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  • On Sep 6, 2009
    Laura from CA Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hello! I know making the ADR is the way to go, but if ADR were not secured will you not be able to eat there at all? I know some it is the case, but what about places like Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, Sci-drive In? Are waiting times very long? Thx!

    The answer to your question depends on several factors including the restaurant you're interested in, the time of year, and even the weather.

    If there is a restaurant that you absolutely want to dine at, then you should absolutely make advance dining reservations. There's just no getting around that. You can make reservations online at the WDW website or by calling Disney Dining at 407-WDW-DINE.

    As you suggest, there are some restaurants that you will almost certainly be shut out of if you try to get a seat as a walk-up. These include Le Cellier, Cinderella's Royal Table, and Coral Reef. These restaurants are just so popular that they are completely filled with guests who have made advance reservation. There are other restaurants that are less popular (but no less yummy) where you can often be seated as a walk-up. These include Restaurant Marrakesh in Epcot and Yak & Yeti at the Animal Kingdom.

    That being said, there are some weeks of the year where it is imperative to have reservations for all of your table service dining. For example, if you are at WDW during the week between Christmas and New Years's Day, the restaurants will be PACKED. If you want to eat table service, you'll need a reservation.

    You are more likely to be seated as a walk-up anywhere when the weather is poor. If it is pouring rain, many guests with reservations will be no-shows at the restaurants, leaving spots open for walk-up.

    All three of the restaurants you mention are quite popular. Depending on when your trip is and what time of the day you're dining, it may be possible to walk-up and be seated. But this will usually come with a wait of at least an hour.

    If you don't want to make reservations, you should be prepared to eat at off hours or to have potentially significant wait times at many restaurants.
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Meet the Panelist: Erin, New York

I have three teenage daughters. We're DVC members obsessed with Disney travel. We've been to Walt Disney World countless times and have visited Disneyland & Disneyland Paris. We've taken several Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise trips. Learn More About Erin

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