Table service without ADR?

[maranara]

Is it possible to eat dinner at a table service restaurant without an ADR? I'm not planning on making any ADRs for dinners during our trip, since this is my daughter's first time at Disney and we have no idea how our days are going to go. If it's anything like Busch Gardens, we'll be back in our room by dinner time. But...if we make it to dinner in the parks, a table service dinner or two sound lovely. Thanks!

 

[TeresaNJ]

There are several restaurants that you should be able to eat at without an ADR. Biergarten, Restaurant Marrakesh, occasionally Chefs de France depending on the time of day, as well as if you're lucky, San Angel Inn, all in Epcot. Usually Yak & Yeti & sometimes Rainforest Cafe in Animal Kingdom. I can't think of a single table service restaurant you'd be able to get without an ADR in the MK, nor HS. Do you have the MDE app on your phone? This way you can check that day to see if there is any availability in the park you happen to be in.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Skipper Canteen, maybe, at Magic Kingdom. While they're doing same-day ADRs now, they aren't filling up with them.

 

[OhThePain]

What time of year are you going? If you are going during a quieter time you'll have some options as long as your flexible with times. If you are going during a holiday or busier time, your options will be minimal to non-existent. As a PP said, if you have the MDE app or any smart phone with access to the internet, you can check for availabilities on the fly. You could also check with Guest Relations in the parks or the concierge in your resort if you are staying on site to see what is available that day.

If you are looking for a character meal, you will need an ADR to get in, regardless of the time of year.

 

[maranara]

Thanks all! We'll be there the end of January. Things have changed a lot since we were there last (in 2003!)...we were there the week of New Years and we were still able to get some reservations in the morning for that evening (and one day even walked up to Tony's and got a table with a minimal wait. I'm going to book a couple of ADRs for character meals for lunch and I think we'll just not worry about dinner. If we can eat an early dinner, great; if not, oh well.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I seem to remember New Year's Eve (believe it or not) I had a 24-hour bug. It ran through my family over the course of the week, lightening up each time it was transferred. My mom was out of commission for 2 days, my sister a day, and I was out of it for around 12-24 hours.

I was up all night ... you know (i'll spare you the details). I couldn't tell you what ADR we had, but we canceled it thinking I wouldn't make it. By lunchtime I took a turn for the better. I wasn't feeling 100%- I was weak - but I was better and able to eat a little. I didn't want to miss out on our last night at Disney, so I pushed on. We decided to go to DHS for NYE. We ate at Mama Melrose. I think we waited around 45 mins for a table, but we got in.

It's possible, but keep in mind that it's much harder to get a reservation than years past. You may not have the same luck, so have some fallback options.

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks all! We'll be there the end of January. Things have changed a lot since we were there last (in 2003!)...we were there the week of New Years and we were still able to get some reservations in the morning for that evening (and one day even walked up to Tony's and got a table with a minimal wait. I'm going to book a couple of ADRs for character meals for lunch and I think we'll just not worry about dinner. If we can eat an early dinner, great; if not, oh well.

The end of January, unless it is Marathon weekend, should be better than other times of the year.
BUT it is reported here frequently, that folks will be turned away as walk ups and then use the app to book a reservation at the very same restaurant 20 minutes later. I would urge you to use MDE to schedule an ADR when you know you want one. IN park ADR's are much harder to get, any time of the year

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If a particular Table Service dining experience is important to you, always make the reservation for it.

 

[Baptist]

I highly recommend making a few ADRs for your dinners. If you guys plan on being back to your around dinner time, then you will need early reservations. I would reserve these times when you can. Sometimes, same day reservations might be too late for your family.