Table for 1-Walk Ups?

fAnnF

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Jun 18, 2006
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it is easy to do this? I'm going in mid-November 7-17 and was hoping I wouldn't have to make too many ADRs for 1, but maybe walk up to a few places. I'm not sure where, but most would be for lunch around 1-2pm.

Thanks.
 
Why not make Adr's, to the places you really want to eat. :confused3
So as not to be disappointed.
 
Why not make Adr's, to the places you really want to eat. :confused3
So as not to be disappointed.

Because I'm trying to make this a go with the flow trip, not worrying about schedules or park planning, I have enough of that with my free dining trip, and my trip in December. I'm hoping to just go with the flow. For a few places I'll make an ADR. Like Garden Grill and maybe CP for breakfast.
 
You can try. As long as you have a backup "plan" in mind. For a seating of one, it's actually a table for two. It'll just depend on how many of those tables have already been reserved. Your timeframe is 1-2 PM which is a fairly popular lunch time. If you can, move your frame about to after 2:00 and you'll have a better shot at a walk-up.
 

A table for 1 is the same as a table for 2, so yes, you'll need ADRs.
 
On a whim I tried this for an early dinner last December. I was able to be seated at the Grand Floridian Cafe with about a 20 minute wait. I was also quoted 45-60 minutes at Concourse Steakhouse, but chose not to wait.
 
it is easy to do this? I'm going in mid-November 7-17 and was hoping I wouldn't have to make too many ADRs for 1, but maybe walk up to a few places. I'm not sure where, but most would be for lunch around 1-2pm.

Thanks.

Ann, if you have a cell phone with you there might be a happy compromise. On a solo trip a couple of years ago, I called WDW-DINE from my cell phone about 11:30am while sitting on the bench outside Test Track and got a 1:00pm table for 1 (really a table for 2) at the Coral Reef that same day. If you want to be spontaneous but not chance it at the very last minute you can always call mid-morning and see what's available. That way you'll at least beat the walk-ins and may be able to get what you want since parties of 1/2 are easier to seat at the last minute than a larger group.

Good luck and have a fun trip!!!
 
Generally, any place that has a bar and will seat and serve you there is good bet. I dine alone quitea bit and often sit at the counter or the bar area. This is general info, not specific to WDW, but the same should apply, as long as those seats aren't part of the ADR/list pool.

Otherwise consider pushing lunch back an hour or two as well as calling "from out front" to get an ADR.

Enjoy the trip.
 
Generally, any place that has a bar and will seat and serve you there is good bet. I dine alone quitea bit and often sit at the counter or the bar area. This is general info, not specific to WDW, but the same should apply, as long as those seats aren't part of the ADR/list pool.

Otherwise consider pushing lunch back an hour or two as well as calling "from out front" to get an ADR.

Enjoy the trip.


I tried this at the Outer Rim Lounge, but they told me no, they couldnt serve me food from the Concourse Stekhouse. I was told I could get something at the Food & Fun Center and bring it up, but I could not order from Concourse. Now that technically isn't a part of the restaurant, so maybe that had something to do with it, but I thought maybe I could since it's right there.
 
Yes, it would need to be in the restaurant and not reserved seating. I do this at local breakfast spots, chains like Bob Evans, Chili's, Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday, and some local joints, etc. They have to normally serve the menu at the counter/bar for this to work. Some places do count tables in the bar area for their waiting list, so it doesn't work everywhere.
 
Even a table for one can be hard to get. I just made many ADRs for two upcoming solo trips. Most places don't have many small tables, so ADRs aren't any easier to get. The only place you might have a real advantage is at character meals. Several years ago, I was in line at CP-just had the spur of the moment desire to eat there. Lots of families were being turned away, but when I got there, I was served as a walk-up.
 
About the only three places I can think of for this would be the Tune Inn Lounge where if you sit at the bar they will bring you anything from the 50s Prime Time Cafe menu or Biergarten and Teppan Edo where they will put people at tables to fill all available spaces. You will not have a table to yourself in any of these three.
 
it is easy to do this? I'm going in mid-November 7-17 ... maybe walk up to a few places. I'm not sure where, but most would be for lunch around 1-2pm...
ADRs eliminate concerns and worries, but if you want to 'wing-it,' then you should be prepared to adjust location and times. I have obtained seating for one at Kona Cafe (early lunch at opening time), San Angel Inn (late lunch - no waiting), and Flying Fish (early dinner-no wait) without an ADR during the Spring Break period. Flying Fish I ate at the Kitchen counter area and the other two were at a table for two. I considered myself lucky.
 
I sort of agree with other posters...places with counters are better bets...going late is good, but so is going very early - like dinner at 5pm. lunch at 11:30. Single diners tend to eat quickly, so they may be more willing to seat you ahead of the crowd. I think you can get food at the bar in the Poly, and maybe also the bar inthe 50's PTC. There's also an open kitchen with seats at Jiko, but if you want a seat there, I'd encourage ADR's, I think it's pretty popular. Oh, and I think there are several options for you at DTD.

The other option is of course to eat more QS. The food court in Epcot's the Land is pretty good for QS. Another QS that I liked was Artist's Pallette at SSprings, if you're in the mood for a flatbread pizza.
 
Thanks everyone, I will have my cell phone so I can call the morning of. I normally would just eat CS on a solo trip, but my goal is to eat at every in park TS by the time my AP expires 8/27/2008. So I know I want Rose and Crown, Sci-Fi, and 50's Prime Time all for lunch, so I think I'm going to find days where I can work these in and make ADRs.
 
I did a solo / business trip last December. I figured early December, I should have no problem getting a table and I don't know where I will be when. BIG mistake!!! Staying at Poly it was a 2 hour wait for Kona (wouldn't have gotten seated until 9 PM). Walked up to Coral Reef at 6:30 pm, was turned away as no seating for the whole evening. Ditto with San Angel Inn. Ended up eating CS my whole trip.

So my advice is make the ADRs. That doesn't mean you have to use them, so rather than make an ADR the morning of with your cell, it's better to make them in advance and cancel the ADR the morning of if you don't want to go.
 
it is easy to do this? I'm going in mid-November 7-17 and was hoping I wouldn't have to make too many ADRs for 1, but maybe walk up to a few places. I'm not sure where, but most would be for lunch around 1-2pm.

Thanks.

Last year in May, I was on a solo-trip with no ADRs. However, each morning I went to guest relations at the park I was at, and had an ADR made for that day. SO technically, I wasn't a walk-up, but still didn't have to plan in advance.

Btw, I was able to get every ADR I wanted for the time I wanted during that trip!
 
You'll be so glad you made some ADR's even if it's just the morning of. I had several solo ADR's for lunch last week. They were all lovely experiences. I don't do DDP, so I chose a light salad lunch with iced tea at Citrico's. I also had a nice BBQ beef sandwich at Le Cellier. Solo works well. They treat you wonderfully!
 












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