Walking Into a Sit-Down Restaurant Without a Reservation?

[Suzie Zoo]

I'm planning on going in the beginning of February... I'm going alone. I'm not going to do a dining plan, because it wouldn't be worth it for me (I don't eat that much!!)

Do I really need to worry about making reservations that far in advance? I'm hoping that this is more of a concern for families with lots of people in their parties?

 

[justplaingoofy]

I'm planning on going in the beginning of February... I'm going alone. I'm not going to do a dining plan, because it wouldn't be worth it for me (I don't eat that much!!)

Do I really need to worry about making reservations that far in advance? I'm hoping that this is more of a concern for families with lots of people in their parties?

I would say yes.... I don't know of any restaurants that have a table for one. I would think they would put you at a table for 2...and we usually do need adrs...

 

[Chime]

If there's anywhere you really want to eat I would definately make the ADR.

We're January/February travelers, and usually have no trouble getting into restaurants on days we just wing it. We've even gotten into restaurants that said there was nothing available when we tried to make ADRs. Just don't eat at peak meal times and be prepared to wait a bit if you need too.

My personal preference is still to make ADRs anyway, no matter how easy I think it would be to get in someplace without one. But I just like to plan ahead lol.

 

[Suzie Zoo]

Thanks... I was afraid of that.

 

[centurythree]

If there's anywhere you really want to eat I would definately make the ADR.

We're January/February travelers, and usually have no trouble getting into restaurants on days we just wing it. We've even gotten into restaurants that said there was nothing available when we tried to make ADRs. Just don't eat at peak meal times and be prepared to wait a bit if you need too.

My personal preference is still to make ADRs anyway, no matter how easy I think it would be to get in someplace without one. But I just like to plan ahead lol.

Same here, and I usually go in early January. For this trip I'm going with non-family members who I want to have try the more popular restuarants, so I am making my very first ADRs.

 

[shellybaxter]

Hi Susie,

You need to make reservations if you really want to eat somewhere at a certain time (and at some restaruants at all). We are a party of two and sometimes it appears it is harder to get ressies for two than for four. They seat people based on the size of the table, not first come first served.

 

[Suzie Zoo]

This is the thing that makes me nervous... LOL. I'm one of those people who can wake up reallycraving something, I'll make it for my lunch, and when it's time to eat it I don't want it anymore and I'm craving something else. Drives my coworkers crazy!!

 

[bigbabyblues]

DH and I were at WDW the first week of Feb in 2007 and there were people being turned away that tried to get in without ADRs at every restaurant we went to except the California Grill; there was no one asking when we were at the podium there.

 

[jess20k]

I would make the ADR's if possible. Especially if there are places that you are set on going to. While it is not hopeless to be able to get a walk up during the first week of Feb, you just never know. So, if you have any certain places in mind, I would make them.

 

[BillSears]

I took an unplanned solo trip to the MK on 5/8/08 and early in the morning I went to City Hall to get a reservation for dinner. I had them check anywhere in the MK or any of the monorail resorts for dinner that night...everything was booked. The earliest dinner I could get was 9:45 at Kona.

You might have better luck walking up and asking but be prepared to be turned down. Especially at the popular restaurants.

 

[sunny04]

Depends on what restaurants you want to walk into! For most of them, no you probably won't need ADRs, especially if you go at odd times. But, if you want some of the more popular places (CP, CRT, LeCellier, etc) then you most likely still will. If you know of certain places you want, make ADRs for those. If you don't care where you eat, don't worry about it and go wherever you can get in.

 

[jcb]

DW and I went in January. We wanted an additional meal at Boma but had an ADR for somewhere else. I called at supper time and was told no ADR's were available. We were staying at AKL so we just went, got on the wait list and, an hour plus later, we were seated.

ADR's may not always be necessary but it will save time to have them.

 

[Joanna71985]

I am a solo traveler to WDW, and I still book ADRs. I find I need to, for the places I eat at.

 

[te2077]

I would. especially if you happen to go during Pres Week. We went the 13th-19th and wanted to change a last minute ADR. The only thing we could get was Blue Zoo and we had to be there within 1hr. (Blue Zoo was our best ADR of our Trip. )

 

[RMulieri]

DW and I went in January. We wanted an additional meal at Boma but had an ADR for somewhere else. I called at supper time and was told no ADR's were available. We were staying at AKL so we just went, got on the wait list and, an hour plus later, we were seated.

ADR's may not always be necessary but it will save time to have them.

True.But I have also been there when the podium tells you not to wait because they will not be taking any walk-ups, and they won't put you on a wait list.

 

[Linda Farrell]

I just got back on tuesday, and there were 2 of us. I had made ADRs, but we gave it a shot to eat at Flying Fish for dinner, and only had to wait about 15 minutes. We also got into lunch at Nine Dragons with no wait, and Plaza Pavilion with a 40 minute wait, but we used that to browse the Main Street shops. I would NEVER try to go with no ADRS, and certainly when we go with more of the family.

 

[goofyernmost]

I travel solo a lot but I never make ADR's. Why? Because I don't care if I eat at one of the pricey restaurants or not. The only time I tried to get in was in the one right next to the Muppets Theater. (can't remember the name). Mama something, I think.

Anyway, I looked in and it was only half full so I thought, what the heck, I might just as well give it a try. Well, there was no waiting till a table cleared they just said, no reservations, no entry. Simple. I ate Pizza instead. As I said, not a problem for me, but, if you really want to get in I would suggest making that ADR ASAP.

 

[TinkRBel_In_Training]

I guess it depends on the restaurant. There are definitely some of the less popular ones you should be able to get into no problem like the one in China which rarely fills its ADRs. ADRs aren't technically reservations; it just means that if you have an ADR for a certain time at a certain restaurant, you will get the next available table before walk-ins do. If all ADRs are full, it doesn't necessarily mean that they won't take walk-ins but you might have to wait awhile. And of course there are always last-minute cancellations and people who don't show up for their ADRs. If people cancel or don't show up, then voila--an opening. Since you are going at a slower time and you are a party of 1, there is more of a chance of there being openings, especially during "off" meal hours. I remember a couple of years ago my family and I decided we wanted to eat in Mexico that night. We checked at the podium and--what do you know--they had an opening! I wouldn't necessarily count on that at every restaurant you go to. If you don't want to make ADRs be prepared to be turned away or wait awhile. Otherwise if there is a restaurant you really really want to eat at, make an ADR just to be safe, especially if its a more popular restaurant like Le Cellier, Crystal Palace or Ohanas.

 

[Lady Lady]

I have gone at the beginning of February for 2 year on solo trips. I was able to get in several different places. I did not even try Le Cellier. I find if you show up when the places open or mid afternoon you do not have a problem. The worst is they turn you away. Then eat at a place close by. It is easier as a single or a couple to get in than a family.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I'm planning on going in the beginning of February... I'm going alone. I'm not going to do a dining plan, because it wouldn't be worth it for me (I don't eat that much!!)

Do I really need to worry about making reservations that far in advance? I'm hoping that this is more of a concern for families with lots of people in their parties?

Seriously, ADR's ARE A MUST. Better to have them unless you really do not mind counter service each meal which tires rather quickly. You can always cancel them.