Advice for ADRs please

[meldud]

We are going to WDW on 13th August this year and have made 10 ADRs for various times of the day, some character dining, Fantasmic package, etc.

Is it necessary, at this time of the year (we are there for 14 nights), to book most meals or is it easy enough to 'wing it'??

 

[wayneg]

Many believe they are going to offer free DDP to US market soon, from around the time you are going. If they do then many places will get booked up weeks or months in advance. There are always places to dine even if you leave it until the day, last Xmas when parks were at capacity we still got Boma and Trails End at guest services a couple of hours before eating(Boma was really quiet) BUT if you want places like Le Cellier, The Wave, Coral Reef, Cali Grill etc then they will not be available.
Last August while waiting to be seated they were turning people away at Le Cellier, Tutto Italia & Cali Grill, probably others but I know for certain at these.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I always make an ADR for all our evening meals as they are important for our family as we like to have a sit down dinner.

My advice would be to make as many ADR's as you can that way you have a guarantee of getting into where you want, if you don't turn up then there is no loss as that's the cool way Disney have created the ADR process/

 

[luke]

My advice would be to make as many ADR's as you can that way you have a guarantee of getting into where you want, if you don't turn up then there is no loss as that's the cool way Disney have created the ADR process/

I know this 'double booking' is looked down upon by some (and I can kinda see their point) but is it really as easy as this even when linked with your reservation number? Being my first time onsite (first time DDP and even first time we'll have had any table service meals at WDW excluding Shula's) I'd kinda like to have my options open to me as I'm not as compulsive a planner as some here and tend to decide where we will go on what day when we arrive in Florida!!

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I know this 'double booking' is looked down upon by some (and I can kinda see their point) but is it really as easy as this even when linked with your reservation number? Being my first time onsite (first time DDP and even first time we'll have had any table service meals at WDW excluding Shula's) I'd kinda like to have my options open to me as I'm not as compulsive a planner as some here and tend to decide where we will go on what day when we arrive in Florida!!

I don't see it as "double booking" as they way Disney have structured the ADR process you are not making a reservation in the standard way all you are doing is arriving at the restaurant at the allotted time and only then will you be allocated a table. If you don't turn up then you are not allocated a table so that way there is never an empty table waiting for a "no show" reservation.

Sit down dining within the parks is getting ever more popular and now with Disney giving free DDP it has become even more so. If like us you want to have a sit down dinner or you have a "must do" restaurant or you are travelling with the young or old I would definitely recommend making ADR's.

 

[luke]

I don't see it as "double booking" as they way Disney have structured the ADR process you are not making a reservation in the standard way all you are doing is arriving at the restaurant at the allotted time and only then will you be allocated a table. If you don't turn up then you are not allocated a table so that way there is never an empty table waiting for a "no show" reservation.

Yes, but if enough people do it and ADR's 'run out' you are technically robbing someone of being able to make that ADR

Like I say, I intend to use the loophole myself, but just wanted to make sure it was as easy and without fall back as you say

 

[meldud]

So, lets say I make ADRs for at least one meal a day.

What are the cancellation t and c for most of these if I change my mind? Are there penalties?

Do I need to call and cancel reservations if we decide to do a different park on a particular day?
What if it tips it down with rain and we decide to go back to the resort instead of staying on for our dinner ADR?

This is where my husband would like to be a little spontaneous....although as my daughter has Coeliac disease I can contact the restaurants in advance if we have pre booked!

My other concern is breakfast at BC resort. Are we likely to need to book breakfast everyday too? Is it likely to be packed?

The Cape May Cafe in our resort is character dining, so I was concerned that we would have to go on a hunt for breakfast. Obviously, with my daughters allergy we cannot just pop in to a bakery or snack vendor as easily as you may think.

 

[luke]

My other concern is breakfast at BC resort. Are we likely to need to book breakfast everyday too? Is it likely to be packed?

I guess it depends how important breakfast is to you, but I know we personally will go for a cinnamon bun (or similar) when at the park.

We're going to book a few table service breakfasts too as well (don't think we could use all our table credits for dinner as we'd like to eat at some offsite favourites too ) however

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

If there is a credit card hold on the ADR you will need to give 24 hour notice or be charged.

If there isn't you would not be tied to a time. But morally you should cancel as soon as you know you are not going to attend. If someone is calling looking for a same day ADR they could lose out if you haven't. That is not right.

 

[stephensmum]

I tried to cancel some last year. The first one the cm seemed surprised that i'd bothered. The second one I had to hold on the line for ages, as you go through the ADR number. Also, my friend booked one & was told by the cm at booking that she didn't have to cancel, if she found that she couldn't make it.

 

[meldud]

I have to say I am a great one for moral ethics and would cancel if I knew I wasnt able to attend.

It is obviously not the norm though, if the disney staff are not expecting it.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

At least local calls are free in the US

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Oh any you can cancel online...or at guest services...or at the restaurant podium....

 

[luke]

Oh any you can cancel online...or at guest services...or at the restaurant podium....

And, presumably, concierge at your hotel

 

[originalkk]

My other concern is breakfast at BC resort. Are we likely to need to book breakfast everyday too? Is it likely to be packed?

I tried to change a breakfast ressie at Cape May from Sat to Fri last week, and they were fully booked (but everywhere was packed).

We stayed at BC last August and only ate in Cape May once for a character breakfast. It was pretty busy. The rest of the time we got something from the hotel shop, or popped out to Publix for cereal etc.

 

[meldud]

I tried to change a breakfast ressie at Cape May from Sat to Fri last week, and they were fully booked (but everywhere was packed).

We stayed at BC last August and only ate in Cape May once for a character breakfast. It was pretty busy. The rest of the time we got something from the hotel shop, or popped out to Publix for cereal etc.

My problem is that my DD9 cannot eat wheat/gluten (you wouldn't believe the amount of things that contain gluten!!), so we cannot just grab a pastry or muffin or bagel. We need to make sure that she can eat properly. We have upgraded her to an adult pass and on the DDP in order that there are more choices on the menu for her (with less arguments!!).

If it is really busy in August I may well just book the Cape May (apparently they do a buffet which will give her plenty of options)for every morning that we are undecided for and then as we are on site (or have internet access) we can cancel if we decide to change our minds!

I had forgotten that we can cancel bookings online.

 

[Elise79]

My problem is that my DD9 cannot eat wheat/gluten (you wouldn't believe the amount of things that contain gluten!!), so we cannot just grab a pastry or muffin or bagel. We need to make sure that she can eat properly. We have upgraded her to an adult pass and on the DDP in order that there are more choices on the menu for her (with less arguments!!).

If it is really busy in August I may well just book the Cape May (apparently they do a buffet which will give her plenty of options)for every morning that we are undecided for and then as we are on site (or have internet access) we can cancel if we decide to change our minds!

I had forgotten that we can cancel bookings online.

All the CS restaurants will be able to provide the information you require and can deal with allergies - you just need to ask. You could also walk over to the boardwalk for breakfast at Kouzzina - I would imgaine you can get a walk up there. As Cape May is Characters it is popular for people wanting to see them.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Last August while waiting to be seated they were turning people away at Le Cellier, Tutto Italia & Cali Grill, probably others but I know for certain at these.

Last September, Wife & I showed up for Tutto Italia without a reservation with 20 or so people already on line. Manager came out and announced a two hour wait for tables. Half of the line dispersed. We had an outside table within 30 minutes.

Andrew

 

[2Tiggies]

And, presumably, concierge at your hotel

Yes, and you can also make reservations there!

Please cancel if you know you wont make your ADR. Someone may have been trying desperately for weeks to get that one that opens up just because you were good enough to cancel.

It is rumoured that Disney is looking at implementing measures to prevent, or at least make it very difficult for guests to make more than one ADR for the same meal. I can't seem to find where I read it, but if I do, I will post the details.

 

[meldud]

All the CS restaurants will be able to provide the information you require and can deal with allergies - you just need to ask. You could also walk over to the boardwalk for breakfast at Kouzzina - I would imgaine you can get a walk up there. As Cape May is Characters it is popular for people wanting to see them.

That was my other concern... that we would be left with nowhere to just 'pick something up' if the restaurant closest to me is full. But if the counter service chefs are equally as helpful that will be less of a problem.

Does anyone know of any other particularly helpful places close to BC?