ADR's Necessary?

[skipper]

How necessary is it to do ADR's to grab table service at the parks these days? It used to be that I could always find something the morning we headed to the park and I didn't have to schedule park days and dining so tightly. I'm not so sure on availability today with the push on the Dining Plans.

Now I call Dining Res and it seems there is very limited availability months in advance. I'm reserving mid-afternoon because dinner times are not available!?

Does WDW reserve a % seating and release additional seating days in advance, or the day of?

I really don't like to plan my schedule so tightly. What happens if I change my itenerary and stay at a different park and can't/don't make an original reservation ? Do the WDW dining police come after me

 

[TDC Nala]

How necessary is it to do ADR's to grab table service at the parks these days? It used to be that I could always find something the morning we headed to the park and I didn't have to schedule park days and dining so tightly. I'm not so sure on availability today with the push on the Dining Plans.

Now I call Dining Res and it seems there is very limited availability months in advance. I'm reserving mid-afternoon because dinner times are not available!?

Does WDW reserve a % seating and release additional seating days in advance, or the day of?

I really don't like to plan my schedule so tightly. What happens if I change my itenerary and stay at a different park and can't/don't make an original reservation ? Do the WDW dining police come after me

No, but you probably won't get a meal in a restaurant. The dining plan's popularity ensures full restaurants in all the parks. And if you're going during free dining, there's probably no way you will get into any WDW table service restaurant in a theme park without a reservation.

They'll tell you on these boards that it would be considered a courtesy to call and cancel any ADRs you don't plan to show up for.

 

[supersuperwendy]

On our Mk day we decided to switch ADRs. When I called early in the morning all that I could get in the entire MK area was a 7:45 at the Grand Floridian Cafe! That was it..everything else was booked solid!

 

[disneybride96]

Take advice from Wendy. We have usually be able to change ADRs to resort restaurants on the same day, but theme parks are pretty tight. I always have one ADR for a backup plan if cannot change.

 

[dburg30]

How necessary is it to do ADR's to grab table service at the parks these days? It used to be that I could always find something the morning we headed to the park and I didn't have to schedule park days and dining so tightly. I'm not so sure on availability today with the push on the Dining Plans. Well I think you've already answered that question yourself . With more and more folks finding out about making ADR's that probably really didnt even think about it before, it's becoming very important that you book stuff starting 180 days from your stay.

Now I call Dining Res and it seems there is very limited availability months in advance. I'm reserving mid-afternoon because dinner times are not available!? Yep, sounds about right, 'prime times' will go first

Does WDW reserve a % seating and release additional seating days in advance, or the day of? I dont think they hold anything back. You'll see a number of stories about folks being turned away from resturants when they try to walk up

I really don't like to plan my schedule so tightly. What happens if I change my itenerary and stay at a different park and can't/don't make an original reservation ? Do the WDW dining police come after me
As stated, if that happens it's proper to call up and cancel, but if you dont it will just mean an empty table for that time at a resturant. problem is, they wont be able to release it to anyone else in case you show up 10-15 min late.

Have a day