Will I get something?

[RookieLady]

I like to have at least one table service reservation each day. My preference is a late lunch, but occasionally, we will do an early dinner. I have been to most restaurants and can make do with what is available. I also like the lounges and am willing to eat there, if I don't get my preference. In light of this indifference I am feeling about where to go (for the first time really), I am wondering whether I should bother getting up at 6:00 am tomorrow to make reservations. I see the threads regarding limited availability, but is it limited as to something you specifically wanted or is it limited across the board. If I make the reservations mid morning, will I at least be getting something? Thanks in advance.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I looked for today and only 4 restaurants came up when inputting a party of 2 for 5 pm tonight...but move it to 5:30 and there are 31 different options (the app is weird). Nothing at DHS, which has limited restaurants, but options pretty much everywhere else. If you aren't too particular and you can find that many for the same day, you will be fine unless you're trying for something that is very popular.

 

[CSLucas]

I always get up at 6 to make them, but I don't know why I still bother - 90% of the reservations we end up keeping come from using dining alerts. You'll be totally fine if you don't get up at 6, even for most of the popular places. If it isn't available mid-morning, set up a free alert with touring plans and you will probably get it between now and your trip.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I stopped putting a lot of effort into making reservations with few exceptions such as holidays, Sunday brunch at CG, a lunch at Sanaa, and special occasions.
It’s so easy to eat a worthy TS meal at Disney Springs so most of my reservations are made via open table where it’s much easier to get an ADR and no need to get up early if I don’t wish to.

That strategy isn’t going to work at places with characters or high demand family eateries like ‘Ohana but my traveling companions are past that age and lost the interest.

Sure, you’ll be fine

 

[VineHeart]

If you don't want a particular restaurant then there's really no need to get up early. You'll find something.

 

[loves to dive]

I don't think so unless you want one of the really popular ones. We make them day of, always have and even Post-Covid have never had a problem finding somewhere to eat that day.

 

[soniam]

DHS and AK can be harder, since they have fewer restaurants. If you aren't picky and are willing to do Disney Springs, you will probably be fine.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I did our ADR's. Will be there in October. For me, it appeared reservations were being scooped up quickly. Didn't help that site was down at first for at least 10 minutes. We pretty much got what we wanted but not times. I took an Oga's reservation for 9:30 a.m. because that was all I could get. Couldn't get Chef's de France and Beaches & Cream.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Your timeframe will be very important to try to plan and this will mean waking up at 6:00 a.m. It will be on your mind all night long anyway so might as well at least try.
Will you be traveling alone or with family? I am trying to help a family with plans to arrive the first week of October and they are newbies. They think they will just wing it…I am planning on being there for them when they realize that was a mistake… You should try for one place to have an actual seat for this first Anniversary Week Crowds.
That is the best advice I can give you besides Good luck !

P.s. That will be my voice keeping you awake all night long…Sorry

I am letting them wing it the first day at AK… because nothing was available. But I also have the QSLocations to help them. Unfortunately they will quickly discover the Mobile Order is not functioning with crowds.

 

[Eastern]

I would just get up and book at 6am. A lot of stuff is gone by 11am, esp if you want a certain timeframe. If you literally don't care or can eat at DS then sleep in.

ps There are several restaurants in DS that I would love to eat at but the logistics of getting there always makes me change my mind.

 

[OpieDoodle]

It really just depends on if you want to solidify your plans or if you don't have planned times. Some restaurants you WON'T be able to get if you don't get up early unless you're watching like a hawk for someone to drop it later.

For us we like to plan our day, if we do sit down for breakfast we either want it early to give us plenty of time in the parks or we've been known to book the last opening at breakfast which puts you at like 1030/11 which we treat as an early lunch.

If you have day you plan to be in certain parks you'll want to get up early if you're wanting to eat at a restaurant in the park that day.

 

[Romans]

If you aren't staying on site then good luck getting anything you want. We have a tripped planned for mid OCT staying off site and all last week I checked at 6am since i'm up already and there was nothing we wanted each day. On site guest get to book their whole trips dinning reservations on their first day so they get all the good ones which is fair I guess.

 

[RookieLady]

I did not get up early and had issues with the app and the website. So, I worked it out just now and got everything I wanted: Jungle Skipper, Beaches and Cream, Sanaa, Brown Derby, and Be Our Guest. I am now convinced it's just dumb luck.