How necessary are reservations really?

[IndyPirate]

My husband and I will be going mid-week mid-October (within 180 day window now, thus already missed many prime bookings). I don't recall making many reservations in the past, but it's been a few years since our last visit. It seemed that in January, April, and December 5+ years ago that we were easily able to do stand-by seating (maybe arriving at restaurant opening). We don't do the dining plan, and it seemed like mentioning that often magically opened up a table. Is this still common, or has advance planning with FP+ made it necessary? Also, are there certain restaurants that are less likely to book up at all or at least closer to our trip? Or maybe ones that have walk-up bar seating that will serve food? We really prefer that atmosphere anyway.

 

[mco65]

I guess it just depends on how long you want to wait..
We got seated at a couple places with NO ADRs this past Christmas week... I think we got In at Tusker, Crystal Palace and one more that I can't remember off the top of my head.. so yea, I think you can do it... you just have to wait.

 

[kaybird]

Think of an ADR as a Fastpass for eating. We value our park time too much to take a chance on not eating at our favorite restaurants, or having to wait.

 

[loril13]

We do not make many ADRs in October. We anticipate grazing through the F&WF booths. Then once we're there we get tired of grazing and want to sit down and be waited on. The Trattoria on the Boardwalk is usually good for a same day ADR as is Captains Grill across the way at the Yacht Club. We've gotten into Sanaa same day with little trouble as well. We did a walk up for Beaches & Cream and only had a 1/2 hour wait.

 

[Dis703]

It's very hit or miss. You can always try but you may be turned away more than once before you find a restaurant with walk-in availability. And the waits can be long.

 

[nilla]

ADRs are 100% necessary, IMO.

 

[GillianP1301]

I don't think I would ever bother going to a TS without an ADR. I love to plan ahead, so not a big deal for me. If you're somebody who doesn't, then I think making same day ADRs is a good option. She what's open on a day you decide you want a TS meal and pick from there because I do think there are enough good choices last minute to find something you would like.

 

[serenitynow]

If you don't mind just eating at the bar or only the quick service places, you should be just fine

 

[Julylady]

We have had considerable success in making ADRs the night before. It seems like many people cancel their reservations to avoid the no-show fee. On the bus back to our resort, we would talk about where we would be the next noon/night and use the MDX app to see which restaurants had openings.
When we found what we wanted, we booked it. That worked well for us!

 

[pork]

If you don't have specific places you want to eat just do a quick search of what's available in the mde app for wherever you are. I've always been able to find same day reservations. It'll save from having to waste time waiting on a walk up.

 

[Misha72683]

It depends. If you have specific restaurants that you want to dine at, ADRS are essential. If you aren't picky, we foind lots of same-day ADR availability last October (during free dining). I wouldn't try walking up to a restaurant, but if you aren't super picky, you can log on to MDE and see what's available that day (even an hour or two out).

 

[IndyPirate]

Thanks for the suggestions! I did ask my husband about what he would be disappointed in missing (Mama Melrose) and booked one for that. I'd kind of like to leave the evenings open as we will be visiting F&W for the first time and will probably try going there most afternoons and may not really want a full supper. It's good to know that there are often cancellations the night before as we might have a better idea of what we want to do the next day. The whole app and all is new to me. So much to learn from 2010!

 

[addiln]

I don't think you need to have them but they do make it easier for you. If you want to eat at a certain restaurant then it might be worth having one but if you are just playing it by ear then no they are not. We tend to make them so we are not waiting as long. It really depends on you. My brother was there about a month ago and could not walk up to any restaurant they wanted and get seated.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you don't mind being flexible with time and place, you can get away without them. But don't expect to walk up to Le Ceiller at 5 pm and get a table.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

You might be ok with not booking an ADR for some of the less popular places in EPCOT, but most places it's smart to have an ADR booked.

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks for the suggestions! I did ask my husband about what he would be disappointed in missing (Mama Melrose) and booked one for that. I'd kind of like to leave the evenings open as we will be visiting F&W for the first time and will probably try going there most afternoons and may not really want a full supper. It's good to know that there are often cancellations the night before as we might have a better idea of what we want to do the next day. The whole app and all is new to me. So much to learn from 2010!

With well over 100 places to eat on property, you will be able to find something, it just may not be where you want to eat or when you want to eat. But you will not go hungry if you are willing to travel to a distant resort, for example.
In Park restaurants are harder to get into last minute. but still possible with the new ADR cancellation policy. I agree with PP, if there is somewhere you know you want to eat book an ADR
This will be our 12th year at F & W. We usually end 5 of 7 nights back in Epcot. That said, all but one of those nights we do make an ADR, as "noshing" gets old. We also spend 3 full days there so we do spend a lot of time at the booths, but we like to sit down and be waited on as well.

 

[westie55]

You can always find something to eat. However, if you want to have a table service dinner during a prime hour in the MK, you need to have a reservation. Last year when I went to Tony's (which isn't even one of the most popular), they were totally booked and weren't taking walk-ins. Same with BOG for lunch. No ADR = no luck at many places.

 

[nilla]

If you don't mind being flexible with time and place, you can get away without them. But don't expect to walk up to Le Ceiller at 5 pm and get a table.

Funny comment, since we were at LC a few years back. After watching two groups in front of us ask about the wait time, we reached the hostess, who said, "you're our favorite kind of guests - people with reservations!"

 

[IndyPirate]

If you don't mind being flexible with time and place, you can get away without them. But don't expect to walk up to Le Ceiller at 5 pm and get a table.

I was hoping to sample some of their selections at the F&W kiosk.

 

[IndyPirate]

Has anyone noticed a difference by mentioning that you are not on the DDP? Just curious as that definitely seemed to open up more doors for us a few years back...