Is this nuts? Anyone ever do this?

[MickeyNicki]

Would you guys go (or have you gone) with NO dining reservations at all?

We are headed back in May and my wonderful insane hubby suggested that we completely wing it and not book any reservations.....his feeling is if we feel like eating something (for any meal) we will just do a walk up

Am I in for a world of trouble?

 

[TDC Nala]

sure, all the time. But I'm good with eating in restaurant lounges and at places like the Swan/Dolphin that don't get dining plan traffic, and at off-times.

 

[Nadjalu]

No way would I consider doing this.

Sorry sitting down at a restaurant that I like the food at is essential for a good vacation..no matter where it is whether at WDW or somewhere else for vacation.

You run the risk of having to eat somewhere you may not want to.
You run the risk of having to leave a park to dine, or lose park time.
You run the risk of spending too much time "finding" where to dine.

Nope just to many "you run the risk of" for me.

And I have to add. I find it so funny that people actually think that if they plan 1 meal a day that the whole vacation isn't relaxing.
I have news for ya....we have very relaxing vacations. They are laid back, spontaneous and we do what we want when we want. And the only thing we plan is where we will have dinner.

 

[tinacaplan]

Would you guys go (or have you gone) with NO dining reservations at all?

We are headed back in May and my wonderful insane hubby suggested that we completely wing it and not book any reservations.....his feeling is if we feel like eating something (for any meal) we will just do a walk up

Am I in for a world of trouble?

Oh, my goodness, Nic! I saw this and thought, who posted this??? And then I saw that it was you! All makes sense now!

When is Todd's b-day? So jealous that you're going back again so soon...of course, you do live in Florida, so...

I have to say that given where and what we ate this last trip, I might consider it. Some of the most delicious things we ate on this past trip were not in actual restaurants. Although, if I were you, and I wanted to do a signature or two, I might consider making an ADR or two. But what do I know? At this point, I think you could just give me so caramel corn in Germany and I'd be happy!

 

[tzolkin]

I've seen people post here that they never make reservations, but if you really want to eat at TS restaurants that may not be possible depending on the timing of your trip. If you're flexible or don't mind doing CS if you can't get in you may be okay

We did 11 days of dining during our last trip (Sept/Oct) and at every single restaurant we saw a steady stream of walk-ups who were told that there was absolutely no availability that day. One day my parents had a lunch booked somewhere that really couldn't accomodate my dad's food allergy-- the only replacement reservation the CM at the resort could find for them at a 1TS restaurant that day was at AKL at 9pm.

 

[JerseyDisneyGirl]

I love the idea. It is too easy to plan the fun out of vacation. I have read too many reviews, and second (and third, and fouth) guessed my reservations. One of the places that people rave about on here was one of the worst places I have ever ate at. I would love to let the fates decide, who knows you might get lucky with a reservation that is in demmand. That is my romantic view of this plan. I am going on free dining at the end of Sept and I am worried that I will get stuck with a place that I have no interest in, or is no where near where we want to be. So, I have to let the crazy planner in me overtake the relaxed vacationer.

 

[mdelano4]

Once, we were in for a day and walked all over the MK, kids in tow, looking for a place to sit for dinner. Every (and I mean every) TS restaurant was booked. We ended up having dinner at Cosmic Ray's.

Notice I said "once?"

I would never do that again, but I must say, I am obsessed with pre-planning.

Good luck and have a great time!!

 

[rachel09985]

I feel like you guys could do it just from reading your trip reports!! You two seem spontaneous and fun and apparently your husband can get a reservation anywhere! from what I read you are changing dining plans a lot anyways during the trip

But you need to get a dinner reservation for le cellier and review it for us anyways! Haha. If you decide to go ressie free I can't wait to read.

 

[Halle]

Many, many years ago (mid 90's with 4 kids in tow) we learned our lesson to book ressies if we want to eat at a restaurant that we'd enjoy. There's just much lounge food you can eat.

 

[minster22]

We seldom make dining reservations anymore but we are happy to eat at the counter of California Grille and Flying Fish anytime that we can!!! It has never been a problem getting a seat ( 2 adults). I am sure that this would be true at many of the "resort" restaurants.

 

[TDC Nala]

Didn't realize you were doing the dining plan. I would NEVER go reservationless on the dining plan.

 

[Andrew78]

Yes he is nuts! Remember there are people that won't even show, that have booked online 3 months prior. If it's during the week you may stand a shot, otherwise expect huge waits.

 

[dismichael]

depends what time of year you go. The week before christmas you definitely could just walk into many places. however, the week after christmas you would not find a single seat in any restaurant in the world. Best option is to check the crowd level of the time your going, then take measures accordingly.

 

[Silver Queen]

Years ago I was at WDW for a conference and my adult son joined me. We had no ADRs and spent a lot of time trying to get into a restaurant and getting turned away. We ended up getting fish and chips at the CS in England. As much as we like fish and chips it was not our idea of a "nice" dinner. I don't want to do that again. I feel the way that Nadjalu does.

 

[Pakey]

Nicki, you've eaten at enough places that you aren't set on a certain place. We are that way now too so we go without them. It's always possible to get in somewhere.

 

[Redbudlover]

I think if you are willing to eat CS for dinner or spend a lot of time looking for a TS you would be fine. I have been there when I couldn't get in anywhere I didn't already have an ADR. Tried to get my DGD4 into the restaurant at WL where we were staying and the only time they had available was after 9 pm - too late for her. If late and early times work for you then I think you can do it. I leave in two weeks and am finding availability at almost everything but La Cellier and Chef Mickeys...

 

[DisMN]

We don't make reservations anymore and on our last trip we had no problems getting a walk up table anywhere we tried.

We ate at Brown Derby, 50's Prime Time, Sci fi, Tusker House (twice), Japan (3 times), UK and several other places. Our only trick is to avoid the main dining times and go early or late for our meals.

Good luck. It can be done!!

 

[Tracerr00]

I've read your dining reviews and I love it when your husband says that he just isn't feeling it! It would certainly make for an adventure for you! I'd love to read that dining review and see how it all turns out and where you could get in and where you couldn't!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Oh, my goodness, Nic! I saw this and thought, who posted this??? And then I saw that it was you! All makes sense now!

When is Todd's b-day? So jealous that you're going back again so soon...of course, you do live in Florida, so...

I have to say that given where and what we ate this last trip, I might consider it. Some of the most delicious things we ate on this past trip were not in actual restaurants. Although, if I were you, and I wanted to do a signature or two, I might consider making an ADR or two. But what do I know? At this point, I think you could just give me so caramel corn in Germany and I'd be happy!

Hi Tina! Todd's birthday is the 14th but we are on vacation the last week of the month and I thought that it would be nice to get away and celebrate him for a change LOL! Just 3 hours south of WDW makes it so easy to get away

I dont think we are going to do any signatures on this trip, we might try and get into Fultons because he loves that place so much, the crab is just out of this world.

Told you that the caramel corn is to die for!

I feel like you guys could do it just from reading your trip reports!! You two seem spontaneous and fun and apparently your husband can get a reservation anywhere! from what I read you are changing dining plans a lot anyways during the trip

But you need to get a dinner reservation for le cellier and review it for us anyways! Haha. If you decide to go ressie free I can't wait to read.

You are so right! He thinks he can get us into any restaurant...this will be a test for him to see if he can do it for 5 days! And why should I kill myself making ressies when he just cancels them

I did try to get us into Le Cellier but there are no dinner openings at all...we shall see!

Nicki, you've eaten at enough places that you aren't set on a certain place. We are that way now too so we go without them. It's always possible to get in somewhere.

That is true....and we are always flexible on the time we eat anyways so it may work out

I've read your dining reviews and I love it when your husband says that he just isn't feeling it! It would certainly make for an adventure for you! I'd love to read that dining review and see how it all turns out and where you could get in and where you couldn't!

Funny thing is he is not like that all the time...just in WDW!

You may get your wish...I think we are going to wing it on dining the entire trip....this is going to be interesting!

 

[dvcdisney]

Many years ago we didn't make any ADRs since it wasn't such an urgency then and no DDP (not that I remember). We walked up and there was little or no wait. They also had kiosks that you can use to make dining plans, but I remember using them only a few times and realizing it was not necessary.

Now, I book at 180 days whether I'm on the DDP or not. But then again, I've become an obsessive planner. And dining for us is increasingly more important than the rides and shows in some cases. It's a very significant part of our vacation.

I think if you are fine with alternatives, then I don't see why you can't wait until the morning of the day and check to see what's available. It depends on your expectations. And during our last trip (to my surprise), I was able to modify/secure some reservations the night before to some restaurants such as Chef de France, Brown Derby, Tokyo Dining and a few others when our plans changed.

Good Luck!