ADR's, who needs them?

[jackmac]

Just back from a long weekend at Disney with my wife. We went down without any ADR's planned and had no trouble getting into the restaurants that we wanted to when we wanted to.

We arrived on Wednesday night at Port Orleans Riverside. Upon checkin (8:00 PM) we asked about Boatwrights. The CM at the desk suggested that we go over to the concierge desk and make an ADR for 8:30. We felt that this was not needed as we were going by Boatwrights on our way to our room. We saw the line and immediately went back and made an 8:30 ADR. We arrived at Boatwrights at 8:20 after seeing the room and were immediately seated.

Thursday night we were at Epcot. I went by Chef's de Franc in the afternoon and made an ADR for 8:30, we had a table for 2 by the window. No problem getting in.

Friday I called WDW dining and made a ADR for Yachtsman for 8 PM, once again no problem.

Saturday was busy, we made an ADR at Flying Fish for 9 PM. Once again, no problem.

Sunday was Ragland Road, once again no problem with ADR's.

In general, I have always found that I can get the restaurants that I want when I want them if i'm a little flexible.

You don't need to make ADR's 90 plus 10 if your a party of 2 and your flexible.

 

[dixiedizfan]

We're a family of four and never used ADRs and always ate where we wanted, when we wanted, with no problem.

 

[WAHMto5]

I have all our ADR's booked for our up~coming trip, but hoping that we can slip into a few more while there so this is good info!!
Last year when we went, we also didn't have any ADR's and had no trouble getting into a couple of places!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Just back from a long weekend at Disney with my wife. We went down without any ADR's planned and had no trouble getting into the restaurants that we wanted to when we wanted to.

We arrived on Wednesday night at Port Orleans Riverside. Upon checkin (8:00 PM) we asked about Boatwrights. The CM at the desk suggested that we go over to the concierge desk and make an ADR for 8:30. We felt that this was not needed as we were going by Boatwrights on our way to our room. We saw the line and immediately went back and made an 8:30 ADR. We arrived at Boatwrights at 8:20 after seeing the room and were immediately seated.

Thursday night we were at Epcot. I went by Chef's de Franc in the afternoon and made an ADR for 8:30, we had a table for 2 by the window. No problem getting in.

Friday I called WDW dining and made a ADR for Yachtsman for 8 PM, once again no problem.

Saturday was busy, we made an ADR at Flying Fish for 9 PM. Once again, no problem.

Sunday was Ragland Road, once again no problem with ADR's.

In general, I have always found that I can get the restaurants that I want when I want them if i'm a little flexible.

You don't need to make ADR's 90 plus 10 if your a party of 2 and your flexible.

I'm happy this worked for you1 Although you ate much later than we do on vacation.

I was a little worried about our Jan trip, usually we don't make any ADR's,b ut with the new DiningPlan we were worried. So we made some, and are hoping to get luccky like you did if we decide to eat later or earlier!

 

[jeanyusjean]

we just got back on Sat and I had ADR's for everyday and DH thought I stress out way too much about it since there was no wait for any of ressies w/ the exception of 50's Prime only cuz we were early and were starving. I think next time I won't make them since we didn't really get to see all the shows that we wanted since we had to make our way to the resturants

 

[canwegosoon]

I think a lot has to do with when you are going, size of party and times you would like to eat. IMO not many families with little kids are getting an ADR at 8:30-9pm, so I would think availibility at many restaurants would increase after 8pm. I am glad to hear that it is possible to get a great restaurant at the last minute. I have also been able to call and get something last minute myself(due to change in plans), but I will still make my ADRS as early as possible, and encourage friends/family to do the same. Espically with this dining plan(even though I do not use it) I think many people love it.

 

[jackmac]

I agree that we were eating on the later side, but as 2 adults this was not a problem. We got to see the shows we wanted, have nice meals and for us a lot of the night time entertainment is dinner. Families with young children may need to make their ADR's early. The worst thing about eating late is seeing all of the young kids being brought to dinner when they are tired and not hungry. One parent usually misses their meal to care for an over tired child. One hint for parents would be to feed the children early, call for a babysitter and go out and have a nice meal by yourselves, you deserve it.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I agree that we were eating on the later side, but as 2 adults this was not a problem.

You're right. For 2 adults it wasn't a problem. And you were going around a non-holiday period.

We have 10 people, Thanksgiving week and we don't want to eat at 9pm.

The next week, there are only 5 of us. We aren't ON a holiday, but 3 weeks BEFORE one (christmas, ofcourse). I couldn't get into Sci-Fi until 2:30 for lunch. that is all they had. I am SOOOOOOO glad I made an ADR!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Thanks for your post. I haven't made that many ADR's for my visit and I'm hoping I get as lucky as you. Here's hoping...

 

[jackmac]

It's always been my opinion that people tend to overplan for Disney. I've been going to disney 3-4 times per year in Oct., Jan., April, and June. I will be there with just my wife in Oct. but usually with groups of 4 or more other times. I've always found that you can make reservations the same day easily. You may not get exactly what you want, but I'm always open to a new place. We do tend to eat on the later side, around 8, but who can get done with the parks earlier? We have had some great meals watching Wishes or Illuminations or eating after Fantasmic.
There are enough stresses at Disney without going crazy about dinner. I feel that it's a time to sit back, relax and reflect on the day.

 

[georgina]

It's always been my opinion that people tend to overplan for Disney. I've been going to disney 3-4 times per year in Oct., Jan., April, and June. I will be there with just my wife in Oct. but usually with groups of 4 or more other times. I've always found that you can make reservations the same day easily. You may not get exactly what you want, but I'm always open to a new place. We do tend to eat on the later side, around 8, but who can get done with the parks earlier? We have had some great meals watching Wishes or Illuminations or eating after Fantasmic.
There are enough stresses at Disney without going crazy about dinner. I feel that it's a time to sit back, relax and reflect on the day.

If it works for you, great, keep doing it. With 3 kids who are not always open to new places, going in the middle of the summer, I usually make some plans and ADR's. Not every day, and usually for a late lunch, not dinner, but it is more relaxing and less stressful for me if I have some plans in hand. We have been checking in for lunch on more than one occasion when they are announcing to walk-ups that there is nothing available for the rest of the day. I'm not going to tell you to make ADR's ahead of time, why do you care if I do make them? We only go once every 2-3 years, the kids would be disappointed if we missed a favorite. You go 4 times a year, if you miss something you want to do, you can catch it next time.

 

[jackmac]

It is true that I have a different attitude about going. If I miss something it's no big deal is true. This trip I did check out Le Cellier and was turned away on Saturday, but I have been there other times so I just walked across to the Rose and Crown and was seated in 15 minutes for lunch. Had a great seat on the water and a very enjoyable lunch. For special occassions I have made ADR's and if there is something that you just have to do then you need ADR's. Luckily my kids are grown up now so they can also wait for meals (although it's gotten more expensive not that their bigger). The point of this is have a good time and don't panic if everything is not planned down to the last minute. But I also understand the fun of planning the trip and making sure that you get to do what you want.