No ADR- How Bad Is It?

[TigerandBear]

Hi!

We're going to WDW in Sept, and we can't wait!

We have some ADR's booked, but we've also left a few options open. We're travelling with my parents, who are going to be dropping in and out of the parks as and when, so we've booked a few key restaurants we want to do, but the rest of the time it's pretty open.

My question is, what are wait times like if you DON'T have an ADR? Say we wanted to try Via Napoli for dinner, how long would you be waiting for a party of 4? Would you even be able to wait?

I want to get an idea of what to expect when we go, to see if it's feasible and not get my hopes up if waiting for these restaurants isn't possible!

Thanks guys!

 

[RealBlast3]

To generalize, it's basically impossible to walk right up at the Theme Park restaurants, while very possible to walk right up at many Resort restaurants, especially the "2nd tier" ones like The Wave or the Whispering Canyone Cafe or the Grand Floridian Cafe or Kona, ect.

However, I guess there are some low demand ones in Epcot, since they have so many, you could get away with doing that, like the ones at the China and Morocco pavilions for instance.

 

[Figment Mom]

I had great luck with walk-ups. Still, I'd try to call at least in the morning to get a dinner ADR if you're pretty set on the restaurant. If you're really flexible then you can try walking up.

I have no experience with Via Napoli but we walked up to sci-fi around noon, were told they were booked solid all day, given a 30 minute wait time, and then seated within 5 minutes. There were just 2 of us, though. I'm sure party size makes a difference.

 

[TigerandBear]

To generalize, it's basically impossible to walk right up at the Theme Park restaurants, while very possible to walk right up at many Resort restaurants, especially the "2nd tier" ones like The Wave or the Whispering Canyone Cafe or the Grand Floridian Cafe or Kona, ect.

However, I guess there are some low demand ones in Epcot, since they have so many, you could get away with doing that, like the ones at the China and Morocco pavilions for instance.

We're staying offsite, so park restaurants are really the ones we're after. I was hoping it wouldn't be impossible, just the case of a little wait. If a place is good enough I don't mind a little wait, but it's nice to get a heads-up that it's pretty out of the question. Now we can plan accordingly

I had great luck with walk-ups. Still, I'd try to call at least in the morning to get a dinner ADR if you're pretty set on the restaurant. If you're really flexible then you can try walking up.

I have no experience with Via Napoli but we walked up to sci-fi around noon, were told they were booked solid all day, given a 30 minute wait time, and then seated within 5 minutes. There were just 2 of us, though. I'm sure party size makes a difference.

There'll be times when there will be 2 of us, but mostly it'll be a party of 4, which I'm well aware is not a great number for walk-ups! haha!

We have sci-fi ADRs, as well as Yachtsman, Chef Mickeys and Whispering Canyon, so we have some great experiences lined up! I just wanted to gauge how probable it would be if we fancied something on a spur of the moment basis, how likely it would be that we could get in, even with a wait!

 

[lilkitty819]

I've gone to Via Napoli quite a few times with 4 people or less and never had adr and only waited at the longest 10 minutes, but we also go usually between lunch and dinner. Another rest. we do without adr is Japans rest. But we also do not go when they have free dining, cause that makes it harder to just walk up. Just make sure you go an hour before or after lunch or dinner rush.. Good Luck & Have a blast!!!! I have 59 days to go

 

[BecBennett]

If you go at "off" times you'll be more likely to get in. Like 11am for lunch or 5pm for dinner etc.

 

[TigerandBear]

Yeah the 'early' or 'late' times idea is a great one. I was kinda thinking the same thing anyway, so it's good to hear that it's definitely do-able this way!

With all the ADR intensity on the boards (and rightly so, this is a board for planners, so planning is the focus!), I was a little worried that they were literally the only option to eat at places. But I guess with a bit of timing and a bit of luck, we should have a fair chance on the day!