No reservations?

[BearaNBananasMom]

We are early dinner eaters (between 3 & 5 p.m.) and we generally like to have a decent sit down meal. What are our chances of getting into a "table service" restaurant at those hours with no reservations? For instance, California Grill or Le Cellier?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Pretty bad! You might be able to eat at the Lounge at Cali Grill, but you're likely to be turned away at Le Cellier.

 

[Hopefully]

We are early dinner eaters (between 3 & 5 p.m.) and we generally like to have a decent sit down meal. What are our chances of getting into a "table service" restaurant at those hours with no reservations? For instance, California Grill or Le Cellier?

I agree with @_auroraborealis_ Your chances are slim to none. Most restaurants are not even serving dinner at 3PM Many aren't open yet. And 5 is a prime time for young families.
If there is somewhere you know you want to eat, you should make an ADR or be comfortable knowing you may not get in.
Many folks say they are able to book a same day ADR shortly before they want to eat on the MDE App. You may try that strategy as well.

 

[BearaNBananasMom]

Thank you both. I went ahead and made reservations just to be on the safe side.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

While ADRs are recommended at any time of year, you also must factor in the timing of your trip. Are you going during free dining, a peak time or special event time, or a bit of all? Is it a time when Disney may tie packages to certain restaurant options and severely restrict the number of non-pkg ADRs? All of these things can make it even more challenging.

Ultimately, if you know when you're going and know when and where you want to eat, you might as well book an ADR. Most people who don't want to book ADRs are wanting things to be more spontaneous, but it sounds like you know what you want and when...so you might as well book.

 

[beccasmom]

I agree that if you have a strong preference for where you want to eat, making an ADR just makes sense IMHO. You can always cancel. We've lucked out occasionally without ADRs, but that's becoming harder to do.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I ws with you until you named those two restaurants. We've gotten walk-ups ("we" just being 2 of us), but not at restaurants as popular as those. Come to think of it, they were mostly at resorts-Olivia's, Cape May Cafe Seafood Buffet, at resorts. Rose and Crown, and Nine Dragons in Epcot.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Pretty bad! You might be able to eat at the Lounge at Cali Grill, but you're likely to be turned away at Le Cellier.

Which would actually be your best option at LeCellier....

I do not make reservations any longer, but I also travel solo.

I do see one problem with your plan, some of the signatures aren't even open until 5 or so.

If you do decide not to do reservations here are my suggestions for good, generally easy to get places

1. Swan/Dolphin restaurants. Easy to get to from both Epcot and Studios. Good food, nice atmosphere etc...
2. MK - Go over to the Wave at the CR
3. Disney Springs. Generally early you can snag a table at any of them, especially with a small group.
4. AK - Head over to the AK hotel. I have had a lot of luck with being at JIKO right at opening
5. Epcot. Lots of times if you go ask around 4 at Rose and Crown they can work a small party in. (Nine Dragons is always an option, but it's also not that great, better than Le Cellier, but then so is my local Longhorn Steakhouse!)

Resorts. Saratoga and OKW in particular have TS restaurants that are generally easy to get into.