should we just wing it?

[paintnolish]

If you are set on a sit down, in park, don't wing it. You probably won't get in or will spend lots of time waiting. If you decide to wait until you are there, I would still try to make reservations each day- try for lunches and resort restaurants (Boma is really good). There are also excellent cs options, especially in Epcot (Tangerine Cafe and Sunshine Seasons) or DTD (Wolfgang Puck Express). I hate being tied to plans, too, but I do make ddps and have a park hopper so we can do whatever park we feel like it if we change our minds.

 

[DWFan4Life]

Go and check www.allears.net , lots of information provided for you to plan a wonderful trip. It really works for us.

 

[kxs401]

Check the crowd calendar at Touring Plans for what days to do what parks, then pick the restaurants accordingly, either in that park or in a nearby resort. (eg, one of the monorail resorts when you're at the MK, AKL when you're at AK, and Boardwalk/Beach Club for DS and EP.) Pick your restaurants using the menus and reviews at allears.net.

Don't stress too much -- you may not get in to some of the "name" restaurants, like Le Cellier, but if you are flexible, you should get in to some decent places. And remember, if you can eat at an "off" time like 2pm, you'll have a somewhat better chance than trying to eat at, say, 6pm.

Good luck! Let us know if you want more specific recommendations.

 

[GOLFDISNEY72]

Don't get discouraged if you go without a reservation and told it is going to be a 3 hour wait. This has happened to us several times and we always seem to get in. Maybe we have been lucky. Our last trip we did not have and ADR at Ohana's and we were told it was going to be a 3 hour wait. We walked out to the beach and as soon as we got there the buzzer went off. Again maybe we have been lucky.
We are going the week after Easter. We have some ADR's booked but I am sure we are going to change things up and try to get in earlier then some of the times we have now.

 

[TruBlu]

I agree with the suggestion to add the dining plan, but only if you are going to make ADRs.

It is definitely not too late! You may not get your exact times, but you should still be able to get the restaurants you want. www.allearsnet.com is a fantastic place to start.

Even if you decide to wing it, you can still find some great CS places for meals.

 

[pickeypokey]

Thanks for all the advice. My wife and sat down tonight, picked the parks we plan to be in each night, and then picked out a few restaurants for each park (including one night at our resort). I then called the res number and was pretty much able to get every ADR I wanted from 4/3-4/9. How about that?

 

[septbaby]

pretty much able to get every ADR I wanted from 4/3-4/9. How about that?

We call that pixie dust. Have a magical trip.

 

[Jchance]

We go in July and don't make any ressies before we get there and we don't have a problem. The only thing is to be flexable with the times. We decide what park we plan to be at and make ressies where we want to eat in the morning before we head to the parks. I've never been told we could not be accomidated but as I said we do have to be flexible with the time. We may eat at 4:30 or 7:15 or anywhere in between.