Sit down restaurants without reservations... is it possible?

[Simba's Mom]

How many are "We"? If it's just a couple, you have a good chance getting sit-downs w/o ADRs. When DH and I have gone, we've walked in lots of places, even during free dining. Yet, last year we took a trip where there were 6 of us-then, virtually nothing within a couple months. I remember one day at Crystal Palace, the hostess was turning away family after family. I don't know why we stayed in line, but I'm glad we did. When she got to us, and found out we were only 2, we got in with a short wait.

 

[samsteele]

AK: Yak & Yeti TS. If a couple or family of 4 or less, you should be able to get in early lunch or early dinner. I usually see empty tables there even during free dining. Sanaa at nearby Kidani Village may work for lunch or dinner. Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge may also have openings for dinner for early or late seatings. I wouldn't just show up at Sanaa or Boma but would try to get an ADR even the night before or morning of.

MK: Consider Raglan Road at Disney Springs. Check Open Table for available ressies. Usually more offerings than the Disney Dining site.

 

[Boo Bear]

I've walked up to Rose & Crown an hour before Illuminations and got seated outside on the patio. This was in the third week of September 2014

 

[purple figment]

On another thread you mentioned you are going around Thanksgiving and you are a family of 5 so unfortunately it is going to be hard to walk up. Instead I would keep checking online to see if any reservation you want opens up. Keep checking while you are in DW because many times last minute reservations appear as people change their plans and cancel. If you cannot find anything, check on the day of to see what is available for that day.

You have a better chance of finding a reservation if you dine at off hours or resort restaurants although either limitation can be difficult with young kids. You can also check for 5 or 6 since most restaurants will accommodate either size group at a 6 top table. Going at such a busy time be sure to include everyone in your group so do not look for a reservation for 4 because then there is the possibility that 1 adult will have to eat elsewhere if the restaurant cannot seat the extra person. You can also subscribe to the cancellation thread for November which is on the Dining Reservations sub-forum.

 

[MikeRa]

Another option, if you are interested in seeing a movie, is the AMC Disney Springs (Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island) Dine-in Theatre, which is opposirte from Planet Hollywood. You can buy your tickets there, or through AMC Theatres website, Fandango.com, or MovieTickets.com.

 

[klinlin]

We are also a family of five heading down next week. Although I made ADR's at the first possible moment, I am on the dining app every day tweeking, and there is still plenty of availability for all meals. I have recently added Garden Grill breakfast and Mama Melrose for dinner, and due to a change in our plans, will be canceling either Sci Fi or Beaches and Cream. You might not get the exact place and the ideal time, but you can still get ADR's. What better in my opinion than hoping for a walk up.
Have a great trip!

 

[Lacoccinelle]

My cousins walked into Chefs de France at lunch Friday and last night at Whispering Canyon a six top walked in at opening. I was annoyed as we had left the three people we could not add to our reservation at MK, they would have let them in.

 

[jdkdorn]

The places you can always get walk up, at least for us and we travel during F & G and F & W, are Nine Dragons, Le Chefs de France, Biergarten, many of the moderate resort restaurants. I would not suggest Whispering Canyon, we have been turned away as early as 7 pm when we were willing to wait.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

I think day of reservations for non-popular places and/or non-prime times at slow to average times of the year are certainly possible. Don't know that I would try a true walk up any more and with the MDE ap it's really not necessary to. Also you can stop by guest services at the start of the day. If that's too much schedule, I'd just stick to quick service or be prepared to wait or be turned away.

Busy times, sorry. Your best bet is to go ahead and start searching now. Grab something and change or cancel before the 24 hour window if things change.

 

[nkereina]

You can certainly always try! I was surprised to see that the Plaza at MK was taking walk-ups on my last trip. It was a two hour wait, but they were allowing people to put their names down. If all else fails, Columbia Harbor House or Pecos Bill's with their new rice bowl menu are among our favorites.

At AK, Tusker House is notorious for seating behind schedule so I wouldn't get my hopes up on that one. But Rainforest Cafe and Yak & Yeti are good possibilities. Otherwise, Flame Tree BBQ is our favorite QS here.