No ADR's ?will we starve?

[Rebecca12345]

OK last minute trip to WDW
(Usually I take 2 kids w/me & we wing it for dining)

well, an unexpected trip has appeared for our extended family of eight - we leave in less than 2 weeks.

Should I not bother with trying to find ADR's ?

Maybe ask for 2 tables for 4 when we try getting in somewhere?

I've read about eating at 'off times' rather than the usual mealtimes to avoid longer lines.....

We are booked at the Swan, will there be options there that we don't need ADR's?

I appreciate your help!

 

[TDC Nala]

You won't starve but you might eat lots of counter service, especially with a large group. Last minute reservations at WDW restaurants will be difficult to come by for a group that size. Staying at the Swan, you will not be using the dining plan, so you have the option of eating counter service if necessary.

Restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin do not accept the Disney Dining Plan and might not be as difficult to get into, especially at off-peak dining times.

 

[Amy&Dan]

We just got back (0ur trip went from Memorial Weekend to June 8). We were forever changing our ADR's and were able to do so. Now we weren't a family of 8 so that will make your planning a bit harder.

My experience has always been that these places are easier to get into last minute:

Moderate restaurants (Boatwrights, Maya Grill and Shutters, all of which I think are very good)
Olivia's at OKW, Turf Club at SSR
Tony's in the MK
Plaza Inn in the MK
The Big River Grille is right near the Swan and doesn't seem to get as crowded. ESPN Zone was deserted one afternoon when we went in there, literally we had the place to ourselves (it was around 3:00). Both of those are very close to the Swan.

I also have to say, that Wolfgang Puck's Express in DTD is the BEST cs I have had at WDW. Its a great place to go and have a nice meal, walk up, cs prices and they actually bring you your food and refill your drink. They have indoor and outdoor seating and I saw people pushing tables together for larger parties.

Eating off time definitely helps, we prefer late dinners and never had any trouble getting those, even at O'Hana the day of our reservation. We also had good luck getting late breakfast ADR's at Cape May and Chef Mickey's, again just a day or two in advance.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

There are some great counter service locations in the parks and Downtown Disney that serve more then just Burgers and Hot Dogs, if you could not get any last minute ADR's. Plus some locations like the ESPN Club at the Boardwalk and Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club don't even take ADR's, so they are always walk-ins. Finally if you have your own transportation you could eat at various offsite restaurants.

 

[Rebecca12345]

OK! I guess I could stand to skip a few meals haha if necessary
but my family might get a tad grumpy so wish us luck !

thanks for all replies

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You're welcome and good luck. Plus when you get back let us know if you were able to get any ADR's.

 

[*disgal*]

I would try getting an ADR for Biergarten in Germany........great food, great entertainment and they have many tables for eight. We are a family of 5 and we always have to sit with a party of 3. You guys would get your own table.

 

[DanaAustinChelsea]

I would check out the cancelled/trade ADR links too!

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Do you have kids?
Take them to the Bakery or the Candy Shoppe.
They'll never know they missed a meal.


(Kinda kidding-my kids would think they won the lottery if they got candy for a meal and some of the bakeries have great sandwiches. )

 

[jrt1176]

Try eating off-site!

Lots of great restaurants off-site if you like fine dining!

Prime steakhouses, fresh seafood, etc.

 

[mickeynut1]

I'd call Disney dining and see if anything is available....it's a long shot just 2 weeks out, but you never know.....people cancel all time . Good luck and have a great trip .

 

[buckeyebill1995]

Give Disney Dining a call - I think you'll be surprised. We are leaving in a couple of weeks and just traded out a reservation at Tony's to try The Wave (new restaurant at Contemporary). Then my DD was disappointed because she wanted to go to Tony's, so I called back again and got a reservation there on a different day at the time I wanted with no problem. A lot of people change their ADRs at the last minute, so you'd be surprised how often you can get what you want. But make the ADRs -- I've seen so many people turned away at the podium with their heads held down because they didn't have a reservation!

BTW, they just started taking reservations for The Wave recently, so it might be pretty easy to get in there. It was for us, anyway!

Good Luck!

 

[Rebecca12345]

Thanks to ALL replies!

right now I am so sick with a cold I don't want to go anywhere

wish me luck getting better & also with eating at WDW!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We're staying at Dolphin (sister hotel to Swan) for the 1st time in Oct. From what I understand, you can usually dine in their restaurants w/o reservations. We plan to eat breakfast & lunch there somedays. If you decide to try bluezoo or Shula's, you may want to make a reservation, when you arrive. FYI, most of Swan & Dolphin's restaurants take AAA for a 20% discount. The exceptions are the aforementioned bluezoo & Shula's. Have a great trip.

 

[AmberLuvsWDW]

I agree that you should keep calling. You might also want to try Trail's End at Fort Wilderness. It's my DFIL's favorite place to eat. It's a great buffet with a large selection and it's said to be the best value on WDW property. DFIL usually goes without an ADR, but with a party of 8 you might want to call.

I would also say to try calling at 7am because that is when the computers reset for the day and you might have the best chances. Pick the places you really want to go to and keep trying, something might open up. Also, is there a chance your party might split up? When we go with family, we eat some meals together and others apart, that could help with seating.

Hope some of that helps. Good luck and have a great trip!!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We're staying at Dolphin (sister hotel to Swan) for the 1st time in Oct. From what I understand, you can usually dine in their restaurants w/o reservations. We plan to eat breakfast & lunch there somedays. If you decide to try bluezoo or Shula's, you may want to make a reservation, when you arrive. FYI, most of Swan & Dolphin's restaurants take AAA for a 20% discount. The exceptions are the aforementioned bluezoo & Shula's. Have a great trip.

Sorry to quote myself, but I need to correct this post a bit. I forgot to add Il Mulino & Kimonos to the "doesn't give a AAA discount" list. To the best of my knowledge the other restaurants do. That still leaves a few to choose from.

 

[Lavazza]

No you will not starve.

The only walk up we didn't get was LeCellier. We even managed to fanagle the Princess Dinner in Norway without an ADR the last week of April this year and it was at 5pm.

 

[jessily]

I've been on multiple trip to WDW and worked there for 4 months... and have never made an ADR. When I was working there I just didn't have the money to eat at the sit down restaurants, but on trips I have managed to get into a few restaurants (Boatwrights for Bfast, San Angel Inn for lunch, Marakesh for dinner) by walking up. These are obviously some of the less popular restaurants and it definitely does help to eat at off times.

For my upcoming trips I am jumping on the ADR bandwagon and making a few for each trip. When you go without ADRs you have a lot more time to enjoy the parks. I know restaurants are a big part of the trip for a lot of people (and I completely understand why). Calling now to see what you can get and then just going with the flow when you get there is what I would recommend. Earl of Sandwich at DtD and snacking my way around the world at Epcot are 2 of my favorite Disney meals... no ADRs needed! Have a great trip

 

[Lavazza]

I've been on multiple trip to WDW and worked there for 4 months... and have never made an ADR. When I was working there I just didn't have the money to eat at the sit down restaurants, but on trips I have managed to get into a few restaurants (Boatwrights for Bfast, San Angel Inn for lunch, Marakesh for dinner) by walking up. These are obviously some of the less popular restaurants and it definitely does help to eat at off times.

For my upcoming trips I am jumping on the ADR bandwagon and making a few for each trip. When you go without ADRs you have a lot more time to enjoy the parks. I know restaurants are a big part of the trip for a lot of people (and I completely understand why). Calling now to see what you can get and then just going with the flow when you get there is what I would recommend. Earl of Sandwich at DtD and snacking my way around the world at Epcot are 2 of my favorite Disney meals... no ADRs needed! Have a great trip

I know this is OT, but Earl of Sandwich was probably the best meal we had our last trip (that and Boma). The other meals at some of the more popular restaurants were nothing to write home about unfortunately.