What to do w/o ADRs

[Mom2J&J]

We have just booked a trip to Disney for spring break. I know it's a last minute booking (for Disney), but we were waiting until we were financially ready before pulling the trigger Obviously, it's one if the most crowded times to visit, but I am really disappointed that almost every restaurant is out of decent reservation times.

We even dumped the DDP because we couldn't find enough places to fit our schedule and locations.

All that being said (sorry to complain), what are some good options for us? My children are 14, 10, and 7. It's my 7 year-old daughter's first visit.

Trying to keep my head up and find the bright side (of eating). Thanks for any advice.

MCB

 

[_auroraborealis_]

1. Quick service
2. Look ongoing. People change ADRs at 60 days, at 30 days, and the day before
3. Be flexible
4. Skipper Canteen in MK is table service that is walk-up only
5. Resort restaurants (especially GF Cafe, Kona, Trail's End and Wave) are often easier to get.

 

[pumba]

we only have one reservation for our trip the last part of april and may...so we are not really into having to be someplace at some time...We looked at the CS restaurants in each park and our hotel also..I need real food and not burgers and fries and chicken fingers..(although I will be glad to partake of these on our trip)...so at Cosmic Rays..I love the half chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans...a good meal and plenty of food on that plate.. also love to get into Columbia Harbor House...good food there for CS...at Epcot..you can go to the AMerican pavilion area..and they have great options there too..Liberty Inn...that way you are having good meals (hopefully) with a veggie and protein for you and the kids...go and look at our menus and parks and resorts.. I think you will be pleasantly surprised..

 

[JanBlessed]

Hi! I booked last week for Spring break & ran into the same situation. We will book one character meal at a resort and I'll keep checking at the 30 day mark for a better reservation to open up.
Last July - I scored CHEF MICKEY's that way!!!

I never have more than one ADR per day in order to be flexible. I just don't want a fixed all day schedule while on vacation/a trip! We kind of go with the flow and just enjoy it.

So it depends on how your family tours the 'World' - if my son wants to leave a park early and go to the resort pool (like 2 days last spring) we can do that and eat anywhere and not have to stay due to an ADR.

We booked 60 days out for Spring Break last year and got Tusker House at around the 30 day mark as well.

I'd say: check daily! You will find something you like

 

[AFwifelife]

This upcoming trip we only have 2 ADRs and they aren't in the parks, just special dinners. We are going to do lots of snacking mostly as the mood strikes to get something. We will also go to a few CS places for an actual meal if we want something more substantial. If you are going to do the CS/QS route, lines will be much lower during non-meal times.

I also agree with checking MDE the day before and even the day of for ressies. You can find some good ones that people drop last minute.

 

[MJ6987]

There are some good counter service places that you could try (also cheaper) like...

MK - Sleepy Hollow, Columbia Harbour House
Epcot - Tangerine Cafe, Sunshine Seasons
AK - Flame Tree Barbeque, Restarauntosaurus
HS - N/A - but you should be able to get 50's Prime Time, even on the day, or try the Hollywood Brown Derby (or its lounge)
Disney Springs - Wolfgang Puck Express

 

[Jankam]

We went without any ADRs last time and had some great meals nonetheless! There are some very nice QS restaurants, and like PPs said, there can often be a res available at the last minute!

 

[hsmamato2]

1. Quick service
2. Look ongoing. People change ADRs at 60 days, at 30 days, and the day before
3. Be flexible
4. Skipper Canteen in MK is table service that is walk-up only
5. Resort restaurants (especially GF Cafe, Kona, Trail's End and Wave) are often easier to get.

Yup- I like a couple of TS while on vacation, but eating qs leaves your time open.... so much easier! Find the 'good'qs options...and have fun! I love heading to nearby resorts for a meal, even a qs meal can be fun and different... like at Contemperary,or Polynesian, or Boardwalk..... or try for an adr at one of those areas..... like Kona cafe,or the wave,or a buffet at Grand Floridian.....etc- even in park qs can be fun and fast. eating at 'odd' times can cut down on crowds too

 

[Minniesgal]

Try near resort restaurants rather than park restaurants. I'm surprised you can't find anything we are going over Easter and staying a while and I'm still managing to fiddle and change my ADRs.

 

[mrzrich]

I don't believe that there is NOTHING. Maybe there is nothing that you are familiar with? There is always something. Resort restaurants are some of the best on property.

On your MK day consider dining at Grand Floridian Cafe, The Wave, Trail's End or Kona Cafe

Seriously nothing at Epcot? If there really isn't,
On your DHS and Epcot Days consider Captain's Grill, Cape May Cafe, Trattoria Al Forno. (Off DDP consider dining at some of the great eateries at the Swan Dolphin)

For AK day if you REALLY want TS join the Landry Club. They have to seat you ASAP at Yak or RFC if you are a member of the Landry Club. (Also works at T-Rex)
If you can get by on CS, consider eating TS at a resort later. More under the radar places include Olivia's at OKW, Turf Club at Saratoga, Shutter's at CBR, and Boatwrights at POR.

Another plan of attack is to look for lunch reservation for your TS meal and eating QS for dinner.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

I use touring plans ADR finder. I changed around my Easter weekend plans and got Ohana at 5p and Sci Fi at 6p for 5ppl since Friday afternoon.

 

[mrzrich]

Based on the dates that you gave in the POR thread and your party of 5, I found lots dinner ADRs using 6pm as the time in the ADR search. The only park where I came up short was MK, but as stated before, there are a lot of better dinner options at nearby resorts. If you open up to the idea of eating your TS meal at lunch time, even more availability opens up. I checked for ADRs using 1230 search time an I found lots of nice choices including a few eateries inside MK.

 

[mrzrich]

If you search under the times "lunch" and "dinner" you will be offered the least desirable times. You have to specify your preferred eating time. You may not get the exact time that you want, but it will be closer

 

[Disneylover99]

Having zero ADR's can be amazing. Eat wherever you like, wherever you happen to be. Awesome.

But, if you are going during busy times, try to eat lunch at 11am and dinner before 5pm. Eat at off hours as much as possible and counter service dining will be enjoyable and relaxing, no matter where you end up.

 

[Mom2J&J]

Thanks, everyone! There were some reservations available, but none that fit our touring plan, as we aren't park hopping and in MK for two days. I feel much better with the CS and resort recommendations and advice to keep checking - especially closer to the date. We are excited about our trip and can't wait to try out some of these places!

MCB

 

[mickeygirl78]

It can be very freeing not having ADRs. I would recommend Wolfgang Puck Express if you go to DTD. That's as good as a table service. We are doing just QS on our next trip with one special TS for my nephews bday. We are looking forward to not being tied down. I would suggest focusing on QS locations, there are so many great ones that you won't miss the TS.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Earlier in January when we were there they weren't taking ADRs for Liberty Tree Tavern either. You had to just walk up and wait to be seated.

Don't forget about Sunshine Seasons in the Land in Epcot. They have some pretty good meal choices there, too. And no ADRs.

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

Definitely keep checking. We booked our trip 2 months in advance. Right away there were plenty of resort restaurants available. I checked many times a day for weeks and eventually got Tusker House and Crystal Palace. Just keep trying and try some new places as well.

 

[nono]

Pick up the phone early in the morning the day you need something. I've done this for years, including our last trip during a busy period in December. "I'm going to be in _____ Park today. What's available for lunch/dinner there or in the resorts near the ______________ Park?" The CMs at the other end have come up have always been able to come up with something. I like calling in this instance, because I find I get locked into my ideas with the app, and sometimes, the CMs suggest something that wasn't on my radar.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Check the MDE app the night before or the morning of the day you want to eat and see what is available.