Stupid question about Table Availability

[cpa12870]

Planning to be in Disney 3/20 - 3/26....(yeah, I know, sick crowds). Trying to set up some dining times and having marginal luck. Specifically, looking for something in Hollywood Studios on Monday 3/21. Every attempt I make to reserve shows 'no tables available', which is not a total surprise to me.... My question though, is does that mean that EVERY table is booked up? Or are there a certain percentage allotted for reservations, but you can still get a walk up tables if you happen to be so lucky? Would really like to do the Sci Fi Drive In for lunch if that is at all possible...

Thanks in advance all....

 

[Disneylover99]

You can always ask, but don't count on it. You might have some luck if you ask during off hours like 2pm-4pm. The best thing to do is to check for availability a day or two before, there are often openings if you're flexible with restaurants and times.

 

[margot31]

Depending on how many in the party you might be able to even find same day reservations. My husband and I weren't able to find certain things the day of compared to weeks out.

 

[Hopefully]

Disney does NOT hold tables for walk ups. They will book all available tables.
Since the Cancellation fee has been introduced, there are a fair amount of last minute cancellations and those tables become available to book.
There have been many reports of folks walking up and being told no availability, and then using their phones to call the dining line and book an ADR for that very same restaurant 20 minutes to 2 hours later.
Keep trying, even the night before
Good Luck

 

[figment_jii]

As Hopefully said, Disney does not hold any tables for walk-ups, but there is always the chance you'll get lucky and someone will cancel (even at the last minute). I've seen some people get lucky and get a walk-up, but I've also been there when guests were told the restaurant was fully booked and unable to accept walk-ups (this was at Sci Fi, along with a few other locations). As mentioned, I would keep checking and often times something will show up, especially if you're flexible about when you eat.

(Caveat: I do think that some of the third-party owned venues in DTD hold a percentage of their tables for walk-ups. Places like T-Rex are known for not releasing all of their tables to the Disney reservation system, so I think if you had to try walking-up to a place, you'd probably have the best luck at DTD.)

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I do think that some of the third-party owned venues in DTD hold a percentage of their tables for walk-ups.

Well, more importantly, the Disney Springs eateries do a lot of their reservations outside of Disney's system, either via OpenTable or you can call them/use their own sites. T-REX and Rainforest are Landry's restaurants, and they'll prioritize a Landry's Club member who shows up sans reservation over someone with a reservation who isn't Club.

 

[bumbershoot]

Disney does NOT hold tables for walk ups. They will book all available tables.

In the past, SciFi specifically HAS.

They had the umbrella/picnic table tables in the back held for walkups when we were there (and we were a walkup), as well as the not-the-same-as-what-you-think-of "car" tables. The ADR people had the more proper car tables where you are facing the screen, but there were tables set inside a car front and back, where you faced each other, set for non-ADR people.

Might not still be the same, but it was how it was when we were walkups, and had our choice of picnic table style or not-quite-the-car style.

 

[purple figment]

Because that is Easter week most likely all the tables have been booked so walk up availability is going to be difficult. At DHS Sci Fi does have a handful of round tables in the back that are typically offered to walk ups, but when it is very busy in the park they have seated parties with reservations at these tables as well.

Keep checking online for a reservation for your group because people's plans will change and cancellations will come up. How many are in your party? If you are a large group you could try splitting your group and try booking 2 reservations for the same time, although there's no guarantee that you'll all be seated at the same table if you have more than one reservation. You can also subscribe to the March cancellation thread, but read the rules in the first post:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/new-guidelines-march-cancelled-adr-thread-read-1st-post.3451916/

Walking up would be a last resort and during that busy week it's unlikely you will be seated, but if you cannot get a reservation your best chance is to go right at opening or closing or mid-afternoon.

The third party restaurants in Disney Springs only release a small number of their reservations to Disney so you would have a better chance booking directly through the restaurant or Open Table if they participate.