"Short" term planning, ADRs, and walk-ins

[JSG]

We decided on a mid-May trip with comparatively short notice (about six weeks) and so lost the advantage of our 180 days for ADRs. I was amazingly able to get the one ADR that was most important to us (Chef Mickey's, though didn't get the day or time I wanted, oh well), but am finding most other choices I've explored are unavailable at this point.

This is our first trip with DS2, and, honestly, I don't yet know how our days will shape up in terms of naps and staying in one park, vs. moving around, so in most ways, increased flexibility is just fine. Neither DH or I is particularly stressed about what/where we eat as long as DS is having fun (hence the emphasis on Chef Mickey's). I do worry, a little, about being really out of luck for TS (we're on the DDP) when we try to do walk-ins or same-day reservations, even though mid-May is not as busy as other times. We've been at many different times of year in the past, but never in May, so I'm not sure what to expect.

At this point, is there any value in scrounging for something just to know we'll have an ADR somewhere (to be cancelled if/when plans change), or are things more likely to open up on the same day (once people know THEIR own plans and start adjusting)?

What's your luck been like in moderately busy times with same-day reservations and walk-ins? Is there a part of the dinner hour that tends to be more open for walk-ins, or is it totally random based on the day?

Thanks!
Julie

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

There really is no way to give you a definite answer. The advice I usually give people who are looking for a walk-in is "don't expect to be seated, and if you are, consider it a gift from the theme park gods!"

 

[ZoZo]

I wouldn't count on walk-ins or "day of" reservations at all - even at "slower" times of year, it's hard to get ADRs. I'd work with a WDW dining reservationist to see what's available on the dates and times you need. You never know, you may end up with some new favorite restaurants!

It's unfortunate that people have to plan so far ahead for dining reservations, but walk-ins seem to be a thing of the past. Luckily, there are some nice CS restaurants - they're great if you need flexibility in your day (especially with a child in your party). I like Columbia Harbor House, Sunshine Seasons, and Flame Tree as CS options - and I know there are others that are good.

 

[mama03]

To be honest I never have planned restaurant reservations when we go on vacation. I just dont know what we will feel like any particular day. With one exception, Narcoosee's. My suggestion would be to go right when a restaurant opens or after 8:30 at night. Downtown Disney has many options and we have never had a problem. I will confess that our next trip I did make ADRs every night, just because it is the f&w festival and we are going without the kiddos. Believe me you wont go hungry even if you have to opt for counter service a few times.

 

[DisneyWorldOct08]

I've never really had a problem. But I'm always flexible with times and only two adults when I travel.

 

[LilyWDW]

I do worry, a little, about being really out of luck for TS (we're on the DDP) when we try to do walk-ins or same-day reservations, even though mid-May is not as busy as other times. We've been at many different times of year in the past, but never in May, so I'm not sure what to expect.

Nearly everywhere we ate at last May was turning away walk ups. This included Le Cellier, Ohana, Brown Derby, and Crystal Palace. The only place that was taking them was Raglan Road in DTD.

 

[keylimepie]

To be safe, id make a ressie somewhere, and then if you want to the day of see if you can switch it. At least you would have a fallback restaurant.

 

[Julianna07]

If there is an ADR that you do want most, I'd suggest calling every day. I did that twice a day and was able to Le Cellier within a months notice of our trip. I was actually able to get 2 ADRs I got a lunch and then held out for a dinner then cancelled the lunch. call in the AM and in the PM... you may get your choice time and restaurant.

 

[abeyst]

There's a sticky at the top of the page for transfer/trade of ADR's. I saw good ones up for grabs on this thread at 30 days to 2 weeks before we left. I'm sure you can get at least a few good ADRs from there.

 

[Pumbaa_]

go the less traveled route. Plug the disney dining number into your cell and call that day/night before.

Because you are on the DDP, it is important to be able to do TS so you make use of your credits.

Some that tend to have more availability than others:

Garden Grill
Morocco
Plaza (MK)
Yak & Yeti (AK)
Raglan Road
Many resort TS
Olivia's (OKW)
Kona (Poly)
B&C (BC - not an expensive TS, also only does walk up)
ESPN (BW - walk up only)

Try lunch over dinner
Breakfast

It is hard to know how to plan first time out. Be flexible check often, eat at off peak hours (lunch at 2 rather than 12)

Let us kow how you make out!

 

[mouseclick1]

We were there during the insanely busy week of Easter. I had my ADR's in place before we left, but we did make a few last minute changes once we were there.

DH and I were able to walk in to San Angel for lunch on Easter Sunday and get seated right away.

Another morning we had an ADR for breakfast at Kona Cafe. At 10:30 a.m., when we arrived, the restaurant was only about half full and I am sure would have been able to seat walk-ins right away.

We ended up canceling our Crystal Palace dinner when we decided not to venture into the parks that day, which left us scrambling for dinner plans with our party of 10. We tried ESPN Club, but the line was extremely long and was not moving at all. We ended up at Spoodles. While we did have to wait just under 45 minutes, we were happy to get seated!

 

[daisyduck123]

I don't know where you're staying but I just wanted to tell you that at Boma, you usually don't need an ADR for breakfast if you get there early enough.

**I was told this by the cast member working there at the podium 2 days before Christmas. Even on that morning, they were taking walk-ups with less than a 5 minute wait.

 

[mom2aredhead]

This is probably not going to be a popular opinion, but...

If you're not getting ADR's when you want, or where you want, and you don't know how your little one is going to be schedule wise...why not just skip the dining plan for this trip??

You could just pay OOP for Chef Mickey's and maybe 1 or 2 other TS and wing it the rest of the time. Just see what you can get into day of, but if it doesn't work out, or you need to bail on an ADR because a certain little someone isn't cooperating (been there, done that) you won't be scrambling to use up credits before you leave.

 

[LiteBrite]

This is probably not going to be a popular opinion, but...

If you're not getting ADR's when you want, or where you want, and you don't know how your little one is going to be schedule wise...why not just skip the dining plan for this trip??

You could just pay OOP for Chef Mickey's and maybe 1 or 2 other TS and wing it the rest of the time. Just see what you can get into day of, but if it doesn't work out, or you need to bail on an ADR because a certain little someone isn't cooperating (been there, done that) you won't be scrambling to use up credits before you leave.

I totally agree with this. I think you should either have the dining plan and get your ADRs lined up, or drop the dining plan and wing it. Trying to find a restaurant you can get into every day to use your credits sounds like way too much stress.

 

[abeyst]

We've done the dining plan in the past, and we're winging it this trip (July). We liked the DDP for not having to worry about budgeting daily for how much we're spending on meals, but I hated being controlled by our ADRs.

It's wierd, cause as I read threads I'll get the urge to plan a meal! It's like a cosmic pull, telling me "you've got to make ressies!" But then I get myself back in line and say "roll with it - there will always be some place you can eat". So our plan when we go is to see what's available that morning, and that's where we're going to eat that day!

 

[JSG]

I figured the DDR question was bound to come up. We've been eight times before (this is just our first trip that's not adults only), and have never had any sort of dining plan. We have always paid OOP. But because the costs just about turned up even this time I decided to go for it because--and I hope this makes sense--I knew that it would enforce us to treat ourselves a little better (even if we're not gunning for THE perfect TS meal, I think we're still looking for that sit-down break, wherever it may be). Without it, I know I'd be calculating every choice, and this is a double-birthday trip, DS's first etc. etc. If nothing else, it makes me feel okay with booking multiple character meals.

On previous trips (notably, I think, before DDR) I've never, ever had trouble with same-day ressies, or walk-ins (including major holidays) for most places, but I do think things have changed a bit and--to agree with a previous poster--I've suddenly found a newfound pressure to "get those ADRs!!" and so my inability to plan 180-days out had started to stress me out.

Honestly, I've now been able to book with plenty of choice, and if we cancel same-day and make whatever switch we can, then so be it. May can't be THAT bad -- today I was offered my choice of time slots for lunch at Le Cellier.

Thanks for the help! I'll defn. update.

 

[abeyst]

Sounds like you've got it under control. Enjoy your trip! The weather will be wonderful!

Here's a link to the ADR thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1434920&page=146 in case you're interested.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In August 2006 my family and I happen to be at WDW during free dinning which we did not know was going on and while we were there we managed to make two last minute ADR's for lunch at the Plaza and 50's Prime Time Cafe. Considering that it was free dinning it just shows anything is possible as long as you ask a Cast Member to check for you. Also in our case for each location we were asked what times do you want, so it's not like they were jammed with ADR's that were already made.