

We usually go without ADR's or just make a few. We always find somewhere to eat.

 

[Disneyelf10]

Ok so we booked some ressies. I don't know if we'll keep them and we can still check whats available at the time but you all made me nervous, lol.
so I booked. Whispering Canyon, Prime time, Liberty Tree, Garden Grill and 1900 Park.
They all seem like decent choices...though not ones we would have choosen.
We may end up canceling them when the time comes, lol.

I'm just reading thru and glad you made some ressie's- I'm a planner and need to book them in advance.... but just want to comment on your restaurants...love the Liberty Tree, Prime Time and 1900 Park fare.... dont know if you have B,L or D but they are great! Enjoy. Wispering Canyon is good too- can be loud and I (we) didn't care for the Garden Grill.

Have a great vacation!