last minute sit-down reservations?

[Jackiep9]

Our first trip to disney world is this week and it's looking like we're not going to get there tomorrow like we thought because of bad weather and cancelled flights. I cancelled our dinner reservations for our first night there because I'm fairly sure we won't be there on time. We have the meal plan with 1 sit-down meal, 1 quick service, and 1 snack, so now we have a sit-down meal left that we don't have reservations for.

Is it impossible to wait and make reservations for 7 people on the day of or day before? I know it wouldn't be for the popular places, but are there some sit-down restaurants that usually have last minute reservations? Any suggestions as to what these less popular restaurants are? I hate to lose out on a meal we've paid for with our meal plan, but I don't know what's happening with our trip now because of this weather!

 

[Gabe1]

Some places are big and others not so popular so you can often walk up or reserve an hour or two in advance.
Marakesh, Morocco, Biergarten Germany come to mind but I've had luck at, Captain's Grill, Yacht, RainForest at AK, San Angel Inn, but the food is as hit or miss as LeCellier as of late. Yak & Yeti I can always get in, Mama Melrose is a shot, Nine Dragons, China usually, I love Trails End at Fort Wilderness, Big River Grille at the BoardWalk and often Raglan Road.

Good luck, hope it doesn't take you too long to get out. I hear airplanes finally here, we got 5" last night in Northern Illinois.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

It's certainly not impossible. Obviously, it's going to be harder with a party of 7 and you'll likely need to be more flexible on place and time...but I'm sure you could find something. You could always check on there right now to see what's open in general for dinner to get some ideas. Good luck!

 

[Betsyboo]

I'm sure you can find something. I did see people turned away from the Biergarten on Friday and places like Ohana etc. are I'm sure out of the question. Maybe look at a resort restaurant like Grand Floridian Café or Beaches and Cream.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

Our first trip to disney world is this week and it's looking like we're not going to get there tomorrow like we thought because of bad weather and cancelled flights. I cancelled our dinner reservations for our first night there because I'm fairly sure we won't be there on time. We have the meal plan with 1 sit-down meal, 1 quick service, and 1 snack, so now we have a sit-down meal left that we don't have reservations for.

Is it impossible to wait and make reservations for 7 people on the day of or day before? I know it wouldn't be for the popular places, but are there some sit-down restaurants that usually have last minute reservations? Any suggestions as to what these less popular restaurants are? I hate to lose out on a meal we've paid for with our meal plan, but I don't know what's happening with our trip now because of this weather!

I just checked on the Disney site, and there were plenty of reservations at tons of places for Thursday. I just picked a day this week. You should go there and put in the date you want a ressie and see what's available. There was even Crystal Palace that day.

 

[slappy magoo]

Two restaurants I enjoy quite a bit that never seem to be terribly busy are The Wave at Contemporary and Turf Grill at Saratoga Springs. I wouldn't be surprised if you could even do them as a walk-up, even with a party your size.

 

[petey]

A hidden gem that I have been to several times, great food & service plus great scenery is Sanaa at AKL (Kidani
Village). You can stand outside and view the animals in the Savanna while waiting to be called to your table.

 

[CheshireCat12]

Last summer I got a reservation at Whispering Canyon for dinner 8:00 PM, I only called at 5:00. So it can be done. Try something nice but off the beaten path. You will not be likely to find openings at 'Ohana or a character meal though. Maybe try DTD- Raglan Road?

 

[disney4life2008]

Does anyone remember at World Showcase there used to be a booth with CMs inside and took dining reservations? Or am I dreaming that?

 

[Gabe1]

Does anyone remember at World Showcase there used to be a booth with CMs inside and took dining reservations? Or am I dreaming that?

From the late 80's 90's.

Simpler times. We would just walk up and see what was available that day and what times. Loved it.

 

[Betsyboo]

Our first trip to disney world is this week and it's looking like we're not going to get there tomorrow like we thought because of bad weather and cancelled flights. I cancelled our dinner reservations for our first night there because I'm fairly sure we won't be there on time. We have the meal plan with 1 sit-down meal, 1 quick service, and 1 snack, so now we have a sit-down meal left that we don't have reservations for.

Is it impossible to wait and make reservations for 7 people on the day of or day before? I know it wouldn't be for the popular places, but are there some sit-down restaurants that usually have last minute reservations? Any suggestions as to what these less popular restaurants are? I hate to lose out on a meal we've paid for with our meal plan, but I don't know what's happening with our trip now because of this weather!

I'd love to hear how last minute reservations turned out for you. Hope you are having a great time!

 

[tlev]

Since the implementation of the new cancellation policy, I've found that it is much easier to get reservations on the day you wish to dine. You should have a few options if you are flexible. Good luck!

 

[HM Spectre]

A party of 7 might make it a little tough but you should definitely be able to get a reservation somewhere that isn't in super high demand. If you're really feeling like gambling, you could set a terrible reservation time for a place and try to show up early/late hoping they can accomodate you. If someone no-showed or cancelled, they might just be able to slide you in.

 

[disney4life2008]

From the late 80's 90's.

Simpler times. We would just walk up and see what was available that day and what times. Loved it.

WOW do I miss this. The parks look empty and that was real one on one guest magic.

 

[Fletch]

Try Germany.

Back in 2009 with the 1 table service meal plan we stuck our head in and got a seat. It was for 4. Same luck at Mexico and the Grand Floridian Cafe.

good luck.

 

[Gabe1]

WOW do I miss this. The parks look empty and that was real one on one guest magic.

It was great in yesteryear. When my kids were small in late 80's - 90's, we would always go to WDW for 2 weeks or so anywhere from the day after Labor Day till around Halloween. (only a few weeks you needed not to choose from.) It was value season and I paid around $89-$99 a night for PO or Dixie Landings, our packages came with a premium like a pin hat, free recreation voucher and free breakfast each day per person, TS or QS including Character Dining though there were not as many available back then.

We would eat QS most days, 3 squares but every few days I had to eat a real meal, with actual silverware, plates and a coffee cup that wasn't foam. We always were able to eat anywhere we wished. One of our favorites in the mid to late 90's was this hidden gem called LeCeiller, we had eaten there as a Cafeteria and it was not popular when it became a steakhouse. It wasn't as ethnic as most Epcot Pavilion dining choices so guests shied away from LeCellier early on. We'd eat there usually 2x a trip. Then came blogs and Disney Websites. No longer a hidden gem and not nearly as good or a quaint, quiet place.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

Almost every trip we have walked up and got a table at Captain's Grille in Yacht Club, for breakfast or dinner.

 

[disney4life2008]

It was great in yesteryear. When my kids were small in late 80's - 90's, we would always go to WDW for 2 weeks or so anywhere from the day after Labor Day till around Halloween. (only a few weeks you needed not to choose from.) It was value season and I paid around $89-$99 a night for PO or Dixie Landings, our packages came with a premium like a pin hat, free recreation voucher and free breakfast each day per person, TS or QS including Character Dining though there were not as many available back then.

We would eat QS most days, 3 squares but every few days I had to eat a real meal, with actual silverware, plates and a coffee cup that wasn't foam. We always were able to eat anywhere we wished. One of our favorites in the mid to late 90's was this hidden gem called LeCeiller, we had eaten there as a Cafeteria and it was not popular when it became a steakhouse. It wasn't as ethnic as most Epcot Pavilion dining choices so guests shied away from LeCellier early on. We'd eat there usually 2x a trip. Then came blogs and Disney Websites. No longer a hidden gem and not nearly as good or a quaint, quiet place.

1994 we stayed at Dixie Landings and 1995 we stayed at Caribbean Beach both in peak time August. I think the price per night back then was $80-$100 a night and the package did include great freebies and discounts. It is so sad to see WDW in the state it is in today now it is very corporate. I can accept FP+ but honestly, the magic of disney at least in orlando is slowing going away.

 

[Gabe1]

1994 we stayed at Dixie Landings and 1995 we stayed at Caribbean Beach both in peak time August. I think the price per night back then was $80-$100 a night and the package did include great freebies and discounts. It is so sad to see WDW in the state it is in today now it is very corporate. I can accept FP+ but honestly, the magic of disney at least in orlando is slowing going away.

Yeah, that Love vs Sorrow syndrome. As much as my family still loves Disney I am glad my kids got to visit WDW in its heydays.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

I think some of your best bets would be:

MK - Liberty Tree Tavern, Plaza Inn

Epcot - Biergarten, Restaurant Marrakesh, Tokyo Dining/Teppan Edo

DHS - Mama Melrose's

DAK - Rain Forest Cafe

DTD - House of Blues, Paradiso 37, Raglan Road

Resorts - Big River Grill & Brewing Works (BWR), Grand Floridian Cafe (GFR), Maya Grill (CSR), Olivia's Cafe (OKW), Turf Club (SSR), the Wave (CR)