Didnt think about ADR.

[Justin Doggett]

If you are dead set on eating in a park, then try to book them now. It may not be how you want to eat, but it's the nature of the beast. You can definitely chance it and walk up, but be prepared to either eat at very off hours (10, 3, 10) or have to do CS. If you don't mind possibly spend a few hours to travel to a resort to eat and then back, then you should be able to check day of and see what is available.

Thats all is left is resort restaurants. And since im not staying at the resorts wont i have to pay parking if i wanna go back to the park. Im driving from a offsite hotel.

 

[Monty]

The only distinction that staying on-site versus off-site has is when you're booking at the 180-day from check-in point. If you have a resort reservation, you can book up to ten days' reservations at 180-days from check-in. If you don't you can only book 180-days in advance of each day of your vacation. For some of the harder-to-get restaurants, that can be a significant advantage!

Which has no bearing on your situation, but you mentioned what having a resort room effects.

 

[Master Yoda]

Its not looking good for me theres only 10 matching results and there at the different resorts and im not going to be at any of the disney resorts only the parks. So now what am i gunna eat?

You can get to the many of resorts from the parks using Disney transportation. All of the monorail resorts and WL are accessible from MK. Epcot and DHS have quick access to The Boardwalk, and Yacht and Beach Club and AKL is a short bus ride from AK.

If that does not fit your needs then you will be dining at mostly counter service.

 

[Monty]

Thats all is left is resort restaurants. And since im not staying at the resorts wont i have to pay parking if i wanna go back to the park. Im driving from a offsite hotel.

You only pay once a day for parking at the parks [keep your receipt to get back in]. You can also park-hop using the same receipt so you only pay once.

Depending on which resort you're going to, you're probably better off using Disney transportation to get to and from dinner, unless you want to go to a different park, why move your car? Disney transportation is available for anybody, you don't have to be a resort guest.

 

[Mukta]

Its not looking good for me theres only 10 matching results and there at the different resorts and im not going to be at any of the disney resorts only the parks. So now what am i gunna eat?

You can eat at the counter service places. There are a ton of them with lots of variety. Check out the menus.

http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

Check out the ones labeled counter service.

 

[DisneyAubs]

Keep checking back every day. And keep an open mind about resorts. Many are very easy to get to from the parks. If you're not sure feel free to ask on here and we will let you know.

One thought for dining at DHS, if you can't get an ADR ahead of time, is that you can dine at the bar of 50s Prime Time Cafe. No guarantee on how long or short the wait might be, but it is an option.

 

[lebeau]

Honestly, you can eat well, save money and preserve some spontinaity if you stick to the counter service meals. Plus, they take up a lot less of your precious park time.

 

[Justin Doggett]

You only pay once a day for parking at the parks [keep your receipt to get back in]. You can also park-hop using the same receipt so you only pay once.

Depending on which resort you're going to, you're probably better off using Disney transportation to get to and from dinner, unless you want to go to a different park, why move your car? Disney transportation is available for anybody, you don't have to be a resort guest.

Awesome i thought everytime i left and came back i would have to pay 14 chucks but i will keep that reicept for same day if i need to leave. Im not exactly sure why im not taking the disney transportation probably because i hate waiting for people and i just purchased a 2012 VW GTI and love being in it as much as possible lol and i figured i would be able to get to and from quicker using my own vehicle instead of waitng for a bus or monorail. Although i would like to ride the monorail i have never rode it and it looks pretty cool.

 

[Justin Doggett]

Keep checking back every day. And keep an open mind about resorts. Many are very easy to get to from the parks. If you're not sure feel free to ask on here and we will let you know.

One thought for dining at DHS, if you can't get an ADR ahead of time, is that you can dine at the bar of 50s Prime Time Cafe. No guarantee on how long or short the wait might be, but it is an option.

They may be a option i like to just walk in and sit at the bar lol

 

[Justin Doggett]

Honestly, you can eat well, save money and preserve some spontinaity if you stick to the counter service meals. Plus, they take up a lot less of your precious park time.

This is very true i have a feeling that we need to eat quick service meals because were only looking at 1.5 days at magic kingdom and one day at the rest of them i think the dining exsperience would eat up all the magic

 

[Monkee Girl]

You can keep checking all the way up to the day to see if anything opens up or you can just eat quick service.


Some of my favorite places to eat are Pinocchio's in the Magic Kingdom, Tangerine Cafe in Morocco Epcot, Backlot Express (not a favorite, just what I go to) in the Hollywood Studios, and Pizzafari in Animal Kingdom (ok, not a favorite again, just the one I always tend to go to)

I understand people hate having to make advanced reservations but it really is the best way to go at this time. Yes maybe you didn't have to do that 10 years ago but it's a different time now and every Disney site, pamphlet, commercial whatever always makes a note that reservations for dining is highly recommended. If people choose to ignore that advice because they want to be 'spontaneous' then they have to deal with the consequences. And it's not just the dining plan, there are how many THOUSANDS of guests who go through the Disney parks against how many restaurants? They are popular, delicious and small, they are bound to fill up; you need a reservation.


Good luck.

 

[flynnibus]

Its not looking good for me theres only 10 matching results and there at the different resorts and im not going to be at any of the disney resorts only the parks. So now what am i gunna eat?

keep checking. there usually are openings, and more will open day of, day before, etc. you just aren't going to say 'I want to eat there..'. If your party is small, and you are flexible with times, you can usually get a spot, but certainly not easy and where you want. just be flexible, keep checking, and you'll be suprised at what may open up. If not, counter service for you

 

[Master Yoda]

Awesome i thought everytime i left and came back i would have to pay 14 chucks but i will keep that reicept for same day if i need to leave. Im not exactly sure why im not taking the disney transportation probably because i hate waiting for people and i just purchased a 2012 VW GTI and love being in it as much as possible lol and i figured i would be able to get to and from quicker using my own vehicle instead of waitng for a bus or monorail. Although i would like to ride the monorail i have never rode it and it looks pretty cool.

It all depends on where you are. If you are in MK you can get to any of the monorail resorts or WL before you could even get to your car. The same is true for the Epcot resorts is you are in DHS or Epcot.

 

[Justin Doggett]

It all depends on where you are. If you are in MK you can get to any of the monorail resorts or WL before you could even get to your car. The same is true for the Epcot resorts is you are in DHS or Epcot.

Ok that works too. I will be taking it all in at once and will probably just eat quick service or try to get a seat reservation when i get there. Also i remember going to the Rainforest Cafe is that still there will i need reservations for there?

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Just checked the WDW website...how many are in your party? The last weekend this month, including Friday night, has plenty of ressies available for dinner in each park. On Friday 09/28 and Sunday 09/30, every TS at DHS has someting available. MK, AK, and Epcot all have several choices....some are early, as in 3:00. Saturday has plenty as well.

 

[Justin Doggett]

Just checked the WDW website...how many are in your party? The last weekend this month, including Friday night, has plenty of ressies available for dinner in each park. On Friday 09/28 and Sunday 09/30, every TS at DHS has someting available. MK, AK, and Epcot all have several choices....some are early, as in 3:00. Saturday has plenty as well.

I gues i didnt search it correctly I just searched for 6:30 friday and saturday and nothing but resort tables were showing up as available i guess i need to look again

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

I gues i didnt search it correctly I just searched for 6:30 friday and saturday and nothing but resort tables were showing up as available i guess i need to look again

Oh!! Try searching for "Dinner" instead of a specific time...it is the third option on the Time dropdown arrow

*Edit*.... I see why now, most of the TS dinner dining in the parks those days is either before 5:00 P.M. or after 8:30 ... your gunna have to be flexible

 

[HouCuseChickie]

If there is anything you'd really like and it's just not there at any time...I highly recommend stalking the dining site. Things requiring credit card guarantees tend to open up if you check and check often.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

If there is anything you'd really like and it's just not there at any time...I highly recommend stalking the dining site. Things requiring credit card guarantees tend to open up if you check and check often.

Right on...great advice..stalk early in the morning, midday, and at night

 

[Master Yoda]

Ok that works too. I will be taking it all in at once and will probably just eat quick service or try to get a seat reservation when i get there. Also i remember going to the Rainforest Cafe is that still there will i need reservations for there?

Rainforest is at Downtown Disney and Animal Kingdom. You will not need a reservation, but it is recommended. 1-2 hour waits at Rainforest are not uncommon on a Friday or Saturday night.