Lunch @ Brown Derby w/o an ADR?

[NYCgrrl]

The first time we ate there was for lunch and we just walked up to the podium and were seated. Thereafter we've had reservations so I've no idea if our first visit was sheer luck or not.
I'd prefer to not make a lunch ressie for our early July trip at least not until after we've our FPs in hand.
Anyone with experience who can guide me through?
TIA!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

By early July do you mean somewhere near the week of the 4th? If so I'd make reservations. It should be really busy. It will be busy the rest of July also. But not quite as busy. I'd still make reservations though for a trip any time in that month. Better to have them, and not need them, than need them and not have them. That said, Brown Derby isn't the fastest filler on reservations by any means. Why not make one and then change it if need be? Hope that helps.

 

[gharter]

I would get an ADR now if they are available. You can always cancel or change in the future if needed. Its easier to have one and not need it then to need it and not have one. If you are eating at off times, you probably wold be ok without an ADR.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I have seen them turning walk-ups away a few different times in the "primetime" lunch hours. I'd make a reservation just to be safe... but don't think it's one of those that needs to be made at 180 days. Enjoy - it is one of our favorites!

 

[rosiebean]

We walked up with a party of six for lunch last summer around 12:30, but it was the last week of August with low crowds. I’d get the ADR and cancel if necessary to be safe.

 

[NYCgrrl]

OK, fellow posters, I'm going to make a lunch time ressie now and throw it back into the pot if it doesn't work into the currently unknown FP schedule.
Thanks one and all!

 

[supersnoop]

I’ve had luck booking an ADR there an hour or two before showing up.

 

[armerida]

I’ve had luck booking an ADR there an hour or two before showing up.

We showed up once for dinner and were told they had no room for walk-ups. Went on the app and immediately found a reservation for 5 minutes in the future!. You can also eat at the lounge outside with no reservations (they don't take them), which is one of our favorite Disney lunches - the charcuterie, sliders, and cobb salad are all excellent.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We showed up once for dinner and were told they had no room for walk-ups. Went on the app and immediately found a reservation for 5 minutes in the future!. You can also eat at the lounge outside with no reservations (they don't take them), which is one of our favorite Disney lunches - the charcuterie, sliders, and cobb salad are all excellent.

I thought of seating in the Lounge but since we'll be there the start of July probably will be too hot to enjoy any meal w/o A/C.