table service -walk up

[pinkerbell]

My cousin is going to Disney from Nov 1 -11. He asked about some resturants but only has one reservation so far. I always make mine around ohh...180 days out!
Can someone still get reservations for table service meals without booking 180 out?

 

[EastonCat]

I've walked up to some of the most popular restaurants and been seated quickly. If your cousin can be flexible, there might be some gold to be enjoyed.

If all else fails, call the Swan and/or Dolphin restaurants. They are outside the ADR system (very much so) and you can get some quick seating to some great venues.

Actually, they're worth a call if nothing fails.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My parents and I happen to be at WDW in August 2006 during free dinning, which we did not purchase and while there we were there we made two last minute lunch ADR's. The 1st one was at the Plaza and the 2nd one was at 50's Prime Time Cafe. Both times the Cast Members said to us which times do you want? So during such a busy dinning time we got these ADR's, which is why I say anything is possible.

 

[eliza61]

My cousin is going to Disney from Nov 1 -11. He asked about some resturants but only has one reservation so far. I always make mine around ohh...180 days out!
Can someone still get reservations for table service meals without booking 180 out?

We'll be at the world the same time (11/6-11/12) and we really only have 2 adr's but then we never make a lot of them. I can't decide where I want to eat 180 minutes from now, let alone 180 days. I've always been able to have 1 or 2 TS meals a day. Then number one rule is FLEXIBILITY!

1) we avoid prime dining hours like the plaque. We'll have an late lunch/early dinner (4:30 pm) or a late dinner (7:00 pm or later). Don't even think of walking up at 6:00 pm, ain't gonna happen. I love the 4:30 pm time, for 1 it's usually a lot quieter at the restaurants and we'll skip dessert and then have some thing super fattening and huge around 7:30.

2) Resort restaurant: these are a lot of times over looked. FW has a great restaurant and is easy to get to from the MK (just take the boat). YC had the yacht galley which is never crowded (walk to it from Epcot)

3) Call dining when you wake up in the morning and check with guest services first thing when you hit a park. You'd be surprised how many cancellations open up. Epcot is hosting the F & W festival during this time, alot of people will cancel because they get full from eating at the festival.

Good luck, my family loves waking up and just saying "What should we do today"

 

[disnut8]

As others have said, you can get a dining reservation now for early November but you do need flexibility. Getting something at LeCellier for 6:00 on a Saturday night might not work.

Ideas:

For dinner, dine early (like 4:30) or late (like 8:30).

Do a lunch instead - we've been able to get into some of the more popular places Sci Fi Dine Inn, LeCellier, 50s Prime Time) for a later lunch (like 2:30). This is especially true of the restaurants that serve lunch and dinner without a big break in between the two.

Go to places outside of the parks. Yacht Club Galley and Grand Floridian Cafe usually are not that crowded - especially at lunch. Again, chose restuarants that are open for both lunch and dinner. Then you have seating times available from 11:30 to 9:00.

If no table service is available, look for counter service that will be different. Lotus Blossom Cafe is great - if the portions are too small, get two. Flame Tree BBQ at Animal Kingdom has good portions and different kids options.

You really can't go hungry at Disney World.

 

[pinkerbell]

thanks for all the great input. I should have mentioned they are a large group, 6 or 7 people including one child 5 yrs old. I am not sure if they all plan to do everything together or not, but could that meke it more difficult?

 

[Mickiethepooh]

thanks for all the great input. I should have mentioned they are a large group, 6 or 7 people including one child 5 yrs old. I am not sure if they all plan to do everything together or not, but could that meke it more difficult?

Yes IF they want to eat together then they better get on the phone and see what they can get now. it is not easy to fit in parties of 6 or 7. Also they will have an automatic 18% gratuity added to their bills, I am assuming they are NOT on the dining plan.

 

[pinkerbell]

i thought the number to add gratuity was 8? What is it?

 

[disnut8]

thanks for all the great input. I should have mentioned they are a large group, 6 or 7 people including one child 5 yrs old. I am not sure if they all plan to do everything together or not, but could that meke it more difficult?

6 or 7 shouldn't be a problem But, make it known that you are willing to "split up". Meaning that if a table for 6 isn't immediately available, have them check for a table for four and a table for two and request the reservations be linked in the system. About 99% of the time (if not more), the tables will be side by side or even pushed together for you.

Having a child five years old isn't going to make that much of a difference. They will stil need a chair at the table so they really are a person in that regard.

And I believe the number for automatic gratuity is eight. You will be told when you make the reservation if there is an automatic gratuity.

 

[lUVTOGO]

We are going from Nov 2 thru the 9th and there is very few dinner spots left. We are a party of 5 and the first 6 places we tried to get into were completely booked. I did get Prime Time and Kona Cafe but that was it. I had to take Coral Reef for lunch and Teppan Do for 4:30 p.m. If you want to do sit down meals I would try to book something ASAP. I booked this last minute as I usually book 180 days out for this week.