ADRs in October

[neilsalop]

We're going for ten days in late October and are wondering whether or not to bother with ADRs. We're a group of five (four adults and a teenager) and so far have just one booked for a CP breakfast.

We're not interested in Le Cellier or any of the other upmarket places, but would maybe like to try Sci Fi, Mama Melose, The Wave, Garden Grill and places like that. Is it essential to have ADRs for these when we go as we're playing a lot of the trip by ear and don't really want to arrange our days around food?

Any advice gratefully received

 

[LoriABil]

I would at least check out the Disney reservations site and see if there is availability for the dates you are going.

If not, you know you should make some reservations. At least for The Wave, or other "must do"

Sorry, what I mean is if availability us scarce. Then you can start checking for openings. Plus, you aren't bound to your ADRs. You can always call and cancel if you decide to try somewhere else, even from the parks or resort!

 

[Nadjalu]

If you want to eat at TS restaurants ADRs are a MUST at this point.
With free dining in affect (check your dates and see if you are in a black out period or not..this will affect you if you are not in a black out period) you will be lucky to get in anywhere, let alone where you want.

I know you said you would like to play by ear, but better safe than sorry.
Many places will not have any openings and you can bet that in the parks you will see signs at the entrance announcing all TS restaurants are full and walkins will not be accepted. (this usually happens by noon or so).

You can make your ressies and once there, change them if you want or can.

 

[beroh2253]

I made my reseravatons for the last week in October 180 days out (this was before free dining became available for those months) only available time for Le Cellier dinner was after 8. Although you are not interested in Le Cellier it was almost full at 180 days so other restaurants will probably be filling up. I would check on line like mentioned you don't have to book but you will be able to see if there are times for restaurants still available. We went last year also the last week in October and had ADRS for Chefs de France and did see them take in several walkups so there will probably be some availability. The free dining for value resorts is QSDDP so if alot of people don't upgrade maybe you will luck out with no ADR's. Have a great time and try the crab cakes at the Food and Wine Fest. at the SAm Adams Koisk our favorite use of a snack credit.

 

[Leota]

I'd make some just in case. Like others have said, you can always cancel or try to change them in case timing doesn't work out for you. But, free dining really does fill the restaurants up & often they are not taking walk-ups.

If you are very flexible about where & when you eat or you are willing to sit at a bar, you could probably get away without making reservations.

 

[w-family]

We went for about 5 years in a row in October, I would strongly urge you to make them. Dining is getting more and more popular and harder to get in. Slow times, really are not slow anymore. You can always make then and then change your mind when you get there if you are able to get in somewhere else. have fun!

 

[dpmfloyd]

another vote for make them - with the free dining getting extended - reservations will be tough to come by closer to october. you can always risk waiting til you get there and checking with concierge, but that could back fire.

 

[DW2010]

I would definitely make reservations if you're able to. Certain restaurants might be difficult to get. We're going the end of September, and I've been trying daily to get CRT lunch around 11:45 and haven't been successful. However, we do have CRT lunch for 1:10 so I'm happy that we're in. It just makes me so annoyed with myself and my indecisiveness. I had 12PM originally booked and than I cancelled for dinner and then decided to cancel again and do lunch. UGH.

 

[Hopefully]

Another recommendation for making ADR's for anywhere you really want to eat. We always go in October and it is no longer a slow period of time, as evidenced by the fact that even the Disney "season" was upgraded several years ago. And the popularity of the Food & Wine fest draws in many visitors. If you know you want a sit down dinner, I advise making an ADR
Good Luck

 

[purple figment]

I agree with everyone who has encouraged you to make reservations. It is hard to plan your days, but between Food & Wine, Halloween parties and free dining there will be many people in the parks and walking up to a restaurant in hopes of being seated may be difficult. At the very least, make ADRs for the places you'd really like to try so you won't be disappointed.

Of the ones you mentioned I would definitely try to make reservations for Garden Grill and Sci Fi because both have unique features which make them quite popular.

Garden Grill is a character experience open only for dinner so there are fewer tables/times available on a daily basis.

At Sci Fi most people feel that sitting in a car is a big part of its appeal and if you have a reservation you are guaranteed a car while walk ups are often seated at the tables in the back. Additionally, even with an ADR I've had to wait longer here than at most other restaurants so I don't know how easy it is to get in without an ADR.

While you're at WDW you can call the dining line or check with the concierge each morning or the day before to see what's available. Also, at Guest Services at the entrance to each park there will be a sign indicating which restaurants still have tables available.

Take a look at the park schedules to decide what activites you'd like to include (or not include), then make your ADRs at that park or at nearby resorts (e.g.The Wave is an easy walk from the MK, Sci Fi and Mama Melrose on a DHS day, and Garden Grill is in Epcot.)

Hope you have a wonderful vacation.