Last minute trip no ADR's...

[Sophie_2003]

Hello,

we're going in 3 weeks banana: ), and DH was not too happy on our last trip to have to make it to our ADR's - the man does not like a schedule and it was almost stresful at times to make our touring fit the meals.

Can someone please tell me in their experience, early December, which restaurants at EPCOT, at the resorts or DTD may have walkin space available fairly early (we eat betwee 5 and 6 pm usually). We can always eat CS and the foodcourt at POR is ok for us (4 nights only), but just in case we feel like a sitdown meal...

tks,

 

[TDC Nala]

You're going to have trouble walking into pretty much anywhere in a park or near a park in the first week of December.

Best bets are resort restaurants that are somewhat removed from the parks.

If you are not on the dining plan, you may have good luck at restaurants (DTD or Swan/Dolphin) that do not accept the dining plan.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

We have always had good luck walking up to Spoodles (on the Boardwalk) or Cape May (Beach Club). Even when we've called to get last minute ADRs, and WDW DINE said they were full, we walked up and were seated within 10-15 minutes.

I haven't tried this myself, but many people have mentioned that the Grand Floridian Cafe is also a good bet for a walk-up.

 

[amery]

Better put your DH in a chair and force him to look at most of the replies that you will get to your post.

While you may score a walk in at some places, you can almost bet that you won't have a prayer with any higher profile ones. You might wnat to familiarize yourself now with the CS locations.

He'll get the hint and will want to help you on the next trip.

 

[Colleen27]

Boatwrights at POR might be good for a walk-up, if you're around your resort at dinner time. POR is pretty removed from the parks, so it is pretty much only resort guests who eat there. I think Olivias and the Turf Club, at OKW and SSR respectively, would likely be the same, and either one would be a decent option if you're at DTD and not having any luck with the restaurants there.

At Epcot, I don't know that you'll have much luck, but you might want to check a few of the less popular spots like San Angel Inn or Biergarten. You might also want to try the new Japanese restaurants, on the off chance that all the confusion regarding the rehab/reopening might mean some less obsessive planners didn't bother with them. If none of those work out, ESPN Club on the Boardwalk and Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club, both just a short walk/boat ride from the International Gateway entrance to Epcot, don't accept ADRs at all, so walk ups are definately possible there.

Do you have a cell phone? If you do, it might be worth calling Disney Dining to find out what is available when you know where you're going to be at dinner time. You might luck into a cancelled ADR slot that way.

 

[fla4fun]

Do you have a cell phone? If you do, it might be worth calling Disney Dining to find out what is available when you know where you're going to be at dinner time. You might luck into a cancelled ADR slot that way.

Bingo! I do this all the time, as I don't like planning my vacation around ADR's either. I usually call once I've decided where I'm going that day and see what's available. Be flexible about where and when you will eat, and don't overlook nearby resorts, especially at lunch. I like the Yacht Club Galley when I'm at Epcot, or any of the monorail resorts when I'm at MK. Having lunch just outside the park is a nice break from all the action.

I believe there's also a way to dial Disney Dining from the theme park payphones for free, but it's been so long, I don't remember (it was * and then an extension). Does anyone remember that?

 

[TDC Nala]

I think the AP has mentioned that they don't intend to make ADRs, they just want to walk up.

I agree she ought to consider attempting same-day ADRs, especially if she wants a TS in a park.

 

[frdeb1999]

My hubby does'nt like all the advance planning either. But sadly it is about the only way to get a resturant during peak times. I would do as others suggested and call when in the parks to see if they can accomodate you. In many cases they get cancellations and such and can help you. Walk up is normally too long of a wait for us so we try to stay away from it. Although I do have to agree it would be nice to be able to decide and then just do it. Good Luck!

 

[Sophie_2003]

Thanks for all the replies. When calling, do you call wdw-dine, and are they helpful with this?

tks!

 

[PrincessKitty1]

DH and I always make ADRs for dinner, then cancel them if we don't feel like scheduling/ park-hopping around them. It's better to have them and possibly cancel them than to not have them at all!

DH and I have had good luck with our walk-ups in Epcot. We have also called Disney Dining occasionally (once at 8:30 PM when Epcot closed at 9!) to ask, "Do any of the Epcot restaurants have an ADR available within the next half hour?" On this one particular occasion, they got us into Chefs de France just in time to see Illuminations from a window seat!

That said, I never COUNT on being able to do a walk-up. You have to know that you'll be happy eating counter service if you can't get table service!