I do not want to make ADRs

[Micca]

Many of you seem to have a pretty free-wheeling attitude towards eating so I can understand not wanting to be stuck to a structure of ADRs. For me, there is little I'd rather be doing at WDW than eating at a favorite spot, so I look forward to our next ADR.

The ADR-free approach may also work better for adults or families with older children. When the little ones get hungry, and you add to that the heat and fatigue factors, campers can become unhappy pretty quickly. That's when hunting for a place to eat with a wait of less than an hour can be a drain on your patience.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

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?

Portobello should be fine, when we were there during february break week and ate there at 5:30 it was empty. Ther were only about 6 tables full there.

It really depends how busy it is, if its not too busy then you could be ok but if its busy then you might be in trouble. The best thing to do would be to get to the place as soon as it opens and ask for a table then. Don't get there at 6 pm (height of dnner time) and suggest a table because then you won't be seated untill 9 pm.

It also really depends on when you want to eat. If you don't mind eating late then you should be fine. California Grill might present your only problem becuae I've heard of people being turned away with no reservations as oon as it opens in the evening. The problem there is they don't know if your going up just to look at the views and not eat, we were told by a boat driver they had problems with that in the past.

 

[TDC Nala]

The popularity of the dining plan has made the days of walkups a thing of the past. While you can still walk up to certain places at certain times of year, or it's possible you might get lucky and there's an opening, or you can try one of the several onsite restaurants that do not accept the dining plan, the only way to prevent being turned away from a restaurant you know you want to visit is to have an ADR.

During the free dining period in August and September it seems the only way to ensure that you get table service dining anywhere that accepts the dining plan is to have an ADR.

The problem there is they don't know if your going up just to look at the views and not eat, we were told by a boat driver they had problems with that in the past

California Grill is on the 15th floor of the Contemporary, but requires guests to check in at a desk on the second floor. If you have an ADR or there's room for you, they escort you up in the elevator. They had to go to this system for the very reason quoted above. They don't have throngs of people go up to California Grill just to look at the views or watch the fireworks anymore.