Wait times for DR WITHOUT reservations!

[Upanova01]

I was very dumb this time around and didn't make ANY AD reservations at the 90 day mark. We went last year Jan, and I called a month ahead of time and got EVERYTHING that I wanted no problems at all.

Now, I'm stumped. We don't want to eat at counter service fast food joints (a steady diet of hamburgers and fries don't appeal to two 30 somethings). So we were wondering how long the wait times would be for a couple just showing up at lunchtime when the main dining spots open and seeing if we could be squeezed in? Is this feasible?

We did not know about the new Online Reservation feature until this week. Yeah, we were stupid. Should have come to this board more often when planning trips.

My question is: Will it be hard to get a seat?

Case in point: Last Jan. 2009 we arrived at the Poly at 8:30pm at night. We did not have a reservation for Ohana, one of our favorite restaurants in the World. We sat in the lobby with drinks for about 45 minutes wait time. We got in around 9:20pm. We had Iphones to distract us and we were just jazzed about finally arriving the time went by fast. Plus having the drinks was a help!!!

Would we be able to do this say at Le Cellier at 11am on a Tuesday for lunch? I just wanted to see what others have been through and if it's a waste of time or not.

I could get nothing that I asked for for the WHOLE WEEK. I called about a month in advance. But if you don't visit the DIS often enough you are out of the loop. LOL!

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Mlle Upanova

 

[Inkmahm]

I can't tell you how many times I have seen people try this at Brown Derby (we always get an 11:30 am ADR) and they have always been turned away as ADRs are full. Same for Le Cellier. We have been waiting for our ADR and there is always a stream of people trying to walk up and get in for dinner. Never happens that I've seen. Same at Crystal Palace.

Good luck, but I'd still try to make some ADRs if I were you. It would be better to have an ADR at a horrible time and try to show up early to change it than to show up without an ADR and hope to get in at all.

Free dining is a factor here, too. EVERYTHING is full.

p.s. We don't "do" counterservice, only TS.

 

[MouseMomx2]

First, Disney fast food is so far from burgers and fries that I don't think you have to worry should it come to that. The EPCOT countries all offer quick serve, ethnic foods; Sunshine Season at EPCOT offers grilled salmon, roasted chicken and sushi; Cosmic Rays' at the MK offers roasted chicken and ribs as does the Flame Tree Barbecue in AK; the parks all offer fast food options that are healthier and more diverse as do the resorts.

That said, I'd try to get any ADRs you can before you go. Cancellations happen all the time so keep checking the online system. If you can't get anything you want you still may have some luck walking up, although that will be tough at the more popular places (Le Cellier, 'Ohana, etc.). You can also stop by Guest Services at any time and they can tell you what restaurants have availability. That will keep you from having to schlep to each restaurant.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Rafikifan]

I agree to keep trying. People will change their minds and there will be cancellations. Try daily if possible. As far as walking up? There may be some places that you can, but I've never seen it at Le Cellier. We have seen people get into Tutto Italia at lunch with no ADR. It is very good.

 

[jerrifox]

I agree with the PP. We did not make any ADRs for our trip last year (in February) but still managed to get same day ADRs for Chef Mickey's (breakfast) and Coral Reef. Just check with the concierge at the resort or Guest Services..and keep checking. It's never too late to try.

Chances are, however, slim you'll be given a seat as a walk-in, especially because of free dining. Good luck!!

 

[MHSweb79]

Last time we went during free dining, every restaurant we went to had a sign saying, "No walk-ins accepted." It wasn't a matter of how long you were willing to wait- they wouldn't even talk to you without an ADR.

You may have luck showing up right at opening at some of the less-jammed restaurants, but I don't think you should bank on getting into LeCellier, 'Ohana, Chef Mickey's, etc. Going during free dining is a completely different scenario than a slow time like January.

You should keep trying online, and once you're there you can always ask the concierge to check for you in the morning. Otherwise, go to allears.net and check out all the great choices for counter-service. You'll save a lot of money, too!

 

[Upanova01]

Went back to the online system and got a few great ones! Happy day!

For those of you who are desperate, KEEP TRYING! Thanks for all the help from this board, you guys are great.

Got Sci-Fi Diner at Studios for lunch
Got Beirgarten at Epcot for lunch
Got Rose and Crown at Epcot for lunch
Got Liberty Tree Tavern at a whooping LATE 8:55pm
Got Yak and Yeti for lunch

And this is just shy under two weeks, having been "lazy"! LOL

As you can tell, we like to eat our heaviest meal during the day and try to avoid the rush of the dinner crowd.

Really wanted to try LeCellier but oh well....

Now I'm off to try to trade for a couple of Ohana's as we are staying at the Poly and that's one of our favorite restaurants.

Thanks for the support! This forum is great!

Mlle Upanvoa