What are the chances??

[disneydarling09]

we are going to be in disney Nov. 10-14 and we are definetley getting the dining plan. We have decided to forgo the frustration of reservations. Were gonna call around in the mornings to see what cancellations there are. If not we are just going to get counter service or TRY to get walk-ups. What are the restaurants with the best chances of us getting a reservation in the morning or a walk-up? I know this was not a good plan, but whatever. It is what it is. haha.

 

[PigletsPal]

We did that this past May. We got the Rose and Crown for dinner one evening just my calling up that morning. Good Luck!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

In May we were able to get into 50's Prime Time for dinner by calling while at DHS one day. Other than that, every other time during our 9 night stay we tried to squeeze in somewhere by calling or walking up we couldn't get in. Hope it works out better for you. :wave:

 

[Nemo14]

In May we were able to get into 50's Prime Time for dinner by calling while at DHS one day. Other than that, every other time during our 9 night stay we tried to squeeze in somewhere by calling or walking up we couldn't get in. Hope it works out better for you. :wave:

This is exactly why people hate the dining plan so much!

 

[marypoppins68]

It will be easier to get a table at lunch than for dinner. Also, if you don't mind eating at earlier times you're more likely to get a table. I usually just walk up and ask for the first available time. At Guest Relations at Epcot they have a sign as you walk in with what restaurants have openings for lunch or dinner. Morocco almost always has tables available for lunch and dinner. China is usally easy to get into. At the Studios, Mama Melrosa's usally has openings for both.

 

[Disneykidder]

Walk ups are definately possible. We were able to get a couple of reservations that way. I usually rack my brains calling and making my reservations...I like your idea MUCH better. Good luck.

 

[lilclerk]

Try The Plaza in the MK. It's not a lot of bang for your buck on the dining plan, but it seems easy to get into and it's pretty tasty :slurp:

 

[yankspy]

I would also try some of the resort restaurants. Places like the GF Cafe or some of the Boardwalk restaurants tend to be a little less crowded. Look through the menus and try and find lesser known places as well. Good luck.

 

[MichWolv]

I have done this before, during free dining even. For lunch, I never had much trouble getting something. Same day ADRs were obtained for Garden Grill, Biergarten, Kona Cafe, Mama Melroses. Dinner was much more hit and miss. Yacht Club Galley was typically available, but it is nothing special. Got lucky with Cape May Cafe one night, Spoodles once, and Wolfgang Puck's another.

If you are willing to use the double credit stuff for dinner, availability should be much better except atop the Contemporary.

 

[kimmychad]

This is exactly why people hate the dining plan so much!

why do you blame the dining plan for not being able to get a reservation the same day at disney? do you think crowds increasing every year might come into play here?

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I'm sorry - but if I was to pay for all my meals in advance (dining plan) I'd sure as hell want to know I had dinner reservations in place before I went. You'll end up wasting money if you can't get any decent places to eat

 

[lbrad]

we are going to be in disney Nov. 10-14 and we are definetley getting the dining plan. We have decided to forgo the frustration of reservations. Were gonna call around in the mornings to see what cancellations there are. If not we are just going to get counter service or TRY to get walk-ups. What are the restaurants with the best chances of us getting a reservation in the morning or a walk-up? I know this was not a good plan, but whatever. It is what it is. haha.

Thats pretty risky for such BIG $$$$:shrug:.... Good Luck

 

[VT GAL]

Everyone has some great ideas, but don't forget that you can also go to guest relations during the day to check, too! We have gotten into Le Cellier every trip doing this.

The Biergarten in Germany and the Tusker House in AK have been lucky for us.

Good Luck!!!

Shelley

 

[mousefan1972]

I'm sorry - but if I was to pay for all my meals in advance (dining plan) I'd sure as hell want to know I had dinner reservations in place before I went. You'll end up wasting money if you can't get any decent places to eat

I would have to agree. If you do not want to make reservations in advance and instead will just take whatever is available each day, I wouldn't pay for the dining plan.

 

[krankenstein]

You can normally walk up at The Biergarten in Epcot and Trails End at FW.

 

[disneygirl76]

we are going to be in disney Nov. 10-14 and we are definetley getting the dining plan. We have decided to forgo the frustration of reservations. Were gonna call around in the mornings to see what cancellations there are. If not we are just going to get counter service or TRY to get walk-ups. What are the restaurants with the best chances of us getting a reservation in the morning or a walk-up? I know this was not a good plan, but whatever. It is what it is. haha.

Hi! :wave: Out of curiosity, why not call and see what is available so you have at least some already? I've never had a prob with the Dining ADR's. The only time I didn't plan ahead like this was the first adult trip I planned for the DH and I. And I forgot to call 180 days ahead so I couldn't get into Le Cell. But I was able to call while we were there and I got a ressie for that night. Good Luck!!!

 

[eroyee]

Trails End Buffeteria in FW is good. How about Whispering canyon cafe in WL? Or Boatwrights in POR?

 

[RiversideBunny]

why do you blame the dining plan for not being able to get a reservation the same day at disney? do you think crowds increasing every year might come into play here?

The Dining Plan causes a much higher percentage of the crowds to make reservations for Table Service dining. Increasing crowds are of course a large factor but the Dining Plan definitely affects restaurant availability to at least the same degree.

We did the Dining Plan last year but, for us, it caused the trip to be too hectic with always having to be somewhere for a reservation, caused extra lost time, and was too much food compared to how we normally eat.
This year we are just winging it with Counter Service plus maybe one or two character meal reservations.

 

[unkadug]

why do you blame the dining plan for not being able to get a reservation the same day at disney? do you think crowds increasing every year might come into play here?

No, the DDP just forces more people into eating sit down meals who normally would be foregoing such and eating counter meals or outside of the parks.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

This is exactly why people hate the dining plan so much!

I was really surprised we couldn't squeeze in or walk-up more than we did because we were just a party of 2. It wasn't like we were trying to haul in a crowd. LOL! I won't do the DDP again because I felt like we spent the trip chasing the dining. Once I paid for the dining plan I felt more pressured to make it to each reservation for a sit-down because we had already paid and I wanted to get my quarter's worth. When using the Dining Experience Card if you cancel a ressie it's not a big deal because you haven't been out any money on it yet. When you do go for a sit-down it's a good discount so you feel better about the whole thing overall. I'm weird, tho. I know! :hammer: