Trader Sam's Reservations... Walk up only or online as well

[Gehrig1B]

Any hints on getting into Trader Sam's? We are staying at the Disneyland Hotel. Is there an online signup or is it walk up and make reservations on site only? How early do they take reservations on the day? Thanks for any information

 

[brentm77]

They are online and walk-up. Very difficult to get reservations if you aren't lucky enough to get them when they first go up, but keep watching as people cancel. I didn't see someone taking walk-up options until it opened. They won't give you an expected wait time for walk-up, as it is considered lower tier than reservations. They say, "it could be 5 minutes, it could be 2 hours." For us, it was about an hour.

 

[Gehrig1B]

They are online and walk-up. Very difficult to get reservations if you aren't lucky enough to get them when they first go up, but keep watching as people cancel. I didn't see someone taking walk-up options until it opened. They won't give you an expected wait time for walk-up, as it is considered lower tier than reservations. They say, "it could be 5 minutes, it could be 2 hours." For us, it was about an hour.

Thanks... At WDW there is a walk-up only and you get a text when you are next in line. Was hooping for something similar but looks like no such luck. Wanted to get in the night we arrive to the Disneyland Hotel. Thanks again.

 

[BayGirl22]

Read the site description, they are testing online reservations for a period of time. I think through Sept 15. Trader Sams has always been walk up, this is just a trial.

 

[dieumeye]

Trader Sam’s is currently using a reservation system (it’s a trial run). All available reservations are booked as far as I know. They are taking walk ups but the walk up wait is fairly extreme if you want to sit inside.

I was at DLH today. They started taking walk up names at 3pm today. We were the second party to walk up for an inside table (I think). Our estimated wait time: 3 hours. Although they said they could not guarantee we would be seated before 8pm. (We needed to sit prior to 8pm since kids aren’t allowed inside after 8pm).

We were expecting a 6pm text, but a bit after 5pm we got a text saying we had 10 minutes to check in at the host stand. Went over and we got right in. Yay!

So, you need to get there early to put your name in and be willing to wait a long time AND be nearby when they do eventually text you.

You’ll have better luck if you’re willing to sit outside, but just know that demand is extremely high and priority is given to reservations.

 

[Gehrig1B]

Trader Sam’s is currently using a reservation system (it’s a trial run). All available reservations are booked as far as I know. They are taking walk ups but the walk up wait is fairly extreme if you want to sit inside.

I was at DLH today. They started taking walk up names at 3pm today. We were the second party to walk up for an inside table (I think). Our estimated wait time: 3 hours. Although they said they could not guarantee we would be seated before 8pm. (We needed to sit prior to 8pm since kids aren’t allowed inside after 8pm).

We were expecting a 6pm text, but a bit after 5pm we got a text saying we had 10 minutes to check in at the host stand. Went over and we got right in. Yay!

So, you need to get there early to put your name in and be willing to wait a long time AND be nearby when they do eventually text you.

You’ll have better luck if you’re willing to sit outside, but just know that demand is extremely high and priority is given to reservations.

This is good news. We plan to check into DLH about noon hoping a room will be available. If not off to Downtown Disney. Will make it a priority to get on the list. No real plans for the rest of the day.

Thanks again.

 

[dieumeye]

This is good news. We plan to check into DLH about noon hoping a room will be available. If not off to Downtown Disney. Will make it a priority to get on the list. No real plans for the rest of the day.

Thanks again.

Tip for check-in: you can check in online before arrival (I think it said up to 5 days in advance, but we did a couple days in advance). On our check-in day we got a text at 8:30 AM saying our room was ready!

 

[DLRExpert]

Had a reservation for 1130am a couple of weeks ago. The 3 people sitting next to me on the bar all walked up day of around 11am and got a spot at opening.

I would say half of the actual tables inside were open by the time I left at 1pm. Only one table taken outside.
So I assume if you walk up during the non-busy times you should be able to get a spot.

 

[got2travel]

Had a reservation for 1130am a couple of weeks ago. The 3 people sitting next to me on the bar all walked up day of around 11am and got a spot at opening.

I would say half of the actual tables inside were open by the time I left at 1pm. Only one table taken outside.
So I assume if you walk up during the non-busy times you should be able to get a spot.

well that answers another question I had, whether or not the inside bar would be open before the normal 4pm

 

[dieumeye]

well that answers another question I had, whether or not the inside bar would be open before the normal 4pm

4pm is when they open for dinner. They are also open for lunch. I don’t think there’s any difference in the menu, but they technically close for 5 or 10 minutes before 4 PM to reset for the dinner reservations.

 

[provencio]

So if my party arrives on a Saturday (September 25) and heads over around 4 or so we may get in for drinks without a reservation? Basically you are suggesting to go for it... all is possible at Disney?

 

[dieumeye]

So if my party arrives on a Saturday (September 25) and heads over around 4 or so we may get in for drinks without a reservation? Basically you are suggesting to go for it... all is possible at Disney?

Yeah, read my post earlier in the thread. I put a detailed description of what I did to get in without reservation last Saturday.

 

[Gehrig1B]

Happy to report back that I checked our party of 11 (yes 11) into Trader Sam's about 3:00 pm on Sunday. I had no expectations of actually getting in.

As we were being seated for dinner at a Downtown Disney restaurant about 6:00 pm I received a notification our Trader Sam's reservation was available. We tipped the waitperson admirably and rushed back to the Disneyland Hotel to have a great time... yes, get the long beans!