Last Minute Trip...any hope for good dining?

[perpetua]

Ok...so a couple days ago I decided to take a girls trip with my 4 and 6 year old to WDW in mid october. I booked my tickets the day after the free dining deal expired. Now, my MIL and SIL want to join us and want to add the paid dining plan to our vacation package (not the quick service version as they like table dining).

So, my question is...would we even be able to use it or is everything booked up? I tried to check online but you have to buy it before trying it.

Also, if everything all the restaurants are booked and so many people are relishing in their free dining...would it make sense to just go to the restaurants that do not participate in free dining without reservations and easily get a table and eat well even if we don't have the "dining plan" discount?

This is more of a "we want to eat good food" over a "we want a good deal and want to scramble for last minute reservations" problem.

Thanks so much!

 

[shanlynn1012]

Hi
We just did the same thing booked for Oct 10th. What type of meals are you wanting? We wanted character and when I first looked everything was booked but I kept on looking. I got princess dinign in Epcot three times ( Icancled all my extras) I had Cape May with Mickey, Tusker House with Donald & Mickey, 1900 Park Fare with Alice, and yesterday some how I got Cinderellas Royal Table. People cancel a lot so I would say it is worth it.
Good luck.

 

[Jenngoofys]

You have a great chance of getting into places. If you try consistantly. When you know what places you want or what character meals you want Call first then play online to see what you can find as the PP said people cancel all the time. Good Luck and have a great vacation!!!

 

[antmaril]

So, my question is...would we even be able to use it or is everything booked up? I tried to check online but you have to buy it before trying it.

!

You can check online without "buying" the Dining Plan. Just go to disneyworld.com and at the bottom of the page click on "Dining". There is a search box, search for whatever you are looking for and then click on "Make Dining Reservation." Put in your dates and times and see what comes up.

Anyone can make a dining reservation at Disney. What you can't do without a reservation is make a dining reservation for 90 days + 10 days. Since you are going in the middle of October, no problem.

Good luck!

 

[disneylove69]

Last week I walked up to restaraunts and go in. Only a few like Ohana I could not get in early and Boma completely filled.

 

[TCups4Me]

If you don't have the time or desire to plan the dining all out, then I would skip the dining plan altogether. We found it to be a hassle for the carefree way that we like to dine.

That being said, if you are flexible then I don't think you'll have a problem finding places to eat. So many people book multiple reservations for the same meal that there are always no-shows at the less in-demand restaurants. Maybe you can't get a last minute reservation or walk-up at Chef Mickeys, Ohana or La Cellier, but I think you'll be able to find something.