Am I insane? ADRs

[Overthemoon]

Does everyone make ADRs? I haven't made any yet and just may not make any at all.

This being our first trip I am having trouble just planning for the parks. I can't imagine trying to make plans for meals.

We will have a full kitchen and plan on doing mostly half days at the parks. I might try one character meal but I am still pondering that as I have already committed to the BBB, and MNSSHP.

Am I the only one that isn't making ADRs?

Thanks!

 

[BradyBz12]

DH and I don't usually book many ADRs, but there are only 2 of us, we go during relatively slower times of year and we're really flexible when it comes to meals (incl. eating at off hours, going out of the parks to DTD or the resorts...).

That said, we're going during free dining this year so I did make a bunch of ADRs just to make sure we don't get completely shut out and are left scrambling... or eating too many burgers.

Character meals are definitely some of the hardest ADRs to get period (never mind last minute or day of), so you might want to at least book that one just in case. You can always cancel when you get there if you change your minds.

Have a great trip!

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Insane. Yep.

You are going during free dining. If you want a character meal, you MUST make an ADR.

 

[toddinboston]

with the advent of the disney dining plan (including the free dining plan offers that disney is making), ADR's have become a necessity, expecially for the tough to get restaurants like CRT and Le Cellier...i agree, it kinda stinks having to plan your trip 3 (or even 6) months out around where you want to have dinner...exceptions do exist, but i've seen too many people walk up to certain restaurants only to be turned away because they are completely booked...if you want a character meal, i highly suggest making an ADR for it...

 

[KaylaKristen]

If you want to try and have a meal with Characters you should try and make a reservation. Chances are you won't get one. But it is worth a try. I would try so you are not disapointed on your trip.

 

[Lora]

I haven't made any ADR's. I'm going during "free" dining, but I'm not on the plan since I'm a DVC member going on points. I also have a full kitchen and we do at least 2 meals in the room most days. For the other meal, the counter service restaurants are enough for me. Don't feel like you're missing out if you don't do sit down restaurants. For some people, it's an important part of their vacation. Not for me. Most of the time, I'd rather be in the parks, swimming or doing other stuff than sitting in a restaurant. Not to mention trying to schedule your touring plan around an ADR time. More often than not, I leave the WDW sit-down meals feeling like I didn't get my money's worth. That being said, there were a few years where we did do the character meals with our dd's when they were young. I would say most of them were enjoyable.

 

[Overthemoon]

I checked online for character breakfast and found several that would suit us. I did notice "Please note that your party may be seated at more than one table" on a few of them. I remember reading about this on the DIS but can't remember exactly what was said. do they really seat a party at different tables?

thanks!

 

[Shenanigoat]

I always make ADRs for places that I know I want to eat at. There are too many people and too many variables for me to risk it otherwise.

 

[g-dad66]

We haven't ever made an ADR, and we haven't ever eaten a TS meal.

All CS meals for us, so we have more time to enjoy the attractions and don't have to be at any particular restaurant at any particular time. And it saves money too, which means we can afford our next WDW trip all that much sooner.

 

[Andyjo0930]

The first year we went during free dining, we made reservations every night! By our last night, we were sick of waiting because even with a reservation, our table was never ready. The character buffets basically have the same food (the ones we went to), and we were constantly planning around our reservations. We leave today for Disney and we were not making any reservations. We figured we would do only CS and that way, we could just eat when we were ready. Unfortunately, planning got the best of me, and I convinced my sister that we need ONE ADR, and we were able to get a breakfast reservation at 1900 Park Fare for Sunday. Don't worry about making those ADR's.... if you get to Disney and decide you want to try to eat out, sometimes you can get lucky and get reservations that day!

 

[JoliBug]

Even with the horror stories I have heard on these boards, when I had to change my trip a few weeks ago I had no problem chaning our ADRs and we leave 33 days from today. We booked at Boma and Crystal Palace and got great times. The CM on the phone even offered me some other restaurants that I've heard are hot ticket places. If you are thinking of places you might want to eat you could go ahead and try calling to get reservations even though your trip is so close and if you change your mind cancel them later. We don't want to be tied to ADR's either and are willing to park hop to eat at CS that have more than just burgers.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this over to our restaurant board for you.

 

[rn448698]

You are not insane (imo, though I'm not a licensed psychologist). A first trip to Disney can be quite stressful, confusing, and exciting. Throwing in table service meals that you have to plan your schedule around would be enough to throw me over the edge. Only on my 3rd trip in 3 years am I actually planning my lunches/dinners ahead of time.

I agree with posters stating that you should book a character meal, but beyond that, I strongly recommend sticking to counter service meals for your first trip... free dining or not. I know some may disagree, but this is just my two cents.

 

[cheezwhiz100]

This is the first year, I made ADRs 20 days out. I've been 14 times without ADRs. I spent a lot of time trying to get those ADRs (too much time) and would not do it again.

I enjoy a little more freedom about when and where I will be dinning and if I have to do CS so be it.

 

[JackJack08]

Insane. Yep.

You are going during free dining. If you want a character meal, you MUST make an ADR.

TOTALLY agree!

I should add, that I have done it both ways and I will never "wing it" again.

 

[disney queen]

we always make ADRs

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I would just make one ADR for a character meal and then not worry about the rest especially if you already planned on eating in your room/condo. I would only do the character meal if you have young kids.

Have fun.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Do not expect to get a table during free dining without an ADR. Granted, there is always the chance of a little pixie dust but alot will depend on party size & time of day (very early or very late).

Walk ups are being/will be turned away.

There are plenty of places to eat that are not TS. Just depends on what you want to do.

 

[Overthemoon]

Thanks for all of the info!

I have been reading reviews on a lot of the more popular TS meals and frankly the reviews aren't that great. It seems that most of the recent reviews are unfavorable and some believe the service/quality have fallen because of the free dining.

I will probably make one ADR for a character meal and maybe one other - just not sure where to make the "other."

Thanks!

 

[tyandbash]

We always make ADR's, but honestly...that is my favorite part!! I LOVE the planning!!