we are a couple with "1" reservation

[pumba]

We did a last minute trip and there are not alot of places to go to. SO if you were my hubby and myself......where would you eat that DOES NOT NEED reservations.......

 

[jenins121681]

Beaches and Cream
ESPN Club (I am pretty sure you don't need an ADR there but not positive)
Planet Hollywood
Olive Garden (in Orlando if you rent a car)
Red Lobster (" " " " " ")
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville (In Citywalk near Universal)
Emeril's (" " " " " ")

Also you can certainly keep calling to get ADRs because people cancel every day....I have had good luck with this, even scored a Le Cellier meal by doing that. And there are several threads dedicated to cancel/trade ADRs where fellow DISers who need to cancel will give thier ADRs to someone who can use them rather than just cancel...I have also had luck with this as well. Good Luck

 

[thunderbird1]

Congrats on the last minute trip! Without reservations, I would try for a few lunches (especially right when they open or 2:30-3:00 in the afternoon). I'd also consider trying a dinner walk-up just before they open at restaurants that either don't serve lunch or that close between lunch and dinner. Though with the latter, you'd be taking a chance at having to go CS instead if you couldn't get in.

I'd also try calling each morning to see what availability they have for that day. People do cancel, and you might get a last minute reservations.

Have fun!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I hear ya Pumba...

My DH and I love Raglan Road in DTD.....even our daughters loved it.. they have entertainment at night and food was good..stick to your ribs kind of food..

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=379

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Olivia's at OKW - great food, atmosphere, and not very crowded. We always go to Olivia's on our Downtown Disney shopping days...

Have a great time!

 

[CarolMN]

Turf Club at SSR.

Any of the restaurants at the Swan & Dolphin resorts.

Food carts/Snack carts around World Showcase - who needs an ADR when you have all those interesting new foods to try?

 

[engle]

Trail's End...I have heard that no ADR's required.

Also try DTD for lunches...I have walked into Bongos, House of Blues and also Earl of Sandwich is a must do. I have walked into Fultons and Portobello at DTD for dinner even.

Now really, all of this depends on when you are going...when are you going?

 

[luvpooh]

we usually don't make a lot of ADR's and always have no problem w/lunch walkups at Olivia's, Yacht Club Galley, ESPN, and any DTD restaurant.
For dinner, try calling the day of to see if you can get an ADR. Barring that, try any non-monorail/Epcot/AKL resort hotel restaurant (Boatwrights, Shutters, Turf Club, Olivia's). You will also be able to get into a DTD restaurant but plan accordingly (put your name in and be prepared to walk around for awhile).
Or do what we do quite a lot, eat at the bar. Most places will let you do so w/out an ADR, esp. at DTD. The only place we were told no at WDW (of places we actually asked) was Flying Fish but I really think I've seen other people do so in the past. They really were rude about it too.

 

[schoen]

the brewing place on the boardwalk does not take ADRs. I would also call when you are there. We have been able to make reservations the day-of many times in the past, even during busy times. Good luck!!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

There were a few places listed above that you may luck out on. But I would not count on a sure thing. (RR and Turf Club) I have eaten at both multiple times, and RR being just last night. At each I have seen it extremely busy with no open tables. (And Turf CLub was not even during free dining.)
It's all about luck and timing really.
I can't say for sure anyone was turned away at Turf Club that I noticed as everyone had an ADR.
As we were leaving RR last night a party of 4 was told they would have an 1.5 hour wait.
Maybe the crowd tapers off later in the evening. We were leaving approx 7 p.m. The dancing starts at 9 p.m. I would think that may be a busy time too.

With no ADRs and wanting sit down, I would opt for Olivia's or Shutter's. Neither my first choice. But certainly not bad.
Big River Grill is good. I love their beer cheese soup.
I also have the RFC Safari Club that I have used in a real pinch. At least it is front of the line setaing then that usually gets us seated within 15 minutes at max.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We do a lot of last minute trips too....we have been able to get into Beirgarten, Cape May breakfast, Kona Breakfast, HoB...and some others...now all of these places I did have an ADR for that I made with just a couple of days notice.

Our Oct trip DH said to make all breakfast reservations because he loves a buffet breakfast and we would wing it for dinners (with the one exception of the Le Cellier dinner I snagged at 45 days out and I will not cancel that for anything). He figures with the F&W and some great CS options we should be fine.

Hope your trip is a great one

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Emeril's (" " " " " ")

Emeril's (not to be confused with Emeril's Tchoup Chop) is one place you definitely need ADRs for. They can book up 6 months in advance. I've never eaten there that I haven't seen people turned away. We always go for dinner though. I don't know about lunch.


OP,
I would try restaurants that don't accept DDP. I usually have more short notice luck at those. For example, House of Blues at DTD Westside. It's better to call for a ressie the same day, if not before. I took my DS & a friend to a concert at HOB. I called for a ressie as I was on the way out the door to pick them up from school. We were there within a couple hours. When I went to check in at the podium, I was told 15 minutes. Cool, I can handle that. The parties in front of & behind me were all being told at least 90 min.

 

[Rocktire]

Stayed at WL last week, and my floor had a window that peaked into the Artist Point restaurant...there always seemed to be a few two person tables open...even during prime dining hours.

 

[CamColt]

Being sports fans and very happy with simple pub food, we always make it a point to get to ESPN at least once during our trips. The nachos are awesome!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although I haven't tried it, I've heard you can often get Resturant Marakesh w/o reservations. And if you're going soon, Citricos is serving lunch at this time, and not many people are aware of it.

 

[Snow_White]

A few suggestions: Olivia's, Maya Grill, Marrakesh, Nine Dragons, Boatwright's, Turf Club, and Shutter's.

 

[pumba]

everyone that has responded....thank you so much......we are going in two weeks and we are just going to go and have a good time......if we eat counter service or at our resort ....so be it......we will do fine.....but these suggestions are awesome.........we "could" of eaten at Earl of Sandwich each meal and been happy......I love those things..
thanks again

 

[lustergirl]

everyone that has responded....thank you so much......we are going in two weeks and we are just going to go and have a good time......if we eat counter service or at our resort ....so be it......we will do fine.....but these suggestions are awesome.........we "could" of eaten at Earl of Sandwich each meal and been happy......I love those things..
thanks again

Pumba,

you go and have a great time.. I think sometimes we get so involved in making our food plans that we forget that having a good time elsewhere is also important. My hubby and I are going on our solo trip pretty soon. We usually do the dining plan with the whole family but not with just the two of us. I have made only 2 dinner ressies this time and also plan on eating counter service as well for the most part.