Reservations in Sept?

[PatRin]

So, this is my first time to Disney and I am going with my best friend. We have the deluxe dining and have made reservations for four places and assumed that as the "least crowded" time we shouldnt have to worry about having every meal planned and booked but then I ran across a site that said there would be very few chances of getting a walk up table due to the free dining plan. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[Melanie B]

I suggest trying to get some reservations. Free dining is very popular and I found getting reservations for late Aug and early Sept a little difficult back in May. Look through the menus and try booking online. People book and cancel all the time

 

[B-Ride]

September is less crowded than July and August but with Free Dining the restaurants will be booked to capacity.

As the PP mentioned, get online and make some reservations as soon as you can.

 

[janloz]

we are going in Sept and also have dlx dining. i have booked at least the dinner ADRs at 180 days out that we want for each night since many of the restuarants book quickly during free dining. i had to check eveey day for 4 weeks to try to get a later ADR for Tutto Italia dinner so the popular places are booked. just a suggestion from personal experience, with deluxe dining do not book 3 table service ADRs each day, it is WAY too much food with app, entree and dessert. either book breakfast and later dinner or early lunch and later dinner. there are many great signature places that take 2TS credits but you will almost definitely need ADRs. good luck.

 

[RMulieri]

I would try to make ressies asap..I go in Sept during free dining alot and have to tell you...I see ALOT of people turned way without ressies.In fact alot of the restuarants had signs out front that said no walk ups, reservations only

 

[grimley1968]

The parks may be relatively empty during September, but the restaurants always seem to be booked to capacity during free dining promos. Whether that means the restaurant actually ends up being crowded during that time is debatable, since many people make ressies and never bother to show up for them (there's no penalty for doing this with most table service places). But I'd go ahead and reserve what you can, but please cancel anything you end up not being able to make.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'd think again - September is Free Dining season and while the parks won't be all that busy, the restaurants will be. No way I'd suggest doing DXDDP without ADRs during free dining unless you're OK with using some credits for CS.

I'd start looking for reservations now - the popular places will likely be booked up, if you want any of those I hope those are the ADRs you already have.

 

[PatRin]

Thanks for all the input - we have the reservations we really wanted already but I will look into booking a few more. Thanks again everyone!

 

[DaisyD]

We go every year in Sept to the beginning of Oct. It also happens to be free dining when we are going. It is just about impossible to get a walk up for any restaurant. Last year I didn't make reservations and couldn't get in anywhere to eat. We ate mostly at the Grand Cafe in the GF and counterservice the rest of the trip. I would make as many as you think you are going to want now before you go.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I would never go to Disney with out a Ress. I like to eat at certain places and to do that you must be booked ahead of time.
So if I were you I go on the Disney site and start seeing what you like and book it asap.
Good Luck and have a Magical Trip

 

[Nadjalu]

I agree with the comments....make them asap or you may not get in anywhere.
Every day while we were there during FD last year we saw signs at the entrance to the parks...."No table service available at any restaurant", please enjoy our CS places.

As said, with the DxDDP you will have a hard time getting your $ worth if you don't have ressies. I would hate to see you using your credits at CS places because you couldn't get in anywhere.

Good luck!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

To the OP - remember that just b/c you make a reservation doesn't mean that you absolutely have to be there. I'd make the reservations & then discard the ones that don't seem convenient at the time.

It's common courtesy that if you dont' think you'll make it, you call & cancel, but if you're at the park and don't feel like breaking away for your reservation you can always cancel it last minute. That only means someone looking for a walk up will get one that night.

And on the DXDDP, it makes more sense to do breakfasts and then signature dinners. Lunch (unless it's early) and dinner (unless its late) can be too much.