No ADR's available! Any suggestions...

[PavelB]

I just found out we could go to WDW in July. I called today to make ADR's and I cannot believe how booked up they are already. I cannot get le Cellier or 1900 Park for any dinner any night that I am there. I can't even get LTT for the times I want (5-6:30). OK, so does anyone know of any good restaurants that are fairly close? We have never gone offsite before but I guess this trip we will have to be a little more adventurous. Are any of the restaurants in the hotels by Downtown Disney any good? BTW, we like basic American - steak, chicken etc. (Darn that DDP and booking 180 days out - I miss the old days!)
PS - I was even thinking of trying the DDP myself this time and then upgrading later to an AP because this is the first trip that the timing of all our tickets works out - but now forget it!

 

[KPmom]

Call back and ask about the last lunch seating for Le Cellier, I was able to get seating for 8 at lunch time. Also consider Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's, Kona Cafe. All are very good and might have ADR's open for your trip. The menus are available at www.allearsnet.com Good luck. As for off property we love Ramono's Macaroni Grill, and there is one pretty close. ~Mandy

 

[LilBlackSheep]

Keep calling back. Reservations are cancelled all the time.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Many of the resort restaurants are easier to get into. I have good luck with Kona, Cape May, and Concourse Steakhouse to name a few. Also, I have to say, we have enjoyed the full service meals at the moderates. Shutters at CBR and Maya Grill at CSR were both places I got into last minute and they were both fantasic. Granted I was staying there, but I liked them both enough to go again, even if I am not staying right there. I have also had luck getting into some of the World Showcase restaurants last minute including 9 Dragons and Marrakesh. I would call back Disney Dining tell them your dates and see what they do have open. Sometimes its easier to let them reel off what they have then try to randomly think of places yourself. Good luck!

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I called to make an ADR for O'hana in August and had to get a later time than I had wanted. Called back a few days later and got the time I wanted. I would keep calling back.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I would try some of the wonderful "hidden secrets", even though some are themed, most do have many "basic" American type fair. Yachtclub Galley (really nice for breakfast or dinner, good American food), Olivia's (had an excellent prime rib here in October), Kona Cafe, Concourse Steakhouse, The Plaza restaurant at MK is good, Grand Floridian Cafe is one of our favorites, but I think that might be when they are having character meals there.

We have not eaten here yet, (I don't like recommending ones I haven't eaten at), but we are trying the Turf Club at Saratoga Springs in October, menu looks good. We also like Wolfgang Puck Cafe, although they are likely to be booked, can always ask though.

 

[NYMom]

I called last night for an ADR for 4 @ Boma for July 16th.
I wanted one between 6-7pm .
I had my choice of times.

Keep trying.

 

[KPmom]

Also consider Pepper Market at Coronado Springs, the food is great and it's considered counter service. The price is decent for the portion you get and the food is great. ~Mandy

 

[dis2cruise]

call all the time. believe me i was looking for a party of 8 at wcc and for a long time all they had was 9'30 pm too late of me and the little ones lol,
however, i kept on calling sometimes 3 times a day but it paid off
i got a 6;40 pm dinner adr and i am very happy with this!!

cheryl

 

[simonkodousek]

Keep on calling. I made my ADR's about a week ago for July, and even then I couldn't get any great times.

~Simon

 

[Ms.Grumpy]

I agree with the keep calling method. I already had ADR's for Sept.21 @ LTT for MNSSHP and wanted to change it for 5p.m. instead of 4p.m. Well I called for two weeks and it was completely full. I just decided to call today for the heck of it and quess what, there was an opening. I now have an ADR for 5:50p.m!

 

[PavelB]

I will keep calling back. We are a party of 5 and I know that makes a difference but we do not want to split up.
BTW, I never thought of Olivia's - can you tell me about it?
And I forgot about Yachtsman - I haven't been there in several years - it's expensive but really good.

 

[holcomb-mania]

Good suggestions about Plaza and Kona. I'd also consider Sci-Fi Dine In and Trail's End. I called a month out and got my pick of times for lunch at Sci-Fi and had no problem getting a late lunch at WCC (that will be enough for dinner, too, after I obliterate that skillet....again!).

 

[MickeyNicki]

EPCOT
Le Cellier for lunch is just as great as dinner, try to get lunch.
Biergarten is delicious, there are alot of meat choices on the buffet.
China and Morocco have excellent CS choices.
Sunshine Seasons is a great spot for lunch, very good soups and salads.

MAGIC KINGDOM
Peco Bills and Cosmic Rays has great food
Crystal Palace is the best for breakfast or dinner, try to get in there.

If you are having a hard time with TS for dinner try doing a big breakfast at CP, CM, Donalds or Cape May Buffet....then you can do a CS for dinner.

The resorts offer great dining options, our favorite is Kona at the Poly.

DTD is a fav of ours. House of Blues for TS and Wolfgang Puck Express for CS (the portions are huge and the prices are low).

 

[Christine]

Call back again and rather than asking for a specific restaurant ask what they do have available for those days. It will be a VERY long phone call but the CMs are good about searching for you. I did this over Easter and some things came up.

Also, when I was absolutely SHUT OUT and Easter, I did a walk up to 1900 Park Fare (at 5:00 p.m.) and they had no problem seating us at all. We were also a party of 5. So, plan on trying some walkups but do it early.

Other suggestions:

Try a signature restaurant for one or two nights. They don't book up as fast as the other restaurants because people on the dining plan shy away from using 2 TS credits. They are worth every penny, IMO, and you will LOVE them. My faves are Artist Point over at the Wilderness Lodge and Citricos at the Grand Floridian. Then do counter service on the other nights.

Another suggestion for one of the days is to plan the Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian. It can really fill you up. Schedule it for about 3:00 in the afternoon and then plan on doing a nice counter service later in the evening.

As for off-site restaurants: Bahama Breeze is our favorite. The kebobs are FABULOUS there and it isn't too far outside the park. Very close to the Vistana resort and the Marriott Complex (off of Vineland). It is kind of congested right there--don't let it scare you. They have a 1 hour call ahead service and I suggest you do that because if you get there after 5:00 p.m., you can count on about an hour wait for a table.

There are also the usual Carrabas, Outback, etc.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

On the night we're at MK we're taking the boat ride over to WL for a late dinner at WCC. Lots of the resort restaurants will have availability. Try for H&V at MGM. Buffets tend to be available later.

 

[Rachie0507]

As others have already said, I'd try some of the more popular places for lunch rather than dinner and at off-times too. I was able to book a July trip about a month ago and made my ADR's 2 or 3 weeks ago. I was able to get everything I wanted (including LTT and Le Cellier) but not at the prime-times. Good luck

 

[hmp2z]

We're locals, so we tend to visit WDW with more spontaneity. Here are some places that we can always get last-minute seating at:
- Artist Point
- Jiko
- Cape May Cafe
- Trail's End
- Kimonos
- Fulton's
- Portabello Yacht Club
- Raglan Road

If you're looking off property, you can't do better than the West Sand Lake area (restaurant row). You'll avoid the dodgy & questionable sanitation of the 192 restaurants, and will have a nice dining experience. Our favorite is Roy's, though we keep hearing good things about Seasons 52 and it's next on our "to try" list.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Sent you a PM.

Good luck with your dining plans!