Adr Do we need them

[stawes]

We might be going in late August do we need them until we get out to wdw.

 

[stawes]

As one of the party thinks it it unesseary.

 

[Yensid_MD]

The answer is yes if you are particular about where and when you eat. There is always food available, but if you want to make sure you have sit down meals (TS) at a certain time you would definitely want to make some ADR's. If you are more flexible with eating CS then wing it and perhaps make a one or two ADR for your favorite restaurants.

For us one of the big joys of going to Disney is eating some very good meals so we book our favorites at the 180 day mark. The rest of the time we are there we wing it. We typically find that we get by on two meals a day because they give you so much food.

We will be there in August as well and have just booked all of our meals that are important to us.

 

[stawes]

Thank You

 

[jacksmomma]

Unless you want to deal with a 2 hour wait, Yes.

 

[wezee]

Also...keep in mind, WDW may have offered free dining promo late in August, which will fill up all the TS restaurants fast!

 

[Luv4Disney]

If you want to eat something other than CS, then yes, definitely.

 

[Native NYer]

Yes unless you want to just do CS. I have all my ADRs for our 8 day trip in August and I did them last week!

 

[Harambe]

Just made my ADRs for late August.

I'm hoping that free dining, if they offer it, starts AFTER I leave. You would not believe how crowded the restaurants are with the free dining. Parks aren't bad, but restaurants are jammed!

 

[stawes]

Sadly even with showing them this topic there still don't think there necessary.

 

[Fast Pass]

If there is one thing I am certain if you have no ADRs you will become very tired of fast food very quickly! ADRs allow you to sit and rest in relative quite. Counter service is always rush,rush,rush and you have to wait for tables with food trays in your hands while little darlings run amok all over the place!

 

[nurse.darcy]

I went at the end of August last year and my then DH said "we don't need no stinkin ADRs." I made a couple anyway because I wanted to eat at certain places and I had planned his birthday. Well, We did eat a fair number of TS restaurants without ressies, but then we don't eat at "normal" times, but I was really glad that I had made ADRs for the two places I really wanted to eat. You can get TS food but it may not be at the time you want to eat. Also, you can make ressies from your resort when you are there. If they have an opening, they will let you know.

With saying all that, I would highly recommend making at least a couple ADRs at places you really want to try.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Other than making 1 or 2 ADRs per trip, we wing it and manage to eat at a table service restaurant daily. We aren't obsessive planners at all. We went to WDW 5 times last year (it's a sickness) and there was maybe one day we were forced into counter service.

That said, don't think you can waltz up to Le Cellier and think you're going to get it...ain't gonna happen. Eat early, eat late, and be flexible and you'll be ok.

 

[dvcdisney]

Sadly even with showing them this topic there still don't think there necessary.

As someone who can never go to Disney without Dining PS (my reaction would be ). But I would strongly convince them. Otherwise, I would suggest a compromise. I think if you choose a few restaurants that you really want to get into and do the PS for those, then you can "wing" it for the others. I would however, decide on the morning of the day where you would like to go for those ones that you didn't reserve and go to guest services and ask what available at the park you are in. Good luck!

 

[stawes]

We have decided to do it when we get there.

 

[vanillarum]

Our last 3 trips have been the middle of Aug., and if you want to eat between 5pm and 8pm at any of the popular restaurants, you will need ADRs. The first trip we took in Aug. (2000) we didn't know about the Dis or ADRs, and therefore, made none. We ended up eating at 4pm or 9pm or at counter service. And we said never again will we NOT make ADRs ! Good luck. I'd make them, if you don't want them, you can cancel. Doesn't cost anything to make them or to cancel them !!

 

[MUNUMom]

I made the mistake of going last Dec without making ADR. I figured I didn't want to me tied down to specific plans. I quickly realized that was a very flawed plan! Needless to say, we had mostly CS, because almost always the restaurants were completely booked or we would have to wait until 10pm to eat. I now will not go without ADR, no matter what time of year it is. Even if when we are there we need to cancel them. Better safe then sorry!

 

[Harambe]

We have decided to do it when we get there.

There are restaurants at WDW that are usually easier to get into, especially if you call the morning of - they may have room for you. They are not the top choices of most folks, but the food is still good. Some that I can think of would be:

Marrakesh in Epcot
Nine Dragons in Epcot (but I think it's closed for refurb)
Captn Jack's at Downtown Disney
Grand Floridian Cafe
Olivia's at Old Key West
Shutters at Carribean Beach Resort
ESPN and Big River Grill, both at Boardwalk

Good luck!

 

[VMK_Mouse]

I would strongly advise ADRs. You will be visiting when some schools are still out for the summer and a potentially busy time in the World. You may find yourself not getting to eat where you would like. Good luck and have a great time.

 

[stawes]

Still wont be persuaded