Last minute dining reservations

[myers2170]

we are a large party of 55 attending WDW as part of a baseball tournament playing at EWWOS. We know we won't be able to book reservations for that many but small groups of us will probably like to book a dining reservation or two the week before we arrive after we get our baseball schedule. What will the odds of being able to make any ADRs for the week of July 2-9 1-2 weeks out??

 

[Lisa F]

we are a large party of 55 attending WDW as part of a baseball tournament playing at EWWOS. We know we won't be able to book reservations for that many but small groups of us will probably like to book a dining reservation or two the week before we arrive after we get our baseball schedule. What will the odds of being able to make any ADRs for the week of July 2-9 1-2 weeks out??

seeing as this includes 4th of July which is majorly crowded at WDW, I'd say not very good except at maybe some of the less popular spots (which does not mean they are not good, just less popular). Places like the secondary restaurants at deluxe resorts (the wave, GF cafe, captain's grille) might have availability. Also sit downs at moderates/dvc would too and get good reviews... turf club, boatwrights, olivias etc... Some of the less popular world showcase restaurants like the place in china (which is now getting decent reviews), biergarten, the morroccan restaurants (I think both) and don't overlook disney springs restaurants too. I think you will find places to eat but will probably be out of luck at the very popular places that book at 180 days

 

[Jgeauxmo]

Yikes! I really think July 4th weekend is going to be tough. I would look at some of the counter services to have a back up plan if you can't get an ADR. The pp nailed it with the restaurants you may find availability at. When we travel during slow season we can easily get ADRs the night before on the mde app. I just don't know if that is going to be available July 4th weekend. Can you maybe go ahead and book some stuffs for parties of four or six now so at least you have something?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's going to be tough if each party consists of more than 6 people. You might be able to grab one or two or even up to four or six. But the pickings will be slim, especially if you need to be particular about times.

 

[cassie58]

It will probably be tough, but as soon as you know start checking. A lot of people finalize plans the week before they leave and cancel their unwanted. I don't know about multiple groups being able to get the same ones, but you can try to get similar times, and then check in together(early for some) and ask if you can be seated close to each other, and they may be able to accomodate if you are willing to wait. If you are already down there and still looking, people have to cancel by 10pm the night before to avoid getting charged, so it's a good time to check. There is also a cancellation thread on here for your month that you can keep checking, and try to coordinate if someone is cancelling what you want. As PPs mentioned, may be able to get some of the less popular and at off times, like 8:00pm dinner. Epcot has the most restaurants, so the most choices. I have seen Coral Reef (where you eat by the aquarium) open close to my dates in the past.

I agree with PP though, that you could make some now, and can always cancel once you know your schedule, but some may work out and you would have those. If you have to cancel you can post here on the cancellation thread, and make others happy who are trying to get something. Quick service may also be your friend, especially for a group. Sunshine Seasons for example in Epcot, has a large seating area and a variety of stations with choices from chicken to Chinese. Flame Tree BBQ in AK has ribs, and Columbia Harbor House in MK has clam chowder and lobster roll. So it is not just burgers and fries! BTW, I would avoid MK on the 4th(they do have same fireworks on the 3rd, which is slightly less crowded, but still very mobbed) and you could check Josh's easywdw site for his July calendar, and his recommended parks for those days, to plan where you might want to be those days to coordinate where you might want to eat and make FP.

*Myers2170 - just realized you were the same person I was posting with on the "first time on property thread" with earlier, and so you probably know a lot of these places, since you have done WDW several times - sorry for repeat info.!

 

[myers2170]

It will probably be tough, but as soon as you know start checking. A lot of people finalize plans the week before they leave and cancel their unwanted. I don't know about multiple groups being able to get the same ones, but you can try to get similar times, and then check in together(early for some) and ask if you can be seated close to each other, and they may be able to accomodate if you are willing to wait. If you are already down there and still looking, people have to cancel by 10pm the night before to avoid getting charged, so it's a good time to check. There is also a cancellation thread on here for your month that you can keep checking, and try to coordinate if someone is cancelling what you want. As PPs mentioned, may be able to get some of the less popular and at off times, like 8:00pm dinner. Epcot has the most restaurants, so the most choices. I have seen Coral Reef (where you eat by the aquarium) open close to my dates in the past.

I agree with PP though, that you could make some now, and can always cancel once you know your schedule, but some may work out and you would have those. If you have to cancel you can post here on the cancellation thread, and make others happy who are trying to get something. Quick service may also be your friend, especially for a group. Sunshine Seasons for example in Epcot, has a large seating area and a variety of stations with choices from chicken to Chinese. Flame Tree BBQ in AK has ribs, and Columbia Harbor House in MK has clam chowder and lobster roll. So it is not just burgers and fries! BTW, I would avoid MK on the 4th(they do have same fireworks on the 3rd, which is slightly less crowded, but still very mobbed) and you could check Josh's easywdw site for his July calendar, and his recommended parks for those days, to plan where you might want to be those days to coordinate where you might want to eat and make FP.

*Myers2170 - just realized you were the same person I was posting with on the "first time on property thread" with earlier, and so you probably know a lot of these places, since you have done WDW several times - sorry for repeat info.!

Thank you so much for the reply!! We need all the info we can get and I appreciate all input. I feel pretty comfortable with touring and the parks but not as up on the dining aspect. Thank you for your help!!

 

[alliecat523]

I would also keep an eye on the cancellation thread in the dining forum here. I've managed to pick up lots of ADRs that way on short notice.