ADRs for "home" hotel dining

[disprincessbear]

Hi everyone! This is my first post, so please let me know if it is in the wrong place.

I am going to Disney for my honeymoon in November! We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for 5 nights. I grabbed a reservation at Boma and two at Sanaa, none at Jiko. We do plan to spend some time hanging around the hotel, taking our time and, of course, eating!

What I want to know, is it really necessary to make ADRs for the hotel where you will be staying? Can't we just give them our names as a walk up and then go watch the giraffes while we wait for a table? I've been to Disney too many times to count, but never in the magic band era and definitely not in the last few years when ADRs have been such a big deal! I don't want to miss the chance to enjoy our own hotel, though, so I could use a little guidance. Thank you so much!

 

[burne99]

Make your adrs, unfortunately you don't get preferential treatment for staying at the "home" resort...

 

[kamik86]

Hi everyone! This is my first post, so please let me know if it is in the wrong place.

I am going to Disney for my honeymoon in November! We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for 5 nights. I grabbed a reservation at Boma and two at Sanaa, none at Jiko. We do plan to spend some time hanging around the hotel, taking our time and, of course, eating!

What I want to know, is it really necessary to make ADRs for the hotel where you will be staying? Can't we just give them our names as a walk up and then go watch the giraffes while we wait for a table? I've been to Disney too many times to count, but never in the magic band era and definitely not in the last few years when ADRs have been such a big deal! I don't want to miss the chance to enjoy our own hotel, though, so I could use a little guidance. Thank you so much!

As said above you don't get in faster since it is your hotel. so if the place is busy you are like any other walkup. Now in November you can probably manage to get into Boma I have done walk up there before but never tried the others.

As for seeing the giraffes while you wait... The buzzers only reach so far... I am 99% sure that they would be out of range before your in any of the animal viewing areas from Boma or Jiko.

 

[PsychoCelloChica]

If you end up wanting to eat at Jiko but can't get a table, you could always do in room dining. In addition to the regular room service menu, you can also do pretty much Jiko's entire menu that way. I'm highly tempted to do it myself next trip.

 

[disprincessbear]

Ok! I wasn't trying to get preferential treatment, I guess I was just wondering if we can enjoy the hotel while we wait for a table. How long can wait times be for a hotel restaraunt? We just don't want to miss out on the full AKL experience!

 

[Nancyg56]

Ok! I wasn't trying to get preferential treatment, I guess I was just wondering if we can enjoy the hotel while we wait for a table. How long can wait times be for a hotel restaraunt? We just don't want to miss out on the full AKL experience!

The best way to enjoy the resort is to make sure you plan some time there. AKL is beautiful and well worth the time it takes to explore. For instance, there are tours that you can schedule. There is a restaurant tour as well as an art tour. This lovely Lodge has a vast collection of African artwork that begs to be enjoyed, so CM's conduct tours.

I would book ADR's and then be sure to block out enough time, either before or after dinner to explore.

You never know how dining will be at any given time. Both Boma and Jiko are popular restaurants and Sanaa is picking up steam as well. If you want to dine there and you have your touring plans in place, I think it is best to book your meal. If you are very flexible in terms of time and date, and will not be disappointed if you cannot get in, then winging it would be fine.

 

[gtpoohbear]

Everytime we have had dinner at Boma, we have seen them completely turning away walkups. So waiting may not be an option- get an ADR! Now for breakfast there, we've never had any trouble walking up, never even had to wait as a walkup. (And their breakfast is fantastic btw). I don't know about walkups at Jiko or Sanaa... Personally I wouldn't risk it for dinner though.

 

[disprincessbear]

Thank you everyone for your input! I will try to grab a Jiko res, although the room service option definitely sounds appealing! I just didn't want to schedule our honeymoon so rigidly that we can't kick back and be spontaneous - the whole point of a honeymoon!

 

[Lovewinnie]

Didn't know you can order from jiko menu! We are staying AKL jambo next trip in November. What about sanaa? Anything from their menu available for in room dining?

 

[Nancyg56]

Thank you everyone for your input! I will try to grab a Jiko res, although the room service option definitely sounds appealing! I just didn't want to schedule our honeymoon so rigidly that we can't kick back and be spontaneous - the whole point of a honeymoon!

DId you build in a resort, relax day? I would book this meal on that evening, so that there is not too much worry about running "home" for dinner. We like to book meals every evening because they force us to relax and regroup.

I know that a lot of people find the ADR's restrictive, and they can be, but for my family they are insurance. WE have never come home from a WDW vacation needing a vacation from the vacation. Every day we know that we have time that is reserved just for us, not only to eat and enjoy a meal, but to enjoy each other's company.

My son, who will be 40 in September just shared with me that he still remembers how fast we dragged him through Epcot over 25 years ago, and that feeling he had then is the reason he has not joined us as an adult on a Disney vacation. I told him that was the reason I had never gone back after that trip, I was exhausted and hated almost every minute. Nope, we never have that happen now.