Reservations to eat at EPCOT?

[pepperderr]

My mom was telling me you need to make reservations to eat at any of the different countries at EPCOT. Is that the case and how soon do the reservations need to be made by? I already know I likely won't get any character meals because we are going in June and I didn't know for sure when until just the other week so it is too late to make reservations for that. Thanks.

 

[crystalcml]

If you are planning on eating table services meals you will need to make ressies. Most people book at the 180 day mark . I would figure out which ones you want to go to and get on the phone and make your ressies.

 

[KatMark]

My mom was telling me you need to make reservations to eat at any of the different countries at EPCOT. Is that the case and how soon do the reservations need to be made by? I already know I likely won't get any character meals because we are going in June and I didn't know for sure when until just the other week so it is too late to make reservations for that. Thanks.

I wouldn't count out the character meals yet. If you try for one during an "off" hour you might get lucky. You have several to choose from: Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, Ohanas (breakfast only), Cape May Cafe (breakfast only), Liberty Tree Tavern (dinner only), Garden Grill at Epcot (not sure if this is just dinner or lunch and dinner), Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios (I believe breakfast and lunch...but could be wrong...it is our least favorite of all the buffets), the princess meals (one in Norway, Cinderella's castle--which I am sure you won't be able to get). I know there is also one at Animal Kingdom but I'm not sure of the name of it.

As for other ressies, I would make a list of the places you want to dine and see what you can get.

Good luck.

 

[gigi1313]

it is *never* too late to try making ADRs/reservations... call... you may be pleasantly surprised... we've called from our cell phones while in the park and been able to snag a table, so never say never! & ENJOY

 

[HLBLan]

it is *never* too late to try making ADRs/reservations... call... you may be pleasantly surprised... we've called from our cell phones while in the park and been able to snag a table, so never say never! & ENJOY

I completely agree!! I got CRT lunch reservations 2 weeks out. Just had to call a couple times. There are some I plan on calling from the resort to see if we can get any. The CM on the phone is usually pretty helpful, if they're not hang up and call back.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Have to say ditto to the opinions above. Do not give up on character meals for June!

As to whether most people make ADRs at 180 days...I doubt even most people on the DIS do that. And the rest of the people on the planet have no clue that they need to book that early.

Call WDW Dine, and keep calling. There are so many character dining options, you are sure to find something for your family.

 

[disnut8]

Just to clarify. If you want counter service (you walk to a counter, place your order and carry your food to a table like McDonald's), you don't need reservations. If you want table service (you have a server to take your order and they bring it to you like Chili's), then you do need reservations. Call now and see what you can get. Have your dates, restaurants choices and desired times. Be flexible in the times. Most Epcot restaurants are also open for lunch so if a dinner doesn't work out, try for a late lunch.

It's only March and you are going in June. There still is plenty of time to get reservations.

 

[carrie6466]

Last year we went to WDW 6/26 - 7/2. But, we didn't even book the trip until end of April. We were able to get CRT dinner, 1900 park fare breakfast and Hollywood and Vne lunch. All were character meals. THose were the only sit down meals we wanted to do that week, as we were staying off-site and at outside of the parks mostly.

Don't think it's too late, just try calling a few times.

 

[crisi]

If you are planning on eating table services meals you will need to make ressies. Most people book at the 180 day mark . I would figure out which ones you want to go to and get on the phone and make your ressies.

Most DISers, who are obsessive planners, tend to book at the 180 day mark. But few Disney guests do - DISers are a small proportion of Disney guests and this board can give you a really skewed idea of what "everyone" does. I called within 90 days last year and got everything I wanted within half an hour of my target time.

And a lot of people, including myself, have had success calling Disney Dining from within the parks the day we want to eat. It requires flexibility - you don't always get your first choice of restaurants - or your second choice - and I really don't like being on my cell phone when I could be on BTMRR.

The OP should call for reservations, but there is no need to panic. June is months away and she won't starve.

 

[pepperderr]

Gee. Thanks. I will have to review the menus and stuff and make up my mind what to do now. I think you are right, I never though abut your "average Joe" not knowing to make reservations 180 days in advance. I will give it a try and see what happens!

 

[moon]

You know what? Twice we have gone to EPCOT without ADRs and gotten a sit down meal. We just went to guest relations in the morning when we arrived and they arraged it.

These weren't character meals, but one was in June and the other in August. It was pretty crowded but we made it!

I don't recomend it, but I just wanted to chime in to say that it is possible.

 

[disneymom0104]

We did have ADRs last May, but changed some around while we were at Epcot and never had a problem. We were seated for lunch at Chefs de France instantly, and we were able to get a table (for 10!) at Le Cellier with a 15 minute wait- again, for lunch. People cancel ALL the time- so, while it is nice to be prepared- if you are flexible about times and/or restaurants- you should be able to find *something*.

We also got a Spoodles dinner on the BW within 30 minutes of calling and asking if they had any openings!

 

[pepperderr]

My mom said there is some kinda machine at EPCOT that you put your reservations into. Do you know what she is talking about and if they still do that? I am not sure how many years ago that was. I went 20 years ago but I know she has been there a few other times since then.

 

[disnut8]

My mom said there is some kinda machine at EPCOT that you put your reservations into. Do you know what she is talking about and if they still do that? I am not sure how many years ago that was. I went 20 years ago but I know she has been there a few other times since then.

They used to have self service kiosks where you could make dining reservations. But those are gone and have been for quite a while. The best way is to call Disney dining. You can check at Guest Relations on the day you are there but your choices will be very limited by that time.