when Epcot 1st opened > dining reservations

[muffyn]

when Epcot 1st opened, I seem to recall there were NO ADR's,, correct? you were advised in the travel books to RUN to kiosks in the park to make your reservations for the day.
(is my recollection right?)

I am just asking because of all this talk about ADR's, can you imagine if you couldn't call in for an ADR ahead of time???

& btw, what was the dining at the magic kingdom like? did they have some type of reservation service ,, or was it only walk ups?

 

[Sammy]

I remember being in Epcot all those years ago! In order to make dinner reservations, you did it through a bank of computer kiosks and you actually could see and speak with the CM through the computer....an early webcam sort of thing. Cool....I had forgotten all about that!!

 

[sdzman]

I remember being in Epcot all those years ago! In order to make dinner reservations, you did it through a bank of computer kiosks and you actually could see and speak with the CM through the computer....an early webcam sort of thing. Cool....I had forgotten all about that!!

Yep, I remember my dad always making the reservations for everyone in the morning. You could get just about any table at any place that way if you got to the park early.

 

[Abharmagic]

YES- That was the LAST time I was at EPCOT until my trip in October, and when I first booked my trip I figured that's what you still did for reservations. Thankfully I have a friend who owns a DVC and she told me about calling in ADRs and to buy the Unofficial Guide. Otherwise I would have gone to EPCOT looking for a computer to speak to a CM and make a reservation It was a while ago, I was a teen, and now I'm 34.

 

[crisi]

There was a long time when only onsite guests could make reservations for anything in advance - and there were very few onsite hotel rooms (Poly, Cont, Fort Wildernss, Golf Resort).

 

[daisy112878]

I remember going when I was little and my dad going to those computers. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Oh and we stayed at the Disney Inn which is now I think Shades of Green. It was all Snow White themed.

 

[LiteBrite]

Yup, and the phrase in the guidebook (probably Birnbaum's Official Guide to Walt Disney World) was something like "send the speediest member of your party ahead..."

I loved those webcam terminals (although of course we didn't know to call them that back then). Nothing was cooler back in the day!

 

[MickeyNicki]

I remember being in Epcot all those years ago! In order to make dinner reservations, you did it through a bank of computer kiosks and you actually could see and speak with the CM through the computer....an early webcam sort of thing. Cool....I had forgotten all about that!!

I remember that too, we always got the ressies we wanted

 

[ntsammy5]

In order to make dinner reservations, you did it through a bank of computer kiosks and you actually could see and speak with the CM through the computer...!

I forgot about that too! If they did that now, you'd need a FP to even get close to them!

 

[BCV23]

I remember those terminals too.

In those days no one could make reservations ahead for the MK restaurants either. You made them same day at the restaurants or at a little stand in front of what is now Tony's.

 

[luna99]

I remember being in Epcot all those years ago! In order to make dinner reservations, you did it through a bank of computer kiosks and you actually could see and speak with the CM through the computer....an early webcam sort of thing. Cool....I had forgotten all about that!!

oh man, that was one of my favorite things to do when visiting Epcot! Our whole family would stand around and push the screen to choose what country we wanted to eat at.. and I remember you would see a little preview of the food there and maybe the menu?? then when you were ready you would push the screen and a person would come on and you'd make the reservation. I remember the first time we did it I was like "wow! can that lady really see us?!?" I must have been like 10 years old!!!

I'm gonna ask my mom if she remember this now! how fun!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I remember this and I remember that in guest services outside spaceship Earth, we would talk to the computer, we could see them and they could see us..

You always got your dining reservation for that day, maybe not exactly the time, but something close. Those were the days..

 

[daisy112878]

I remember those terminals too.

In those days no one could make reservations ahead for the MK restaurants either. You made them same day at the restaurants or at a little stand in front of what is now Tony's.

Oh I remember this too!!!! We would always try for reservations in the saloon place that use to be open and served food. I can't remember the name of it. There was a great show with dancers of course I was 7 or 8 at the time so I thought everything was great.

 

[centurythree]

I miss the WorldKey stations too. I was always amazed that the person could see you and talk to you, too. Plus the touch screens to see the food and menus . . . I wonder how they did that pre-internet?

I really sort of wish they'd go back to that system. It seemed fairer that way, rather than expecting newbies to "know" that they should make their ADRs six months in advance. Or maybe allow half the spaces to be taken by ADRs, and the rest same day reservations and walkups.

 

[BCV23]

Oh I remember this too!!!! We would always try for reservations in the saloon place that use to be open and served food. I can't remember the name of it. There was a great show with dancers of course I was 7 or 8 at the time so I thought everything was great.

Diamond Horseshoe.

In later years, they didn't take reservations but you could order sandwiches, etc..

The show was fun. I miss it.

 

[ntsammy5]

Diamond Horseshoe.

This is like a walk down memory lane!

 

[daisy112878]

Diamond Horseshoe - That's it!!!

 

[acourtwdw]

I remember the World Key ressie things! Our first trip in 92 we used those. Never made it to the Diamond Horseshoe

Maybe we should start a thread about resturants that we miss?

Chef Mickey's in the Marketplace was way better than CM now.

 

[dvczerfs]

When Epcot First Opened I Remeber Just Walking Up And Getting Seated. We Have Pictures Of Our Honeymoon In 85 Of Epcot (in March) And There Is Nobody Around. I Kinda Miss Those Days.

 

[Hmbldr]

YES! The video teleconferencing was so cool back then. 1983...interactive - WOW! Now, does anyone remember the little mascot that would buzz around the screen when you were searching for stuff? Or the display portion of Innoventions - Communicore West, where you could see the CM interacting on the other end of the conference?

Things were so much simpler then. Most things were walk up and you just made reservations for a few restaurants and to save from any wait time.

Horseshoe Review.....remember heading to the back window first thing in the morning to book a show for that day. That Day, that's right, none of this 180 nonsense.