A few questions regarding ADR

[Sarah28]

Hi All

I've been reading up a lot of posts regarding ADR and I'm finding it a little confusing! I was hoping you guys could clear up some questions I have?

I've just noticed a few of you have planned your meals for every day of your stay and I was wondering if this is sort of 'recommended' (as to whether you would get a table or not), or if you're just doing a sooper dooper planning job?! We are not booked to do the dining plan (not sure if this makes any difference?) OK, here goes!...

1) Is it advisable to make reservations for your meals? Are you able to get a table at one of the more popular restaurants if you don't have a reservation?

2) If we decided to make a reservation, how could we do this from the UK?

3) How far in advance can you make reservations and do they get booked up super quick?

4) This will probably differ from each person but I was wondering what are some of your favourite places to eat and why you like going there?

We are normally pretty laid back and will probably just eat wherever we sort of fancy, but if it is advisable to book, t'would be good to know

Thanks guys as always, much appreciated!

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

ADRs are highly recommended for Table Service (sit down meals). You may get lucky and have a chance to walk up to a restaurant and have an opening, but depending on when you go..that may not happen and I wouldn't count on it. You can make ADRs 180 days out from the first day of your trip. We love the breakfast at Poly...O'Hana...it has the characters Lilo, Stitch, Mickey & Pluto...food is yummy and characters are great. 50's prime time cafe at DHS is pretty good & fun also. Wolfgang Pucks at Downtown Disney offers counter & I believe table service..the food is really good. Just a couple of our favorites

 

[2Tiggies]

Hi All

I've been reading up a lot of posts regarding ADR and I'm finding it a little confusing! I was hoping you guys could clear up some questions I have?

I've just noticed a few of you have planned your meals for every day of your stay and I was wondering if this is sort of 'recommended' (as to whether you would get a table or not), or if you're just doing a sooper dooper planning job?! We are not booked to do the dining plan (not sure if this makes any difference?) OK, here goes!...

The dining plan does make a difference - to a point. It is recommended that you make reservations firstly depending on the time of the year you are going (peak seasons/free dining periods see the restaurants booking up very quickly) and always at the very least for any places you really want to eat at. It is not always a case of not getting a reservation. A lot of the time you can get a table but if you don't book well in advance you could end up with odd choices for meal times, like lunch at 11.45 am or if you wait to just do a 'walk up' when you are in the park, you may be subjected to a lengthy wait for a table. The argument for making ressies with the dining plan is that, especially if you are paying for it, you have pre paid your meals, but no reservations or availability may see you ending up eating wherever you get in and this might not be your first choice. There is a balance between the extremes of this argument and although there are certainly times and certain restaurants where you simply have to book as soon as possible, it is only in very busy times of the year that you face the possibility of not getting anywhere (i.e. not being able to use your dining credits for a meal).

1) Is it advisable to make reservations for your meals? Are you able to get a table at one of the more popular restaurants if you don't have a reservation?

As above, always adviseable. YOu can afford to wing it if you want to for certain days where you don't want to be tied down to an ADR, but secure the ones that are important to you. While I would never say you won't get a table at a popular restaurant, your chances are slim and booking is adviseable. You can always cancel (online or by phone) if you change your mind, but if you don't book it you might never get it.

2) If we decided to make a reservation, how could we do this from the UK?

You can either phone or you can do it online. Online is much quicker and easier and you can see alternative times and options if your first choice is not available.

3) How far in advance can you make reservations and do they get booked up super quick?

180 days from the date of check in. As you are staying onsite, you can make your ADRs on that date (180 days out) for the first 10 days of your stay. Offsite guests would have to call back each day after that to make one day's ressies at a time so it is one of the onsite perks. There is a dining calculator which will work out your 180 day date for you. I will try remember to post a link.

4) This will probably differ from each person but I was wondering what are some of your favourite places to eat and why you like going there?

Really this varies so widely from person to person and even changes from one visit to the next. Crystal Palace has been a favourite tradition of ours but I will admit, despite great food and service every time, it is a sentimental ressie for us

We are normally pretty laid back and will probably just eat wherever we sort of fancy, but if it is advisable to book, t'would be good to know

Book them. You have nothing to lose.

Thanks guys as always, much appreciated!

Here is a link to the calculator. Put in your check in date (remember to use the format month/day/year) and look for the date alongside the 180 day column. That is the day you can book your ADRs.

http://pscalculator.net/pscalc.php

Hope this helps get you started.

 

[dixonsontour]

If you look on the main walt disney world website under where to eat you can see what meals are available at the parks and hotels eg you can see all the character meals.

Some have the menus on there or you can see menus at wdwinfo.com or allears.net.

Reservations (adr's) open 6 months or 180 days in advance. As you are staying onsite you have the perk of being able to book 10 days worth of meals immediately, not having to do it each day. To do this you enter your disney reservation number.

You can reserve online and most have no fee for doing this.

The best times for the most popular meals like chef mickey or crt in the castle do get booked up pretty much straight away.

Have a look and see what you fancy. Without DDP (dining plan) it will be cheaper to eat off site or have counter service meals but it depends if you have transport and your personal preferences.

This year we are staying offsite so i'm booking about 5 meals onsite. Last 2 trips we had free DDP so I was booking 14 meals onsite.

Dining is a big part of wdw. As well as the charater meals there are themed meals with entertainment included.

 

[becauseisaid]

3) How far in advance can you make reservations and do they get booked up super quick?

180 days from the date of check in. As you are staying onsite, you can make your ADRs on that date (180 days out) for the first 10 days of your stay. Offsite guests would have to call back each day after that to make one day's ressies at a time so it is one of the onsite perks.

So THAT'S what "180 days plus 10" means! Thank you! That has been driving me nuts! I kept wondering why the guide I was reading didn't just say "190 days".

 

[2Tiggies]

So THAT'S what "180 days plus 10" means! Thank you! That has been driving me nuts! I kept wondering why the guide I was reading didn't just say "190 days".

It confuses a LOT of people and understandably so. When you are told 180 plus 10, the logical conclusion is to reach 190 But it isn't simple -as you will discover, not much is with Disney once you really get into the ins and outs of planning

(OT, but I love your username )

 

[becauseisaid]

It confuses a LOT of people and understandably so. When you are told 180 plus 10, the logical conclusion is to reach 190 But it isn't simple -as you will discover, not much is with Disney once you really get into the ins and outs of planning

No kidding. I'm discovering that, if a straight line is the shortest distance between points A and B, Disney will decide that you need to detour points C, D, F, and Q first.

(OT, but I love your username )

Thanks! What can I say? I'm a Mom.

 

[Sarah28]

Thanks guys, your answers are brilliant! and esp thanks 2Tiggies for the calculator link - I've worked out our 180 days is 25th April so not long at all, better work out where we wanna go! Thanks for the great tip!! How would I plan my trip without you?!

 

[orangetiggs]

We must be going out similar times as my 180 day mark is around the same time, what date u fly

 

[Sarah28]

Hi orangetiggs, we fly on 22 October

Been following the other threads about getting hold of the US reservation code from VH to make ADRs so going to be sorting that out tonight!

 

[orangetiggs]

Might see u around we fly on 19th, we will be the tired parents of twins as im sure they wont stop