Priority Seating Arrangements - How Far In Advnace?

[Aby]

Hi guys,

I'm wondering how far in advance I really need to make priority seating arrangements for our trip in February.

A bit of a background - it will just be my hubby and I, and we are going to be at Disneyland from Monday, Feb. 13 to Saturday, Feb. 18. We are not that particular with what time we eat our meals as we don't have a set schedule for our trip. I already have PS for dinner for Valentines Day at Steakhouse 55.

Other places we would like to eat include Cafe Orleans (lunch), Steakhouse 55 (breakfast), Napa Rose (dinner), Storyteller's Cafe (lunch & breakfast), Rainforest Cafe (breakfast), and *maybe* Blue Bayou (dinner). We are not too particular on what days we hit which places also.

Since we are going in the off season, should we be okay to call and book our PS reservations once we actually get there? Back in 2006 my hubby and my parents went to WDW in early February and I made almost all of my PS arrangements at most the night before and we were able to get everything we wanted.

I will make all of my reservations in advance if I need to, but I would rather allow our trip to be a little more spontaneous if possible. When we were at WDW I really enjoyed sitting down with my husband in the evening and deciding on our dining plans for the next day.

What do you think? Is this possible? Or should I make a real dining schedule in advance and make my reservations before I go?

Aby

 

[ArchOwl]

Hi guys,

I'm wondering how far in advance I really need to make priority seating arrangements for our trip in February.

A bit of a background - it will just be my hubby and I, and we are going to be at Disneyland from Monday, Feb. 13 to Saturday, Feb. 18. We are not that particular with what time we eat our meals as we don't have a set schedule for our trip. I already have PS for dinner for Valentines Day at Steakhouse 55.

Other places we would like to eat include Cafe Orleans (lunch), Steakhouse 55 (breakfast), Napa Rose (dinner), Storyteller's Cafe (lunch & breakfast), Rainforest Cafe (breakfast), and *maybe* Blue Bayou (dinner). We are not too particular on what days we hit which places also.

Since we are going in the off season, should we be okay to call and book our PS reservations once we actually get there? Back in 2006 my hubby and my parents went to WDW in early February and I made almost all of my PS arrangements at most the night before and we were able to get everything we wanted.

I will make all of my reservations in advance if I need to, but I would rather allow our trip to be a little more spontaneous if possible. When we were at WDW I really enjoyed sitting down with my husband in the evening and deciding on our dining plans for the next day.

What do you think? Is this possible? Or should I make a real dining schedule in advance and make my reservations before I go?

Aby

Very smart to have a Valentine's Day ressie! I think the only other ones you need to worry about are probably Blue Bayou and Napa Rose if you are trying to get a seat at the Chef's Counter. I don't think you need to make the BB 60 days before, but probably you will want to do it at least a few days before you arrive. The Chef's Counter at Napa is best to do at least a couple of weeks before you arrive as it is popular.

I was at the resort over NYE, one of the busiest times, and was able to get ressies for Carnation Cafe and Cafe Orleans the day before. Granted, I wasn't asking for prime times, so as long as you are willing to be flexible, I think you should be fine.

 

[HydroGuy]

Frankly there is no harm in making reservations now. So I would. Then as you get closer use them, change them or cancel them.

You can probably get away with waiting but there is no reason if you know your dates and where you would like to dine.

 

[pixiewings71]

If you know you want to eat at those locations I would make reservations now. I know it's easier to just "drop in" but in reality you may not get to eat if you do that. We've been turned away from BB many times and we've been turned away from CO as well. We usually just walk into Storyteller's and RFC without much wait but at RFC we are members of the dining club so we get bumped to the top of the list. Something you may want to consider.

 

[ArchOwl]

I just wanted to clarify that when I said it would be okay to wait, I did assume that you would be calling at least a day before. I do not recommend not having reservations and just walking up.

I also tend to make more reservations than I use, but I do make sure to call back and cancel if I end up not wanting to keep a reservation.

 

[Aby]

Thank you for the replys guys. I had no plans to show up without reservations - I will call at least the day before if not a few days before. I might make one or two more reservations but everytime I try to sit down and schedule any more than that I start to get stressed out.

Sounds like as long as I'm flexible and don't leave it to the last minute I should be okay to book most things a little closer to our trip.

Thanks again for the help.

Aby

 

[gator girl]

I'd just like to say, on behalf of the WDW vets on the board, if you ever go back there don't try your 2006 trick (if you expect to have many table service meals). Times have sure changed....

I'm so conditioned to the 180-days-out thing that I was able to hold off and make all my DLR reservations at only 5 weeks out, much to the amusement of the cast member on the phone. I don't think she'd ever heard anyone get so excited about getting all their preferred seating times!

 

[Aby]

Thanks for the tip about WDW - we do plan to go back someday and it's nice to get that tidbit of information now. I remember thinking - what was all the dining fuss about?? since I was able to get everything I wanted the night before...but I guess people have caught on!

But, it makes me appreciate that going to DL is much easier for the dining side of things! I usually stress in advance if I have to plan too much so I'm looking forward to a more relaxed, spontaneous trip!

Aby