Is an early walk up even possible during free dining? - The DIS Discussion Forums

texaslonestar · 09-19-2009, 10:59 AM

So I'm leaving Wednesday night to go to the world.

My mom and I thought we had ADRs for Thursday, but I guess we never made them - we've got them for the rest of the week. We will be at Studios on Thrusday and wanted Sci Fi. Would it be possible to just walk up for lunch or dinner that day? I can't find anything for that restaurant for that day, but we are really flexible on times. Just wanted the advice of all the smart disers! Thanks for your help!

TillyMarigold · 09-19-2009, 11:08 AM

We got to Sci Fi a little before noon last Saturday, and there was only a 15 minute wait for walk-ups.

However, if you walk up, you are not guaranteed a car, and you probably won't get one--they will seat you in the "picnic area" at the back.

TJA · 09-19-2009, 11:45 AM

I would say your chances may be the greatest if you get to SciFi right when it opens. Sometimes if there are no-shows for the very first seatings they will take the walk-ups. I agree with the above poster about possibly not getting a car if you walk-up as this did happen to us. As long as you know that ahead of time and don't mind, you will be fine. We have young kids who had their hearts set on a car, so we passed on the offer and went to 50's Prime Time instead.

Good luck!

texaslonestar · 09-19-2009, 12:28 PM

Thank you both so much!

dancin Disney style · 09-19-2009, 01:41 PM

We just came back 2 weeks ago and went to SciFi for lunch. We really wanted dinner but couldn't get an ADR. The entire time we were there I would say it was only a little more than half full. Which was odd since I even tried to get a later lunch ADR and couldn't. We were there for a 12:15pm. When we were walking out there were several families waiting and it made no sense. There were lots of empty tables.

So I would absolutely try a walk in. Just don't do it at a peak time like 6pm. In the mean time keep trying for the ADR.

AJA · 09-19-2009, 04:13 PM

We got in to Sci-Fi as walk ups last year during free dining.

TDC Nala · 09-19-2009, 05:05 PM

If there's only the two of you, there's a possibility you can get in as a "hitchhiker" (take up an empty seat in a car with a party that doesn't fill up the car).

devonsmommy · 09-19-2009, 10:05 PM

I also witnessed walk ups (3 in a row) at Sci Fi right around noon last Wednesday.

Also, someone was able to score a walk up at Akershus around 8:45 a.m. for 6 people! I couldn't believe it! I don't know how they even got through the front gate.

I would also suggest going to the concierge desk and seeing if they can check what is available, even if it's the same day. They even called the podium at one place for us. We canceled 2 things while we were down there.

Jeanieblue114 · 09-20-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancin Disney style

We just came back 2 weeks ago and went to SciFi for lunch. We really wanted dinner but couldn't get an ADR. The entire time we were there I would say it was only a little more than half full. Which was odd since I even tried to get a later lunch ADR and couldn't. We were there for a 12:15pm. When we were walking out there were several families waiting and it made no sense. There were lots of empty tables.

So I would absolutely try a walk in. Just don't do it at a peak time like 6pm. In the mean time keep trying for the ADR.

I have questioned other restaurants about this happening. I get there and wait and go in and the place is empty.
What I have been told by the management at other places is that they had limited numbers of servers or kitchen staff at the time and could not accommodate full capacity in the restaurant.
So, I guess instead of making you sit in the restaurant and wonder why you aren't getting good service, they make you sit in the lobby and wait until you can be 'properly' served inside.
Seems logical...I guess.

LindaBabe · 09-20-2009, 06:31 AM

When you check in, why not go to the lobby concierge and ask for an adr? You might actually be able to get one, and not have to wonder where you're going to eat!

bomzar · 09-20-2009, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanieblue114

I have questioned other restaurants about this happening. I get there and wait and go in and the place is empty.
What I have been told by the management at other places is that they had limited numbers of servers or kitchen staff at the time and could not accommodate full capacity in the restaurant.
So, I guess instead of making you sit in the restaurant and wonder why you aren't getting good service, they make you sit in the lobby and wait until you can be 'properly' served inside.
Seems logical...I guess.

Union rules that's why. Each server is only allowed to have xx number of guests at a time. If management gives them more then that number, they can get into trouble. Philosophy behind that is that if the server has more then xx guests, the quality of service isn't what it's supposed to be.

09-19-2009, 10:59 AM	#1
texaslonestar Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 109	Is an early walk up even possible during free dining? So I'm leaving Wednesday night to go to the world. My mom and I thought we had ADRs for Thursday, but I guess we never made them - we've got them for the rest of the week. We will be at Studios on Thrusday and wanted Sci Fi. Would it be possible to just walk up for lunch or dinner that day? I can't find anything for that restaurant for that day, but we are really flexible on times. Just wanted the advice of all the smart disers! Thanks for your help!

09-19-2009, 11:08 AM	#2
TillyMarigold DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Land of Enchantment Posts: 3,030	We got to Sci Fi a little before noon last Saturday, and there was only a 15 minute wait for walk-ups. However, if you walk up, you are not guaranteed a car, and you probably won't get one--they will seat you in the "picnic area" at the back. __________________ Violet & Chernabog Do Disney Dining: Veggies and Seafood Abound! (September 2009 Dining Report)[/URL] The Return of Violet and Chernabog: Now with Bonus Sprogs! (May 2010 Dining Report)

09-19-2009, 11:45 AM	#3
TJA DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 3,359	I would say your chances may be the greatest if you get to SciFi right when it opens. Sometimes if there are no-shows for the very first seatings they will take the walk-ups. I agree with the above poster about possibly not getting a car if you walk-up as this did happen to us. As long as you know that ahead of time and don't mind, you will be fine. We have young kids who had their hearts set on a car, so we passed on the offer and went to 50's Prime Time instead. Good luck! __________________ 2003 ~ AKL 2004 ~ CR & Poly 2005 ~ BC & BWI 2006 ~ YC & BC 2007 ~ Poly & BC & CR 2008 ~ POR & WL & BC 2009 ~ CBR & BC CL 2010 ~ Poly 2010 ~ CR & BC CL 2011 ~ BC CL 2011 ~ Poly CL 2012 ~ WL & BC CL 2012 ~ CR CL

09-19-2009, 01:41 PM	#5
dancin Disney style I found one to share with some fab american disers Could you break off the handle? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,644	We just came back 2 weeks ago and went to SciFi for lunch. We really wanted dinner but couldn't get an ADR. The entire time we were there I would say it was only a little more than half full. Which was odd since I even tried to get a later lunch ADR and couldn't. We were there for a 12:15pm. When we were walking out there were several families waiting and it made no sense. There were lots of empty tables. So I would absolutely try a walk in. Just don't do it at a peak time like 6pm. In the mean time keep trying for the ADR. __________________

09-19-2009, 05:05 PM	#7
TDC Nala 1937, what a year that was Diet Coke on Ice or Else I apparently don't do anything they want to stimulate Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Not far enough outside the Beltway Posts: 54,476	If there's only the two of you, there's a possibility you can get in as a "hitchhiker" (take up an empty seat in a car with a party that doesn't fill up the car). __________________

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09-19-2009, 12:28 PM	#4
texaslonestar Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 109	Thank you both so much!

09-19-2009, 04:13 PM	#6
AJA DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: East TN Posts: 1,056	We got in to Sci-Fi as walk ups last year during free dining.

09-19-2009, 10:05 PM	#8
devonsmommy DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 760	I also witnessed walk ups (3 in a row) at Sci Fi right around noon last Wednesday. Also, someone was able to score a walk up at Akershus around 8:45 a.m. for 6 people! I couldn't believe it! I don't know how they even got through the front gate. I would also suggest going to the concierge desk and seeing if they can check what is available, even if it's the same day. They even called the podium at one place for us. We canceled 2 things while we were down there. __________________ Taryn August 2013--Polynesian October 2012--Old Key West May 2012--Animal Kingdom Lodge/Expedition Everest! March 2012--Disney Magic! Feb. 2012--Pop Dec. 2010--Contemporary/Pop Sept. 2009--Pop Sept. 2008--POR June 2004--Vistana And many trips before!

09-20-2009, 06:31 AM	#10
LindaBabe DIS Cast Member Let them try to get me out - heheh Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Upstate NY transplanted to NW Georgia Posts: 9,952	When you check in, why not go to the lobby concierge and ask for an adr? You might actually be able to get one, and not have to wonder where you're going to eat! __________________

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