Dining reservations a necessity?

DisneyYorkie · Post by **DisneyYorkie** » Mar Sat 31, 2012 9:10 am

I did a search to see if this topic was covered somewhere else (I made that mistake a couple of weeks ago

) and I didn't see anything, but if I'm wrong please point me to where I can get RECENT information:

Are advanced reservations at Chef Mickey's, The Garden Grille, and Crystal Palace REQUIRED. I know it is advisable to make advanced reservations, but if you are not SURE when you want to go, CAN you just walk in and wait? I just need to know if it is even possible. And, it would be great to know of anyone's experiences if you've actually tried that.

dstrawn9889 · Post by **dstrawn9889** » Mar Sat 31, 2012 9:28 am

you can try, but i would always recommend an ADR... just so you know about when to get there...

SorcererDonald16 · Post by **SorcererDonald16** » Mar Sat 31, 2012 11:25 am

Sometimes places can take walk-ups, but if you know you want to eat at these places for sure, you need to make reservations as soon as you can. It is really hit or miss since the Dining Plan came around. Back in 2005, we were turned away from Chefs de France on 2 different days. We never went without ADRs after that trip. I know last year I saw a lot of walk-ups turned away at places like CdF, Sci-Fi, Prime Time, etc. Really luck of the draw.

My May trip is "last-minute" in ADR terms (less than 2 months out), and I am having a heck of a time trying to get a decent time for Chef Mickey's breakfast on one of several days that are an option for us. It is booked solid for all 9 days of my trip, except when the occasional cancelled ADR pops up as available.

CP has a decent amount of ADRs for breakfast, but not a lot of variety of times on any given day.

When in doubt, make ADRs. If you can't go/plans change, just be sure to cancel far enough ahead of time for the ones with a CC guarantee, or you'll be charged $10 a person.

Wizzard419 · Post by **Wizzard419** » Mar Sat 31, 2012 11:46 am

DisneyYorkie wrote:I did a search to see if this topic was covered somewhere else (I made that mistake a couple of weeks ago ) and I didn't see anything, but if I'm wrong please point me to where I can get RECENT information:

Are advanced reservations at Chef Mickey's, The Garden Grille, and Crystal Palace REQUIRED. I know it is advisable to make advanced reservations, but if you are not SURE when you want to go, CAN you just walk in and wait? I just need to know if it is even possible. And, it would be great to know of anyone's experiences if you've actually tried that.

It depends partially on when you're going. If you are there during the busy seasons, you may need that reservation, but if it's slower you might be able to make a reservation that day at the place (you may have better luck going directly to the place rather than using the hotel phone) or even just showing up.

Amy · Post by **Amy** » Mar Sat 31, 2012 11:56 am

I'm thinking you are better off booking ahead of time, and then cancelling if necessary ~ early enough to avoid the charges for cancellations. It seems that so many people now book ahead, it is almost impossible to walk up and get a table. I might have a little more info for you in a few weeks. One of my piano families is going without any sort of ressies this upcoming week and are planning on eating in some of the restaurants.

Soarin08 · Post by **Soarin08** » Mar Sat 31, 2012 9:51 pm

DisneyYorkie wrote:I did a search to see if this topic was covered somewhere else (I made that mistake a couple of weeks ago ) and I didn't see anything, but if I'm wrong please point me to where I can get RECENT information:

Are advanced reservations at Chef Mickey's, The Garden Grille, and Crystal Palace REQUIRED. I know it is advisable to make advanced reservations, but if you are not SURE when you want to go, CAN you just walk in and wait? I just need to know if it is even possible. And, it would be great to know of anyone's experiences if you've actually tried that.

I'd wouldn't recommend it. Personally, I find it much more polite to make the ADR in general (I hated getting walk-ups when I worked table service, they were always so rude!). I never walk up anywhere without a reservation. Ever. Plus you WILL be guaranteed a table. Walk-ups don't have that privilege.

And out of those 3.... don't go to Chef Mickey's. The consensus as of late- it isn't worth it. I had a lengthy discussion about this with my coworker coming back from Port Canaveral today. Go to the other two for sure if you can. Especially Garden Grill.

Mark86 · Post by **Mark86** » Mar Sat 31, 2012 10:31 pm

Probably not required but you will be waiting a loooooooong time without an ADR. Some of the more popular restaurants like Chef Mickey may not even take stand by guests on a busy day. If I were you, make ADR for all restaurants you are attending.

Post by **Len90** » Apr Sun 01, 2012 8:51 pm

You really are using two different words in your questioning. Are they a necessity? DEFINITELY Are they required? SOMEWHAT

I for one feel that dining reservations are a must have if you want to be able to guarantee yourself a dinner in a certain restaurant. All of the restaurants you have listed are among the toughest to get into and are now subject to Disney's credit card cancellation/no show policy. I would say that all three would need a reservation if you want to guarantee yourself a seating. However, I have heard of instances where people could get in without having an ADR. Your chances could be limited by the fact that these are among the popular restaurants and getting an ADR to these is quite a challenge in itself. A final thing to consider is that a restaurant might be accommodating to taking a walk-in, but it could be at a really bad time (very early or very late). Overall I would consider getting into any of these at a preferred time via a walk-in as having a low percentage success rate.

I personally would make the ADR and cancel it a few days out to avoid any of the credit card charges.

FutureImagineer · Post by **FutureImagineer** » Apr Sun 01, 2012 11:02 pm

I always make a reservation. It gives you much more flexibility. Even if you want to change time of dining or number of guests, the host/hostesses are much more flex with that than someone who simply walks-up. I sometimes even make two reservations for the same meal, and make a decision a day or two before and cancel the other.

theBIGyowski · Post by **theBIGyowski** » Apr Mon 02, 2012 11:01 am

DW and I generally make ADRs for the more difficult restaurants for our trips. Sometimes it's not so much making sure we get int...but making sure we don't have to wait forever during the times we want to dine. It can also help you get better seating at some places. DW and I do this each time we dine at San Angel Inn. We prefer to sit next to El Rio del Tiempo...so we ask the CM if we can get a table there...and most of the time the wait is minimal...but that is because we already have an ADR...so we get dibs.

Making ADRs can also help you plan your vacation...so you can go ahead and plan certain mornings/afternoons/evenings for certain parks. If you know you want to watch Wishes on a specific night...make an ADR for a MK resort restaurant. If you know Fantasmic is playing on specific nights...you can make an ADR for a place in DHS that evening.

For the most part...you can dine at WDW without any ADRs...but you would just have to be flexible on times and locations. If you know you want to eat at certain places...and you cannot be too flexible with times...ADRs are a necessity.

DisneyYorkie · Post by **DisneyYorkie** » Apr Mon 02, 2012 6:32 pm

Many, many thanks to all who took the time to post their thoughts and opinions.

With palms sweating on my keyboard and a credit card in one hand, I sat down and made ALL of our ressies today!!!! I got exactly what I wanted at Crystal Palace and Garden Grill. I settled when it came to Chef Mickey's. I really wanted an earlier seating but the red-eye was all I could get

....so I settled for 9:05. We've eaten at CMs late before and not had any problems.

I am sooooo glad that is done. Feel like the Epcot ball is lifted off my shoulders!

Amy · Post by **Amy** » Apr Mon 02, 2012 6:41 pm

DisneyYorkie wrote:Many, many thanks to all who took the time to post their thoughts and opinions.

With palms sweating on my keyboard and a credit card in one hand, I sat down and made ALL of our ressies today!!!! I got exactly what I wanted at Crystal Palace and Garden Grill. I settled when it came to Chef Mickey's. I really wanted an earlier seating but the red-eye was all I could get ....so I settled for 9:05. We've eaten at CMs late before and not had any problems.

I am sooooo glad that is done. Feel like the Epcot ball is lifted off my shoulders!

Well done! I think you'll be much more settled knowing you have ressies

DisneyYorkie · Post by **DisneyYorkie** » Apr Mon 02, 2012 7:40 pm

Amy wrote:
DisneyYorkie wrote:Many, many thanks to all who took the time to post their thoughts and opinions.

With palms sweating on my keyboard and a credit card in one hand, I sat down and made ALL of our ressies today!!!! I got exactly what I wanted at Crystal Palace and Garden Grill. I settled when it came to Chef Mickey's. I really wanted an earlier seating but the red-eye was all I could get ....so I settled for 9:05. We've eaten at CMs late before and not had any problems.

I am sooooo glad that is done. Feel like the Epcot ball is lifted off my shoulders!
Well done! I think you'll be much more settled knowing you have ressies

Thank you! I do feel very happy about it. I spent all afternoon in a feverish "here's-the-calendar-here's-what-park-is-best-to-be-in-here's-what-dining-ressies-can-be-had-on-those-days" mode. But I now know WHAT park I'm doing on WHAT days and WHAT meals we are having WHEN!

Thanks again to everyone who helped with their thoughts

Goofyfan · Post by **Goofyfan** » Apr Mon 02, 2012 9:36 pm

I guess i wouldn"t want to take the chance. Especialy going into the busy season. I have overheard people asking for a table without reservations and most times they are denied. Chef Mickey is one of the most popular dining expierences. If you have kids, I would not want to take the chance to disappoint them. Thats just my thoughts.

SorcererDonald16 · Post by **SorcererDonald16** » Apr Tue 03, 2012 4:55 am

DisneyYorkie wrote:
Amy wrote:
DisneyYorkie wrote:Many, many thanks to all who took the time to post their thoughts and opinions.

With palms sweating on my keyboard and a credit card in one hand, I sat down and made ALL of our ressies today!!!! I got exactly what I wanted at Crystal Palace and Garden Grill. I settled when it came to Chef Mickey's. I really wanted an earlier seating but the red-eye was all I could get ....so I settled for 9:05. We've eaten at CMs late before and not had any problems.

I am sooooo glad that is done. Feel like the Epcot ball is lifted off my shoulders!
Well done! I think you'll be much more settled knowing you have ressies
Thank you! I do feel very happy about it. I spent all afternoon in a feverish "here's-the-calendar-here's-what-park-is-best-to-be-in-here's-what-dining-ressies-can-be-had-on-those-days" mode. But I now know WHAT park I'm doing on WHAT days and WHAT meals we are having WHEN!

Thanks again to everyone who helped with their thoughts

Haha, you sound like me! I have my park hours calendar printed out, my list of restaurants I need, and then I anxiously try to hammer it all out. It is stressful, but much better than the alternative of not eating what you really want to eat.

Glad it worked out for you! And I hope you have some really fab meals!

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