Are ADR necessary?

[summermac]

I mean what if I just don't want to eat where I picked NINETY days in advance? Will we be able to eat at another sit down place without trouble? We've never done ADR on our other trips (May) and this year it's a June trip for us. Am I risking it to not have ADRs?

 

[princess lovers mom]

June will be busier than May as the southern schools are out
yes it will be riskier - will you still be able to find a place, maybe - off times, early or late perhaps...

if it is important - then make some ADR's - you can always cancel them if you find yourself somewhere else

it is kind of nice though to have a plan for the day - what park, where to eat...

if you plan on taking the dining plan I would definately make the ADR's - if you are paying and can risk doing a counter service instead then OK

 

[MainStMandy]

I would say make at least a few. You can always call the morning of and cancel if you decide not to go there. I always make ADR's...I feel more comfortable knowing that I have set reservations for the week, especially being on the DDP. I know the places we like to eat tend to fill fast so I'd rather be safe then sorry

 

[summermac]

We are offsite so no DDP. Part of me wishes we had stayed onsite for the convenience of the DDP alone. *cry*

 

[princess lovers mom]

We are offsite so no DDP. Part of me wishes we had stayed onsite for the convenience of the DDP alone. *cry*

have you looked at pricing the 4/3 deal - might pay for the dining with the savings!

 

[summermac]

We did look at the 4/3 deal and it's going to be about the same price for our entire party at the value resort as it is going to be for offsite & tickets on our own. We normally do breakfast at our place so then we only really need a light snack for lunch time and then one meal, usually an early dinner around 5 or so.

We were really close to booking through the 4/3 deal until they were unable to guarantee us adjoining rooms due to our party only having 2 children in it. (6 adults & 2 kids) My kids are in bed by 8-9 so I didn't want to be stuck in the double bed room with nothing to do. I just assumed we'd get an adjoining room if we requested it with enough notice. A family suite is just ridiculously priced IMO even with the 4/3 deal.

So we got a 5 BR villa at Windsor Hills instead.

 

[rlovew]

It depends on whether you really want a sit down meal and have any place in particular you want. If you will take any sit down meals then you will probably be able to get soemthing especially if you are willing to split up your party or if you get your table service at lunch instead of dinner and aving a light snack for dinner.

You have 8 people so there are not to many tables for that size and generally larger groups take longer. I am guessing you are not looking for character meals or you would plan on getting adrs.

At Epcot you can probably get a table at Marrakesh, Beirgarten, or San Angel Inn as those are the least popular ADRs. You might end up having to dine early for dinner (4pm) or very late (8:45+).

At Mk you can probably get in the Plaza Restaraunt on that day but maybe not for dinner.

At AK you can always do Rainforest as they don't take ADRs anyway.

At MGM with Mama Melrose is generally the easiest to get into.

With the populatrity of the dining plan especially with the 4/3 deal going on in June, these are more than likely the places you will be able to get ADRs at when you enter the park. If you wait until you are ready to eat dinner I would guess you may not be able to get anything. They don't leave tables open for walk-ups when people want reservations.

Unless you want the most popular restaurants or character meals you can probably get something (if you are willing to eat at off times and lunches) up until about 2 weeks out.

When you arrive at a park in the morning guest services will have a sign up about where there are still table avaiable and you can make whatever is left then.

 

[shannn]

Honestly, with a party that size I would absolutely make ADRs. I know it seems strange, but you're going to end up eating at some weird times or places if you don't. You can always cancel them if you don't feel like using them, but better safe than sorry is my motto.

 

[Lady V]

If you think you will want even ONE character meal I would book it. Just to make sure you all get to go to one.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

It costs nothing to book an ADR - and then cancel it if your plans take you elsewhere that day. Or if you're in the mood for something else, call and try to get in where you want. If you can't get that, you have your ADR to fall back on. Look at them as insurance.

 

[annabelle26]

A lot depends on the time of year, what you are planning on eating and how many people are in your party. Its a safe way to do it but not always necessary.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Absolutely they are necessary! Especially in June which is the busiest time of the year.

 

[DisneySweetheart]

I wouldn't go without ADR's, personally. But that's how I roll.

 

[MainStMandy]

Absolutely they are necessary! Especially in June which is the busiest time of the year.

June isn't quite the busiest time of year, but I do agree they are necessary.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

We are offsite so no DDP. Part of me wishes we had stayed onsite for the convenience of the DDP alone. *cry*

If you're offsite, there should be no problem finding great, cheap restaurants OFFSITE to dine at. If you can't get into the onsite restaurant that you want, keep that in mind. Also, remember there are great restaurants in the resorts, not just the parks. If you want a character meal, in the park...you better try to book as far in advance as possible, and/or expect to eat at somewhat off-hours.

DDP is only convenient if you're willing to book 90 days in advance.

 

[Eastern]

When we went two Junes ago there was a 2 hour non-ADR wait for Plaza in MK at around noontime. We only waited a few minutes past our ADR time. I would definitely book at least a few ADRs.

 

[summermac]

I was about to croak when someone said June is the busiest time of the year. Okay I think we'll do ADR and then hey if we don't show up, some family lucks out and gets a table sooner. Right?

I assumed that they had a certain amount of tables for standby only.

 

[eagillinois]

In the past we have made ADRs and been able to cancel or change them the week of (mostly) if we decide as a group to change our itenerary. I think there are cancellations the closer you get to the dates. It doesnt hurt to make them now and know you can cancel later.

 

[Lynne M]

I was about to croak when someone said June is the busiest time of the year. Okay I think we'll do ADR and then hey if we don't show up, some family lucks out and gets a table sooner. Right?

I assumed that they had a certain amount of tables for standby only.

They don't hold tables for standby,and if the restaurant is fully booked for that meal, they likely won't even take walkups. They'll just turn people away.

So, if you do decided to skip the ADR, please cancel the reservation, as that family may get turned away and not be able to use that table. You can cancel by calling 407-WDW-DINE, going to Guest Services at any theme park, or by stopping at the restaurant.

 

[RMulieri]

With your size party I would book.Disney holds absolutely no tables for walk ups.It is not unusal in June to see at both Epcot and MK ( i never really paid attention at the other parks) signs out saying the restaurants are completely booked.