meals without ressies

[robinb]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We aren't looking for character meals or anything really special - just thought I might be able to get in a more relaxing meal than counter service. Since we will be there in mid-June, just a nice place out of the heat will do.

So ... you're going in less than two weeks. It's pretty much too late to make prime-time ADRs now anyway .

 

[ForeverDance]

Last year we went in mid July. We only had 1 ADR and that was made while we were there for a character lunch (the next day). In general we had no problems getting in for a TS meal. BUT we ate TS either early lunch or late lunch, never at prime lunch time (this is our style anyway). The only time we tried to get TS for dinner we learned a valuable lesson: while it is generally pretty easy to get TS for off lunch times, you won't get in for any decent dinner time!

With that in mind we made 5 ADRs this year (4 of which are character meals). We are going during free dining, so I guess we will see if it works out this year, but I think our early/late lunch will work out again for us.

 

[tiggercrazy]

I will tell you what our experiences were on our last trip during Easter week. We made some ADR's, which we kept and it worked out well. There were a few times that we had planned on CS, but were in the mood for TS. As long as we were flexible, we had no problem finding a place to eat. You can go to any restaurant or guest service location to book for any restaurant on property.

One day we were at MGM and at about 5:30 we wanted a TS dinner. We walked over to Sci-Fi to see if we could get in for our family of 6. They didn't have anything, but Brown Derby did. As we were walking away the other hostess, who had been on the phone, said she just had a cancelation and they could seat us right away. I know that this was very lucky, but on another day we did the same thing at Epcot and had our choice of restaurants in the park.

As long as you are flexible, I think you will be just fine getting ADR's when you get there. Have a great trip!

 

[madcoco]

Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom isn't too hard to snap up. I often call the same day - once I called 30 minutes ahead of time - and get seating. You can also monorail over to the Poly or GF to eat there.

Just another walkup experience from yesterday. We went to ride HM before it closes for rehab. Decided to stop by and check on LTT for walkins at just after 4PM They told us to wait for 20-25 minutes and then they would know if they could take any walkins at all for dinner. It didn't look promising. We skipped the wait. Ended up calling Disney Dining to see if they had any opening at all at LTT for later on in the evening. None until 8:45PM and everything else was booked in the park for the evening.

Decided to head over to Epcot to pick up the DDE renewal temp cards. Walked up to the GG Character Meal at app 5:15.(Soaring still Soaring. 110 minute standby line! Do people really wait that long?) They could seat us but it would be app 30-35 minutes as they were short a server. Seated in 15 minutes. Had a good meal topped off with a healthy dose of British Invasion and Off Kilter before heading out.

 

[MNmom]

It can be done, but you need to stay flexible and try new things

Last March, as Spring Break was starting to fill the parks, we had two spontaneous dinners that turned out to be really great.

The first night, I met some friends at DTD around 7pm. We tried to get in to Fultons and the other seafood place confused3 can't think of the name!!) and both places had waits of over 90 minutes. We wandered over to the new Raglan Road and they told us we could eat on the patio within 10 minutes!!! We sat outside and had a great meal!!! We loved people-watching everyone walking through PI.

Our next night we were in EPCOT and got hungry around 6pm. We tried Japan, and Italy but they had long waits. We walked back to the Morrocan Rest. and they could seat us right away--they had a few "no-shows". I think we were eating our entrees by 6:30pm. The food was great...I love spicy/seasoned food and the belly dancer was soooo fun!!

I don't think we would have made ADRs for either of these TS places but we had great fun and wonderful meals.