No ADR available, can we just walk in?

[jeanneg4of4]

We have a Grand Gathering of 10 leaving on Sept 1st. We have all of our ADR except I forgot about the day we arrive . So, I have been calling to get ADRs at Boatwrights (staying at POR). No go, nothing available untill 9:15. That will not work as we will be a the Magic Kingdom by 7pm for parade and fireworks and nothing available in or around the Magic Kingdom either. I was woundering if arriving as a walk in would be possible? I mean if we arrive when it opens do u think we would be able to get in.I dont care if we have a 2 hr wait.I know we have been declined the oppurtunity to wait as walk ins before at other places. Just didn't know if we could plan on waiting for a table or should just plan on using a couter service.

 

[webshark3]

Last year we had a Grand Gathering of 8 in June (no free dining going on). The only places we were able to walk into (EVER in our 8 days) was Nine Dragons, and the Kona Grill. And even then it was a pain. We were outright turned down for everything else. We had 2 ADRS, and the rest were CS meals for us...

In 2005, we went over the 4th of July for 9 days. 15 Of us. We got into Nine Dragons (2 tables) and me, my wife and son broke off one night and got into Chefs de France late. That was it for walk-ins.....

This Sept we're there during free dining in Sept. I booked and planned this one. Have an ADR everyday for my GG of 9. Should go much better (fingers crossed).

 

[jeanneg4of4]

Sounds like a good plan. Hope everything turns out OK. We will be there Sept1- Sept 9, and I thought our ADR were in order. Then everyone wanted to know where to eat the night we get there and wanted a TS.Go figure. I think I will just arrive when they open. If they allow us to wait for a table then great, If not then we will not. Or should we just take the 9:00 ADR and arrive really early? Decisions,decisions

Sept 2 -4:20 Liberty Tree Tavern
Sept 3 - 5:30 Planet Hollywood
Sept 4 - 4:40 Coral Reef
Sept 5 - 5:10 Sci-Fi
Sept 6 - 7:00 Bomas
Sept 7 - 8:00 Luau
Sept 8 - 7:40 Rose n Crown

 

[ReneeA]

If you don't get ADR's, I would try and walk into Boatwrights right when they open up for dinner. (Actually I'd get there 20 minutes prior to them opening).

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I actually started another thread about this regarding the Candlelight processional dinner but it bears repeating -- keep trying! Things change daily - people cancel ADRs (and entire trips!).

 

[kathie859]

I'd start calling the same day reservation number early in the morning and keep trying.... I'm had successes booking same day ressies but I've never dealt with a grand gathering of 10 The most I've ever booked for the same day was a party of 6. Good luck!

 

[webshark3]

Last two years, we offerred to wait at various resturuants, but the CMs gave an outright "No". We didn't try when they first opened though. Good Luck.

 

[wilde_oscar]

with free DDP, most everyone made resies about 5 months ago...

did ya try Plaza in MK... that is usually the last restaurant to fill with reservations... or take the boat to downtown Disney, lots of places down there to try, then pick up the bus to MK from there? Best of luck. OH, and when makeing reservations ya might wanna try two parties of 5, or various mix and match... might even have to split up the party and hit different places.

 

[Eventer98]

We certainly weren't a Grand Gathering but we walked into Ohanas without an ADR and waited 90min for a table..well worth it to us since it is our fav. TS!!

Like a PP mentioned...keep calling every day, twice a day, to see if anything opens up!!

 

[Mom2Evie]

Have you thought about offering to break up into smaller parties? Surely they'd be able to seat two parties of 5 within 15-20 minutes of each other. If you want to eat, do what you ahve to do. You could even go to different restaurants.

 

[hoosll]

Have you tried Trail's End buffet at FW.

It is close to MK and even if you break into two tables, since it is a buffet you can coordinate your meal more easily.

My DH and I love the food and price is very reasonable. Great boat ride back to MK.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Another option might be Beaches N Cream as they don't accept ADRs. It's first-come, first-served...so try to go during a non-peak time and you may not have to wait as long. You could just walk over to Epcot and enter through the International Gateway and then take the monorail over the MK (or just go to the resort's bus area and go to MK directly).

 

[tiki23]

We have a Grand Gathering of 10 leaving on Sept 1st. We have all of our ADR except I forgot about the day we arrive . So, I have been calling to get ADRs at Boatwrights (staying at POR). No go, nothing available untill 9:15. That will not work as we will be a the Magic Kingdom by 7pm for parade and fireworks and nothing available in or around the Magic Kingdom either. I was woundering if arriving as a walk in would be possible? I mean if we arrive when it opens do u think we would be able to get in.I dont care if we have a 2 hr wait.I know we have been declined the oppurtunity to wait as walk ins before at other places. Just didn't know if we could plan on waiting for a table or should just plan on using a couter service.

Just my opinion, but on a travel day I'd much rather eat at counter service then try to get a restaurant with a probable long wait. With 10 people you'll probably have some people that are starving and can't wait 2 hours, some people that are too tired to eat and at least 1 that won't be happy with the restaurant choice. Give yourself a planning break and just plan on CS.

 

[Quinn222]

How about heading over to CSR and eating at the Pepper Market? It's more upscale than a plain old food court, all of you can probably eat together, and the food is great. If it's a nice evening you can even eat outdoors.

 

[webshark3]

Have you thought about offering to break up into smaller parties? Surely they'd be able to seat two parties of 5 within 15-20 minutes of each other. If you want to eat, do what you ahve to do. You could even go to different restaurants.

No luck trying this for us for the last two years. They didn't care if we were 2 or 20. No tables...

 

[ms_mckenna]

If you are open to other options what about ESPN Grill which is a walk up or Big River Grille? Both in BW area. You would enjoy Beaches and Cream as well but I am not sure about getting a table for 10 there... it is really small.

 

[*Flower*]

Maybe check out Spoodles at the Boardwalk....

We really enjoy their food- and it can't hurt to try.

Good luck!!

 

[jeanneg4of4]

WOW! wounderfull ideas! I knew you could help with my moment of panic. I did try all the TS in and around the Magic Kingdom, including the Plaza. No go. We tryed splitting up the party of 10 ( all of our ADRs r @ 2 different tables except the Luau). I have not yet been able to book anywhere but, will cont. to try every day untill we leave. I LOVE the idea of DTD or another resort area. We will have limited time to get to the Magic Kingdom since my sister will not be @ our resort untill around 5pm and the parade starts @ 9pm and we will still have to get our annual passes. So, I will have to look into travel time between resorts ect.I thought maybe the rainforest cafe we will have to pay OOP once anyway since we have 8 TS pp and that will give us 9. Yah, I was all for a counter service on arrival at our leisure but I guess I was the only one feeling it. Oh well, may be what we have to do , darn.but again thanks for all of the great ideas.

 

[RangerPooh]

I would also try WCC or Trails End. You might have more luck there, esp if you are able to eat when the resturnats open for dinner ~4:30.

 

[rcraw45425]

As a family of four we were able to walk into Boatwrights in July '05 right when they opened. Even when we were finished they weren't fully booked . Of course the dining promo wasn't going on either.....