Love how easy dining reservations are at DLR!

[LisaCM614]

Our first trip is coming up. We have gone on several WDW trips as a family and the dining reservations always end up being so nerve wracking - even for short trips. This trip to DLR was so easy to make our initial reservations and then I had to change one today. I dreaded it. I though for sure we would no longer be able to have our late lunch reservation at Ariels. But I called - didn't even wait on hold, and added the 1 person to our reservation at Ariel's with no time change to the reservation! There is no way 38 days out would I have been able to make that easy of a change for a princess lunch at WDW!
DLR

 

[saroncar]

That's good to hear! I am used to waking up at 6am the day our adr's come up,at WDW. Maybe I won't have to be so stressed this time!

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

My DF and I usually go mid-season, and often don't even bother to make reservations. We might pick one upscale place for a special dinner and make a res for that, but otherwise DLR is very easy-going when it come to food.

We were SHOCKED at the need to make plans so far in advance at WDW. While the food was great, it was quite a bit more stressful to get!

 

[tiffjoy]

I love, love, love this about DLR. We now visit DLR more frequently than WDW, and I stress every time I plan our WDW trips. I'm planning our January 2015 WDW trip and tearing my hair out trying to figure out what restaurants and setting reminders for getting up early and booking when my 180 window is here. So stressful!

I only ever reserve character dinings at DLR. We have never had trouble finding a nice place to eat otherwise, like we do at WDW.

 

[LisaCM614]

That's good to hear! I am used to waking up at 6am the day our adr's come up,at WDW. Maybe I won't have to be so stressed this time!

I spaced out and forgot it was my 60 day mark, remembered around noon ET and quick scrambled online and got my first choices.
It was so easy it was anticlimactic.


My one pain is there is no +
You have to go online each day as the next day opens up.
But since you don't have to be up and logged in at 6am - it is really no big deal!

Now if I could only find a discount so I could book the Grand Californian....

 

[redwing]

I have a question about dining reservations, also! I forgot all about making them at the 60 day out Mark, but we won't be there until July 8th. So anyway, just got on the Dis website trying to get a ressie for ESPN Zone and nothing is available. Now, does that mean you can't even put your name down when you get there and just wait it out, or are they completely booked and jam SOL? Thanks in advance!

 

[redwing]

Hate spell check...sorry, meant am I just SOL? Lol

 

[dina444444]

I have a question about dining reservations, also! I forgot all about making them at the 60 day out Mark, but we won't be there until July 8th. So anyway, just got on the Dis website trying to get a ressie for ESPN Zone and nothing is available. Now, does that mean you can't even put your name down when you get there and just wait it out, or are they completely booked and jam SOL? Thanks in advance!

I think that they don't take reservations online through Disney's site since I don't see anything on their own website to make reservations. I would try calling them at (714) 300-3776 to book a reservation.

 

[SultanPprShkr]

I have a question about dining reservations, also! I forgot all about making them at the 60 day out Mark, but we won't be there until July 8th. So anyway, just got on the Dis website trying to get a ressie for ESPN Zone and nothing is available. Now, does that mean you can't even put your name down when you get there and just wait it out, or are they completely booked and jam SOL? Thanks in advance!

ESPN Zone doesn't take reservations i don't think.... but ya, try calling.

 

[redwing]

Thank you so much!!! I have a bunch of boys and that's the only restaurant they requested!

 

[Jairy]

Thank you so much!!! I have a bunch of boys and that's the only restaurant they requested!

You don't even need them. My ds, and dd had a great time upstairs (and the adults had a drink), while we waited the 30 mins for a table. Try the four way air hockey table for sure!!

 

[GatorChris]

I know exactly what you mean! 7 trips to WDW makes you jaded to the whole dining reservation thing. For us out in CA, we have to get up at 3am the day of and still can't get the exact time on some of the places we want. Shoot, I still haven't been able to get Be Our Guest ressies.

But at DL, our last trip I forgot the 60 day mark and was still able to get everything I wanted. Even changed 20 days out and got what I wanted. Then after going to DL, I realized you don't really need them. SoCal is so laid back that its "just eat where you want when you want". So relaxing.

 

[94bruin]

I know exactly what you mean! 7 trips to WDW makes you jaded to the whole dining reservation thing. For us out in CA, we have to get up at 3am the day of and still can't get the exact time on some of the places we want. Shoot, I still haven't been able to get Be Our Guest ressies.

But at DL, our last trip I forgot the 60 day mark and was still able to get everything I wanted. Even changed 20 days out and got what I wanted. Then after going to DL, I realized you don't really need them. SoCal is so laid back that its "just eat where you want when you want". So relaxing.

For our April trip, I was changing reservations up until just a few days before our trip over the internet. Easy-peasy!

 

[HydroGuy]

Some of you might benefit from this which reinforces all the sentiments shared here:

"What WDW Vets Need to Know About Dining at DLR" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2914467

 

[disney meema]

I know such a difference going to Disneyland and so easy getting around, dining ect : ) Love both disney world and Disneyland but such different vacations

 

[JediMasterMatt]

Dining at DLR = usually just show up and ask for a seat and wait. You can call if you'd like, but usually not necessary.

Dining at WDW = a process that feels like an IRS audit