No ADRs. :( Where can we eat?

[Minxe]

This is my first time planning a trip to WDW and it was kinda a last minute thing because my fiance and I planned it as an engagement trip. We just got engaged on March 12th 09. So, with all the hassle of booking hotel rooms and buying plane tickets, I totally forgot about ADRs. We won't be staying on-site, so no dining plans either.

We'll be at WDW from 20th May to 4th June and I'm guessing that crowd levels will be moderate to slightly high [around 8 or 9]. On my past trips to WDW with my family, we'd just settle for sandwiches or fried rice that we'd prepare from our resort to bring to the parks, or maybe just a hamburger or two. But since it's our engagement trip, I was hoping to have a slightly nicer meal or two.

SO... since I'm such a doofus, I was just wondering. Would it be possible to get seats anywhere without making any ADRs? It doesn't necessarily have to be a full service restaurant, maybe a counter service restaurant that's cool / quirky / has a nice ambience?

 

[CheatDoesDisney]

There are some restaurants where you may be able to get a walk up, Marrakesh in Epcot springs to mind. CS wise, Wolfgang Puck Express in DTD is fantastic and offers more than the usual burgers, hot dogs etc. Pastas, Pizzas and sandwiches. In the parks:
AK - Flame Tree BBQ, the pulled meat sandwiches and the fruit platter is brilliant again different from burgers.
Ep - Tangerine Cafe. The wraps are lovely. Sunshine Seasons gives you so much choice.

I would perhaps phone if there is somewhere you really want to eat, you never know, you might get an ADR.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Although you are taking this trips with no ADR's, you can make them when you get there.. sometimes there is availability. I have not had good luck walking up but then others have. Also, there are plenty of fast food types that serve good food in Epcot.....Morocco is one, people love Mexico... and Norway Bakery and France bakery have their versions of sandwiches...

 

[dolphingirl47]

We were in a similar position last September. We had booked about 9 months in advance, but this was our first onsite stay and life had sort of gotten in the way when my window for ADRs opened. I finally got around to making my ADRs about 5 weeks prior to our vacation. The fact that we were traveling during free dining did not help either. The only ADR that I managed to get was for dinner at Boma.
We ate dinner at Olivia's at Old Key West (where we stayed) three times, lunch twice and breakfast once and never waited more than 5 minutes. We got Crystal Palace at MK with about a 10 minute wait. We were seated straight away at Portobello Yacht Club (now just Portobello) at Downtown Disney and at Biergarten (Epcot). The lobby concierge at OKW managed to get us a last minute ADR at Turf Club (Saratoga Springs). We also had some meals off site and DH had a great meal at Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD and I at the Sunshine Seasons food court at Epcot. All is not lost!

dolphingirl47

 

[peggyjean123]

GO AHEAD AND TRY TO MAKE ADRS NOW. THIS WAY YOU HAVE BACK UP PLAN JUST IN CASE, THERE IS A NEW RESTAURANT IN ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE SANAA, THAT ISN'T OPENING UNTIL MAY, AND THE MENU LOOKS TERRIFIC, IF YOU LIKE INDIAN CUISINE. ARE YOU ON DINING PLAN? JUST TRY TO MAKE A FEW ADR BECAUSE YOU ARE CELEBRATING, AND REMEMBER THIS IS THE YEAR FOR THAT. CONGRATS ON ENGAGEMENT, AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST, WE WILL BE AT DISNEY 10-16TH TO CELEBRATE OUR 11TH ANNIVERSARY, I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THE TRIP!!!!

 

[Kimberle]

You can still make ADR's as your trip is over a month away. Last summer I booked a trip 5 weeks out and I got nearly every ADR I wanted. The only one's I couldn't get were for the popular restaurants (Chef Mickeys & Tusker House)

 

[mmtska]

I'd say try and make them. There are a lot of restaurants at resorts as well. I've read quite a few reports on people being able to get last minute ADRs at resorts.

 

[Disneyjamie]

One tip is that for parties of two, if there are no ADRs available, check for a party of three. Sometimes that works as the number of two tops allocated to two people is slim, but if you have them look for a regular table to sit at, you may have more availability to get an ADR. I have not tried this, but heard from others on the board this tip.

 

[claracluck]

I believe the Big River Grille at the Boardwalk doesn't take ADRs, so everyone is a walk up there. I think there are a few others, but I don't know them all.

There are always cancellations. When I went on my last trip, I cancelled my ADRs on two or three nights because we changed our plans. You can walk up to any restaurant podium and have them check availablity anywhere on property.

 

[jill919]

One tip is that for parties of two, if there are no ADRs available, check for a party of three. Sometimes that works as the number of two tops allocated to two people is slim, but if you have them look for a regular table to sit at, you may have more availability to get an ADR. I have not tried this, but heard from others on the board this tip.

Is this something you can do for the fantasmic dinner package? will it cost more?

 

[njmom47]

look at the post entitled "ADRs May 2009 Wanted/Trade/Exchange/Canceled" (the post for June also)...

 

[Minxe]

Thanks sooo much for your replies and suggestions! Once I have a little talk with my Df about which restaurants we'd like to go to, I'll try my luck with the ADRs. *crosses fingers*

Does anyone have an all digit version of the phone number? Or is there any way that reservations can be made online rather than by phone? I live quite a distance from Florida and I can see the price of the phone call in my mind and it's not a very pretty picture. But what the hey, if that's the only way I can get a reservation, I'll take it!

Thanks again!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

The number is 407-939-3463. You can't make ADRs online at this point. I don't think you'll have too much trouble making some ADRs during your trip. I made one just last week for one for a large group (14) for the same time period when you'll be there. If I can make one for 14, you should be able to get one for 2!!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Is this something you can do for the fantasmic dinner package? will it cost more?

It would cost you. You'd have to pay for every person you make the reservation for, even if they don't show. There's a $10 cancellation fee if you don't cancel within 48 hours, and if you just don't show up, they charge your credit card the whole amount.

 

[Goofy&Sleepy]

Check your resort daily once you get there...we were surprised to get Chef Mickey's last trip. You never know what cancellations will occur.....got LeCellier for lunch this way as well. Never have had any luck w/just walking up to restaurant for ressie though.

 

[n2mm]

There are still ADRs out there. I just called today to add another ADR to my list and we will be there on May 3rd. I added breakfast at WCC for a party of 7 and got the time I wanted with no problem. (I also cancelled an ADR for Narcossees for a table for 6.) I've been changing my ADRs around alot lately and have had no problem at all.

 

[Abharmagic]

Like others have said- I would not hesitate to make ADRs now. Also make a list of places you'd like to try and cannot get into and then try again once you are checked into your resort. I would make a few ADRs if I were you- will will get some for some places even now... you might be surprised. Have a great trip!

 

[trappednabox]

Like others have said- I would not hesitate to make ADRs now. Also make a list of places you'd like to try and cannot get into and then try again once you are checked into your resort. I would make a few ADRs if I were you- will will get some for some places even now... you might be surprised. Have a great trip!

ITA! you might also want to check out the trade cancel thread, you might find help there too

 

[catne]

Try Kona Cafe at the Polynesian, or The Wave at the Contemporary or The Grand Floridian Cafe at the Grand Floridian...all are on the monorail from the MK so handy to get to & from the park. You can probably call Disney dining from the park that morning & get an evening reservation at one of these.

 

[princess pooh]

We went during Easter when the parks had to shut down because of the crowds, and we still got last minute ADRs for popular restaurants. I made most of them the night before at the resort and I was able to get Boma, Crystal Palace, and Sci-Fi.

Good luck and have a great trip