Advice needed -- ADRs for F&W weekend?

[reluctantredhead]

Hi everyone, and thanks in advance for reading and for any input/advice you may be willing to share.

H and I bought WDW APs for the first time in 10 years back in April, when we took our first kid-free trip since 1998. I was lucky enough to be online when the TS AP event email landed in my inbox, so I was able to book a slot on 9/21 from 7-8 am. We live out of state, so we'll be flying in early the morning of the 20th (Thursday) and booked a room at the BC with an AP discount, and we'll be staying through 9/23 (Sunday). On the night of the 20th we booked an Eat to the Beat package so we can see Living Colour (went to a concert on one of our first dates), and for the 21st we bought tickets to MNSSHP, which we haven't attended since 2006.

We've never been to the F&W Festival at WDW (have been at DCA, but my understanding is that's a scaled down version), but we have been to the F&G Festival a couple of times, as well as the Festival of the Holidays at Epcot. My favorite thing about these festivals is getting to sample lots of different dishes at all the food booths. This is our first WDW trip that's been less than 7 days long, and usually we schedule one TS ADR per day, but I was thinking for this trip that since the F&W fest is on, and our time is more limited, it might be more fun to eat there are much as possible rather than sitting down for meals.

My tentative plan for Friday 9/21 was to eat breakfast at Toy Story land, spend the morning at HS after the AP event, and then go back to the BC for a nap/rest so we have plenty of energy for MNSSHP that night. Then I figured we'd leave the hotel at 3ish and walk through the IG and kind of "snack around the world" at the booths, then walk over to the monorail and take that to the party. I was thinking of booking the Hallowishes party that night, but now that I know the parade viewing area isn't included, I don't think it will be worth it for us (I'm not a big fireworks fan), so we'll probably just snack at the party if we need to.

For Saturday we're planning to spend the morning/early afternoon at AK and then go over to Epcot for the late afternoon/evening. Normally we would make an ADR in there somewhere, but since I've been wanting to try a couple of new CS offerings at AK anyway, and since there will still be all those wonderful food booths to try (and we actually think the EP WS counter service restaurants are fantastic too), I was again thinking we might skip TS this time.

So my question is...will I regret skipping the TS ADRs? I know on other threads people have cautioned that EP can be quite crowded/busy for the F&W Festival, especially on weekends (when we'll be there). Also, we've never been in September, and I'm wondering whether it will be so hot that we will want to have a guaranteed hour or so to sit in an air conditioned room and leisurely enjoy a meal. We made trips this April and June, and both times we hadn't booked an AK TS because we specifically wanted to try the new CS options, but both times by about 1:30 we were so hot and tired (and seating was scarce at the CS restaurants we were interested in) that we ended up eating at Tiffins (which was taking walk-ups).

Thoughts? Advice? Am I crazy for thinking we'll be ok without ADRs? Portion/meal size isn't an issue, as we usually share TS entrees. Again, thanks for reading!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I like your plan! I think you will be ok. Especially in EP, if you find you are too hot or the kiosk lines are too long, with 2 people, I've found it's pretty darn easy to find TS reservations (and even walk-ups at less popular restaurants) on the fly. We eat at Spice Road Table almost every trip and always do it as a walk-up. There is also Tutto Gusto in Italy which is walk-up only. Plus you mention the great QS in EP (our favorites are Tangierine Cafe and Les Halles des France). Unless you are super, super picky about where you eat in EP (for instance, it has to be Akershus or Garden Grill), you will find TS availability in EP, day-of.

In AK, if you get hot and QS seating is scarce, you can always go to Nomad's Lounge as well which has a great "small plates" menu and you can order off the Tiffins menu.

I just wanted to suggest on your MNSSHP day, you may want to enter EP earlier so you can snack around and then get on the monorail in time to enter MK at 4 pm when they start letting the party guests in!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Sounds like a fun weekend. It’s definitely possible to make a meal out of the various booths at F&W and there will probably be at least 2x the number of booths you’ve seen at other festivals. My only hesitation with the plan is crowds. Friday and Saturday nights at F&W are packed. Some avoid it like the plague. Personally I think if you’re prepared to deal with the crowds, it can be fine. There can be long lines/waits at the booths, tables (or trash cans) to eat on can be hard to find, and it’s a fairly lively atmosphere with large groups drinking around the world. It won’t be a leisurely stroll through World Showcase to get the monorail but if you’re prepared to deal with heavy crowds it will be fine.

 

[reluctantredhead]

I like your plan! I think you will be ok. Especially in EP, if you find you are too hot or the kiosk lines are too long, with 2 people, I've found it's pretty darn easy to find TS reservations (and even walk-ups at less popular restaurants) on the fly. We eat at Spice Road Table almost every trip and always do it as a walk-up. There is also Tutto Gusto in Italy which is walk-up only. Plus you mention the great QS in EP (our favorites are Tangierine Cafe and Les Halles des France). Unless you are super, super picky about where you eat in EP (for instance, it has to be Akershus or Garden Grill), you will find TS availability in EP, day-of.

In AK, if you get hot and QS seating is scarce, you can always go to Nomad's Lounge as well which has a great "small plates" menu and you can order off the Tiffins menu.

I just wanted to suggest on your MNSSHP day, you may want to enter EP earlier so you can snack around and then get on the monorail in time to enter MK at 4 pm when they start letting the party guests in!

I was hoping that it would be fairly easy to get a TS reservation at the last minute! We pretty much like all the EP WS restaurants, so we wouldn't be picky.

Thanks for the tip about the 4 pm entrance for MNSSHP! I was aware you could get in that early, but to be honest now that we're a bit older I'm not sure we'd have the stamina to make it from 4 until midnight, lol. And since we're naturally night owls (and presumably it will be cooler later), I think it will work better for us to go a little later and make it until the end of the party.

Sounds like a fun weekend. It’s definitely possible to make a meal out of the various booths at F&W and there will probably be at least 2x the number of booths you’ve seen at other festivals. My only hesitation with the plan is crowds. Friday and Saturday nights at F&W are packed. Some avoid it like the plague. Personally I think if you’re prepared to deal with the crowds, it can be fine. There can be long lines/waits at the booths, tables (or trash cans) to eat on can be hard to find, and it’s a fairly lively atmosphere with large groups drinking around the world. It won’t be a leisurely stroll through World Showcase to get the monorail but if you’re prepared to deal with heavy crowds it will be fine.

This is what I was worried about...when we were at AK in June, it was like 95 degrees with crazy humidity, and places to sit were scarce. Do you also find that last minute TS are fairly easy to get if we aren't picky?

Thanks to both of you for your kind replies!

 

[gharter]

Your plan looks good except for Saturday. Having been in EPCOT late one Saturday afternoon, I will not do that again. World Showcase was extremely crowded, long lines at nearly all the kiosks. Just not fun at all. From what I have read, the locals come to F&W Friday night, Saturday and part of Sunday.
When we do F&W, we go to EPCOT Monday, Wednesday, Friday and leave Friday late afternoon before the crowd hits.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

This is what I was worried about...when we were at AK in June, it was like 95 degrees with crazy humidity, and places to sit were scarce. Do you also find that last minute TS are fairly easy to get if we aren't picky?

Thanks to both of you for your kind replies!

Yes. I think if you’re not picky about place or exact time, there can be many day before/day of ADR options that pop up in the app. Also, as above poster mentioned, Spice Road Table frequently takes walk-ups and Tutto Gusto only takes them. I might make a reservation just to have it - in case of rain, extreme heat or extreme crowds- and can always cancel up to day before once see weather and get lay of the land. Would need to cancel or be charged. One other note... actual seats are rare at F&W. There are a few areas with tables & chairs but mostly bar height tables you stand at — and getting one of those not guaranteed, especially on Fri/Sat night. All said, not intended to “scare” you. It’s my absolute favorite time of year. Have fun!!!

 

[reluctantredhead]

I might make a reservation just to have it - in case of rain, extreme heat or extreme crowds- and can always cancel up to day before once see weather and get lay of the land. Would need to cancel or be charged. One other note... actual seats are rare at F&W. There are a few areas with tables & chairs but mostly bar height tables you stand at — and getting one of those not guaranteed, especially on Fri/Sat night. All said, not intended to “scare” you. It’s my absolute favorite time of year. Have fun!!!

I think you're right and that I'll make an ADR for somewhere Saturday just to be safe. And no worries, I know you weren't trying to scare me! I really appreciate the honest advice.

 

[dachsie]

I would consider reversing your plan for Sat at AK and go to EP in the morning/early afternoon then book afternoon/eve FP at AK. The booths will be less crowded in the mornings/early afternoon. Then hop over to AK and enjoy the rest of the day. If you feel you must go back to EP after AK closes, then you can stroll around a bit