ADR Anarchist.

[Sarubo]

My husband and I will be at Disney from 1/26 - 2/9, I've made ressies for the Luau and Hoop Dee Doo. We are "fly by the seat of your pants" kinda people. We consider ourselves foodies, but there isn't one place we feel that we HAVE to eat at. And we plan to eat our big meal either in the afternoon between the lunch and dinner hours or WAY after dinner hours. So here's the question.....Are ADRs really necessary in this case??? The way some people are talking about ADRs it's sounds as though we aren't going to be able to eat anything but churros!

I just can't see myself fretting so much over where I'm going to eat over a month from now, on Wednesday at 5:14 pm. Hell I don't even know what park I'm going to be at.

Also - a little side question... We are AP holders, and I was considering purchasing the DDE. Has anyone else used this? What are your thoughts??
(I know about the 18% "gratis", and it's not a major issue with me if it ends up saving me in the end.)

 

[disneyholic family]

we're also AP holders, but i've never purchased the DDE so I can't help you there...

as for ADRs, we're very much the same as you...

the first week you'll be there, it might be very difficult for you to get anything at all.....although maybe you'll be able to find something a day in advance...but the same day will be tough...even at odd hours..

however, once january gets going, you shouldn't have too much trouble at all....

 

[fla4fun]

I will be there from 1/10-1/24, and I haven't made a single ADR. I too am a spontaneous person, and on vacation I don't want to have to be at any certain place at any certain time. I'm also OK with eating CS food if I have to. I usually wait until I've decided what the plan is for the day, and then call to see what's available. Even during free dining this past September, I was there for two weeks, had no ADR's in advance, and was able to make several last minute ADR's. The key is to be flexible about your dining time and your restaurant, and don't forget nearby resorts when you are at the parks. I like taking a break from MK or Epcot and going to one of the nearby resorts for a leisurely lunch.

I've had DDE for a long time. It does save you money. In the past, it was a straight 20% off the bill, and you determined the tip yourself (based on the bill BEFORE the discount). Now it's a straight 20% off with the automatic tip of 18% added back in. So if you are typically a 20% tipper (for decent service), you still save the same amount you did before the auto grat (and more if you decide to just stick with the auto grat). Of course, you have to eat in TS restaurants to get the discount, but if you do that most days of your trip, and you are at Disney often, it doesn't take long to recoup the cost of the DDE and start coming out ahead.

 

[aterriq]

I don't think you'll have too many problems since you stated you plan to eat during the off times.

That lack of planning wouldn't work for me since I have kids and we would pay for the dining plan.

 

[SnwflkCts]

I know you are going at a less busy time. From what I hear, it just depends on where you are trying to eat at. It would be interesting to hear how you fare -- Good Luck!

I am too much of a planner ... and love planning where we will eat so never would try this. But just am curious!

 

[sue1013]

DH and I rarely make ADR's and we usually go twice a year. When we go with DD and her family since she is a teacher it's always at Easter time then she will make ADR's due to the crowds. Since we are a party of 2 and we also prefer the resort restaurants we don't have a problem. If we do eat in the parks it's usually for lunch and have never had a problem making a lunch ADR when we get to the park.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

We're not big on ADRs either. We make 2-3 for a 10-day trip and then just wing it.

I think your only problem could be if you want to eat at Le Cellier. Other than that, because you are choosing late hours, I think you'll be fine. We also tend to eat late.

We are AP holders and have had the DDE for two years and about to renew for the third year in January. Even with two people, if you eat table service for one meal a day, the savings begin to accrue very quickly. If you drink wine, it's even faster.

It's just basic math:
The card cost is $65 and you save 20% of your TS total before tax and gratuity.
For our family of five, it's about $125 for a TS meal. (No alcohol)
We save $25 per meal.
Savings after three meals is $75.
So we're already $10 ahead and many more meals to come.

 

[Sarubo]

Thanks to everyone for all your thoughts so far. Like I said, I was reading so many posts that seemed to emphasize ADRs I was beginning to wonder if we would eat at all.

I'll have to let you know how it went when we get back. I can't believe it's almost here!

 

[dmslush]

If you aren't picky, just call the dining number each morning, tell them what park you are going to and ask them what they have available. They should be able to find you something.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Absolutely agree with the previous poster, if you are flexible on your time, you will find plenty of opportunity to dine.. I have maybe one or two adrs as others are joining us for dining, but other than that, I will just let the day take me where it does..

I have never liked all the necessary planning that goes into getting all you can out of your Disney trip, but I do understand it especially with small children and if you only go every so often...

 

[katieandemismom]

We'll be there 1/8-1/15, and I called yesterday to switch up our ADRs that I made 5 months ago - LOL! I had my choice of times at every restaurant I wanted (although we have 5 & 4 y.o. dds so we're not going for high scale dining). I was able to get Garden Grill, Norway Princess Lunch, Concourse Steakhouse, Chef Mickey's, and even had the option of Cinderella's Royal Table. Apparently it's not too busy at our time of year - yippee!

Sarah

 

[hsmamato2]

we're the same way...decide pretty much where to eat after we decide where we'll be..... we did make 3 res- Boma one night,Lecellier one lunch,and Chef Micks for one breakfast,the rest of our 2 weeks,we wing it!
we're not to picky though about times,and most cs places are satisfactory-