Question about reservations!

[Baby Pluto]

I've made a thread about this previously but it's off the boards now and I have another question.
When making Disney reservations, is there a select number of tables available for reservations so sections of the restaurants are available for walk-ins?

I'm just fretting a little over making reservations at popular Disney restaurants because my boyfriend is convinced we'll able to walk up no problem. We don't mind waiting, even for a few hours.

We're going to WDW January 2013.

 

[TDC Nala]

They don't hold back tables for walk-ins at Disney.

Depending on which restaurant and when you walk up, you may not get what you are looking for.

 

[Baby Pluto]

Oh dear, that's exactly what I thought.
I only wish my boyfriend would listen!

 

[DLB]

Walk ups are the exception not the rule.. It is very rare and almost unheard of at the popular places.

 

[DLB]

Good friends of mine went to WDW a few years ago and would NOT listen to me. They insisted on "winging it" because her DH did NOT want to be tied down to reservations. By day 2 they were calling me from WDW begging me to get them a sit down table service. There was nothing available as a walk up.

The next trip they took they made every reservation and were so much happier.

 

[Baby Pluto]

DLB, I'm in that situation right now. My boyfriend doesn't want to be tied down to reservations, which I can understand since we'd like to do whatever we feel, but that may not be practical. Even his parents (who are avid disney goers) don't seem to be helping me much. They don't think we need reservations.

I'm starting to think I'm over exaggerating a little, everyone here had told me I must make reservations before travel, while everyone here is telling me otherwise.

 

[RIPaula]

It may be easier to get walk up seating when free dining is not going on. I've never had luck with walking up..Can you make some so you at least have bases covered?

 

[maxiesmom]

Just make some ADRs that don't require a credit card deposit. You don't even have to let your SO know you have made them. That way, if walking up to a restaurant doesn't work, you can just whip out your ADR and go have a great meal! Just don't forget to call and cancel if you decide not to use any ADRS you have made.

 

[Nancyg56]

Just make some ADRs that don't require a credit card deposit. You don't even have to let your SO know you have made them. That way, if walking up to a restaurant doesn't work, you can just whip out your ADR and go have a great meal! Just don't forget to call and cancel if you decide not to use any ADRS you have made.

This is what I would do. On day one in the parks show him the list of TS restaurants that are not taking walk-ups.

On our first trip back after almost 20 years DH thought I was nuts, going over menus, checking out reviews. We went so far as to book CL in order to make sure we got CRT for lunch, which was still one TS credit and very hard to get. By the time we left he was asking if we had Pluto booked.............he was my DGD's favorite character. She wants Pluto............make sure she meets Pluto!

He was a convert after seeing folks turned away from restaurants and hearing people complain about not getting any reservations. I think he may need to see the problem in order to understand. he will thank you!

 

[Cafeen]

You want to know the confusing truth?

BOTH of you are right .

Yes, you can get seated somewhere within the WDW resort even without reservations. The trick is that it may not be where or when you want.

If you have any must dos, especially popular ones, I'd make reservations for those sooner rather than later. For other days, you can give the dining line a ring in the morning and see what's open. There will likely be something, somewhere.

The "must reserve every meal" is usually for those who are pretty inflexible about where or when they can eat (for whatever reason, I'm one of them ). For most people, finding something at or near the park they're at during the day is a great way to find new favorites .

However, if you have a dining plan, I do suggest that you take a look ahead of time and work it out to your advantage (aka: Make those ADRs). You don't want to end the trip with several unused credits translating to wasted money.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

We do make our reservations ahead of time, but we leave some open spots. I don't like the uncertainty of walking up, but I have been able to make day-of reservations *somewhere* every time I have tried. One night, I tried to do a walk-up to the Plaza, and they weren't taking walk-ups. I was able to get on my iPhone and make a reservation for an hour later.

 

[jennylyn_b]

Make the adrs and don't tell him. Just don't make any that require the cc hold. Then just steer him that way LOL Cancel the ones you won't make as soon as you know its not going to work for you.


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