So my aunt called me up at 5:30 today....

[mickaholic4077]

and told me that she and my uncle were on their way to Disney to stay at Yacht Club and she wanted me to give her a recommendation on what restaurant to eat at tonight!! After recovering from that question,I told her as gently as I could that they would probably be very limited in their choice of restaurant because they were going right in the middle of free dining and people sometimes have their reservations 6 months in advance. I gave her the Disney dining number and she called me back at around 7:30 and said that all they could get for tonight was The Grand Floridian Cafe and Spoodles tomorrow night. After she hung up,I had a good laugh!!

 

[KatMark]

I feel so sorry for people who aren't on DIS (or other forums) and have no idea about ADR's. But I have been reading really good reviews for Spoodles so they should enjoy that.

 

[DisneygirlTeacher]

I agree, Spoodles is very good! Let's just hope they don't go to Captain's Grille at the YC...food is good but the manager ruined my DH's birthday dinner because he was so rude. I emailed Disney and they called me back...bet the manager is still there being mean to someone else. We went to Jiko the next night, had a wonderful dinner, awesome service and called that his birthday dinner instead...lol

 

[centurythree]

I agree, Spoodles is very good! Let's just hope they don't go to Captain's Grille at the YC...food is good but the manager ruined my DH's birthday dinner because he was so rude. I emailed Disney and they called me back...bet the manager is still there being mean to someone else. We went to Jiko the next night, had a wonderful dinner, awesome service and called that his birthday dinner instead...lol

Have you heard Kevin Klose's review of the Captain's Grille from a few weeks ago (It's on the Dis Unplugged podcast.) He described an incredibly rude manager too! I wonder if it's the same guy?

 

[DisneygirlTeacher]

I heard about that after I posted the first time about YC. Evidently, this manager has been reported many times before and yet he was still there when we went (after the podcast story.) I spoke to the manager's boss when we were there, she spoke to him that night and he proceeded to put on this huge act the rest of the night acting SO happy, whistling and asking every single other table how they were doing EXCEPT for us!! It was almost comical if we hadn't already been so upset about his rudeness. Hopefully, he will either get the "Disney training" that he needs or move on. I am just so surprised in this day and age where so many nice people would do anything for a job, that they let this continue there. Like I said, the food was very good....but as we all know, the service makes or breaks a restaurant. We won't be back. We had impeccable service at Jiko the next night and even ended up talking to that manager about how wonderful it was!

 

[fla4fun]

I feel so sorry for people who aren't on DIS (or other forums) and have no idea about ADR's. But I have been reading really good reviews for Spoodles so they should enjoy that.

It also depends on how far ahead you book your trip. I've booked trips less than a week out sometimes, and it can be hard to get into restaurants at the last minute.

However, I did three walk ins at the Plaza Restaurant and one at Portobello while I was there earlier this month during free dining (I wasn't on the DDP). I was ready for them to say "sorry" but I was able to get in without any problems. So it's not impossible, just not recommended, to go without ADR's.

 

[KatMark]

It also depends on how far ahead you book your trip. I've booked trips less than a week out sometimes, and it can be hard to get into restaurants at the last minute.

However, I did three walk ins at the Plaza Restaurant and one at Portobello while I was there earlier this month during free dining (I wasn't on the DDP). I was ready for them to say "sorry" but I was able to get in without any problems. So it's not impossible, just not recommended, to go without ADR's.

Totally agree...it's always worth trying. But I do find it is harder and harder. We saw people turned away at the Plaza when we were there earlier this month and also turned away at Rose & Crown.

 

[fla4fun]

I think the key to a walk in at the Plaza is to get there early. All three of mine were before noon. One right at 11, one around 11:20, and one about 11:45, and they were all weekdays. I think once the restaurant gets good and full, the small size of the dining room works against walk ins. But it never hurts to ask. I almost didn't on the 11:45 day, because it looked like they had this huge line, and it turns out people were just asking questions about other things, not trying to get in to eat. Too bad for them!

My walk in at Portobello was around 2pm on a Saturday. That one I was really surprised. Usually weekends at DTD are manic when it comes to finding food, but I just lucked out.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

The GFCafe is good and so is Spoodles. People I know think I am off the deep end for having l my dinning ress booked in advance and where I'm going each day. I all ready have mine ready for booking for my Aug 09 trip. Disney is alot about the food too and I want to make sure I'm in the places I want to go. Not have to worry and waste time figuring out where we want to eat and to find out we can't get in. I do feel bad for people who have no clue.

 

[mickaholic4077]

My aunt hasn't gotten back to me yet about how she and my uncle enjoyed GFC and Spoodles. I really want to know it worked out for them.

 

[PrincessMonkey]

I'm curious about their experience too. Can't wait to read more about their spontaneous visits!