Is this a dining plan mistake?

[sdteacher]

I still haven't booked all of my table service meals for our trip in Jan. Are there any ts restaurants that you can just walk up to and eat at? Or do I need to plan out and reserve our last choices? For example - we are staying at AKL and may want a Boma dinner one evening, not sure which, but haven't booked one yet.

 

[TDC Nala]

Boma is extremely popular. I wouldn't try getting in there without a reservation. I'd say Jiko was a better bet for a walk-in, but that's a 2 credit restaurant.

Depending on the time of year you are going, you might be able to get a Boma reservation a day or two ahead of time.

 

[catne]

depends on when you're going & how flexible you are. In both May & September 2008 (less busy times) we saw people getting walk-in seating at most of the restaurants we ate at. But not at the most popular ones (like Cali Grille & Le Cellier.) There were times, though, when the sign on Main Street/MK said there was no seating available at such & such, but when we were there for our ADR they actually were taking walk-ins.

If you're willing to eat early or late, and willing to try less popular places, you'll have better luck with no reservations. I will say for our short vacay in January 20-22, I had no problems getting multiple time choices for our restaurant reservations, just last week. We got 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners...all table services. That included some popular choices like Chef Mickey & the Coral Reef. So you may have a great time winging it.

 

[pianoronni37]

You know, I'd have thought the same thing and left without all of my ressies booked, thinking that I could walk up to a less popular restaurant.

My husband and I, various times through our honeymoon, saw people turned away at each restaurant because everything was booked solid. We went Oct 21-Oct 28, so I don't know how popular that time frame is, but we heard one mother say something to the effect of, "Why do you guys even SELL a dining plan when we can't use it??"

They should hand out pamphlets for ADRs at every restaurant who has to turn people away!! I felt so bad for them!

So from now on, every single meal is planned - I don't want to ever be turned away when I'm hungry for something as delicious as Boma!!

 

[septbaby]

ESPN Club and Beaches & Cream don't take ADRs. So you can walk up and wait to be seated. The same is true for TRex in Downtown Disney.

I echo, dinner at Boma could be a difficult walk up. You might get in for breakfast one morning, but dinner is unlikely.

You can always check with your hotel Concierge in the AM to see what is open for a meal that day. Good luck!

 

[TDC Nala]

ESPN Club and Beaches & Cream don't take ADRs. So you can walk up and wait to be seated. The same is true for TRex in Downtown Disney.

I echo, dinner at Boma could be a difficult walk up. You might get in for breakfast one morning, but dinner is unlikely.

You can always check with your hotel Concierge in the AM to see what is open for a meal that day. Good luck!

Please note that T-Rex Cafe at DTD is not on the dining plan.

They'll also start taking reservations (directly, not through Disney) on January 5.

 

[TifffanyD]

ESPN Club and Beaches & Cream don't take ADRs. So you can walk up and wait to be seated. The same is true for TRex in Downtown Disney.

I echo, dinner at Boma could be a difficult walk up. You might get in for breakfast one morning, but dinner is unlikely.

You can always check with your hotel Concierge in the AM to see what is open for a meal that day. Good luck!

Big River Grille doesn't take ADR's until day of at 4pm. We called the restaurant directly and this is what they said. So that is another last-minute choice. We have their number in our cell phone now so we can call the day we want to eat there and hopefully dump Le Cellier

 

[Luv2Roam]

Beaches & Cream is always a long wait to be seated also. It could easily take 1.5 hours.

I would at least try to make an ADR the day before or the day of and see what you can get. Better that than wasting a lot of time either hunting for a place that will accommodate you, or waiting for an awful long time just to be seated.

 

[Pakey]

We go every January and if you are not going to be there for marathon weekend and MLK weekend, you honestly will probably be just fine. In Jan 08, we got walkups at Boma, Jiko, Le Cellier without any problem. I would not try it on weekend nights but during the week, it's pretty easy to get in.

 

[sdteacher]

WE did make most of our ADR's but I wanted a little flexibility some days. I guess I should pencil it all out as we are there over MLK weekend. I did make reserations for Le Cellier, Teppan Edo, Boma breakfast, Crystal Palace, and Tusker House. I thought about Boma for dinner one night and possibly a Downtown Disney restaurant. Thanks for your input!

 

[septbaby]

MLK weekend.

That is reason to make your ADRs before you arrive. Keep in mind unless you've booked something that is guaranteed with a credit card you can cancel that day of if you need to change plans. If you've guaranteed with a credit card you typically have to cancel 48hrs before or you will incur some charge for the no show.