With Free Dining ...

[Corwin12]

Is it next to impossible to get standby anywhere in the parks. I want to make a few reservations at the places we definitely want to eat at, then we just want to wing it the rest of the time. Is this not a good idea during free dinings times?

 

[wellesleyprincess]

It depends on how flexible you are and what your party wants to eat and how long they're willing to wait.

If there's a place you definitely want make an ADR no question.

If your not on the dining plan and are fine with 2 hour waits, eating strange times, at hotels instead of the park or at counter service you can probably find somewhere, but it will likely be with at least one of those constraints.

 

[KatMark]

For the last two years, every restaurant we ate at during free dining was turning people away saying there were no openings at any time during the day/night. You have to decide you want to take that chance or not.

 

[allshookup]

There's always ESPN, they don't take reservations. But if it's a big game day, you're going to have a long wait. Otherwise try leaving the parks & head to a resort for dinner & then go back. Just check with guest services & see if they have anything available. Another great alternative is Wolfgang Puck Express in DTD. While it is counter service, it is superiour in service & quality.

 

[FINFAN]

I would make ADR's...even the CS places are crowded during free dining because that is where those who did NOT make ADR's ( and to be fair, not everyone is on the boards like us and have no idea the impact FD makes)are scrambling for a place to eat. It was upsetting to us, actually, when we did FD in the past as we we felt so bad for families getting turned away. Even if you have an ADR for a place you maybe aren't crazy about, it is a place to eat and you can always cancel it if you are able to get a different dining arrangement made.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I would make an ADR for each day so at the very least you know you have something to count on. If you don't want to go that day, or find something else, just call and cancel.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

I've been 2 of the last 3 years in Sept and have seen signs at Epcot saying bo restaurants will except walkins all day. And at MK, there was a sign that said there were no tables available at any TS in the park or at any of the MK resort restaurants. If you want to sit and eat, make an ADR.

 

[RMulieri]

Not advisable at all. MOST places, particularly themepark restaurants,and very popular resort restaurants will not be taking standbys during free dining.Epcot had a huge sign in Futureworld and World Showcase that said this last year.Mk had a sign on Main St that said it too. During Free Dining, Everyone is trying to get use of their credits including people that normally would not eat at TS places.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

I always make ADR's. But, that being said, last year during free dining we extended our trip by 1 week due to evacuating our home from the hurricanes.

I called the dining number and was told I could book Marakesh, Biergarten, San Angel, within the hour. I waited and pressed my luck because we really wanted Coral Reef. We walked up to Coral Reef, party of 4, at 5:00 pm and were seated in minutes.

We were also seated within minutes with no reservations at Garden Grill and Mama Melrose, around the 5:00 mark.

So basically, go with ADR's, but it doesn't hurt to check in at the restaurant, they will often get you in. This was more successful than calling the dining ressies and asking at the hotel.

 

[Corwin12]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I am going to make ADRs.

 

[MelanieC]

It depends. We are the type of people that want to eat at certain places during our stay. For us that is as much fun as being at the parks (eating at the places we love).

We find it more relaxing to have a plan of what park on what day and where to eat. Then we just show up. We would not enjoy having to scramble and figure out where to eat. Plus - when your package includes TS meals I would want to know I'm at least able to use them.