ADR or standby?

[bobbingalong]

Hi, I am going to disney in the last week of August with dh, 2dd and dad. I like planning but my dh and dad don`t. Do you think it will be a problem if we just turn up to resturants and not use adr? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[lizard1]

It depends on the restaurants and times that you want to eat. If you want to eat at a more popular restaurant at 5:00 then you probably need a reservation. If you are planning to eat at a restaurant that isn't as popular at a non-peak time (like 3:00) then you have a better chance. If you don't have a reservation just be prepared that you may have to wait awhile to get a table or that you may be turned away from where you would like to eat. If a restaurant is on your must-do list, I would definitely make sure that you have a reservation.

 

[ses1230]

If you want to eat at TS restaurants in the parks, character meals, at peak dining times, or at "popular" restaurants like Ohana, ADRs are highly recommended.

Chances are you would be able to find something but it might be at a off peak time, at a resort, or one of the less in demand restaurants.

 

[undertheradar]

Hi, I am going to disney in the last week of August with dh, 2dd and dad. I like planning but my dh and dad don`t. Do you think it will be a problem if we just turn up to resturants and not use adr? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Should WDW start a "free dining" promo during your dates, it will be very hard to just walk up to most dining options. Probably better to have a couple adrs so that you aren't eating at odd times.

 

[ccgirl]

Hi, I am going to disney in the last week of August with dh, 2dd and dad. I like planning but my dh and dad don`t. Do you think it will be a problem if we just turn up to resturants and not use adr? Thanks in advance for any advice.

End of August probably wouldn't be a problem. Beginning of August probably would be an issue. There's always counter service places if you don't like making reservations.

 

[bobbingalong]

Thanks very much for your advice. I have decided to book a couple of character breakfast/dinner and the rest we will be do stand by but off peak. Last question on this, if i book a table for 5 and my dad or dh decides not to come will they still charge me for 5. Thank you again.

 

[ses1230]

Thanks very much for your advice. I have decided to book a couple of character breakfast/dinner and the rest we will be do stand by but off peak. Last question on this, if i book a table for 5 and my dad or dh decides not to come will they still charge me for 5. Thank you again.

As long as some of the party shows up at the reservation you will not be charged for those that do not.

 

[bobbingalong]

Thank you.

 

[ktlm]

Thanks very much for your advice. I have decided to book a couple of character breakfast/dinner and the rest we will be do stand by but off peak. Last question on this, if i book a table for 5 and my dad or dh decides not to come will they still charge me for 5. Thank you again.

I just want to make sure you understand that if a restaurant is booked, there is no standby at all. It is not uncommon to walk up to a table service restaurant and be told there is nothing available at all that day. If you are there at a less crowded time, which is not a free dining period, and hitting less popular places particularly at off peak times, then you might be able to get in. It will be a bit harder with 5 as that takes a bigger table. As far as your other question, as long as people show up, they will not charged you for a no show if you have one person missing.

 

[bobbingalong]

Thanks for making it clear. Is it likely it will be busy the w/c aug 18th and whether people will have free dining plans? Or can't you tell?