ADR's? We don't need no stinkin adr's. Update 5/6

[eliza61]

Well we're here at disneyworld and since internet access is now free for dvc members I decided to post and let every one know how I have been fairing without adr's.

There is a small group of dissers who for whatever reasons don't really make alot of adr's. I know the majority of people here do, but this is for the few of us that don't. It is entirely possible to eat TS without ADR's

1st, these are not walk ups. What I have been doing is calling disney dining in the morning or having the concierge desk at the bcv's check for restuarants before we leave.

Friday 5/2 Arrived around 1:30 pm and decided to go to Downtown disney. Went to House of blues around 5:30 pm and was seating within 20 minutes. Oh, I forget to say it's 3 adults traveling.

Saturday 5/3 Called Dining on the room phone. Got breakfast reservations for 8:30 am at Yacht Galley. Was also offered breakfast at spoodles. Went with the Yacht Galley. fabulous foood.

Dinner: We told cm on the phone and said our first preference was some where in Epcot but we were open to suggestions. We were offered Tutto Italia, Nine Dragons both at 6:30 pm which was perfect after a big breakfast and a 8:30 at Le Cellier. We took the 6:30 Nine dragons.

Sunday 5/4
Breakfast, Once again we took the Yacht galley. My girlfriend has fallen in love with the crab benedicts. Eggs with crab meat. Delicious.

Lunch: This time since we had a big breakfast we took a late lunch at Sci Fi diner. We ate at 3:00 pm. We were also offered various late afternoon times at the Brown derby.

Since we had 2 big meals we decided to have a late light dinner. We actually just went to ESPN club for some wings, salads and of course now we had room for a serious dessert.

Today:
We decided to splurge and do a really nice dinner so breakfast was in the room. Had tons of openings at 2 signature restuarants. We are having a 6:25 seating at the Yachtsman steakhouse.

Once again these are not walk ups (we're not that adventarous).
I just want folks to know if you are flexible you can eat well without trying to make adr's 180 days out.

2 more days to go.

 

[MagiKitty]

Wow! Such good news to hear....hope you're enjoying your vacation! Sounds like you've had some really good meals so far.

I'm totally new to the ADR thing, and frankly, all this talk of calculating, counting, calling at 7am exactly, scared the pants off of me!

I'm normally a "let's just see where the day takes us" kind of planner, I still have some spots open, so we'll see what "providence" will come if we just call disney dining on the same morning!

 

[stopher1]

That's cool. Glad to hear you've been successful so far. Enjoy the rest of your trip!!!

 

[KatMark]

Good for you. I don't like planning that far ahead either...sometimes I just want to play it by ear. But for free dining in September, that has become impossible.

 

[PrincessV]

Sigh I dream of the day when I, too, can be that flexible, so this is heartening! I'm so OVER the 180-day dash for ADRs it's ridiculous. But with a 6yo who needs to eat around the same times everyone else does, it's tough now. Thanks for spreading the word!

 

[las3888]

I think that is great...I really hate being pigeon-holed into deciding what and where to eat months in advance. I think I may try that more in the future, but beware...if free dining is going on, you will get NOTHING that day. We were there last year during free dining and left a few days open to chance. I don't think we had ANY success calling day of for a reservation anywhere. The only options we were given all had a dress code (no wonder they were available)!!!

Thanks for your post...sounds like a great trip!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Congragulations on getting all those ADR's at the last minute.

 

[eliza61]

Thanks everyone.
Just wanted to agree. I definitely would not try this during Free dining. The crowds here seem to be heavier than what I normally saw during the 1st week in May. Lots of couples without children and seniors also. I heard Disney was expanding there marketing to this area so maybe it pays off.

Monday 5/5
Yesterday we opted for another big breakfast and scored a late adr (9:00 am)at WCC. I think we really enjoyed having breakfast. This is new for us because usually we all travel with our kids and have breakfast in the room. Since it's only adults we are starting the day with leisurely breakfastes and talking about our trip, I highly recommend this and I think I'm going to try it with my family.

Lunch/early dinner.
We got into the Plaza restuarant in MK.
Once again, this is not walk ups. I think that would still be extremely difficult.

1 day left, hope my luck continues today...

 

[pumba]

sounds like you are having great luck and we appreciate you posting about it.....Have a great last day vacation......

 

[luckytobeme88]

unfortunately, I would never chance it with our big group...

 

[Maine_Belle]

This is so fantastic to hear! My mom (to be 60) and I (to be 30) are doing a birthday trip with just the 2 of us Aug 3-9 and we don't want to figure out where to eat 3 months in advance! I'm glad to hear that with some flexibility and just some morning planning you can still eat in nice places. It's a big relief to hear it isn't a complete nightmare.

 

[syeaton01]

Good to hear. I hate ADRs and what they have become and force people to do. I do not know where I will be on which day, I will plan some, but plans change, and people change, so... .

I do not like being locked into something, and then if we cannot make it, call them and tell them. Such a hassle for what is supposed to be a vacation.

But this is my opinion.

We will do without ADRs when we go in early November. What happens, happens and we go with the flow.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

It is such a relief to see that it's possible to make day of ADR. My DH doesn't enjoy planning our meals 6 months in advance and having to stick to my well planned schedule. So, for our upcoming mini trip (3 days)we decided to try for the 1st time ever to go without ADRs (or a spreadsheet!). I've been agonizing, thinking I might just make a few ADRs just in case... But, your report has convinced me to try "wigning it".

 

[mickaholic4077]

Your trip sounds great so far!!

 

[nutsforgolf]

What I have found, even during free dining, is that I do schedule all my ADRS for the week, however, on every trip, we have been able to change restaurants during the trip. The ADR to me is just an insurance policy so that we had a back-up. So it is possible to be somewhat spontanous during the trip.