Yes Virginia, I was able to get last minute adr's. An experiment

[eliza61]

So I'm due in the world in 2 weeks 8/24 until 9/1. Since I really don't make ADR's ahead of time (for various reason) I decided to play today on wdw.com and see if I would starve or have to eat counter service like is so often reported.

Parameters.

A 5:30 dinner time was entered all nights. 4 adults and no preferance. (I not that crazy) I know I'll get more hits the more flexible I am.

General results

1) No character meals showed up. not one.
2) The computer gave me a 4 hour window from 3:30 pm until 7:30pm even though I asked for 5:30 pm
3) There were at least 35 choices each and every day.
4) signature restaurants always seem to have an avalibilty. Which worked out fine for me since I prefer the signatures. Artist point, Bistro de France and Citricos had openings every day.
5) both park and resort restaurants were avaliable.

Specific results

8/24. Artist point, Bistro de France, Hollywood & Vine, House of Blues, Tonys town square and Turf Club were all open, along with 20 others. all within 5-7pm.

8/25. Nine dragons, The Plaza, Wolfgang puck, Flying fish, Portebellos were some of the many that had openings.

8/26 Boma, Brown derby, Capt'n Jacks, Boatwrights and Bongos.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised that I would have no problem finding TS eats for the entire week without much of a headache.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Sounds great. The only place we always have trouble getting is 'Ohana - which is our favorite. We also do not make many dining plans except for 'Ohana. We will be heading down Thanksgiving weekend for a week and we have a few plans but not for the whole week. I am not surprised about character dining - this is also very difficult to get.

Hope you have a wonderful trip.

Linda

 

[iloveeeyore]

I have had a similar experience. I booked late in the game for the free dining period (our vacation starts 8/29). I was able to get everything I wanted except Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana and LeCellier (lunch). I swapped 1900PF for CM (which we have wanted to try anyway) but had to settle for an undesirable time (will keep checking, it's completely gone now). I also swapped 'Ohana for The Wave (which we have wanted to try anyway) and settled for Biergarten lunch instead of LC. Since Biergarten is DH's favorite anyway, we are looking on the bright side all around.

I keep trying to make a few minor adjustments, and I am also seeing tons of signature availability and an average of 44 dinner choices available for every night of our trip. However, no more character meals available, and no Cape May, 'Ohana or LeCellier.

 

[goofyintoronto]

So I'm due in the world in 2 weeks 8/24 until 9/1. Since I really don't make ADR's ahead of time (for various reason) I decided to play today on wdw.com and see if I would starve or have to eat counter service like is so often reported.

Parameters.

A 5:30 dinner time was entered all nights. 4 adults and no preferance. (I not that crazy) I know I'll get more hits the more flexible I am.

General results

1) No character meals showed up. not one.
2) The computer gave me a 4 hour window from 3:30 pm until 7:30pm even though I asked for 5:30 pm
3) There were at least 35 choices each and every day.
4) signature restaurants always seem to have an avalibilty. Which worked out fine for me since I prefer the signatures. Artist point, Bistro de France and Citricos had openings every day.
5) both park and resort restaurants were avaliable.

Specific results

8/24. Artist point, Bistro de France, Hollywood & Vine, House of Blues, Tonys town square and Turf Club were all open, along with 20 others. all within 5-7pm.

8/25. Nine dragons, The Plaza, Wolfgang puck, Flying fish, Portebellos were some of the many that had openings.

8/26 Boma, Brown derby, Capt'n Jacks, Boatwrights and Bongos.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised that I would have no problem finding TS eats for the entire week without much of a headache.

Im like you, im not very worried about restaurants openings/ADRs. I booked a couple of my son's faves....but im gonna wing it with the rest. As long as your not picky, you will surely find some decent TS restaurants to eat. And since its just the two of us, im sure we wont have too much trouble with walkups. I've done it before and had great success with Teppan Edo, Rose & Crown, Raglan Road, Tony's (awful restaurant btw) etc!!

 

[jiminykrikkit]

Nice!

I booked my ADRs the morning I was allowed to, but I have since changed some things without a problem. We're not nearly as close to going as you are, but I didn't think I'd be able to get some of the things I got either.

I'm considering dropping 'Ohana and Kona Cafe breakfasts though, so perhaps someone will get lucky and snag those ressies. Not sure if those are hard to get or not.

 

[Va-bear]

I'm booking late too, but sadly cant get most things my fmaily wants - no Chef Mickey (the saddest....), no 1900 Park Fair, and no Dining Plan Hoop De Doo.....

We've replaced with: Biergarten (never tried and have wanted to - so that's good) and nothing .... ....haven't figured out WHERE to eat on our Magic Kingdom day - that was going to be CM or 1900PF.... ( will end up w/ counter service probably). Congrats to thos efinding good stuff!!

 

[bluejasmine]

I am one that books 180 days out but we had a last min weekend trip back in June for my DSS who has never been and I kept checking the online ADR system like 5 to 6 times a day for over a week.. Landed CM for dinner, I was so excited! It turned out wonderful too!

Also we just added a AKL stay at the end of our Poly stay for early Sept and I was able to add Biergartem and Sanaa at exactly the times I wanted..

Then for our Nov trip I was able to get Kona for lunch and 1900PF for breakfast, again at the times I wanted..

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

So I'm due in the world in 2 weeks 8/24 until 9/1. Since I really don't make ADR's ahead of time (for various reason) I decided to play today on wdw.com and see if I would starve or have to eat counter service like is so often reported.

Parameters.

A 5:30 dinner time was entered all nights. 4 adults and no preferance. (I not that crazy) I know I'll get more hits the more flexible I am.

General results

1) No character meals showed up. not one.
2) The computer gave me a 4 hour window from 3:30 pm until 7:30pm even though I asked for 5:30 pm
3) There were at least 35 choices each and every day.
4) signature restaurants always seem to have an avalibilty. Which worked out fine for me since I prefer the signatures. Artist point, Bistro de France and Citricos had openings every day.
5) both park and resort restaurants were avaliable.

Specific results

8/24. Artist point, Bistro de France, Hollywood & Vine, House of Blues, Tonys town square and Turf Club were all open, along with 20 others. all within 5-7pm.

8/25. Nine dragons, The Plaza, Wolfgang puck, Flying fish, Portebellos were some of the many that had openings.

8/26 Boma, Brown derby, Capt'n Jacks, Boatwrights and Bongos.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised that I would have no problem finding TS eats for the entire week without much of a headache.

My experience is generally this way...

However, I don't care if I get LeCellier (Actually it's on my "not again" list right now) I don't do character meals. I perfer non DDP resturants.... Generally pretty easy

If you have your heart set on Chef Mickeys/CRT etc.. you have to book early. If you are flexible things are generally out there...

 

[Cee]

You're going at a great time. Low crowds. We were there the week of Labor Day one year and basically did walk-ups everyday. It was great!

 

[madalex]

If you aren't picky about where you eat or the time, then finding availability is not surprising. Getting last minute ADRs becomes a problem if you have your heart set on eating at particular places (especially the popular ones) or at a particular time.

 

[TwoIfBySea]

Can I ask: suppose you do make ADRs at a bunch of places, but then when the time comes you'd like to change them. How far in advance do you need to cancel the ones you've got, and how late in the day can you make new ones, assuming of course that space is available -- can you make an ADR right up to the point you walk into the restaurant, or is there a cutoff time?

 

[jiminykrikkit]

Can I ask: suppose you do make ADRs at a bunch of places, but then when the time comes you'd like to change them. How far in advance do you need to cancel the ones you've got, and how late in the day can you make new ones, assuming of course that space is available -- can you make an ADR right up to the point you walk into the restaurant, or is there a cutoff time?

I'm not sure if this will be helpful, but if you try to make an ADR right now (online) for tonight, it's only got 7:30 PM available to choose for any restaurant. So maybe that means you can only make them an hour ahead of time. Perhaps it's different if you call or go to Guest Services.

For what it's worth, I got 56 matches for available tables for seating within an hour or so.

The Disney site FAQs say that you should check with each restaurant as far as cancellation policies.

 

[hintofspy]

I like your experiment... it proves that I'm not a lucky freak of nature being able to walk up to all of these places most Friday/Saturday nights all summer! Honestly, as long as you are not dead set on I HAVE TO EAT AT LE CELLIER AT 6 PM or CRT, etc., I've found it fairly reasonable to get reservations or walk-up to a ton of great WDW restaurants (only exception being recent holiday weekends, which is totally to be expected, even off property). I hope you enjoy wherever you end up eating !

 

[nkereina]

I agree with PPs... if you aren't picky about where you eat, you'll be all set. The popular restaurants are must-do's for a lot of people so this wouldn't fly with them - I'm talking places like Ohana, Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, etc. None of the real popular places came up based on what you listed, and that's a problem for a lot of folks. But for people who don't care, great for them!

 

[eliza61]

Can I ask: suppose you do make ADRs at a bunch of places, but then when the time comes you'd like to change them. How far in advance do you need to cancel the ones you've got, and how late in the day can you make new ones, assuming of course that space is available -- can you make an ADR right up to the point you walk into the restaurant, or is there a cutoff time?

Generally there is no real "cutoff" time. the answer to your question will depend on a lot of variables.

1) I find that resort and signature restaurants will be more open then the very popular ones. Olivias, Turf club, Shulas, generally you will have great luck getting in almost up to 2 hours before.

2) naturally slower periods mean better odds.

I don't really do "walk" ups. I have on many occasions woke up in the morning and dial disney dining. the folks there have always been great at finding me some place.

As everyone has said, the real key is flexibilty. We truthfully don't have any "die hard" "must eat" at restaurants at the world so we generally are very willing to try whatever is suggested. We also always get park hoppers so traveling to another park is easy.

My reasons for attempting this was two fold.

1) I only had one adr prior to today and figured I better get my act together.
and
2) so many times I think "alternate" tourers may get discourage by reading post after post saying if you don't make adrs you're doomed to eat counter service.

So this is my little encouragement that hey, you can get a decent sitdown meal at the last minute.

 

[iloveeeyore]

You started a great thread, eliza! You have given many food for thought and I'm sure this is very helpful, encouraging info to a lot of very stressed out planners (or non-planners) out here .

Thanks!

 

[krb2g]

We don't plan last minute, but we've never done 180 days out either, and we've always been able to eat where we'd like. I did call the morning Candlelight Processional dining packages were released to get the day I wanted...

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I have had a similar experience. I booked late in the game for the free dining period (our vacation starts 8/29). I was able to get everything I wanted except Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana and LeCellier (lunch). I swapped 1900PF for CM (which we have wanted to try anyway) but had to settle for an undesirable time (will keep checking, it's completely gone now). I also swapped 'Ohana for The Wave (which we have wanted to try anyway) and settled for Biergarten lunch instead of LC. Since Biergarten is DH's favorite anyway, we are looking on the bright side all around.

I keep trying to make a few minor adjustments, and I am also seeing tons of signature availability and an average of 44 dinner choices available for every night of our trip. However, no more character meals available, and no Cape May, 'Ohana or LeCellier.

For our trip last year I was unable to get a few ressies that I wanted way in advance...Ohana was one of them. However, I would check while I was there and was able to get several options of availability each day. So when you are actually in WDW, even the day that you want the ressie for, check and see what has opened up. You will be able to get in.