If you look around the Disney community, you’ll hear a lot about dining reservations and dining planning.  For most guests, the rich variety and quality of food options available on property are an important part of their vacation, and dedicated planners take advantage of the 180 day reservation window to try to secure their restaurant of choice.

But what if you aren’t one of those planners?  What if your plans change?  What if you can’t get the Le Cellier reservation you wanted?  Is there any hope?

There is if you’re flexible.

Your party can get seated as a walk-up at most Disney dining if you’re willing to arrive just as the restaurant opens.  That may mean having your ‘big meal’ at lunch rather than dinner, or heading out to a resort restaurant a bit earlier than usual, but it will allow you to eat almost anywhere you desire.  My husband and I have walked into Le Cellier, Artist Point, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Rose & Crown and Sci-Fi Dine In because we arrived when they opened and put our names in for a seat.

There are no guarantees with walk-up seating, particularly during free dining where few tables are held open for walk-up guests, but more often than not, it’s a way to get that dining experience you’ve been craving without a 180 day ADR!

Related articles

• Disney World 2012 Dining Plan Details Released (chipandco.com)
• Walt Disney World Dining Bests (chipandco.com)

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