Where do I have a shot at doing some last minute walk ups

we just decided to go yesterday, and will be there this Friday 6-12. Obviously, there are no ADR's to be had.

We were trying to do something different for vacation and were going to gulf Shores AL. Well the oil finally decided to come ashore this week, so we switch to old faithful Disney.

Which restaurants will I have good luck with a family of 4 just walking up for service and what time.

We are heading to Gulf Shores like we do every year at the end of June. My family meets there the same time every year. So we are going to have fun no matter what.

Now as to your question, I would try Kona Cafe at the Poly for sure. We have never had a problem getting in there. We tend to eat dinner early, so that might be in our favor.
 
We were able to do a walk-up lunch at Sci-Fi in July 2009. But we couldn't sit in a car. I think that's the only time I've tried a walk-up.
 
We were able to snag a walk up at The Wave for dinner. Check with the front desk before you leave in the morning. They can let you know what's available.
 
we just decided to go yesterday, and will be there this Friday 6-12. Obviously, there are no ADR's to be had.

We were trying to do something different for vacation and were going to gulf Shores AL. Well the oil finally decided to come ashore this week, so we switch to old faithful Disney.

Which restaurants will I have good luck with a family of 4 just walking up for service and what time.

Il Mulino at the Swan allows walk-ins in the bar area. They have high top tables that accomodated our family of 4. You can order from the bar menu or full menu.
 

Last Saturday (6/5) we walked into Liberty Tree Tavern at noon, party of 7 and were seated in 5 minutes. My best friend cancelled her F! dinner package for Sunday night (didn't want to fight SWW) and changed to Boma no problem. She also showed up at 8:30 Monday am for her 10 am CRT breakfast and was able to be seated immediately. Both of those were for a party of 2, no dining plan for any of it.

I would keep trying ADRs...but don't hesitate to walk up and ask.
 
We are heading to Gulf Shores like we do every year at the end of June. My family meets there the same time every year. So we are going to have fun no matter what.

Now as to your question, I would try Kona Cafe at the Poly for sure. We have never had a problem getting in there. We tend to eat dinner early, so that might be in our favor.

THANK YOU For supporting our Beautiful Gulf Coast ! I hope you have a WONDERFUL visit ! (((HUGS)))

TO answer OP.... From DS18 and my visit May 9-14 2010...

1. We had ADR's at Yak & Yeti...however it was obvious they weren't needed.... we saw walk ups get tables in 5 minutes. (Good Food !)
2. I made ADRs when we arrived for the next morning at WCC breakfast....NO problems there....and probably didn't even need the ADRs. (Made at the Concierge desk at BC). (Breakfast and experience good !)
3. I tried to get noonish "Day of" ADR's to Sci Fi and was unable to...however did get 50's Prime Time... (Yummy Pot Roast !)
4. We had ADR's for Teppan Edo...however I do believe they were serving walk ups...

I guess my point is as PP's have mentioned ....don't assume that you "Can't" get in anywhere.... folks cancel...and you may be able to get 'day of' ressies or even walk up... Although I can't confirm... it seems that I overheard folks walking up to Le Cellier when we were there...

Have a nice vacation !
Mary
 
If you don't mind doing a sit down lunch instead of dinner, you will have better luck. Many restaurants will be able to seat you right when they first open up. This is a good option for hard to get ADRs like Le Ceiller, if you really have your heart set on eating there.
 
I would think LeCellier is a long shot for getting a table without an ADR. Last year we were waiting for our table during the lunch seating and people were walking up asking for anything available and I overherd the CM say that they were "booked for lunch and dinner 8 weeks out. But to try each morning with Guest Services". I'm not saying it never has happened; but I'd think with this particular restaurant it's difficult.
 
I have been able to walk up to, these were all in July:

50's prime time diner - had to wait a bit but had a drink beforehand, it was the midle of the afternoon
Liberty Tree Tavern - for Lunch
Tony's Town Square - early dinner
Biergarten - early afternoon again had to wait a little bit but wondered the store
Brown Derby - can't remember but I don't think it was a typical lunch or dinner time


As you can see some of these were not at 'popular' times
 
I would think LeCellier is a long shot for getting a table without an ADR. Last year we were waiting for our table during the lunch seating and people were walking up asking for anything available and I overherd the CM say that they were "booked for lunch and dinner 8 weeks out. But to try each morning with Guest Services". I'm not saying it never has happened; but I'd think with this particular restaurant it's difficult.

I had success at Le Ceiller over Spring Break this year. It was the week after Easter, and we were able to get a table for 2 right at open. So while the odds may not be great, if eating at a certain place is important, it is worth a shot!:cool1:
 
I had success at Le Ceiller over Spring Break this year. It was the week after Easter, and we were able to get a table for 2 right at open. So while the odds may not be great, if eating at a certain place is important, it is worth a shot!:cool1:


That must have made your day!! And over Spring Break too!! :thumbsup2 Oh, anytime you want to eat at any place it's always worth the extra effort. And getting there right when they open the doors helps also. I think I did that once at Flying Fish and we were seated almost immediately.
 
You may want to try the disneyworld.com website. Go to "where to eat" and then select "make dining reservations" If you don't enter a preference for the restaurant and just put in a date and time you'll get a fairly comprehensive list of what is available, even on the day ouf.

Hope that helps.
 
Last summer we went the last week of June through the 4th of July. This is one of the most crowded weeks of the entire year. Yet, we were able to walk right up and sit down at Chef Mickey's without a reservation. :cool1:

We had taken a ride in the monorail and got off at the Contemporary. As we were heading out, I noticed that Chef Mickey's had just opened and there was absolutely no one in line. So, I walked up to the hostess and asked if she had a table for four. She did! We were seated immediately! It was great. The kids had a great dinner and we didn't have to wait. :yay:

So, like everyone here, the best chance you have of getting in some place with ADR would be to go right at opening at 4:30.
 
OP- did you actually try the site to check for an ADR?
I just got 44 options for Friday night. You can eat anywhere you want pretty much... there are places in all parks open.
 
We just got back and on two separate afternoons, I made same day reservations for dinner. At Epcot, I was offered Nine Dragons, Tokyo Dining, Biergarten... some others, but I don't remember them all now. Nine Dragons seems to always have something (which is great - because I love it). Most of the resort locations have walk up availability. When we were at BLT last October, we walked into The Wave and were seated almost immediately a few times without reservations. Also, I was at Guest Services in Epcot renewing my AP and noticed that the availability board for dining reservations seemed to list almost every restaurant with availability. As long as you aren't super picky and will only eat a Le Cellier or something, I don't think you'll have a problem making a few ADRs.
 
we often book reservations for right when a restaurant opens...like many open at 5:30 for dinner. There seems to be a lot of open tables at most places until about 6 or 6:15, then they start filling rapidly. So try showing up at the check-in podium around 5:15 for a 5:30 opening.

Alternately, very late dinners seem less popular, too -- after 8:30 p.m.

Restaurants at resorts are often less filled, too (except for the popular character buffets...but even those might let you in early/late.)
 
Twice we got in at CRT for LUNCH for 2. I think both times were around 2:00. It wasn't in the summer season though. NEVER seen anyone walk-up to LeCellier though.
 
We have often been so involved in something that we don't want to stop and go to and ADR at the time we booked. I just stop right where we are and call the dining number to check out what reservations they have available (of course canceling the one we had at the time first ;)) We have always been able to find something and if we can't find it by calling we walk up and ask. You never know. We got in to Teppan Edo one night late (around 9:00) We waited about 10 mins before getting seated, but other than that it was pretty quick. Same with Coral Reef althoug we waited 1/2 hr in that case.

You just never know so you should always try......:thumbsup2
 
First, if there's a resturaunt you really want and there's no ADRs available, if you can, go there anyways and see. A few years ago, I had ADRs at 50s Prime Time, but I'd noticed a couple weeks in advance that they were full (I thought-I'd tried to change the time). Boy, was I surprised when the people in front of me hadn't made ADRs. When asked by the hostess, they replied "No, we didn't know we were supposed to have made reservations." But they were given a pager and told they would have about 1/2 hour wait. DH and I never make ADRs-we've walked in to Rose and Crown, LTT, Biergarten, GFC, Olivia's, Kona (we did make reservations that morning), Jiko, Sanaa, and Chefs de France.
 


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