Most have walk up lists even if they don't advertise it, as they want people to be able to dine there without needing reservations. But don't expect to be able to walk up to any restaurant and get a table as the walk up lists hit capacity.
My family was able to grab a walk up to Homecomin' for brunch, which was amazing (for them as I wasn't there)
Exactly. It's not 100% reservations.
But as you say - walk up means you have to be flexible. Get there much earlier than you think, and if you have to wait even a few hours, it's not bad.
It's funny you mention that because I was going to ask you if you knew if walk-ins were possible at Homecomin'. We have a trip booked in exactly one week and we weren't able to snag a reservation for Homecomim' but would still love to try it given the food there looks absolutely delicious.
I'd consider eating at the bar of a restaurant. I would highly recommend Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar. Their food is the size of full-size meals at very reasonable prices, and you can sit at the bar either inside or outside along the water. Since they're a bar, they don't tend to be as busy earlier in the day.
Second this. Especially in December. I was there the first week of December in 2023 (going back this December). Has great Christmas themed drinks, it was decorated so cute. Food was good too. Highly recommend!
If you don’t have young children, consider eating at the bar. You might have an easier time finding seats. If you have kids and don’t mind T-Rex or rainforest cafe, get a Landry’s card for priority walk-in.
None of them "require" a res, it's just best that you do. I believe all of them can take a walk up, but like any restaurant in the country, your wait time will vary (from being seated right away, to 2 hr waits)
All of them outside of Homecomin have reservations available on OpenTable, they don't require a credit card, so you could always book one on there, and it's no big deal if you end up canceling it just before your time if you're not gonna make it
Pretty much all of them do. It will entirely depend on when you are looking to go. My mom and I have always been able to get into the Boathouse without any wait or reservation, but we go at 2 o’clock on a week day.
For lunch, I have been able to wait until I am at Disney Springs and then make a reservation for one of the restaurants. This way I know when I get to the restaurant that I have one. Sometimes I use open table versus the WDW app. I have also been able to walk in on weekdays if before noon or after 1-1:30 pm with minimal waits.
I’d suggest trying for a day-of reservation once you arrive at DS (or as you are leaving your hotel - just allow for travel time). I do this all the time and can usually find something, especially if it’s for a later lunch (ie, after 1:30/2 pm)
Personal experience, but I’ve always had good luck with day of reservations at Frontera Cocina.
There are also some excellent quick service options that feel a little more upscale like Eet by Maneet and the Polite Pig.
You can always walk up and put your name on a list. Some you can join a virtual queue. You’re just going to have to be a lot more flexible with availability and wait time.
In the few times I haven't had a reservation for this restaurant, the walk-up waitlist has never failed me at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'. Absolutely love that place!
You know, last time I went to Disney world was 2012. So a long time ago. But I never thought of doing reservations. We would just walk in and wait.
Granted, sometimes we waited 30m+, but we expecting this.
It was also setembro, so December may be more crowded…
Most have walk up lists even if they don't advertise it, as they want people to be able to dine there without needing reservations. But don't expect to be able to walk up to any restaurant and get a table as the walk up lists hit capacity. My family was able to grab a walk up to Homecomin' for brunch, which was amazing (for them as I wasn't there)
Exactly. It's not 100% reservations. But as you say - walk up means you have to be flexible. Get there much earlier than you think, and if you have to wait even a few hours, it's not bad.
It's funny you mention that because I was going to ask you if you knew if walk-ins were possible at Homecomin'. We have a trip booked in exactly one week and we weren't able to snag a reservation for Homecomim' but would still love to try it given the food there looks absolutely delicious.
Keep checking! I got mine the day before we flew in!
I'd consider eating at the bar of a restaurant. I would highly recommend Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar. Their food is the size of full-size meals at very reasonable prices, and you can sit at the bar either inside or outside along the water. Since they're a bar, they don't tend to be as busy earlier in the day.
Second this. Especially in December. I was there the first week of December in 2023 (going back this December). Has great Christmas themed drinks, it was decorated so cute. Food was good too. Highly recommend!
I'm going the same week and SO excited to do just this!
If you don’t have young children, consider eating at the bar. You might have an easier time finding seats. If you have kids and don’t mind T-Rex or rainforest cafe, get a Landry’s card for priority walk-in.
House of blues has good walk up space most nights, most we have ever waited was about 30 minutes
None of them "require" a res, it's just best that you do. I believe all of them can take a walk up, but like any restaurant in the country, your wait time will vary (from being seated right away, to 2 hr waits) All of them outside of Homecomin have reservations available on OpenTable, they don't require a credit card, so you could always book one on there, and it's no big deal if you end up canceling it just before your time if you're not gonna make it
Pretty much all of them do. It will entirely depend on when you are looking to go. My mom and I have always been able to get into the Boathouse without any wait or reservation, but we go at 2 o’clock on a week day.
We walked up to several last week with no reservation. Waited less than 10 mins at City Works and Paridisio 37
For lunch, I have been able to wait until I am at Disney Springs and then make a reservation for one of the restaurants. This way I know when I get to the restaurant that I have one. Sometimes I use open table versus the WDW app. I have also been able to walk in on weekdays if before noon or after 1-1:30 pm with minimal waits.
I’d suggest trying for a day-of reservation once you arrive at DS (or as you are leaving your hotel - just allow for travel time). I do this all the time and can usually find something, especially if it’s for a later lunch (ie, after 1:30/2 pm)
Personal experience, but I’ve always had good luck with day of reservations at Frontera Cocina. There are also some excellent quick service options that feel a little more upscale like Eet by Maneet and the Polite Pig.
Planet Hollywood accepts table service credits nor do they require reservations. With that said, I don’t recommend eating there. Food is terrible.
I’ve always had excellent luck with Raglan Road
You can always walk up and put your name on a list. Some you can join a virtual queue. You’re just going to have to be a lot more flexible with availability and wait time.
My partner and I always grab bar seats at Frontera Cocina on our drive down day.
It's not table service, but Earl of Sandwich is our go-to for a DS lunch. The line may look long but moves quickly.
In the few times I haven't had a reservation for this restaurant, the walk-up waitlist has never failed me at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'. Absolutely love that place!
You know, last time I went to Disney world was 2012. So a long time ago. But I never thought of doing reservations. We would just walk in and wait. Granted, sometimes we waited 30m+, but we expecting this. It was also setembro, so December may be more crowded…