ADRs required?

[crock]

I have a question about Dining at Disney and the need for ADRs. We just booked our next trip for Sept (it was not planned) and are staying on property (Sports) I've heard that because we're on property we may still be able to get into restaurants even though we haven't booked 180 days in advance.Anyone know how accurate that is? I've always thought the 180 advance are crazy, really I have no idea what I want to eat tonight let alone in September. Realistically though DS is turning 10 next week and I'm not sure how many more oppourtunities we'll have to entice him to a character meal!

 

[mmmears]

I would call asap and ask them what is available. I would be surprised if everything was all booked up, but you never know. Hopefully, you'll be able to get some ADRs so you aren't "hunting & gathering" when you get hungry!

And I agree, the 180+ days thing is crazy -- 6 months is too early to have to decide where and when you want to eat!

 

[squirrel]

Book something as it is Free Dining in September and the ADR's with characters are getting harder to get.

 

[beautifultomorrow]

I hate making ADR's so far in advance too. HATE IT. But you really should make them as soon as you possibly can, the number one reason being: September is free dining and the restaurants will be packed (hopefully the parks not so much!).
We just booked a Sept. trip for two last week and while we so far have been able to get the restaurants we want, the most desirable times are not available. Typically only stuff before 5 and after 8 (after 9 in many cases.) I had to take take Coral Reef for lunch (which I expected). We don't do character meals but I have a feeling they are probably booked solid by this point. You might get lucky and get an odd time because i have heard they are opening early/cloing later to meet the demand in Sept.
Whatever you do, don't just go on your trip without any ADR's and expect to get anywhere. I'm pretty sure the last couple of years nearly every table service restuarant has been booked solid during free dining (correct me if i'm wrong!)
not trying to scare you, just don't want to you do be disappointed.
Good luck!

 

[catne]

but keep in mind that even if they're booked now, if you keep trying back every week, you may be able to get more ADR's as cancellations come in (people who booked for September may have just paid their deposits...come time to pay the balance in full you will see some cancellations occur.)

And people change their minds all the time about where to eat, so they will always get some that way.

If all else fails, check each morning when you're there, they can tell you what's available where.

 

[jellybeans0607]

i am going the last week of aug and theres almost nothing left for any of the popular restaurants. sept will be a very busy restaurant month because of free dining, so realy get on the phone and see what you can get.
i too hate call so far in advance, but its the only way to eat where you really want to eat. otherwise youre stuck eating at the espn and planet hollywood all week.

 

[crock]

I should have mentioned it before but we are actually going after the free dining is done.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I would still make the ADRs, we saw people being turned away from every restaurant on our trip the first week of February. You can always change or cancel them.

 

[ZoZo]

I should have mentioned it before but we are actually going after the free dining is done.

Even so, I'd still make some ADRs in advance. Some of the very popular restaurants may be booked, but you should be able to get some things you want, especially if you're willing to be flexible. September is still a fairly busy time of year, even after free dining is over. We went September 29-October 7 last year, and I was so glad I made a few ADRs in advance.

If you wait and try to get walk-ups, you're bound to be disappointed, not to mention wasting time walking from place to place only to be turned away. I think of ADRs as a "necessary evil" - I dislike having to plan that far in advance, but if you want a particular restaurant, they are necessary.

 

[scotttrippett]

what do mean by "when the free dining is done" it goes through to the 20th of Sept and even then if they book on the 18th and are there for 7 days they still get the free dining for the whole stay they just have to be checked in ny the 20th so it will still be very busy in the last week of Sept.

 

[Lynne M]

I've heard that because we're on property we may still be able to get into restaurants even though we haven't booked 180 days in advance.Anyone know how accurate that is?

Sorry, there's no truth to that at all. They don't hold tables for on-property guests. The only advantage that Disney resort guests get is that if you call at 180 days out, you can make all the ADRs for the first 10 days of your trip, so you don't have to call each day.

 

[Allison]

At this point, there is no advantage to being a resort guest. The only advantage is when the 180 window opens and resort guests can book for 10 days.

If there is something specific you want, you should book it now.

 

[crock]

I am thankful for all the replies I received, thank you all. I am happy to say I was able to secure an anniversary breakfast at Ohana's the day we leave. Very excited!!