What are my chances of walking up to a restaurant?

[Phlip]

During June? We have a bunch of ADR's for our trip, but what's the chance of a walk up at a popular place? Say, 'Ohana or 1900?
Just wondering...

 

[minnie mum]

You can walk right up to every single restaurant in WDW. Now getting a table is a whole nother thing!

Seriously, it is in the realm of possiblility to get a walk up table at some of the less popular restaurants. But a walk up at one of the more popular ones during the busy season is really unlikely unless you try really early (when they first open for dinner) or really, really late. You could try for a same day ADR by calling from your resort, but the result would probably be similar. These places fill up their ADR slots months in advance for the popular dining times.

 

[ErinC]

We tried a walk up at Ohana a few years back. We got there right at 4:45 hoping since we were early that we would get a seat. We were offered dinner at 9:45 p.m. We walked over to Kona and got seated right away and had a lovely meal. No Ohana that trip, we really enjoyed Kona though. I would say that you'll have the best luck at some of the hotel restaurants, except Ohana.

 

[Nadjalu]

Your chance for a popular place...such as Ohana, slim to none. Does that mean don't try?....absolutely not. If you wish to try, who knows you may luck out. But be prepared to be told no or at the very least you will have a 3hr wait. (and you have to stay there during the wait).

Not being a downer, just realistic.

 

[hannahryan]

We walked up to Ohana's in March of this year and were given a table in 2 1/2hours. It was just the two of us and we had drinks (too many!) and apps at the bar. It was fun, but I would not do it if I the kids were with us.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

We stayed at the Poly the begining of May (not a high crowd time). One afternoon when we were walking to the monorail my husband asked me what that long line of people was waiting for. (It was 4:15.) One of the guys in line replied.... "stupid people, like us, that are thinking we are going to get into ohana as walk ups" He was laughing but his wife was not! But seriously at 4:15 there was a long line of people waiting already. Not sure if this is the norm... but I almost fell over.

We have walked up to some of the less popular restaurants or even some of the more popular ones for breakfast when they first open. I think the 7:50 Chef Mickey's tend to have some openings because people decide to sleep in instead.

 

[B-Ride]

You can walk right up to every single restaurant in WDW. Now getting a table is a whole nother thing!

You beat me to it.

 

[disneychic]

I agree with those who say you have slim to no chance of getting a walk up to 'Ohana or any really popular restaurant. It doesn't hurt to try, but I wouldn't expect to get a table.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We were there last week - 5/27-6/5. I cannot tell you how many times we heard people being told "Sorry we have no availability tonight". We even tried to push a few of our scheduled ADR's out an hour or two and were told "No Availability". But we were able to get a table at Via Napoli without an ADR (waited an hour) and we did get into Kona a few days out. The moral of the story - it can happen, but there is absolutely no way to know until you get there. As far as Ohana - this is one that I would say you have very little chance of walking in to. Two places that were consistently available every time we called during our stay was Nine Dragons and Biergarten.

 

[PrincessAli]

Last October while waiting for our table at Le Cellier, an elderly couple walked up and asked if there was any availability for them to have dinner at that time. They were told nothing was opened for the rest of the week. They both looked so dissapointed--they did not know about having to make a reservation in advance.(especially for there). As they started to walk away--one of the CM's went up to them and told them if they would like to wait--she'd see what she could do. They were so happy and with in a few minutes they were seated!!! I wanted to give that CM a hug--I was in seconds of giving up my own reservation to them--thankgoodness I didn't have to. So on occasion there is still alittle bit of 'Pixie-Dust' at WDW.

 

[Pig Pen]

We were able to get Ohana once (party of 2) at opening. We usually have good luck at Epcot (Chefs, Biergarten, Marrakesh) during the late afternoon...after the lunch crowd and before dinner starts.

 

[Phlip]

You beat me to it.

Har de har har... Shoot, as soon as I read my own thread I thought that...LOL!
Thanks for the replies!

 

[vic'sDisney6]

If you go off hours you should be fine.

 

[my3apsons]

I watched a women at Ohana's stand there for close to 2 hrs for a walk in spot. I felt horrible for her. We got there early and sat in the lounge had a few drinks while the kids shopped and looked around the lobby. We were there at 4:15 for a 5:15 reservation.

With the new line set up, those that are walks ups don't seem to get to even ask till the entire reservation line is empty.

At Whispering Canyon, a few nights later, I heard the CM tell someone they would know in 20 mins if they had spots.

 

[2manydaves]

Last October while waiting for our table at Le Cellier, an elderly couple walked up and asked if there was any availability for them to have dinner at that time. They were told nothing was opened for the rest of the week. They both looked so dissapointed--they did not know about having to make a reservation in advance.(especially for there). As they started to walk away--one of the CM's went up to them and told them if they would like to wait--she'd see what she could do. They were so happy and with in a few minutes they were seated!!! I wanted to give that CM a hug--I was in seconds of giving up my own reservation to them--thankgoodness I didn't have to. So on occasion there is still alittle bit of 'Pixie-Dust' at WDW.

That is totally awesome. I hate the 180-day ADR system for that very reason. That CM deserves a hug -- and a raise.

 

[disprincessatheart]

DH and I have now gone to wdw enough that we arent that concerned about where we eat and we have a toddler, so planning meals is hard. So we rarely make adrs anymore. When ds falls asleep in his stroller we have a challenge to find somewhere cool we can sit since there arent any attractions we can do with him and cs places are usually too tight and loud. The first week of april ds fell asleep around 2 while we were in EPCOT. We decided to tour the showcase while he slept but we were hungry. We headed towards Canada and as we walked by the podium decided it was worth a laugh for the cm to see if they had anything open. She asked if we meant right now and we laughed and said yes. She told me it would be about 20 min and for us to head inside. Dh said he wanted to look at a cart and would be right in. By the time he got inside they were ready to seat us (about 5 minutes). This was prime spring break season and all, and when we got inside there were several empty tables. Not long after we sat most of them filled, so I'm not sure how we got lucky, but it can happen and not just slow times of the year. Just don't plan on it and be flexible you never know! Oh, we've also done walkup to the new restaurant in italy twice, once for dinner that same trip right at dinner time and once in the fall.

 

[cannmom]

Give it a try if it is somewhere you really want to eat. You never know. My husband got us a walk-up table at Le Cellier during free dining in 2008. It was our last night and we had eaten there earlier in the week and he loved it. When he told me he wanted to eat there again I laughed and told him no way without an ADR, but he proved me wrong. I still wonder how he managed to sweet talk that CM into it. I do suggest going early like 4:00 or as soon as the restaurant opens for dinner. Good luck!!