ADR questions?

[krystalleigh1]

Sorry in advance if this has been asked. I am a newbie to WDW and ADR. I would like to place some ADR's before our trip but I am traveling with my toddler and am afraid that as we get to WDW our daily itenary will fly out the window since a toddler is very unpredictable. If I make ADR's what are the cancellation policies? For example, if we made an ADR for a specific day and time, what if on the way to the ADR we decided that our toddler wasn't up for it? Do they charge you some sort of fee? And what are my chances if I decide to just make ADR's the night before we want to eat (going Nov. 6-13)? What are my chances of getting a walk up reservation? And how does priority seating work? Is that just another way of saying you have a reservation? TIA

 

[dlnsmmy1]

well as a mother of a 2 year old and a 5 year old my advice is ...make the reservations. As long as there is not a deposit to hold the reservation, which usually only happens for things like the hoop de doo revue there is no penalty for cancelling. As a matter of fact those brave few who do try to walk up without priority seating will thank you for not showing. If there is somewhere you definitely want to eat do not bet on walking up and getting in. It seems with all of the disney dining plans the restaurants have been pretty booked. However if you do decide to try your luck..your best bet is when the restaurant first opens or trying to eat at an off time such as lunch/early dinner 3:00 pm when most people won't be eating their meals. I have found that my toddlers even when I thought were too fidgety for a restaurant were completely content if characters are present. So choose character meals, might be a little pricer but worth it. Also, rainforest cafe at downtown disney is a great place, it has alot going on to keep them occupied. Buffets are the best because little ones do not have to wait for their food. As for making reservations the day before...you can try but the earlier the better. My family will be visiting starting September 15 and chef mickey's is already booked for dinner that weekend. Priority seating is not exactly a reservation, it doesn't guarantee a table at that specific time but it does mean you get priority over anyone who walks up. One other tip I have learned is if you make reservations to eat for instance dinner at 5:30 but at 4:00 your child is rested and being a complete angel, perfect time to eat...don't wait until 5:30. I have always been seated early if I arrive early and in the same token seated if I arrived late as well. Disney tries to be very accomodating at least in my experience. Most importantly have fun, the best thing ever is seeing disney through my little ones eyes. Enjoy it they grow up too fast.

 

[krystalleigh1]

Thanks for the reply. That eases my mind a lot. I'm also concerned that we will be doing something and forget we have an ADR? Or we're late for our ADR? What then?

 

[Aimeedyan]

If I had a todder, I would make a reservation for any table service meal I really wanted to eat at. You can always eat counter service if she is heading downhill fast and you just need to feed her quickly. As long as it's not a restaurant that takes a credit card deposit (there are very few), there are no penalities to canceling last minute or not showing up.

If you are late, they will likely just work you in when they can. I usually write down the restaurant, time, and confirmation number and take it with us in our bag so there is no doubt where we're supposed to be =) All those times run together after awhile!

Your other option is to just make reservations once you are there. Going at that time of year, I'm fairly certain you'll get in somewhere if you are flexible on time and location. We have gone even during busy times and were able to stop at the concierge desk at our hotel and make a reservation for just 45 minutes later (long enough to get there!). The concierge can dig through the computer and see what is open and for what time. If you are staying onsite, you can utilize that or call Disney Dining from your room once there and make changes.

Have a great trip!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Some good advice above, but we have seen many times - especially in the last year, where restaurants were booked up when we tried to get last minute seatings. Even though we arrived early, and were willing to take any time. We've also had several times where we were not seated at our ADR time, despite being there early! More than once we've waited 15 minutes past our time (Mama Melrose, Boma, etc.). Your best bet is to eat lunch at off times, and eat dinner early.

If your toddler gets hungry early, you could always give them a snack and just have them sit with you at dinner.

One thing Disney is great about is that there are colorful details everywhere, so there's always something interesting to see. You can usually get crayons and paper to color while you wait for your food. It's hard to desribe, but there is often ahuge array of colors to see, things that move, etc. And your son wil be stimulated all day. Many kids enjoy meals as a chance to stop for a bit at WDW, unlike at home where going OUT to eat IS the event, and kids are wound up.

Most kids love Rainforest Cafe, esp. older ones, but a toddler might be scared of the rain storm part, or certain animals start making noise and moving near them. (leopard, gorillas)

Characters can also be great, but can be scary for a toddler. Also, if your child is easily distracted from eating, the characters might be a bit much. Great once, but not something I'd choose for every meal, personally, esp. if you don't know how your child will react.

Eateries at the resorts tend to be a little bit quieter, especially mid -day. that can be great for a toddler. Again, eating at slightly off times can help to have a more quiet meal.
We usually choose no more than one sit down per day. That way you have maximum flexibilty the rest of the day. Disney has many fun QS places too. Try Starlight Ray's in Tomorrowland!

Last, if you've got a cell phone handy, and you think it might help to change an ADR time, you can call and see what other options are available - different times or locations (Like dinner at your resort perhaps).

 

[disneymoss]

Do you need to confirm ADR's before arriving at WDW? I've heard it somewhere's on the dis and cannot seem to find it. Any help is greatly appreciated yet.

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

I have never had to confirm ressies. However, just so you'll know, the dinner show meals (Hoop-Dee-Doo-Revue and the Spirit of Aloha) and the ressies for Cinderella Castle required pre-payment. The remainder of the ADRs require no such payment until you have completed your meal.

 

[kellypooh]

you don't need to confirm ADRs however I find it helpful to stop by the concierge desk at my hotel and have them print out a list of my ADRs for me after I check in. This has helped me catch and correct errors (one time, the system had 2 of my ADRs scheduled for the same night!) and also gives me all my confirmation numbers in one place to carry in my bag.