I have just about all of our ADR's for a 9/27-10/1 vacation, but have had zero luck so far at snagging a dinner ADR at Le Cellier. Any thoughts/past experiences on walking up and getting a table without an ADR? Possible? Impossible? In case it matters, it will be a table for 2. Would we have better luck showing up for an early dinner (4-4:30?) walk-up? Thanks... Mike
I would expect them to turn away any and all walk-ups. They do that even in slower times, and you'll be going over the end of free dining when they are very busy. I will go out on a limb to say it's near impossible. Continue to call for cancellations and feel free to stop by the podium when you're there. You can always stop by in the morning and see if they have any openings at all the weekend you are there.
Good question. I was also wondering if there are any places in WDW where you could try to do a walk in. If you are staying at the Poly for example could you just walk up to O'Hana and try to get a table without ADRs? Do they keep a table for guests staying at the resort?
I do In September almost every year and never had a problem with walk ups except if you go close to closing time or the transition between Lunch and Dinner since the free dinning. If you go right when they open for Dinner you probably will have no wait the ADRS do not account for all tables by far. If it matters I own DVC so we do not have free dinning but we can now pay 38 a day a person which we are doing this year and I have no intentions of making ADRS as it is a great deal no matter what and there are plenty of great places to eat at all over Disney.
Hmmm...the free dining AND the DDP have changed the way people used to be able to do things. Last year, lots of restaurants would have empty tables and yet turn people away without ADRs. We discovered that it had something to do with their computer system and how long they kept an ADR 'holding' before it changed to a no show. What I did THEN that worked well (last time I used it for Sci Fi) is that I walked up to the counter and was told nothing available the rest of the day....and then I yanked out my cell and called WDW dining and made a ressie for within 15 minutes. I'm not saying this would work for Le Cellier, mind you, and especially not now, with ADR;s at 180 days plus free dining. Perhaps you might try it for lunch? As to my fellow DVC owner who posted: it will be interesting to find out what luck you have getting TS meals without reservations. Perhaps things won't be as filled up as I'm guessing, but I'm going Sept 4-11 and we had no luck in trying to change a couple ressies two weeks ago...all booked. Yes, this was at the more in demand restaurants. Post back after your week and let us know...but ummmmm...good luck!
We had ADRs at Le Cellier during a very busy week earlier this year, and were watching people get turned away. EXCEPT for a twosome ... they got a table because there were only two of them; so yes, I'd say it's definitely worth a try!
Try it.. the only thing they can say is no availability.. Also, I would try to make an ADR when I get there, things open up all the time.
Nothing is impossible but I'd say your chances of getting a table are about as good as a snowball's chance in h-e-double hockey sticks. Someplace like Nine Dragons would probably be okay for a walk-up but Le Cellier would be practically impossible. Tried last September and they were fully booked for lunch and dinner through the next 3 weeks and were not accepting any walk-up diners.
We once walked up at Le Cellier and they couldn't take us. They said they were only taking those who had a PS (that's what it was at the time). So I asked if I could make a PS and they said "sure". So we made a PS for 45 minutes later.
Last October we had a 5pm ADR at Le Cellier. A family walked up before us (three of them) and got seated immediately. I said to the hostess "boy, they were lucky" She said "yep, probably the only walk up we will seat over dinner." Lunch is easier, but will still be difficult. Worth a shot. (Ohana's is usually booked solid as well - no they don't leave tables for resort guests).
I've watched many a family try to 'walk up' to Le Cellier and be denied. All you can do is try, though.
We saw all walkups denied last year at the door. She told them they were booked solid for 3 months. Nobody trying to walk up was happy about it. Try the concierge desk at your resort everyday. Sometimes they can get you in if there is a cancellation.
That's actually pretty funny. I guess the system isn't 100% perfect. But you were clever enough. Good for you.
A year ago, we walked up to Le Cellier and had a table 30 minutes later. I had called and they said nothing was available, so we just walked up on a lark. Something must have just opened up.
On our June trip we wanted dinner ADRs at Le Cellier, but could not snag them. We stopped by anyway at lunchtime and they could accommodate us for lunch with a 15-minute wait. So sometimes it can work, even though we had to substitute one meal for another.
I'd bring a cellphone and call a couple times during the day to see if you can make an ADR. The odds are slim, but better than walkup odds.
