Welcome back, Belinda!
Planning spur of the moment trips is very magical, however, you are correct and sometimes it proves to be a little more challenging to secure those coveted dining reservations. Don't despair! Even during the busiest of times I have encountered a few places still offering "walk-ups" and more often, I have been able to snag a reservation closer to our arrival date. Keep trying! You'd be amazed at how often others change their minds and a spot becomes free. Another tip I recommend is to think about breaking your party into smaller groups, if at all possible. Sometimes, there are no reservations for four or six, but there are for two or three. If you don't mind sitting apart this is a great option and although there is no guarantee, on a rare occasion they have even been able to seat our parties near each other. Lastly,
The Garden Grill is one of my favorite character dining experiences and it seems to "fly under the radar," so to speak. Sometimes, when all other options are booked, I can find a last minute spot there and the food and atmosphere is really great. We love dining with Farmer Mickey!
Good luck on finding your desired dining reservations. I hope you find at least a few options to make your trip even more magical.
Pixie Dust to you,
Lauren