I do not want to make ADRs

[DawnCt1]

We have been going to WDW for years, usually with the entire family. Next week DH and I are going by ourselves March 9 for a week. I want to rebel against structure, and do not want to make ADRs. How is he walk up availability to places like Boma, Jiko, Portobello Yacht Club, California Grill?

 

[ancestry]

Well according to most of the posts on the boards it is nearly impossible to get in at those restaurants without an ADR. I'm sure you could try especially if you were willing to go at an off peak hour and were willing to wait a long period of time but without an ADR it is really taking a chance.

Personally I would suggest that you make ADRs and then if you find that you don't want them then cancel them.

 

[TDC Nala]

Probably you won't have a problem at Portobello (they are under new management and have dropped the "Yacht Club" part) because they're not on the dining plan. I've been able to get into Jiko if I go right when they open (forget this if it's in September though). California Grill and Boma - you probably need ADRS. Boma you might be able to get same day or the day before. California Grill, forget it unless you have a previous ADR, especially within an hour of fireworks time either way.

I've done California Grill when it was fully booked by going right before 5:30 when they start food service and asking to visit the lounge, then eating there; they serve the full menu.

 

[spotty]

We've done a walk up to Boma's every vacation and gotten in with less than a 20 min wait at non peak times.

Jiko's we have tried walking up and it was a no go. We were told there was 1 spot at their last seating time (after 9pm) if we wanted it and nothing for the next 3 nights but we were told to call everyday just in case their was a cancellation.

I have not tried walking up to the others, but with the popularity of people wanting to see the fireworks at Cali, I think the only time you would be able to (if at all) would be very late in the evening. The place is a zoo before the fireworks, even the bar and lounge are packed.

I've never been to the Yacht, so I can't help you there, sorry.

Having said all that, we only vacation in non peak times. Although I understand the desire to buck the system, I would be more irritated at getting all the way to a restaurant and being turned away or waiting hours for a table, when it all could have been prevented with a phone call.

 

[LadyZolt]

DH and I went just before Christmas in '07 and were able to walk in and be seated at Kona, Sci-Fi and some others, so it's not impossible. Since there are just two of you, plan on going in "off" hours and I think you'll be able to get seated at a lot of spots. I would, however, make a couple reservations just so you know for sure you'll have a few definite table service dinners.

Also, instead of walking up to places, call the dining line and ask what's available right then where you are, like if you're in MK, call and say "What do you have open for two people over the next two hours?" You'll find out what's open and can make a ressie right then and then walk over to that restaurant. Have a great time!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[DawnCt1]

Well according to most of the posts on the boards it is nearly impossible to get in at those restaurants without an ADR. I'm sure you could try especially if you were willing to go at an off peak hour and were willing to wait a long period of time but without an ADR it is really taking a chance.

Personally I would suggest that you make ADRs and then if you find that you don't want them then cancel them.

Okay,so you scared me into it! The earliest I could get California Grill is 9:30 on Wednesday. Got Jiko, Boma and "Japan" for lunch.

 

[CarolA]

I very rarely make reservations. I read the panic on here and just kind of wonder... Of course I don't go at Christmas or major holidays and I am pretty much OVER Le Cellier LOL! My trick for Jiko.... be there RIGHT as they open. I have only done California Grill once and to be honest... "been there done that, don't have to do it again" I didn't get the hype. Food was OK, service was so so and atmosphere was not what I expected for those prices.

I have done V&A, you can't walk up there and it was EVERYTHING I expected and a LOT more LOL!

I tend to eat at off times and for a party of one just wander in or book the day of or MAYBE the day before.

For a party of one or two if you are FLEXIBLE then I think this board gives the wrong impression.

Now if you MUST eat lunch at NOON and dinner at SIX then... book!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I very rarely make reservations. I read the panic on here and just kind of wonder... Of course I don't go at Christmas or major holidays and I am pretty much OVER Le Cellier LOL!

Sure, easy for her to say. She's not the one who called Dining Reservations every day (sometimes three times a day) trying to find a table - from which she was ultimately one of the lovely DISers to benefit

 

[CarolA]

Sure, easy for her to say. She's not the one who called Dining Reservations every day (sometimes three times a day) trying to find a table - from which she was ultimately one of the lovely DISers to benefit

SEE THIS IS WHY I AM OVER IT!

I don't think that anyplace at Disney is worth spending this much time on! It's nice, but...Really we need to find you a better hobby! (Do they recognize your voice at Disney Dining? )

Of course I don't stand in line for rides either. IF the line is longer then 30 minutes I don't bother, I will be back!

 

[goofy4tink]

Sure, easy for her to say. She's not the one who called Dining Reservations every day (sometimes three times a day) trying to find a table - from which she was ultimately one of the lovely DISers to benefit

Ah, but I'm sure she loved her dinner there, and the company was not to be beat. I think that was one of the best times at LeCellier I've had. Must have been the company.
I do make ADRs but I'm seldom by myself. But, if I'm on my own, I don't really care about table service anyway. I have yet to develope the life skill of dining solo.

 

[CarolA]

Ah, but I'm sure she loved her dinner there, and the company was not to be beat. I think that was one of the best times at LeCellier I've had. Must have been the company.
I do make ADRs but I'm seldom by myself. But, if I'm on my own, I don't really care about table service anyway. I have yet to develope the life skill of dining solo.

We have to work on that.

Try it at Disney... if you feel "self concious" look around. Find that family with the child acting out... Take a deep breath and realize "That's who everyone is looking at, not me" (And they are! You were!)

 

[kaytieeldr]

SEE THIS IS WHY I AM OVER IT!

I don't think that anyplace at Disney is worth spending this much time on! It's nice, but...Really we need to find you a better hobby!

Like, sitting at one of the tables along the World Showcase Promenade, opposite the "slushy" booth in France, chatting with DIS-friends for several hours before dinner? Um, okay

We have to work on that.

ITA. For a moment, I was at a loss as to how to 'show' anyone how to do this - but it has come to me. One person should dine alone, and the DISer in question should dine with another DISer, nearby, who is discreetly pointing out ways in which the solo diner is having an enjoyable meal/experience.

 

[TDC Nala]

If I'm going on my own, I eat at the bars or lounges rather than the restaurants. Many of them serve the full restaurant menu at the bar.

 

[RoadTripFanatic]

I hate to make many ADRs. In fact I usually only make one per trip. I pick my favorite and hope I get it. I've been known to call while in the park from my cell phone to see if there is an availability for the time I want. If not I pick somewhere else to eat.

 

[nascarcheshirecat]

I would try walking up around 430-5 pm. that is really early for dinner, and i bet you would have no problem.


p.s. i hate adr's too.

 

[DawnCt1]

I very rarely make reservations. I read the panic on here and just kind of wonder... Of course I don't go at Christmas or major holidays and I am pretty much OVER Le Cellier LOL! My trick for Jiko.... be there RIGHT as they open. I have only done California Grill once and to be honest... "been there done that, don't have to do it again" I didn't get the hype. Food was OK, service was so so and atmosphere was not what I expected for those prices.

I have done V&A, you can't walk up there and it was EVERYTHING I expected and a LOT more LOL!

I tend to eat at off times and for a party of one just wander in or book the day of or MAYBE the day before.

For a party of one or two if you are FLEXIBLE then I think this board gives the wrong impression.

Now if you MUST eat lunch at NOON and dinner at SIX then... book!

We used to do Vic and Al's when we did all inclusive plans. We even took the kids there. We do enjoy California Grill. The "light show" last time was incredible. It was during a thunderstorm and we had a bird's eye view of every lightening strike. I don't think we will se it like that again for a long time. I can't count the number of times I have made ADRs and changed my mind and gotten into where I wanted to eat at the last minute. The the "OCD" in me, that made me book!

 

[BreezysMom]

DH hates the ADR structure. Our last two trips we did the dining plan and he just moaned about having to be at our ADR's at the alotted time. So, we got a taste of Club level at the Poly in December and now for our next trip he wants to go that route. He thought the concept of the lounge was great.

We will still have a few ADR's at our fav's but not every day like past trips.

 

[LVSWL]

Dawn, I think that you made a wise choice. I remember the days when we could just walk up and be seated, or decide that morning where we would like to eat and call and make a ressie, but that is so difficult now. I would just hate to make the effort to get to AKL or the Contemporary and be looking forward to eating and then not be able to get a table. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[CarolA]

Like, sitting at one of the tables along the World Showcase Promenade, opposite the "slushy" booth in France, chatting with DIS-friends for several hours before dinner? Um, okay

But you guys were MUCH MUCH more fun then the 10,000 questions Disney wants to ask BEFORE you can even get to a HUMAN to see if they have anyplace to eat! No, it does not matter if I have been umpteen times in the past years.. .I want a place to eat THIS visit, not a life history of my time at Disney!

And then they tell you no and you call back the next day and do it again! I am in of your endurance. The Disney phone system makes me want to call that nice lady NAMES that you can't say at Disney. The voice recongnition piece was the worst... no she's not "sorry" she's a MACHINE! (And did you know that the machine "didn't get that" when you call her nasty names as in "WITCH I just want to book a meal")

 

[PrincessBelle39]

People were being turned away from Boma when we were there in early December. That was about 6ish.