Restaurants which don't require an ADR?

[Hannahh25]

Hi all (me again),

We're currently in the process of refining our itinerary for our 2 week September trip and don't want to fall into the trap (which we did on our last trip!) of planning too much and always being in a rush to get somewhere. On a couple of the days during our last trip we actually enjoyed deciding on the day where we wanted to eat.

We've booked most of the restaurants that we really want to eat at and which we think will fill up quickly ('Ohana, Boathouse, BOG to name a few).

But we're wondering if anyone knows of any worthwhile restaurants on property which usually don't require a dining reservation, or that we can book whilst we're there? A couple we're considering, but are not sure whether to reserve, are Boma (we're staying at AKL), Cape May Cafe and Sanaa.

I know it can all be subjective, but any help would be much appreciated.

 

[heather913]

When we were there in May there were TONS of same day reservations available due to cancellations. As long as you're flexible on time, you should be able to find a lot of worthwhile places to eat.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

BoatWrights at POR. Has Prime Rib and Cheesy shrimp and grits.

 

[kastoney]

When we were there in May there were TONS of same day reservations available due to cancellations. As long as you're flexible on time, you should be able to find a lot of worthwhile places to eat.

Heather's got it down. We usually book ADRs day of or the day before and like Heather says if you are flexible you will be shocked at the restaurants that are available. To give you an idea of what is available just get online any given day put in a time and your party number and see what is available. This will give you an idea of what you can expect to see come September.

 

[Disney Mom 7272]

We tried Olivia's at Old Key west a few years back and really enjoyed it. When we went for dinner it wasn't really that crowded so that may be one to look into!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The key, as others have pointed out, is to be flexible. You'll typically always find something open, but it may not be Sanaa, Boma and/or Cape May. If those are must-do's, I would book ADR's. If you can take them or leave them, I would just wait until you get there and see what happens.

In terms of walk-ups, we've been very successful getting walk-ups at Spice Road Table in EP on multiple occasions. It's actually my favorite TS in EP, so always happy to find availability there!

 

[Mickey92]

The Plaza in MK only takes reservations during certain times (11-12 and another hour in the evening, I think). All other times are walk up.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We tried Olivia's at Old Key west a few years back and really enjoyed it. When we went for dinner it wasn't really that crowded so that may be one to look into!

We also enjoyed Olivia's, twice, on our last trip, both times without reservations. We also enjoyed, much to our surprise, Nine Dragons, without reservations. We ate at Biergarten, and although we had reservations, it was "How soon can your wife get here?" so DH texted me, and we made it in 20 minutes. So that was sort of a walk-in.

 

[raddisneyfan]

I'm going for 10 days in September. No matter when I go, I usually make one ADR (at lunch as opposed to dinner) for each day. When I get there, I gage the crowds and decide if I can do without and cancel the day before if I change my mind. I think some restaurants always seem to require an ADR, especially character meals--MK Castle, Norway Askerhus. But, I've made ADRs many times and gotten to the restaurant and it's been empty--Hollywood Brown Derby is notorious for this, either that or they just allow more time for each reservation--who knows--never could figure out how there systems work (or don't work). For BOMA, I've never had an issue without an ADR and definitely didn't need one for Sanaa. Cape May in September I should think you would be okay. You have definitely made the crazy-busy ones already--BOG and Ohana. You should be fine. I wouldn't worry, but then I've been to almost all out there and don't usually have any must-dos when it comes to eating at Disney--most I can do without. Good luck!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

When we were there last August for a little over two weeks - I did not want to plan every day for 2 weeks. We made several ADRs day of. We were able to get Trail's End, Boma breakfast, walk up at the Plaza twice, Kona lunch, Yak and Yeti lunch to name a few. I can't remember what else we booked last minute - but there were quite a few.

 

[wrmiller13]

Heather's got it down. We usually book ADRs day of or the day before and like Heather says if you are flexible you will be shocked at the restaurants that are available. To give you an idea of what is available just get online any given day put in a time and your party number and see what is available. This will give you an idea of what you can expect to see come September.

Do you think this will be true Thanksgiving week? Or no, due to the holiday?

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Do you think this will be true Thanksgiving week? Or no, due to the holiday?

We've been there during a crowded president's weekend and were able to get BOG for dinner the day before for a party of 8. If you are going during a crowded time - just check the day before - so many people cancel.

 

[B-Ride]

I wouldn't try for Boma without an ADR.

 

[wrmiller13]

We've been there during a crowded president's weekend and were able to get BOG for dinner the day before for a party of 8. If you are going during a crowded time - just check the day before - so many people cancel.

This is great news!! Going Thanksgiving with party of 9!! Got some of the ADRs we wanted, but hoping for a couple of others! Thank you!!!

 

[MoreTravels]

i will play devil's advocate. If there are 2 restaurants side by side... one is packed with one hour wait and the other one is empty. Which one do you want to try? If the goal is just to fill up stomach and not to enjoy a gourmet experience, why go to a Table Service restaurant at all? Just pick up something from the QS and there is no ADR needed.

 

[Best Aunt]

You can eat at the bar at Sanaa. You can eat at a bar-like area at Jiko but you're near the cast members preparing some of the food, not drinks; it's actually fun. You might be able to get either of these as a walk-in, depending on when you go. I wouldn't assume you can get a table at Sanaa or Boma without a reservation at all. But as others have said, if you check the app that day you might see a reservation available.

 

[rangerxenos]

I wouldn't try for Boma without an ADR.

We've gotten in there, but there is usually a wait if you don't have a reservation. I would also assume it depends upon the number of people, we usually just have 2 of us.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Our last trip in May we made same day lunch reservations at San Angel Inn and Chefs de France, but Epcot has a ton of restaurants to choose from. I'd also think that you'd have more luck at resort restaurants. For example, if at MK I'd consider The Wave, Grand Floridian Cafe or Kona Cafe for lunch. I've always found same day lunch ADRs easier to score than dinner ones, and eating at off time (say 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. for lunch) will help.

I just did a quick search for today at 11:30 and there's tons of options available.

 

[useakiss]

What about Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom? It's my understanding they only do reservations same day, if at all.

 

[SA mom]

When we were there in May there were TONS of same day reservations available due to cancellations. As long as you're flexible on time, you should be able to find a lot of worthwhile places to eat.

I am really glad to see this. We are going the second weekend in March. We visit Orlando about every other year, but last time we only went to Universal. It was so relaxing to eat without a specific schedule. I don't intend to make ADRs, depending on the answer to the question below:

What about Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom? It's my understanding they only do reservations same day, if at all.

I'd like to know the answer to this one, too. It's probably the only place I'd really like to eat.