Are ADRs a must??

[momof2chipmunks]

We (myself, DH, DD4, DS2) will be going to Disney for the first time 11/29-12/6 this year and are on the DDP.. We have never taken the kids anywhere like this for vacation. We have no idea if/when they will need naps or when would be best for them to have a TS meal (lunch or dinner). This makes it very difficult to know when to schedule meals. I understand that ADRs for character meals are a must-- but what about other meals? TIA--I guess as our trip gets closer--I'm getting more overwelmed!

 

[DaveStroem]

In short, YES

If you want to eat at some of the more popular restaurants you will need ADRs. If you don't, expect to wait an hour for a table if they are available at all. With little ones, I would suggest ADRs for earlier in the evening like 5:00 pm or at the same time you currently eat dinner.

If you choose not to make ADRs I have heard that if you go right when the restaurant opens for dinner service you can often get in with little to no wait.

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

Yes, you must make ADR's, otherwise you will most likely be very disappointed when you are on your vacation. Some restaurants may have some seating available for walk-ups, but you might have to wait, which will not be fun with small children. I tried to switch some reservations when I was in WDW and I could not get into some of the restaurants I wanted. Do the best you can to figure out when you might want to eat (and where) and make ADR's before you go--you will be glad you did.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Absolutely concurring with the other posters. One plus on your side is that the first week in December tends to be one of the weeks of lowest attendance, so the chance of y'all scoring a walk-up might be a little better. But I've got visions of you and your family, struggling from restaurant to restaurant and park to park, only to be frustrated because you can't find anywhere that has seating, or has a horrific wait. The fact that you are going to be on the DDP just compounds the issue ... you don't want to miss a TS meal and waste those precious credits.

With kids the age of yours, leaving the parks and having lunch at your resort would be a welcome break. That's certainly what I'd recommend.

 

[avahoneybee]

If you are going over Thanksgiving, you really should make some.

 

[ancestry]

I also agree - assuming of course that you want to eat sit down meals. If you are willing to stick to counter service then you could probably get away with not having ADRs.

 

[catne]

We (myself, DH, DD4, DS2) will be going to Disney for the first time 11/29-12/6 this year and are on the DDP.. We have never taken the kids anywhere like this for vacation. We have no idea if/when they will need naps or when would be best for them to have a TS meal (lunch or dinner). This makes it very difficult to know when to schedule meals. I understand that ADRs for character meals are a must-- but what about other meals? TIA--I guess as our trip gets closer--I'm getting more overwelmed!

Even if your kids don't nap much at home, I'd still plan on taking breaks every day, for the whole family. Even going at a leisurely pace in the parks is a lot of exercize & excitement...there's a good chance you'll all burn out without breaks. We eat a light breakfast in the hotel room (poptarts, cereal bars or pastries we purchased the night before at a park bakery.) Then we head for the parks - always timing it to be there for ropedrop. You will be amazed how much you can get done in the first two-three hours a park is open. Then around 11 or 11:30, head back to your resort for lunch - we always use our counter service for lunch. Then take a pool break or playground break, followed by a lay-down (even if they don't sleep, there's Disney shows on the resort television - just some good decompress time.) Then head back to a park or a monorail resort for an early dinner seating (like around 5 or 5:30) Once you've eaten dinner, you'll be set for a couple of hours of relaxed & refreshed evening park time.

My number 1 tip for families with little ones -- use character meals to get pictures with characters and skip the meet & greets in the parks unless you are very lucky and happen past one with NO line. Seems like once you get in the habit of waiting in lines for characters you're stuck...and that's a heck of a lot of time wasted waiting. With the character meals, they come to your table and you get to eat & sit while you're waiting to meet Mickey!

 

[momof2chipmunks]

Thanks for your responses, I'll definately be making ADRs.

 

[taychase1015]

My recommendation is always to make ADR's. I have been in early December and have still seen people turned away at the most of the poplular restaurants. When you get down there, you could always call and change an ADR, but at least this way you would have one. (I have done this. Most times I could change, but a couple of times there were no new times available.

 

[Laura]

Honestly, the reason why it's so hard to get into restaurants sometimes is specifically because everyone feels the need to make ADRs because of the DDP. You used to be able to just walk up to most restaurants and be seated with little to no waits.

If you're worried about timing and your children's naps, go for the character breakfasts.