Earlier this week I let you in on some of my favorite meals at the resorts that are easy to book on short notice. It is possible to eat in the parks with little or no notice, but you need to be flexible about where and when you are going to dine. It is nearly impossible to walk up to some restaurants. I’m sure you know which ones they are: Le Cellier, Cinderella’s Royal Table and any of the character meals. Some restaurants are easier to walk up to for lunch–especially if you get there at opening. I’ve walked up to a number of Epcot World Showcase restaurants at 11:30 and been seated.

My advice for a short notice park reservation is to do one of two things. First put the Disney Dining phone number on your speed dial and call them about 30 minutes before you’d like to dine. Let them know you are in a park and would like to have lunch or dinner at that park. The Cast Member should be able to search for what restaurants in the park have an opening in your time frame. I find this works especially well at Epcot. Second, if you have a smart phone you can put the Disney mobile web Dining Reservation page in your bookmarks. Select the park you are in and the time you would like and see what is available and book it right there from your phone. Have your credit card ready as lots of restaurants are now requiring a guarantee for dining reservations. Making an Advance Dining Reservation just a few minutes ahead of time means that you won’t be waiting behind the other people who have tried to walk up. Walking up is possible, but I don’t really advise doing it. It’s much easier to make the call or spend a few minutes on the net to find out what is actually available. I’d hate to see you wandering around World Showcase looking to see who has room at the inn! You might be surprised to see what is available for ADRs even if the hostess told you that the wait would be more than an hour!

Now I’m going to share my best bets for each park–that’s what you were waiting for right?

Dessert

In the Magic Kingdom it is almost always possible to get a reservation at The Plaza. Dinner seems to be actually easier than lunch. The menu is mostly salads, soups and sandwiches, but I find it fulfilling after a day of park touring and a good spot to stop and have a bite before a parade or fireworks. Plus, the only place that has this beat for dessert is Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club. I’ve had pretty good luck getting last minute reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom as well. There seems to be less traffic there since they ended character dining. Tony’s Town Square sometimes has reservations available on short notice, but I really don’t want you to eat there. It’s always disappointing for me.

Couscous?

In Epcot there are a number of restaurants that are easy to get last minute reservations. A few of them I love and some I can pass on. Restaurant Marrakesh is a sure bet. It’s also one of my favorites–I love kebabs! Tutto Italia, though down for a rehab right now, is my other World Showcase favorite and is almost always empty at lunch time. Biergarten always scores high for me as well, but is a little bit pricy for a sausage buffet. You can almost always get a last minute ADR or walk up to Nine Dragons in the China Pavilion. It’s usually a last resort for me and I can say I’ve only had to resort to it once. I had egg rolls and hot and sour soup and was pleasantly surprised! I can’t speak to the main courses, but my appetizer and soup were very good. The best part was that lunch that day only cost me $12 plus tip! That’s less than most counter service meals! I can tell you that Rose and Crown, Chefs de France, Via Napoli and both of the offerings in Mexico are usually busy, but you might have some luck with a walk up at 11:30am.  I have!

Over at the Hollywood Studios things are a little more difficult. There are fewer sit down restaurants and because of the Fantasmic! package offered at some of them, the spots fill quickly. I’ve found it pretty easy to get reservations at the last minute at the Hollywood Brown Derby.

My favorite park restaurant

I know the Derby is expensive, but it is my favorite theme park restaurant. Maybe because of the margarita sampler? (There is also a martini sampler!) We have made the Derby affordable by ordering appetizers and sharing. The other option for a short notice ADR at the Studios is Hollywood and Vine, but I don’t love buffets and this one is just sort of average. The characters are of the Disney Junior variety, so if you have small children it would probably be a good choice! If the parks are quiet you might be able to score reservations at Mama Melrose, 50s Prime Time Cafe, or The Sci Fi Dine In, but don’t count on it unless you are willing to dine at very off times.

Burgers?

Animal Kingdom poses the greatest challenge for sit down dining. For starters there are only three sit down restaurants, which would make it seemingly impossible to get a last minute reservation. It isn’t! Tusker House is a character meal and it has become very difficult to get a reservation there at all. However, the Landry’s run Yak and Yeti Restaurant seems to have all kinds of availability all the time. I’m not sure why. The food is good, the decor is amazing and it’s in the park. Maybe there is some kind of rule I don’t know about at AK that involves sitting outside and fighting with the birds for your food. I’ve been able to make a short term ADR without any problem–like yesterday for 28 days from now. I’ve also walked in and been seated within five minutes. It’s a pretty large space and they have tons of tables on two floors. Have a Yak Attack for me if you decide to dine here! There is also a Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom. I’ve gotten reservations here day of and walked in. If you only have adults in your party you might be able to snag seats at the bar if you walk in. I’m not sure why but this location seems less popular than the one at Downtown Disney. If you strike out at Animal Kingdom for reservations or a walk in, there are lots of good Counter Service options here, so don’t fret! Keep in mind that Animal Kingdom typically closes early so you won’t be able to find late evening reservations at all. If you are looking for choices after 5 or 6pm try the restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge!

I hope I’ve helped those of you who are planning vacations after the 180 day reservation date! It seems like lately I’ve been planning trips that are only a few weeks away, so don’t despair–you’ll be able to eat sit down meals, even if you are leaving tomorrow!