Reservation Required for GF Cafe?

[mello]

We've never eaten there, but it has never looked super busy when we've walked by. We've got a resort day (staying at GFV) with no ADR's planned for dinner in order to keep it relaxing, and thought we might try there if we don't opt for QS that evening. This will be in July. What do you think?

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never eaten there, but it has never looked super busy when we've walked by. We've got a resort day (staying at GFV) with no ADR's planned for dinner in order to keep it relaxing, and thought we might try there if we don't opt for QS that evening. This will be in July. What do you think?

We've had a few stays at the GF and always visit when we aren't staying there and like you, I have never seen the GF Cafe too busy (and I don't think I've ever seen people waiting to be seated). With that said, I think you would be ok as a walk up, but I would have a backup plan just in case as there is a possibility you won't get seated depending on how busy they are.

 

[figment_jii]

When are you going to be there? Is the "one month" in your Sig mean you're arriving July 9th or so? I just ask because if you're going to be there during the July 4th weekend, I think it might be tougher to get a walk-up (anywhere), but if it's after that, then you'll probably be okay with a walk-up. GFC tends to be the "forgotten" venue at GF (I think it's because there is 1900PF with characters and two Signatures, plus V&A). However, as Mickeynut1 said, I would have a back-up plan in mind. I would also check out the QS options at GF before making up my mind.

 

[kmb584]

We eat at the GFC on almost every trip with the most recent being just last month. When I was checking in for our ADR the hostess was apologizing to the walk-ups as they were fully booked for the night. There wasn't even the offer of "I'll take your name" or "it'll be a 45 minute wait", etc. This wasn't during a busy time either, just your average (5/10 crowd calendar) Disney week.

 

[RealBlast3]

While there are always some nice stories about walk-ups getting seated somewhere, if it really means alot to you to have a table sit -down dinner at a nice restaurant, making reservations is the only way to guarantee that.

I mean, when you say, " no ADR's planned for dinner in order to keep it relaxing". Well...do you find it that bad on your enjoyment level when you know you have to be at a dinner at a certain time? I mean, I do understand it, if you have family members and small children who get very upset when they're told they have to stop having fun in the parks because it's time to eat and you have to leave now to make a dinner ressie.

If you really want the Grand Floridian Cafe, I would just have a talk with everyone in your party about it, and make sure they're agreeable to leaving the fun and festivities for awhile when you say it's time to go.

I have always had reservations on all my trips, which are super planned to a tee, so I am just used to that feeling of watching the time and making sure I plan enough travel time. It doesn't impede on my fun, but then I've been a solo traveler the last 3 trips. Before that, I was lucky in that my parents and sister all had no problem resting and taking a break to show up for dinner reservations.

I think it's totally worth whatever sacrifice there is on relaxation there is by having to watch the time and plan to be at a dinner ressie when you consider how lovely and relaxing it is in a nice restaurant vs. the quick-counter like places.

 

[jcjen519]

Granted anything can happen and I don't think we've ever been at disney over your dates. we just got back from the gf though and would be surprised if you couldn't walk up to gfc anytime. sounds like cs would be okay with you anyways so I wouldn't worry about it. we were actually able to walk up to narcoosee last week good luck!