Winging It: No PS 12/19 - 12/23

[Blue62]

Last two trips we did the PS thing and this time around we just don't feel like being tied into reservation times with two younger kids in the mix. We'd rather kind of go with the flow.

So are we making a HUGE mistake?

We are staying at Wilderness Lodge and thought we would eat at:

1. Whispering Canyon - I am assuming that if we eat at off times, say 2:00 pm or quarter of 5:00, times like that we shouldn't have much problem? Am I wrong?

2. O'Hanas - again if we get in for an early dinner just before 5 PM. We did this once before when staying at the Poly during peak season and it worked fine, showed up about 5o and were in in 15 minutes.

3. EPCOT - figure we could make the PS day-of when we enter the park? Not sure where in epcot just yet.

With the younger kids (4.5 and 6) it just seems hard to predict when they are going to crash and when they do it sure is a bad time to have a meal scheduled. Plus with kids in tow I'm just not crazy about having to be half way across the World by such-andsuch time.

But if this is a big mistake that would preclude us having a decent meal or two, then I better make the call ASAP.

Are we making a mistake by walking on the wild side

 

[pennyplanner]

I am definitely not a fly by the seat of my pants kind of person. I would make some PSs and then see what happens. The busiest time of year we have been at WDW was Thanksgiving 2003.

As a mother of two, I see your point about being flexible. I am just not sure that around Christmas is the time of year to wing it.

Anyone out there been at the World at this time of year?

I like the idea of eating at off times. That seems a good bet!

Enjoy your visit, no matter what, at this magical time of year!

--penny

 

[sunny04]

Epcot with no PS is probably not too big of a deal, but the others probably will be a little harder to get. However, I have never been to either Ohana or Wilderness, so I don't know how busy they would be. I just know that we had a PS for Marrakesh at Epcot on our last trip that they couldn't find. The restaurant also was almost empty (it was like 6:30pm) so it didn't matter.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I've seen plenty of people turned away from O'Hana. I'd make a PS for that one

 

[shellybaxter]

While I ALWAYS make at least one PS for each day of my trip, but I guess I can understand not wanting to feel tied to a specific time and place. What I don't understand about people who don't want to make PS (and please don't take offense, I'm really curious) is why they don't just make a couple of back-up PS and cancel them if they end up not wanting to use them. Of even not cancel but just not show up? It just seems like a small hassle to be assured of having a place to eat when you are tired and hungery.

Shelly

 

[mjmcca]

Well the reason i never amke PS is i really dont know where i will be or how many i will have with me. I have freinds that live about 30 minutes away from WDW and I never know from one day to the next if i am going to be at the parks or at Cleremont. If i am going to just have my own kids with me or will i have hers as well. On my last trip i was at her house at least 4 or 5 times. I took her kids and teenage sister to MNSSHP one night. Took them to trick or treat in DTD on Halloween. then took just her kids to the parks one day. I gave up a park day to go to a MD appointment with her and her father who is ill. When I left home i had no idea that all this would go on during my vaccation. It is much easier for me to travel without plans. ( This is just a small synopsis I didnt even mention the fact that she had a baby while i was there) Let's just say it was a full trip.

 

[jordanyosh]

We always make PS arrangements and update them as our trip progresses. We never feel tied to them. We feel safer having them. Imagine trying to get into a restaurant and they have a wait...your kids are hungry...so you go to the next restaurant and they have a wait....and then you just settle for what's convenient...

That time of year will definitely be busier and walk-ups may be in for a long wait..I would make some calls just to see what availability is...if the WDW Dine folks say things are wide open, you may not have any problems. If they look at Ohanas, for instance, and say we only have this slot or this slot available, you may want to make a few PS arrangements just to be safe.

 

[Blue62]

Thanks everybody!

Very good point about not feeling tied to the PS... I'll call and make a few and if it doesn't work out we'll cancel and adjust. The feeling of being restricted by them may be more of how you look at it. Thanks.

 

[Kaycee]

I'm glad to hear you decided to make a few back-up PS's and then adjust as needed. I really think this time of year you need a plan to fall back on in case it's crazy-crowded, everyone is exhausted and starving, and you just can't face another counter service meal right then. Believe me, I've been in that situation. And the great thing about PS's is you can always cancel at the last minute if it doesn't fit into what you're doing. Definitely don't let PS's make you feel restricted, because you're not.

 

[n2mm]

We just returned last night and was there over the weekend. Let me say that every place we ate, the phrase of the night was "priority seating or reservations only" we are taking no walk ins. We witnessed some guest screaming at a CM at the Plaza and demanding that they OPEN and serve their family. We were at the Plaza for the last seating of the evening (4:50PM) and were the last to leave. This woman kept screaming, we have no place to eat, all of the restraurants were full and not taking anyone.....Looked like fast food places were serving, but guess that's not what she wanted. Since they locked the doors after us, I'm sure she ate elsewhere. The 50s PT was not taking walk ins either. But we had no problem going to WC for breakfast at 7:30 AM on Monday morning.

 

[Harambe]

I broke out in hives when I read your first post about no PSs during Christmas time, but the hives went away after I read that you made a few backup PSs. You will be glad you did! With little ones, I know it is imortant to be flexible, but you also don't want to wait for a table, or get turned away when your little ones are tired.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

We had priority seating on 12/10, 11, and 12 at San Angel Inn, California Grill, and Boma. At San Angel Inn, a CM came out and told the crowd that if they did not have ps, there would be no chance of a table until about 8:30 (we were there at about 6:45).
At California Grill, even with ps we waited about an hour for a table. AT Boma the wait was not too bad but the restaurant was very crowded. I wouldn't recommend that anyone go without priority seating.

 

[Blue62]

Thanks again to all that have replied.

I made PS for Alfredo di Roma @ Epcot, 50's Prime Time Cafe @ MGM, 'Ohana, and Whispering Canyon. May add another if one of the few remaining Chef Mickey's slots works for us.

Out of curiosity I'm going to askat each the wait time without a PS. We are typically eating between 5:00 and 5:30. Maybe that information would be helpful in some way to someone.

The main thing that I have taken from the collective adivce is very simply that it can't hurt to have the PS, better safe than sorry. The fact of feeling tied to the PS may be more a factor of perception... you are as tied to it as you want to be.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Kaycee]

The main thing that I have taken from the collective adivce is very simply that it can't hurt to have the PS, better safe than sorry. The fact of feeling tied to the PS may be more a factor of perception... you are as tied to it as you want to be.

Exactly!

 

[pennyplanner]

Have a fabulous time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

--pennyplanner

 

[Taratink]

We went last year w/ my kids 3 and 4 and we had no ps. I feel like we missed out. This year I booked a couple of ps that I really wanted to go to. I would definately book a couple or you could be dissapointed. It is no fun waiting 45 minutes when everyone is hungry and tired.
Good luck!
Tara

 

[Blue62]

To finish this up, now that the trip is in the books....

1. PS was essential

2. We canceled most when an illness changed most of our agenda. We cahnged our park rotation.

3. We did keep the O'Hana PS and the wait without one at 5:00 pm was 40 minutes

4. We did walk up to Le Celier (sp?) at Epcot and they were full. We also walked right into Whispering Canyone at 5:00 pm, but I would guess that later in the evening there would be a wait.

5. We ended up eating at Rainforest Cafe, Whispering Canyon, O'Hana, & Chef Mickeys

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Taratink]

I am sad to hear that you were sick. I hope that you had a good time anyways. How did you like Ohanas? I have been thinking about it but I have heard so many mixed reviews.
Tara