ADR question for those going in August...

[goofy4tink]

Here's the scenrio. We are heading to WDW August 5-10. We, of course, made all our ADRs at the 180 mark. But, I have friends that are arriving on August 9. There are 5 adults, and twin 6 y/o boys in their party. They have told me they don't think they are going to have to make ADRs...they haven't had to in the past and don't see any reason to now. And, they are paying for GF concierge as well as the DDP!!! I have printed out Scott Thomas's PS chart, with restaurants I think they would enjoy....hoping they would just call.
My question for you guys.....have any of you that are going in mid-August tried called lately to make ADRs and found yourselves shut out because there are no openings? I would really like to be able to tell my friends what the situation is but since I've already made mine, I can't tell them with any truthfullness.

I just have this horrid feeling that after spending money for the DDP, they will end up eating CS the whole time, or concierge offerings. Yeah, I know...I've told them the situation and if they don't want to call it's their problem. But, I think they are basing their thoughts on trips they took over 4 years ago and we all know how much has changed since then!!!

 

[Praying Colonel]

I called last week to make ADR's for the start of free dining (last week of August) and was able to get everything we wanted within about 20 minutes of the time we wanted--the only exception was LeCellier, where the earliest we could get was 8:30 or so.

Last year we went in early August, the week before free dining started. I didn't try and book our ADR's until about the 100-day mark and we were still able to get everything we wanted. Maybe the fact that it was before free dining helped with availability. But I wouldn't take that as an indicator that your friend can go without ADR's--I'd still book them.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for your experiences. Anyone else?

 

[ryantab02]

I agree. They still need to book something. My fiance called in our honeymoon ADRs about a month ago for our August trip and we got everything we wanted included lunch at the castle on our first day. I'm very excited!

We always make ADRs to make sure we get in everything we want. Frankly, I'm too scared to go without them!

By the way, our honeymoon is August 4 - August 10th! We'll be there the same time! Hope ya'll have a wonderful time!

 

[ColleenLovesMinnie]

We will be at POFQ from 8/21-8/27 - we made our ADR's this past Sunday and were able to get everything we wanted at the times we wanted - they included Chef Mickey's, Whispering Canyon, 'Ohana, 50's PT,Coral Reef and the Princess Breakfast in Norway. I wouldn't try going down without any ADR's, but I don't think you'll have a problem getting what you want.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[ToyStory]

The only reservations I had trouble with are LeCellier and Mama Melrose FDP. I just made a reservation for Coral Reef to day for 8/20 and had no issues. However, I could not get LeCellier.

 

[Bob P]

We are going August 16-20. I made ADRs at the beginning of March when we booked the trip and got everything we wanted.

Then I was able to change two ADRs last Thursday (the 12th) and still got the times we wanted for LTT and Flying Fish. Hope that helps!

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Ohhh, those poor unfortunate souls... I would tell them things at Disney has changed so much in the last few years that if they want nice sit down meals each day they need to make their ADR's. I just made all of our ADR's for a Free Dining vacation Aug 26 - 31st and was able to get everything we wanted for a group of 15 without any problems. International Illumination Dinner and Dessert Party for Grand Gathering, Le Cellier dinner, Crystal Palace, 50's Prime Time, Ragland Road and Ohanas breakfast.

If they refuse to make ADR's be sure to tell them to go to Guest Services or to call at the hotel for dining to try to make ADR's while on their vacation. They just might be lucky enough to secure a few. While on our vacation last year during Free Dining we were able to get a few ADR's that I wasn't able to get when we booked our vacation by walking up to the restaurant as soon as they opened for lunch and had a minimal wait. So, they could always try this route as well.