Table service = ADR???????

[Marci]

Must you have a reservation to eat at a table service restaurant--or are you just taking a chance that their may not be availability?
Do all table service restaurants take ADRs?

We are most certainly a "wing it/ play it by ear" type of family. I'm just wondering if there is any point in bothering to check a table service restaurant for availability when we decide we are hungry.

We are going this week (a slower time of year).

thanks.

 

[Amy&Dan]

All Disney owned table service restaurants take ADR's. There are a few non Disney owned ones in DTD that don't (or if they do you must call them directly, Rainforest Cafe in DTD comes to mind, you must call them directly). The parks may be slow however Disney restaurants are seldom slow anymore. The increasingly popular Disney Dining Plan has made winging it tough at the very least. You can always try to do a walk up however. Often they won't even take your name but I have seen people on the dis who did manage to get in someplaces as a walk up. But again, its getting to be very much an exception to be able to do so. And I would think it would very much increase your chances if you went at an off time.

If there is any place you have your heart set on, I would try to get an ADR. And even that may be next to impossible this close to your trip.

In the end, Disney Dining has gotten more of a planned event. Many people make their ADR's 180 days out now. Crazy I know but its the nature of the beast. Good luck, with all the great counter service options you certainly won't go hungry. And you may luck out!

 

[The Sweetness]

You are certainly welcome to walk up and ask at a TS if they are taking walk up guests. Also, if they have anything available that day. As you have your trip this week, and many ppl make ADR 180 days out, I would plan on eating counter service or offsite for most meals I have heard, however, that people have some luck walking up when the TS they want to eat at opens, as they may not have their first seating completely booked. good luck

 

[kidzmom3]

it also depends on the restaurant and your party size. You would have a better chance as a party of 2, then of 5. Also some places like Le Cellier, Ohana's Crystal Palace, Cinderella's royal table, may be just impossible.

 

[Pumbaa_]

May is no longer a slow time at Disney. They have the Flower and Garden show, Star War weekends are starting up soon and it has gotten much busier with the DDP.

Take the phone number for Disney dining with you, 1 407 wdw dine, and call to see what is available. Easier than walking up and waiting.

If you are on the DDP, do make some ADR's. Walk ups have gotten harder in the last year or 2.

have fun on your trip!

 

[MissionMouse]

...We are most certainly a "wing it/ play it by ear" type of family. I'm just wondering if there is any point in bothering to check a table service restaurant for availability when we decide we are hungry....

If you don't make ADRs with the continuing popularity of DDP you should not be surprised to be told by CMs they have not tables. It never hurts to try but you should expect getting walk-in TS a rare event...but it may be possible. Realize it can be very disappointing to visit 3 TS restaurants in a row and be rejected, not to mention the lost time without getting any closer to eating. Without an ADR, CS restaurants will be your sure dining experience...they also offer the least healthy food options too, especially in MK.

 

[WildGrits]

I we will be going late September. The 22 to the 29. I have ADR's but the more I look at them, the more I am not happy with the times.

How bad are the TS for late lunches? Has it gotten to the point that no matter when you eat you better have ADRs or is this really a dinner and popular resturant thing?

 

[Treacle44]

We went last May and the best we managed to get an ADR for when we wre there was for the next day, we made 11 ADR's at 180 days but tried to change a few once we were there, couldn't do it on the day though.

As you're going soon, I suspect even if you rang now and tried to make ADR's there won't be much available now I'm afraid. Might be worth ringing anyway and just make a few random ones that you can fall back on if you can't get anything once there. Otherwise you may be disappointed.

T
x

 

[Treacle44]

I we will be going late September. The 22 to the 29. I have ADR's but the more I look at them, the more I am not happy with the times.

How bad are the TS for late lunches? Has it gotten to the point that no matter when you eat you better have ADRs or is this really a dinner and popular resturant thing?

Lunch is obvisouly less popular than dinner, but again to be able to get in on the day at normal lunch hours, you may struggle. Especially with free dining being on.

T
x

 

[Marci]

Thanks guys.
Not quite what I was hoping to hear but glad to know none the less. When traveling with a toddler I've learned that being flexible is the best way to go. Sitting through lunch when he is cranky would be miserable--but if I can make the decision at lunch time....anyway you know what I mean.

I'll report back on our experience.