Which reservations needed for Nov 16-19 trip?

[jabrabu]

I will be going to DL/DCA Nov 16-19. I live on the east coast and go to WDW regularly, but I'm less familiar with DL. I have park reservations, but I'm wondering which other reservations I might need.

I'm thinking maybe a dining or dessert package for World of Color.

I'd like to visit Trader Sam's, probably in the evening. Do I need a reservation?

I think Oga's requires a reservation, but I've been to Oga's in WDW, so not a big deal if I don't get in.

Do any other lounges need a reservation, e.g. Carthay?

 

[GBRforWDW]

World of Color has a virtual queue you can join at noon, as long as you've entered the park. If you want a good view without spending a ton of money, that's a great option! We got an excellent view going this route.

 

[serendipityaey]

I will be going to DL/DCA Nov 16-19. I live on the east coast and go to WDW regularly, but I'm less familiar with DL. I have park reservations, but I'm wondering which other reservations I might need.

I'm thinking maybe a dining or dessert package for World of Color.

I'd like to visit Trader Sam's, probably in the evening. Do I need a reservation?

I think Oga's requires a reservation, but I've been to Oga's in WDW, so not a big deal if I don't get in.

Do any other lounges need a reservation, e.g. Carthay?

All dining reservations are taken the moment they drop 60 days in advance. You can set dining alerts for if someone cancels at third party sites.

 

[twodogs]

Almost every thing in DLR other than quick service needs a reservation. Some places (like Oga’s) have a “walk up” list on the app that you can join, but some days they don’t offer it. And many places never seem to have the “walk up” list on the app open. As OP said, the window opens exactly 60 days prior to the date you want to dine, etc. So your 60 day window has already opened and many/most reservations will be gone already.

You can use one of the dining alert services to send you a text or email when something you want gets cancelled by another guest and you can reserve it (google this; can’t mention the specific names here, some are paid, some free). I usually eventually get the reservations that I want, but some are very difficult (Lamplight brunch, Blue Bayou).

If you don’t have a reservation, there are great QS options (much better than QS in WDW, IMO), but if you have specific “must do’s”, then you best make a reservation. Yes Trader Sams, Cathay lounge both require reservations (Trader Sam’s might take walk ups at times, I think?). The DL dining landscape has changed dramatically since COVID. Reservations go instantly at the 60 day mark (things like Oga’s, Trader Sams, Fantasmic dining packages, LL brunch, Blue Bayou are gone in seconds). There is a good dining thread on here (something about ”for the love of churros” in the thread title) that you should check out.

 

[DharmaLou]

Oga's is very easy to get walk up to. I've never not had success in it. Trader Sam's is mostly walk up; occasionally reservations drop on the app but there's no rhyme or reason when they will.

 

[disneyland_is_magic]

FYI, I have never seen this with my own eyes, but plan to in the future. There is a QS, no reservation needed option Tangaroa Terrance next door to Trader's Sam, which could be a back up plan if you can't do a walk up to Trader's Sam. I want to go there to try the Tangaroa Toast which I think is the DL version of the Tonga toast.
You can read about the two places in this old thread.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/trader-sams-or-tangaroa-terrace.3880044/

 

[jabrabu]

Thanks for the replies. Since I will be solo, it's not that big of a deal not getting dining reservations. I usually don't want a big sit-down meal when I'm solo in the parks -- I usually like to find a nice lounge and have an appetizer and a cocktail. If I get hungry I can mobile order some quick service, or maybe find something in Downtown Disney.

The last time I was at DLR was in Feb 2016, and that was my first time since the early 80's when I lived in SoCal. It was awesome to see it again, and I'm looking forward to going back next month.