Are ADRs absolutely necessary?

[Asuka]

My DH and I really don't want to feel tied to reservations. We're wondering if we really need ADRs or can we just put our name in at a resteraunt and wait an hour or so. Possible or not?

TIA

 

[wannabprincess]

Some restaurants you can get away with not having them mostly DTD restaurants like Planet Hollywood. While we were waiting for our table at Le Cellier, about 10 minutes, there must have been 30 people who came up and asked for a ressie. The same thing a Coral Reef, the next night. If you are okay with ending up at counter service than you can try not making any ADR's.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

Only if you want to eat!

Seriously, Disney has done a amazing job of selling DDP, and the TS resturaunts are full especially during peak times and even when it isn't peak times. I wouldn't go with out them any time of the year.

 

[joenan88]

You do not have to go overboard..like me.. and make reservations for your whole stay..but being on the DDP I want to be able to eat more then CS..The CS in Disney is like eating Wendy's, Burger King and Taco bell everyday and night...make a few just so you have them..have a great trip

 

[TDC Nala]

The answer is...sometimes.

My suggestion is to use them:

If you want to eat at a restaurant that is popular all the time (Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, CRT, California Grill especially within 2 hours prior to the Wishes fireworks)

If you want to eat at TS restaurants during high peak attendance times and the free dining promotion period

If you want to eat at peak mealtimes in a busy period

If you want to eat at a peak mealtime in a reasonably popular restaurant (almost any inside a theme park or something like Boma at AKL) you can make them about a day ahead, but I wouldn't try a walkin

 

[OKW Lover]

The answer to your question depends heavily on when you are going and what places you want to eat at. If you're going during an off period, then you probably can get by without ADR's. If you want to go to one of the very popular places, or you're going during a busy time, then ADR's are probably in order.

 

[Bev J]

I can't tell you how many times we saw really ticked off people being turned away from resturants because they did not have a ADR.
You could take a chance and call WDWDINE and see what's available, make your choice from what they have open for you. Sometimes there are last minute cancellations and the only ones that are going to know this is to call and ask they probably won't know at the resturant.
I don't want to sit around waiting or wander around looking for somewhere to eat.
If there are resturants you know you want to try then make sure and call way ahead.

Bev

 

[Asuka]

We're going May 8-14. We're arriving 4:30 p.m. Thursday and our plane leaves at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday so we probably won't be eating at WDW on those two days.

We are doing the DDP and we know we want to eat at the Biergarten and the Coral Reef. Maybe Le Cellier but I know we'll have to have ressies for that. I'm really not sure what else. Maybe Boma for breakfast on our AK day. This is our first trip and I really feel overwhelmed.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Why not go ahead and make those four ADRs? Your trip dates are not a very busy time, but at least you would have this scheduled.

Where are you staying? Some resort restaurants can usually accommodate walk-ups, if you're prepared to wait. We always have good luck doing walk-up to Spoodles (on the Boardwalk) and Cape May (Beach Club).

On the other hand, if you are staying at the Contemporary you could be in trouble. Chef Mickey and California Grill are almost always sold out. And the Concourse Steakhouse is due to close for an 8-month rehab into a new restaurant. That would leave you without a choice for a TS meal.

Start with those four, and then fill in a couple more over the next couple months as you refine your plan. DISers will be happy to help you sort it all out.

 

[Asuka]

We're staying at POP.

I'm just a little concerned because I see tons of people here talking about making ADRs at 180 days out and we're going in less than 3 months. Also, DH is being a pain in the rear about making an itinerary. He hates to make plans yet will admit that we've had some boring vacations in the past due to not making any plans.

He also insists that we spend one day outside of WDW to do stuff in Orlando and the surrounding area. Again I'm because we went to Orlando 2 years ago and did a few touristy things like Sea World, some go-kart tracks and the outlet malls. Beyond those things, we were bored to death. I have no idea what he thinks we will do that day (and neither does he at this point).

 

[jenseib]

My DH is a go with the flow kind of guy. Why make reservations? Why do we need to book a tripp any earlier than a few weeks out? Why would it be busy at Easter time. LOL! Last trip I planned which park to go to each day and madethe ADR's. He grumbled ab bit here and there but then saw sevral people being turned away from resturants we were at. He was glad. He just asked me to price another trip(again last minute). And this time asked actually asked my opinion on what seems to be the best deals, etc...

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I think the fact that you're on the DDP leads me to suggest that you might want to make plans because you have to use your TS credits. We don't do DDP, so we're more flexible.

How about making plans and don't tell him? Just sort of gently nudge him along the way and never mention you have a plan. When you get to your appointed restaurant, tell DH to relax and you go to the podium. He'll never know you are checking in with an ADR instead of a walk-up!

As to a day outside of WDW...maybe you just need a day out of the parks. You could hang by the pool, do a spa treatment, go fishing, horseback riding, go resort hopping, shop and eat in DTD.

 

[Rylee]

We're going May 8-14. We're arriving 4:30 p.m. Thursday and our plane leaves at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday so we probably won't be eating at WDW on those two days.

We are doing the DDP and we know we want to eat at the Biergarten and the Coral Reef. Maybe Le Cellier but I know we'll have to have ressies for that. I'm really not sure what else. Maybe Boma for breakfast on our AK day. This is our first trip and I really feel overwhelmed.

From reading your posts, I gather...

1) You have the hopper passes, (or want to spend a lot of time at Epcot.)
2) Will be renting a car?

I have a suggestion...

How about a signature meal, or two? (Uses 2 TS credits per person.) This would be one way to make sure you get your money's worth and give you a couple of days without scheduled reservations. With a 4:30 arrival, you could even make a late ADR for your first evening... maybe California Grill and then watch the evening fireworks from there. A great way to start your trip!

 

[septbaby]

We're staying at POP.

I'm just a little concerned because I see tons of people here talking about making ADRs at 180 days out and we're going in less than 3 months. Also, DH is being a pain in the rear about making an itinerary. He hates to make plans yet will admit that we've had some boring vacations in the past due to not making any plans.

He also insists that we spend one day outside of WDW to do stuff in Orlando and the surrounding area. Again I'm because we went to Orlando 2 years ago and did a few touristy things like Sea World, some go-kart tracks and the outlet malls. Beyond those things, we were bored to death. I have no idea what he thinks we will do that day (and neither does he at this point).

First off welcome to DIS! Second off, breathe in breathe out it will be a great trip no matter what.

Easy part first, the day outside of WDW - List of 10 thngs to do:
I'm going to take that to mean NO PARKS. There is a lot to do outside of the parks, but still at Disney. If you've been recently bored with an Orlando trip try these non park things at Disney:

1. You'll get a voucher for discounted Minigolf use that; if you play Fantasia Gardens grab a meal at Beaches & Cream, they don't take ADRs and the focus should be on your ice cream dessert there. The other course is closer to Downtown Disney.

2. Downtown Disney - you mentioned shopping, there is plenty there as well as restaurants (no ADRs at some); you'll also have a Planet Hollywood $15 Voucher, you could use it on a meal, appetizer or dessert stop there(not valid on alcohol)

3. Waterparks - Disney has 2 fantasic parks, pick one and have a blast

4. Doesn't sound like you're golfers (ie. you didn't mention it on the last Orlando trip) but Disney has 4 awesome courses

5. Go see LaNouba, the Cirque de Souliel show in Downtown Disney

6. House of Blues is a restaurant which can include live music, check hob.com to see the schedule during your stay

7. Tour the resorts - Just hop a bus, boat, monorail and go check out other Disney resorts, we peeped in the Poly, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary on our visit (we stayed at Caribbean Beach resort) We spent a rain delay in the game room at the Wilderness Lodge!

8. Just laze at the pool at Pop, not as elaborate as some of those resorts I mentioned, but downtime at the pool has its advantages

9. Horseback riding at Fort Wilderness campground (make reservations I know, I know!) There is a buffet at the campground which you may have success getting in w/o a ressie, especially for lunch maybe dinner too.

10. If you'll have a rental car (I think they are a waste at Disney; onsite transportation is free, Disney Magical Express to and from the airport, I don't need to spend the time getting, returning or filling up the car) head over to Universal Studios City Walk, restaurants, clubs and street entertainment makes it a fun atmosphere, free parking after 6pm

Now back to the food and ADRs
You will need them if you plan to eat at each of them during your trip. They are some of the most popular. Coral Reef was the hardest ADR to get for our trip last September. We ended up with a lunch that worked out great for us after a full and early morning start at the Magic Kingdom. It as easy to hop the monorail over to Epcot for lunch. Treat those meals as destinations or attractions unto themselves. Biergarten and Coral Reef definitely deserve that distinction. LeCellier doesn't have "entertainment" value, but many really simply love the food there.

You would have enough time for a nice Disney dinner on your arrival night. Make an ADR for 8pm or later and you should even have time to freshen up or cat nap beforehand. Just chose a restaurant at a resort or Downtown Disney so you don't waste a park admission just to eat. We did that and thought it was a great way to kick off our vacation. Otherwise you can get a good meal at the food court at Pop.

It would be helpful to decide what park you'll visit each day. Then you can try to get ADRs at a place in/near that park. All of the places you mentioned are in Epcot so if you eat at each you'll spend a lot of time in Epcot, which is just fine.

Here is some info that may help you plan:
The Magic Kingdom will be open late (past 11pm) on May 11th, so you could have one of your dinners at Epcot that day, enjoy Illuminations then take the monorail over to MK for more fun that night.

Epcot will stay open (past 9pm) on May 9th and Disney HS will do the same on May 12th. Again you could have dinner in Epcot and take the bus to the Hollywood Studios for the late night activities.

You can enter the Animal Kingdom at 8am on May 12th and the Hollywood Studios on May 9th (your first morning at Disney).

You don't have to use any of these extra hours, but they are a privledge granted to all resort guest,s so why not use the perk a time or two?

Planning your Disney trip should be fun, hope this takes some of the strain away. There were many here on the boards who helped me last year so just trying to "pay it forward".

 

[Asuka]

Wow, you guys are so helpful!

We got 6 day hoppers, no WP. We figured that there wasn't much of a difference in price from the 5 day and we know we won't be hitting any parks on the 14th.

DH knows that he wants to do an airboat ride and go to the Van's (skateboard shoes) outlet. We also want to go to either Arabian Nights or Medieval Times, I don't care which, I'm just going for the horses. Oh, and I'm not opposed to hitting the Coach Outlet.

Yes, we will be renting a car because DH refuses to be tied to WDW and their transportation. (You'd think going to WDW was a punishment or something)

 

[septbaby]

Well, since you have the 6th day available on your ticket I'd book LeCellier or Coral Reef for your arrival night. Reservation line is open til 10pm tonight, good luck!

 

[Lynne M]

We're wondering if we really need ADRs or can we just put our name in at a resteraunt and wait an hour or so. Possible or not?

TIA

Many restaurants do not take walk-ups....if they're fully booked, they'll just turn you away. You won't be able to put your name in and wait.

If you're on the dining plan, I'd strongly recommend making ADRs. You don't want to waste your TS credits, after you've already paid for them. ADRs are not set in stone, if your plans change you can always cancel, or adjust the time if possible.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Well, yes ADRs are necessary, if you want to have a place to go eat, not having to wait or risk being told there are no openings for whatever meal it is you want. You can always cancel later.

 

[OKW Mom]

Wow, you guys are so helpful!

We got 6 day hoppers, no WP. We figured that there wasn't much of a difference in price from the 5 day and we know we won't be hitting any parks on the 14th.

DH knows that he wants to do an airboat ride and go to the Van's (skateboard shoes) outlet. We also want to go to either Arabian Nights or Medieval Times, I don't care which, I'm just going for the horses. Oh, and I'm not opposed to hitting the Coach Outlet.

Yes, we will be renting a car because DH refuses to be tied to WDW and their transportation. (You'd think going to WDW was a punishment or something)

When we are a party of 2 or 3 we have popped in and been seated in EPCOT TS in the time it takes to wash up.

I had problems making ADRs for a party of 8 at the CG 5 months ago! I just cancelled 5 TS ADRs because decided not to DDP. I opened up the spots as soon as we decided to take it casual.

If you have waited all year to be at WDW and there were people retaining ADRs they are not using wouldn't that be sad?

Keep your sense of humor-

Don't get your heart set on something- have a back up.

May the Fairies of Good Food visit you!

 

[Native NYer]

If you do make a few ADRs, you're not tied to them and can cancel or adjust them once you're there. Keep in mind that there ae restaurants that have a cancellation policy and ask you to leave a credit card number (they don't charge anything) as a guarantee. If you make an ADR for a restaurant that requires a credit card guarantee, just make sure you cancel in enough time.

We went to WDW last June, stayed offsite, and only made about 3 ADRs. When we tried to go to some restaurants without an ADR either we were turned away or told we had to wait 45-60 min. Since you're on the DDP, it may be beneficial to just make a few ADRs.