ADR's?????????????????

[Janine1983]

Hello,

From what Ive read I think this is to do with eating out? Can someone please explain this to me?? I didnt think you needed to book to eat...or do I? Im going out there for 3 weeks in October and cant wait .

Sorry if I sound stupid!! xx

 

[Cyrano]

I'll have a bash

ADR - advance dining reservations.

To dine at WDW restaurants during busy times many will suggest that you get an ADR. This is only for table service/buffet restaurants.

When it is 90 days from your date you can phone Disney to see if you can book a breakfast, lunch or dinner

 

[wayneg]

Yes its to do with eating in Disney. Advance Dining Reservation.
Are you eating onsite the whole holiday?
If you want certain places at an exact time then yes you need to book some if not all, All popular places need to be booked. You can book at any guest services for the same day if you don't do them all in advance(saves waiting for a table), at Xmas we went into GS in MGM and reserved a table at Trails end for about 3 hours later. We also just walked in and got a table last October no problem.
Places that are not so popular you can walk in, smaller your group, shorter the wait usually, being only 3 of us we have never had a problem but larger groups have had to wait a long time.
This is only for Table service, counter service is just walk up and order.

 

[Elise79]

Just to add to the OP if you want to do ANY character meals this will need an ADR and the closer to the 90 days in advance the better your choice.

 

[fuse04]

Can only confirm what has already been said but for the more popular restuarants I would definitely suggest you book. We booked ADRS at 90 days out and a week of two later wanted to move a couple of bookings but for those restaurants they were fully booked already.

We have had success in just walking up and getting a table but I wouldn't bank on it.

 

[Shazzie B]

Also if you're going during 'Free' Disney Dining period the restaurants will be busy so if possible book ADRs.

 

[RobinHood's merrymen]

Janine,

I've never really understood ADRs myself!!! The last 2 times we've done WDW we visited in Nov (obviously a quieter time - I know) but I've never had a problem getting in a restaurant to eat. We've done the most popular eateries such as character meals, including breakfast at Cindy's and always got in. If you're going for 3 weeks in October I would say you'll be fine. If you get there and find there's somewhere you'd love to eat, try a 'walk-in', if you are unsuccessful, with 3 weeks you'll get in on a suitable no problem!

 

[Tinks1984]

I would say you may need to book reservations in October for places within the Magic Kingdom on certain nights it could be busier with it being closer to Halloween.

 

[Pegasus928]

I would say the first thing to point out to the OP is that the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

We have done Disney dining both ways - phoned up and booked in advance, and also booked while in Florida and have had success with both. We have also turned up at restaraunts and, although had to wait most of the times, we have always got in.

One thing we did find out on our last trip, when talking to the person checking us in at T-rex, was that ADRs only make up a maximum of 30% of the available tables. So if you ring up for a certain day and it's not available it's not because the place is full - just that the 30% allocation has been used up.