TS dining without ressies. Doable?!

[pharaoh]

Hi all.

I'm planning another solo trip for the last week of Feb. I normally don't make a big deal about dining and stick to snacking and QS lunches, but I want to explore some of the TS locations while I'm there.

My question is that is it easier to get a table as a solo than as a group? I don't really want to bother with ADRs and would rather just walk in when I get hungry. Is this bonkers? I don't want to waste a lot of time waiting around. I would say anything more than 20 minutes would be a deal breaker for me.

For reference, here are some of the places I'm thinking of trying out. For either dinner or lunch.

MK - either Columbia Harbor House, Liberty Tree Tavern, or Plaza Restaurant
AK - Yak and Yeti
EP - via Napoli, the Japan restaurant, or Coral Reef
DHS - Sci Fi or 50s Prime Time

Thanks for your insight!

 

[mirandaperez10]

You need to get those reservations!! A lot of places are already almost booked up my family is going for the week of Valentines

Faith, Trust, and..PIXIE DUST.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

It can actually be more difficult to get a solo spot, because when space is limited, they would rather put a larger group there and make more money.

At places with a bar, such as 50's Prime Time, you can usually get a spot at the bar with little or no waiting, if that suits you, but tables are harder to get.

 

[pharaoh]

I was worried you guys would say that! Even as I was posting it I was thinking, "they're not gonna wanna sit a single and take up two spaces for only one person..."

Sigh. Maybe I'll only do an ADR for one restaurant and then just play wait and see for the rest of them. I'm also not booking my trip until probably just before I actually go so that makes booking ADRs trickier. OR DOES IT?? Do I have to have a trip booked in order to make an ADR? I am a passholder, if that makes any difference.

 

[SueDonym3]

I tried it my first solo trip...it does not work. I had to go back to my hotel and make reservations for the rest of the week as I was on the dining plan and was worried I might not be able to use any of TS credits!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I was worried you guys would say that! Even as I was posting it I was thinking, "they're not gonna wanna sit a single and take up two spaces for only one person..."

Sigh. Maybe I'll only do an ADR for one restaurant and then just play wait and see for the rest of them. I'm also not booking my trip until probably just before I actually go so that makes booking ADRs trickier. OR DOES IT?? Do I have to have a trip booked in order to make an ADR? I am a passholder, if that makes any difference.

When you are within 180 days of the meal, you can make the ADR. The advantage of having a trip booked on property is that when you reach 180 days from your arrival day, you can make ADRs for that day plus ten more days out. Without having a trip booked on property, you can book each meal 180 days out, but you don't get the "plus ten" feature. For your case since you're within 180 days of even the end of your trip, that's not relevant and you can go ahead and book whenever you're ready.

 

[tony67]

AK - Yak and Yeti
For this one just eat at the bar. No wait most of time...or maybe 10 minutes until someone gets thier table

DHS - 50s Prime Time
Again eat at the bar (Tune in Lounge) - full menu and there are a lot of regulars so opportunity to chat. one thing about solo trips after a few days of talking to no one you go a little loopy. I've been to Disney many times and done at least 5 solo trips and never new about this place - it was really cool.

 

[pharaoh]

Okay, thank you for your advice, y'all! I dunno, I think I'll just pick one TS and make an ADR for that, and that'll be my one dining splurge for the trip.

 

[com_op_2000]

In over 40+ years of visiting WDW and 20+ years of DVC membership, I have never made a reservation for a meal. I always find, with any size group that all you must do is be willing to a have a go-with-the-flow attitiude and you can get in anywhere.

 

[winthropf]

One suggestion is that if you do make ADRs, try making them for 2 rather than 1. Often if you try for 1, you may get a result that no tables are available, yet it you try for an ADR for 2, there are tables available. No penalty for doing it this way, just a way to trick the reservation system.

 

[BrianL]

I will say that it does depend on where you go and when, though those you mentioned are quite popular (though Columbia Harbor House is actually Counter Service). I made ADRs once for Marakesh, and there was literally nobody in there. It was a late lunch (about 1:45)When you see the hostesses out front in World Showcase trying to drum up business that means you can likely be seated quickly...but you'll be taking what you can get. You will definitely need an ADR for Prime Time (unless you sit at the bar), Sci-Fi, and Coral Reef. You might be able to slip into places at off times, but I wouldn't count on that if you have specific places in mind.

 

[MsBLuv2Travel]

I've been several times solo. Walked right up to a few of the restaurants without a reservation; some I've been able to get right in, some a bit of a wait. Eg. - Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree, Canada Pavillion...not a problem! And that was peak time. March break!

 

[Lyndarella]

I was there this fall at a very slow time and checked Mama Melrose every day in person and on the phone and was not able to get in.....

 

[DisneyNole12]

If you are more flexible it is very possible to get TS. As my friends and I mostly do last minute trips we just what is available and eat there. Its allowed us to try a variety of restaurants especially those we would have never tried but now love! However, as others were saying, if you know there is somewhere specific you would like just go ahead and make the reservation!