Do we need to book restaurants?

sgtmgd

sgtmgd

Well-Known Member
Caromac said:
Im going to Disneyworld Sept 21st-Oct 2nd and I don't know whether I should book meals? Is it possible to get a space in a decent restaurant by just turning up? I'm hesitant to make reservations as I dont want to be tied down but it would be nice to try somewhere nice!
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NO! I cant tell you how many folks I see getting angry they cant get a place to sit down and eat because they assumed you can walk up...is it possible yes...is it practical NO..you could wander around restaurant to restaurant trying to find a table...I would highly reccomend having a reservation for whatever sit down meal you want..it really isnt hard to work around a single reservation a day...heck we have a trip in Sep as well and I have a coupledays with reservations for character breakfast early and then late for dinner..It is not a peak season...but you sure dont want to be one of those getting frustrated with not finding decent food..it doesnt cost you anything to majke a ressie...you can cancel if you dont want to keep it..but there is a stipulation on how mnay hours in advance before they can charge a 20.00 fee.
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Well, free dining is being offered during those dates, so availability is already pretty slim for that time frame. Walk ups are pretty tough during those times. Some places may be impossible to get in while others may have very long waits since everyone is trying to get the most out of their credits. You could wing it, but you might try and book a few things if you have anyplace you really want to dine and can find an opening. If you're on DDP, I'd book things just so you're not wasting any credits. Things do tend to open up if you watch the website in the last few weeks before travel.
 
Mukta

Mukta

Well-Known Member
Are you on a disney dining plan?

If you don't care when you eat or where you eat, you can definitely walk up to the least popular restaurants.
None of the restaurants hold space for walk-ups. If they are 100% booked, they will not seat you.

In each park, there are a few places that aren't as popular. You can get into Nine Dragons, Marrakesh, etc without a reservation.
 
ajrwdwgirl

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
If you have somewhere special in mind you better reserve it. Looks like your dates aren't that far away so I would look on the website to see what is available. Without reservations you will be able to eat at some table service restaurants but you'll either have to do some calling, looking on the internet, or just wandering around while you are there which will eat into your vacation time and you'll be left with the more unpopular restaurants or traveling around to like DTD or something. If you aren't on the dining plan with table service credits to use you might just want to plan on quick service meals.
 
sxeensweet

sxeensweet

Love a little Disney every day!! ;)
DO NOT EXPECT TO GET INTO ONE OF THE "NICER" RESTAURANTS WITHOUT RESERVATIONS!!!!!! You may be able to walk up to the least favorite restaurants or have to go to Downtown Disney and try to get anything. Slow time of year or not you NEED RESERVATIONS! We go at some of the slowest times and some of our ressies book at the 180 day mark!
I see this happen all the time and then my friends come back saying they did not have a good experience in Disney all b/c they did not do any planning! Also they complain to me the food was not good and well frankly it was b/c all the really good places were booked solid, or they picked the not so good picks from quick service all because they did not do there research. Plenty of delicious food both at TS and QS but you have to plan and research!!!!! Cannot stress that enough! It does not tie you down as much as you think. :)
 
dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
As pointed out, it really depend on when and where you want to eat. You might be able to get a 3 PM or an 11 PM seating. But a 7PM? Highly unlikely. Your odds will be better at a resort restaurant than at a theme park one. Epcot is the usual exception to this rule due to the sheer number of choices.

I'd suggest going onto the Disney World site right now, going to the dining sections, and looking at availability for the time you will be there. Judge based off of what you see and your comfort level. Everything except for Rainforest Cafe and TRex should be true reflections, those two locations do additional bookings on their own.

Just did a quick spot check for dinner on Oct 1st, most locations have something available, but they may only have one or two spots, and some of those are a few hours apart. So the pickings are getting slim.
 
PhilharMagician

PhilharMagician

Well-Known Member
As already mentioned by many, you should make some reservations. With the fact that free dining is going on during that time most restaurants will be booked up. Also you prime meal times will definitely be booked. You may find some availability for odd times like 2:30 PM in the afternoon or 9:00 PM at night. The more popular restaurants can be completely booked 6 months out.

I would recommend as soon as possible to either call dining reservation (407-939-3463) of looking at the WDW dining reservations page online https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/and see what you can find that fits you and your party. If you have the Disney Dining Plan then you definitely need to get busy today of you will not be able to take full advantage of the free dining specially at table service restaurants.

Our first ever visit we did back in the early 90's we went expecting to just walk to a restaurant and be seated. Let me tell you, that just did not work and we had 2 table service meals the entire 8 days we were there. Today reservations are far more cut-throat than they were 20 years ago.

Good luck and enjoy your trip
 
NeedMoreMickey

NeedMoreMickey

Well-Known Member
Like others have said it is a good idea to have the reservations before you leave but sometimes you can get a table at off times. I know I'm not the only one who does this check MyDisneyExperience on my phone just to see where I would like to eat tonight while I'm sitting at my desk at work, a little day dreaming wishful thinking that I was there instead of here. Anyway whenever I have checked I have always found something available, may not be my first choice but it was something. People cancel reservations all the time so something opens up. If you have a large party I wouldn't wait make them soon.

Epcot is going to be busy because of the F&W so you may have to pick a different park or resort.
 
ginadee

ginadee

Well-Known Member
Ive got adr at 180 days for my trip in dec and have looked online for reservations recently to see about maybe changing some and there is not anything. Just to get an idea go online and pick out some restaraunts and randomly try to book. Then youll be able to see for yourself how the availability is.
 
Figgy1

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
HouCuseChickie said:
Well, free dining is being offered during those dates, so availability is already pretty slim for that time frame. Walk ups are pretty tough during those times. Some places may be impossible to get in while others may have very long waits since everyone is trying to get the most out of their credits. You could wing it, but you might try and book a few things if you have anyplace you really want to dine and can find an opening. If you're on DDP, I'd book things just so you're not wasting any credits. Things do tend to open up if you watch the website in the last few weeks before travel.
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JillC LI said:
Make some reservations. You can always cancel them. Better safe than sorry.
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What they said. A friend of mine just tried to fill in one last slot about a week ago and got stuck with something he's not happy about, but he said he'll keep trying to get something better for that night. I'd make at least a few ASAP good luck
 
D

DisneyDebNJ

Well-Known Member
Caromac said:
Im going to Disneyworld Sept 21st-Oct 2nd and I don't know whether I should book meals? Is it possible to get a space in a decent restaurant by just turning up? I'm hesitant to make reservations as I dont want to be tied down but it would be nice to try somewhere nice!
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As other's have said, you are limiting yourself to a choice few restaurants (and the ones that aren't AS popular) however, having said that, you can, of course, check with the Concierge Desk at your resort, to see if a particular restaurant has an opening for your requested time. Alot of the resorts have some hidden gems too. Best of luck!!
 
piazza

piazza

Active Member
You may get in but you will have a VERY LONG wait. No fun wasting all that time when you could out having a blast in the park. We did this once and familys with reservations came in after us, ate and were leaving as we were going in to be seated. We wasted twice as much time and everyone's mood was rapidly deteriorating due to hunger and boredom.
 
deanaandrich

deanaandrich

Well-Known Member
Depends on how popular the restaurant and how bad you want to go there. My family is local so we have day or weekend trips. I rarely make reservations until a few days beforehand or even the day we decide to go. We never have a problem with that but we enjoy all the cuisines so there are no picky eaters that have to have pizza or only will eat chicken or steak. Last month staying in fort wilderness cabins we biked over to the lodge every morning for breakfast at whispering canyon. No reservations needed for 6 people. In June, I made reservations at Kona cafe for dinner just 5 days before and it was at 6:15. So it depends on your flexibility but I'd go prepared if u have your heart set on something.
 

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