ADR's...are they absolutely necessary?

[MommyBryn]

I figure it depends on when, where, and the size of your party, but in general, are ADR's really always necessary? We've taken a trip to WDW every other year for as long as I can remember and have never, ever made an ADR yet have almost always been able to eat wherever we've wanted for each meal. For our next trip in Feb. I was going to make one for a character breakfast but am wondering if I really HAVE to? I guess my hesitation is having to plan around it (we're "go with the flow" Disney vacationers...as type-A as I am, I don't like being on a schedule in Disney), but also because it's for Akershus and the CC stuff makes me nervous, especially because we'll be travelling with my grandparents and I don't want to leave them out when I make the res. but I also don't want to end up paying for them if they're not able to go when the time comes.

 

[everythingALICE]

It really depends on how flexible you are. If you're not dying to go to a particular restaurant, I'm sure you'll be able to find something (especially since you're going in February). During peak season and free dining, it will be harder - you may experience long waits, or there may only be availability at less popular, resort restaurants. However, if there is someplace you don't want to miss, you won't end up paying for your grandparents if they decide not to join you - only places like HDDR and CRT require payment ahead of time or a cc to secure the reservation.

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes if you want to eat in a particular restaurant at a particular time.

Most adr's carry no cc reservation. Why not make adr's for where you would like to eat then if your plans change you can simply cancel no penalty. Make a couple of extra to allow flexibility.

Much better to have a back up plan than be faced with an hour wait, no availability in the park your in etc.

You mention travelling with grandparents. I know my mother wont eat late at night. If they prefer to eat at 5/6 pm and don't want to do too much travelling you will need the adr.

If you don't want to be tied down make some breakfast adr's then the rest of the day is free.

We went last Decemeber a supposedly quieter time of year. I overheard people at guest services pleased to be getting any adr - 8.30 at some far flung resort.

 

[JerseyJanice]

We've been turned away from restaurants when we didn't have ADRs. OTOH, we've always been seated with any form of ADR--whether we were early, late or had a different number of people. As long as we had some kind of ADR, we've gotten a table.

 

[Evasmommy]

When we went to that particular Princess Breakfast we needed the reservations. We stayed at Boardwalk and because you will probably be entering the park before opening time you need to be on the list for them to let you through the rope. In particular we were entering through the World Showcase entrance and that doesn't usually open until late morning. I found it so much less stressful and one of the best vacas having a ton of reservations. No stress about waiting for a table you knew you were all set. Of course we were traveling with a 4 and 5 year old so we really didn't want crazy kids waiting to eat

 

[Mamu]

There was never a problem with getting into restaurants, other then a few of the more popular ones. We would stop at Guest Relations in the morning and book a dinner for that night and a morning breakfast for the next day. The next morning we would repeat the process, making a dinner ressie for that night and a breakfast for the next morning. Along came the DP and as it became more popular restaurants became harder and harder to obtain. Then Disney started offering FD during low attendance seasons. (for Disney it was a win, win solution, you pay rack rate and their restaurants are full)

Us visitors who have AP's and choose a discount over FD have to plan ahead. There are very few sittings available anymore. You really need to make ADR at least a few if you want any TS restaurants. Even when their not offering FD, a lot of visitors now purchase the DP, less expenses when your there.

Make a few ADR at the restaurants you really want to try and you can wing the rest of the week, but be prepared even in Febuary there is limited seating available.

 

[Bradsdadg]

If you want a particular restaurant then yes they are necessary. I've never heard of anyone walking up and not waiting for a long time or being turned away for the night. Why chance it?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

This past winter I was working at DHS Gate and one day during Christmas Week I was working at the map station and not a turnstile and at about 11:30 a Guest came up to me and asked where would be a good restaurant to go to for lunch in the Park. At that time we were very close to capacity and actually had a Stage Closing a little later on.

I very politely attempted to explain that not only was there no chance of getting into any table service location that day without a reservation but that no reservations were availalbe anyway. And they would also have to expect at least a half hour wait at any counter service location.

They were not pleased.

 

[Alexander]

If you want a particular restaurant then yes they are necessary. I've never heard of anyone walking up and not waiting for a long time or being turned away for the night. Why chance it?

If you want a particular restaurant at a particular time, then yes you will want to make an ADR--However, we have walked up to restaurants many many times and gotten a table right away. Never during free dining however.

During free dining it is ridiculous. I wish there was more of a policy during this time. People make 2,3,4 reservations for the same meal and then decide at the time which one they will keep. Personally, during free dining, I would like to see a CC hold or a TS credit hold on every reservation people make with a cancelation policy of 7 days or more. I know this wouldn't be go over well with the people who are making all of those reservations, but that's the point!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Much will depend on when in Feb you are traveling, how many in your party, what time you are trying to get in, and how flexible (realistic) you are prepared to be.

Lunch is usually easier than dinner. The larger the party the tougher it will be. Some restaurants will be absolutely out of the question but some.... you might get lucky.

If there is someplace you have your heart set on, make the ADR. You can always cancel.

 

[Reedi]

We usually go during the first half of Feb in the Value season and did not get any ADRs one trip because of the people we were going with. We THOUGHT that it would give us more flexibility. We were WRONG!! We couldn't get in anywhere we wanted! We finally did manage to get a ressie at Whispering Canyon although it was a late one. Unfortately we were still waiting to be seated 30 minutes later and decided to just leave and go to sleep. We will never do that again!! I would love to be more spontaneous about it, but I think it is just the way of the world these days.

 

[MSLRAC]

We went this past February and we saw walk ups turned away at almost every meal. The only places that were taking walk ups were The Wave, Yak and Yeti, Rose and Crown and Cape May Cafe for breakfast. So in my opinion, if you want to eat at a certain place, around a certain time, then yes, you need ADRs.

 

[ses1230]

I figure it depends on when, where, and the size of your party, but in general, are ADR's really always necessary? We've taken a trip to WDW every other year for as long as I can remember and have never, ever made an ADR yet have almost always been able to eat wherever we've wanted for each meal. For our next trip in Feb. I was going to make one for a character breakfast but am wondering if I really HAVE to? I guess my hesitation is having to plan around it (we're "go with the flow" Disney vacationers...as type-A as I am, I don't like being on a schedule in Disney), but also because it's for Akershus and the CC stuff makes me nervous, especially because we'll be travelling with my grandparents and I don't want to leave them out when I make the res. but I also don't want to end up paying for them if they're not able to go when the time comes.

IMO, a reservation for a character breakfast is necessary. If you don't want to make a reservation, you can always check each day with the front desk/concierge at your hotel but it could be risky.

It's only one day to plan around an ADR, so it should be that difficult if it's really where you want to eat, it is something to look forward to!

You'l have to decide for yourself about risking the CC hold. Askerhus is a 48 hour cancellation policy.

Good luck! Askerhus breakfast is a must do for us!

 

[ilovepete]

They didn't used to be necessary but we've found the last year or so especially we can't find anything open unless we make ADRs.

 

[Magic3forme]

I wouldnt take the chance of not booking a reservation. Most of the restaurants do not require a deposit. It is a lot easier to cancel than to add! We tried in May to get a walk up reservation.. no such luck for lunch. especially during free dining days.

Also the larger the party, the more difficult it may be.

I would rather pick what time I can eat and be happy.

 

[KristinAnne]

I think if you're open to eating at any of the restaurants, you can probably go without. If you are, it might work if you bring the Disney Dining number with you and call in the morning each day to find out what's available, as long as your realize that nothing is guaranteed. If you have your heart set on specific restaurants, you should probably do the ADRs.

 

[DisneyGirl0102]

I figure it depends on when, where, and the size of your party, but in general, are ADR's really always necessary? We've taken a trip to WDW every other year for as long as I can remember and have never, ever made an ADR yet have almost always been able to eat wherever we've wanted for each meal. For our next trip in Feb. I was going to make one for a character breakfast but am wondering if I really HAVE to? I guess my hesitation is having to plan around it (we're "go with the flow" Disney vacationers...as type-A as I am, I don't like being on a schedule in Disney), but also because it's for Akershus and the CC stuff makes me nervous, especially because we'll be travelling with my grandparents and I don't want to leave them out when I make the res. but I also don't want to end up paying for them if they're not able to go when the time comes.

For Character breakfasts I would make an ADR. Also if you are going during a time they are offering free dining...it is almost impossible to get a table anywhere without an ADR. When I went last year in November/Early December it was during the free dining...and we did try to get in at other table service meals without ADR's and they were all booked up... I had made ADR's but even with making ADR's I did not get every place I wanted and though I would try while I was there and it did not work. I guess it is just a matter of luck to show up somewhere and there is a cancellation which willl allow you to get in. I just think that in the last few years dining has become really big at Disney and ADR's are becoming more important to have.

 

[MommyBryn]

Thanks everyone! I went ahead and booked the princess breakfast. I may try to do a few more, but for the most part we'll just wait until we're down there and maybe play it day by day. It just makes it kinda hard since we're not big on having to be on a schedule and be at certain places at certain times...especially when it takes so long to get from park to park, and in Jan/Feb (which is when we always go), the weather can be so unpredictable that we may not always want to already be at the park that our ADR's are in, so then we take all that extra time to get from place to place, etc. (for that same reason breakfast TS meals seem most appealing if we're doing ADR's) Ya know? But it will all work out, I'm sure. I'm just happy that we're getting to go at all!!

 

[EastonCat]

If you are very experienced at Disney travel and know how to efficiently get to a resort and back to the parks, then no, you don't. If eating table service inside parks is important to you and you have very specific expectations, then you do. If you are going to be on property at a very busy time, then you also do.

The advent of free dining has complicated everything. We, for the first time, will be in Disney World during free dining and are making a greater fraction of ADRs ahead of time. We nearly cancelled our trip when free dining opened up over our dates over concerns that we'd lose lots of flexibility but decided that we'd have a difficult time not enjoying a trip to Disney and came to our senses.

 

[Alexander]

I can tell you how we are able to get a table in the parks without an ADR--not during FD though--that is nearly impossible!

Arrive at the restaurant you would like to eat at about 10-15 minutes before they open. Ask if they would be able to seat you. We have had luck 99% of the time doing this for lunch. We've eaten at LeCellier, 50's Prime Time, Sci Fi Dine In, T-Rex, and I know a few others, that I can't recall right now!