TS Restaurants W/OUT ADR -- Possible?

[Golightly01]

Hi all,

Our 2nd trip to WDW, but first time using the Dining Plan (Free Dining). While we've read the info on how to make ADR, what happens if you don't? If you're not picky about the type of sit-down restaurant in which to dine, is it possible to attend WDW with your Free Dining Plan and still be seated for TS without an advanced reservation? Are there usually tables for walk-ins?

I think we'll try to make a few ADRs but we may not know our entire trip schedule ahead of time. Last Christmas while at Disneyland, we were able to walk right in to the Blue Bayou (the park's only upscale dining establishment) without an ADR, but we also didn't have a Dining Plan.

Advice? Thoughts?

 

[TDC Nala]

During Free Dining, it's possible, especially if you eat in less popular restaurants outside the theme parks, but probably unlikely. If you want to eat inside a theme park, you should have a reservation, and make one as soon as you know where you want to eat. Free dining does not lend itself to spontenaity in restaurant choice.

Disneyland doesn't have a comparable dining plan, and they definitely don't have free dining.

 

[DisGal520]

In the Contemporary is a great restaurant that is just about 1 year old. We did not need ressies to try it.

The Wave. Enjoyed the food, the service and it is a pretty place. It is catching on slowly with people but right now you probably won't need ADR.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I would make reservations. Even without the free dining promotion going on, I've seen oodles and oodles of people being turned away from the theme park restaurants. You may be able to get reservations at some of the resort restaurants.

 

[moparop]

I would want to go in with ADRs. That way, even if you change your mind while there, you have a fall back plan.

 

[thorphin]

ADRs, most definitely. Those of us not going during free dining are having a hard enough time making ressies because everything is so booked up.

The one way you might be able to get around it (although I haven't experienced free dining) would be to plan to eat really late (8 or 9) for dinner or enjoy your TS meals at lunch, when there is typically more availability.

 

[RMulieri]

After going for free dining a couple times already....My advice make the adrs. Many places do not accept any walk ups during free dining.Plus many more people tend to keep their ressies since they want to utilize all the credits

 

[nurse.darcy]

My son and I were there during free dining last summer. We were unsuccessful in walking up to get ANY in-park restaurant seating. We were NOT on the dining plan so it really wasn't necessary for us to be able to get in, and we did have a couple ADRs for restaurants we really wanted to try. I definitely would make ADRs if going at this time.

 

[MHSweb79]

MADE ADR's. Last time we were there during free dining, every single restaurant we ate in had a sign that said, "No Walk-In's Accepted." This was at both lunch and dinner. The only exception was lunch at the Whispering Canyon Cafe, so if you're willing to resort-hop, you may find some openings. However, be aware that this will eat up a couple of hours for each meal, which may get inconvenient.

I had booked my ADR's at 90 days and didn't even get all my first choices. You can make more than one ADR per day - we had a couple of days where I booked lunch in one park and dinner in another. We ended up cancelling a few of our ADR's once our plans were finalized. The bottom line is: if you have an ADR you can aways cancel it (unless you are asked for your credit card to hold the reservation) but if you don't have an ADR, you'll most likely be using your table service credits for counter-service meals.

 

[1hero2princesses]

You will find it very, very difficult to get in without adr's. Possibly almost impossible. You might get in a few places at first or last seatings. None of the restaurants we went too last year (CRT, 50's Primetime, Liberty Tree, Tuskerhouse, Askerhaus etc.) were taking walk ups at all. I actually found out my DD was afraid of characters while we were there so I had to switch some ADR's. I had a terrible time. Probably spent 3 hours of my vacation trying to find restaurants with open adrs with reasonable seating times. Had to take whatever we could get. I will be on the phone at 6 am my time on my 90 day window desperately dialing. Last year I was up at 6 am Easter morning for my 180 day window. I made my DH keep the kids upstairs while I finished (I didn't want to miss them seeing their baskets). I still couldn't get leCellier or CRT breakfast!

 

[BillyBuckner]

You will find it very, very difficult to get in without adr's. Possibly almost impossible. You might get in a few places at first or last seatings. None of the restaurants we went too last year (CRT, 50's Primetime, Liberty Tree, Tuskerhouse, Askerhaus etc.) were taking walk ups at all. I actually found out my DD was afraid of characters while we were there so I had to switch some ADR's. I had a terrible time. Probably spent 3 hours of my vacation trying to find restaurants with open adrs with reasonable seating times. Had to take whatever we could get. I will be on the phone at 6 am my time on my 90 day window desperately dialing. Last year I was up at 6 am Easter morning for my 180 day window. I made my DH keep the kids upstairs while I finished (I didn't want to miss them seeing their baskets). I still couldn't get leCellier or CRT breakfast!

This is a scary story. Couldn't get LeCellier or CRT at 180 days?

If you are staying on site does calling 100 days before you want the ressie (i.e. 90+10) still end up being a nightmare. Or in that scenario are there still some seats at 7:05 am ET at the 90+10 date.

 

[NorweJenNY]

MADE ADR's. Last time we were there during free dining, every single restaurant we ate in had a sign that said, "No Walk-In's Accepted." This was at both lunch and dinner. The only exception was lunch at the Whispering Canyon Cafe, so if you're willing to resort-hop, you may find some openings. However, be aware that this will eat up a couple of hours for each meal, which may get inconvenient.

I wouldn't be so quick to think you'd have better luck at the resort restaurants... when I made ADRs for this July, I got all my reservation times within 5 minutes of the times requested... except Whispering Canyon... about a half hour difference at 90 days... imagine had this been less than 90 days & during free dining... some of these resort restaurants may be more popular than you think!