Anyone ever....

[MErnst]

Anyone ever on the DDP and not make any reservations? I'm wondering what dining options we would have if we don't make any ressies. We (myself, DH, DS17 and DS8) are heading to AKL end of Aug and we have free dining. I'm kind of considering not making any ressies and playing it by ear. I don't want to be tied down by having to be somewhere at a certain time. Anyone ever done anything like that, if so, how did you make out?

 

[librarygeek]

The only time we didn't have any reservations for the restaurants was when I went about six years ago with my friend's family, who was a bit disorganized. We were there in October so it was the off season, so we were able to snag a few places without reservations. However, I think that most of the places we ate at they did go in the morning to make a reservation for later on in the day, so it's not like we just walked in and wanted to be served right at that moment, so I'm not sure how that would work out. I know that we were able to get in at the 50's Prime Time Cafe in HS and San Angel in Epcot. You never know what could happen... somehow we were fortunate enough to get lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table at MK! But we did do a lot of quick service as well.

 

[TruBlu]

We were just at AKL a couple of weeks ago. We had reservations each day, but ended up changing several on the fly. We even cancelled Le Cellier for Teppan Edo! The droid dining app was WONDERFUL! I made an ADR for Boma while sitting by the pool one day.

So... I'd make ADRs as a back-up (that way you wont get stuck with unused credits), but make changes if you want to. (Just make sure you cancel the ones you don't use. I'm sure we made someone really happy with that LeC cancellation. )

 

[MErnst]

We were just at AKL a couple of weeks ago. We had reservations each day, but ended up changing several on the fly. We even cancelled Le Cellier for Teppan Edo! The droid dining app was WONDERFUL! I made an ADR for Boma while sitting by the pool one day.

So... I'd make ADRs as a back-up (that way you wont get stuck with unused credits), but make changes if you want to. (Just make sure you cancel the ones you don't use. I'm sure we made someone really happy with that LeC cancellation. )

what is the droid dining app? I have an iphone....maybe a similar app exists for iphone.

 

[TruBlu]

what is the droid dining app? I have an iphone....maybe a similar app exists for iphone.

I deleted it, but now I'm thinking it wasn't an app. I think I just created a shortcut for the online dining site. Sorry! I've confused myself!

 

[sunshineNJ]

I would always make ADRs. You could always cancel them during the day if you don't think you will use one, with the exception of any shows or some signatures that you would have to cancel three or so days in advance.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

If Disney does offer Free Dining again, it will likely start in late August. Eating dinner at a desirable location would become difficult without any ADRs.

 

[Hopefully]

The only time we didn't have any reservations for the restaurants was when I went about six years ago with my friend's family, who was a bit disorganized. We were there in October so it was the off season, so we were able to snag a few places without reservations. However, I think that most of the places we ate at they did go in the morning to make a reservation for later on in the day, so it's not like we just walked in and wanted to be served right at that moment, so I'm not sure how that would work out. I know that we were able to get in at the 50's Prime Time Cafe in HS and San Angel in Epcot. You never know what could happen... somehow we were fortunate enough to get lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table at MK! But we did do a lot of quick service as well.

Times in Disney Dining have changed a great deal in 6 years.
If you are on the DDP and choose not to make ADR's, I feel you are at risk of "wasting" some credits. For certain you will be able to eat. But it is likely it will not be in a popular theme park or resort location. Many restaurants book fully, and they do not leave talbes for walk ins. It is always possible, but it would be a huge hassle and worry, IO
Enjoy

 

[LeesyUD]

I deleted it, but now I'm thinking it wasn't an app. I think I just created a shortcut for the online dining site. Sorry! I've confused myself!

Actually I just went to www.waltdisneyworld.com on my android incredible because i was curious if it had a mobile format, and it turns out their is a mobile beta version of the wdw dining reservation site which actually allows you to search near where you are (or for a specific location) for dining reservations and make the dining reservations on there easily. I used my my phone to take a couple of pictures of this mobile page on my husband's phone. (I tried to access the mobile site on the computer to take screen shots from there but it just takes you to the regular site.) The link to use on your phone is http:
//m.disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/m/

 

[Mamu]

Anyone ever on the DDP and not make any reservations? I'm wondering what dining options we would have if we don't make any ressies. We (myself, DH, DS17 and DS8) are heading to AKL end of Aug and we have free dining. I'm kind of considering not making any ressies and playing it by ear. I don't want to be tied down by having to be somewhere at a certain time. Anyone ever done anything like that, if so, how did you make out?

Why don't you look into a room discount. AKL is in the deluxe category so the discount could be substantial. We were a family of 10 in September and we chose the discount over FD, plus some of us have AP. The savings for our rooms were over $2200. Free Dining is a great perk but it's not for everyone. Were one of the families who choose a discount over FD. We like the freedom to come and go without a schedule.

 

[Nadjalu]

No way would I get the DDP and not make adrs. Especially if I was paying for the plan. Disney doesn't care if you pay ~$48 per person per day and end up eating CS because you couldn't get in anywhere.

And that is a good possibility of what could happen.
Dining has changed so much in the last few years that adrs have become pretty much a must if you want anything close to what you like.

I see this scenario on the boards regularly:

We don't wish to be tied down to a ressie. Here is my answer, Let's say you are at MK and need/want dinner. You go to guest services and they search, nothing is coming up anywhere near MK, so you then have to decide to leave, go across WDW property to eat a TS, then head back to MK (or go where ever). or settle for CS at MK because you don't want to take 2-3 hours out of your park day to eat.

Nope I would rather make my adr, plan at least what park I am going to on which day and if I want/able to change it when I am there, then I do so.

But to go without ressies, just asking to be let down or inconvenienced in my book.

 

[TruBlu]

Actually I just went to www.waltdisneyworld.com on my android incredible because i was curious if it had a mobile format, and it turns out their is a mobile beta version of the wdw dining reservation site which actually allows you to search near where you are (or for a specific location) for dining reservations and make the dining reservations on there easily. I used my my phone to take a couple of pictures of this mobile page on my husband's phone. (I tried to access the mobile site on the computer to take screen shots from there but it just takes you to the regular site.) The link to use on your phone is http:
//m.disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/m/

THAT'S IT!!! Thank you so much for posting! That is what I was using and it works GREAT!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I wouldn't go without ADRs anytime during Free Dining if I wanted to actually get a TS meal. Restaurants seem to be booked up more during FD.