Am I Crazy?!?!?

[Disneylover79]

I don't want to book ADR's. It is just DBF and I and even though I want to book ADR's I want the vacation to be laid back so we can enjoy the World. So am I crazy for not wanting to do ADR's? I was thinking about California Grill (is it dressy or could we go in our park clothes) if it is then we will probably just eat dinner in the parks. OK I just have to convience myself to not do ADR's.

 

[not_minnie]

We (DH and I) just came back and, although the parks weren't terribly busy (short lines almost everywhere), people who didn't have ADRs were being turned away from all the restaurants where we ate.

I don't think you're crazy for not wanting to make ADRs, but do realize that chances are you'll be eating CS most of the time. If you're ok with that, then go for it!

 

[swea_pea1]

I agree. We went the week of June 16th and while it was less-crowded than I had imagined it would be, there were no seats to be found in any TS restaurant. We ended up with CS most of the time and ate a few meals off-site, but in retrospect I would have rather had the ADRs.

Book them and if you don't want to go, don't. For me though, I would have rather had the option available.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I booked an ADR once...I wanted us to try a certain restaurant, so I booked it. Trying to make sure we were in the right park at the right time was way too constricting to me. I won't do it again, but TS isn't that important to us anyway. If it were, we would just go at odd times, like really early...We don't go to WDW for the dining experience, TS just slows us down. I can't imagine being on some of the schedules I have read about here on the boards, it would make me a nervous wreck!

I hope your plan works for you, it works for us!

The only TS we really try to make is Rainforest Cafe, for our kids. I have one of the membership cards, and we get preferred seating, usually within 20 minutes, even when it's super busy..

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm a little Type A, so take this for what it's worth.

As an adult, I can only take so much fast food before I want something "real." At Disney in August, lots of other people feel the same way.

So, even if I didn't have kids and wasn't on the meal plan, I would book some ADRs. Particularly if I wanted a particular restaurant like the California Grill. With kids, that sit down meal each day is important to me; somehow it's more conducive to conversation than a fast food meal.

I say set up a few. If they don't fit in with that day's plans, you can always cancel. But I would hate the alternatives: more fast food or waiting forever for the restaurant of my choice.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I only booked two ADRs for our trip (just myself and two younger kids). I don't want to spend my time having to be somewhere at a certain time just to eat. It's just not that important to me.

 

[Loverly]

I only book The Liberty Tree Tavern at MK-we love that place-but have seen walk ins get seated BEFORE us!

I love counter service at Animal Kingdom-Tusker house and the Counter service Greek food at Epcot is wonderful-nothing at the Studios really impresses me except Brown Derby (very pricey)

 

[Christine]

As you know, ADRs do not lock in you in to doing something you don't want to do. I agree that thinking about a meal months in advance, getting on the phone and working the times out can be fairly unenjoyable. However, what if you *do* get down there and the time comes and you don't feel like a tuna salad sandwich from the counter of Columbia Harbor House? What if you just don't want that burger from Pecos Bill's?

It's good to have the ADR "in your pocket" so to speak. As others have said, you don't HAVE to go. But isn't it nice to know that you have a backup, should you be in the mood for a nice meal?

 

[crazyme5kids]

I wonder how many people book ADRs and then don't show up? For those of you that do book, how many times do you not show up for your reservation?

 

[kirbsam]

i think you have a great plan. go to the restaurants and ask them if they have any openings the rest of the night. you will have fun and be fine.

 

[Kath2003]

I don't want to book ADR's. It is just DBF and I and even though I want to book ADR's I want the vacation to be laid back so we can enjoy the World. So am I crazy for not wanting to do ADR's? I was thinking about California Grill (is it dressy or could we go in our park clothes) if it is then we will probably just eat dinner in the parks. OK I just have to convience myself to not do ADR's.

If you're going in 20 days, good luck with that. I called Disney Dining yesterday and there was NOTHING at Chef Mickeys, breakfast or dinner, for the entire four days we're there (we go in 5 weeks). There was only one slot at 1900 Park Fare, breakfast or dinner, for the four days too (which I got!). There are only two of us, too. Unless there's a cancellation, you're going to be lucky to get into anywhere.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I would be really suprised if you could just walk into CA Grill. It is considered "nicer" dinning but Im sure I saw people dressed in park stuff. We had a night reservation and was our special date so we were dressed nicely. I don't think I'd wear just jean shorts and tshirt there though. Maybe cuffed shorts and a nice shirt yes.

As for ADRs, are you going during free dinning? If you don't want to make ADRs ahead of time, I would try to decide every morning and call because I don't know that you are going to be able to just walk up and get in.

 

[Aliceacc]

FYI:
"For the Signature Dining Restaurants, a "Business Casual" dress code is in effect:

Men - Dress pants, jeans or dress shorts and a T-shirt or long sleeve shirt with collar is required. (Jackets optional.)

Women - Jeans, skirts or dress shorts and blouse, sweater or dress is required.

NOT PERMITTED: Tank tops, swim suits or swim cover ups, hats for gentlemen, cut offs or clothing with rips/tears are not allowed. T-shirts with offensive language/graphics will also not be permitted.

The Signature Restaurants are:

Artist Point, Bistro de Paris, California Grill, Citrico's, Citrico's Chef's Domaine, Flying Fish, Fulton's Crab House, Il Mulino, Jiko's, Narcoossee's, Portobello Yacht Club, Shula's, Todd English's bluezoo, Wolfgang Puck Dining Room and Yachtsmen Steakhouse. "

 

[not_minnie]

I love counter service at Animal Kingdom-Tusker house and the Counter service Greek food at Epcot is wonderful-nothing at the Studios really impresses me except Brown Derby (very pricey)

Tusker House is no longer CS - it's now an excellent buffet similar to Boma. And there's no Greek food at Epcot. I guess you mean Morocco? The food at the CS there (Tangierine Cafe) is as good as any TS and it's never too crowded. It's a must do for us!

 

[mysticIT]

I wouldn't sweat it. It's probably too late to book TS for your coming trip, anyway. And who wants to eat much in Orlando in the middle of July? If it were me, I'd be slurping down dole whips and mickey bars and a few beers or margaritas. My advice: stop reading trip planning threads. You won't feel like you've missed anything if you don't know what there is to miss-- and have a great time.

 

[disykat]

Nope. Counter service is fine for us. I've never made an advanced reservation. We don't go on vacation to eat, especially at WDW or DL. I suppose that might change if we went more often or after our kids are grown. Right now our priority is park time.

 

[jimmiej]

I wonder how many people book ADRs and then don't show up? For those of you that do book, how many times do you not show up for your reservation?

Once in all our trips (see below). 'Course, I'm a planner & we prefer TS meals. I would never go without at least one ADR/day. Dining is a big part of our trips. We enjoy the different WDW restaurants. Last July, we saw people being turned away from the Plaza Restaurant at lunch.

 

[swea_pea1]

I wonder how many people book ADRs and then don't show up? For those of you that do book, how many times do you not show up for your reservation?

The CM at one restaurant told me they overbook by 20% so even if there are no-shows, the restaurant is still full. True or not - who knows? But there were no spots to be found on our trip.

It didn't ruin my vacation to be turned away and eat CS, but it is the one thing I wish I could "do over". Next time I'll make the ADRs and not go if we're not in the park that day or not in the mood to eat at that time.

 

[Disney Doll]

Depending on what time of year you go, a place like CA Grill could be a walk-in or you could be totally out of luck.

When DH & I travel with just the 2 of us, we usually take our chances with most places...it's usually easier to seat 2 folks than 4, 6, 8 or more. For CA Grill however, I always make an ADR.

 

[Planogirl]

I only make a few ADR's for special places and for the rest, we eat CS. I enjoy World Showcase CS but there's plenty of good food to be had that don't require ADR's IMO.

Oh we also eat offsite some (gasp! ). I enjoy getting away from the themepark atmosphere once in a while.