Are ADRs needed in January?

[honeybiscuit]

We are currently planning on visiting WDW in January '09. It's the first time we've visited since the dining plan was created, so I've been trying to figure out what ADRs we really need (if any) because it seems the DDPers are filling up the restaurants like crazy, from what I hear! We're not using the plan, but I'm trying to figure out how much it's affecting the restaurants for walk-ins and same-day ADRs, which is how we usually do things.

We are not going to any special table service meals (like CRT, Hoop de Doo, etc.), we always eat late lunches and late dinners, and skip breakfast altogether. We rarely do more than one TS meal per day. Our group is just two adults.

With those things in mind, do we really need to worry about getting reservations in mid- to late-January? I'm looking specifically for opinions and experiences from people who have visited in January (the more recent the better). Thanks for any help!

Edit: thought it might help to elaborate on what we think of as a "late" dinner - no earlier than 9 PM, and if we can get a reservation later than that, we take it. We're night owls. Lunch is whatever the latest seating we can get and still get lunch prices (4 or 5, I think).

 

[Shleedogg]

We're going from Jan 9-16th and just called for ADRs last Tuesday. I wasn't sure what to expect, DH and I have never eaten at TS before on a trip except for Sci-Fi. So, just to be safe I made ADRs. Most of the places we were calling were almost booked. Our party is split at 2 places, Mama Melrose and Le Cellier. At Coral Reef if we wanted any reservation before 7:50, we had to be split, we took the 7:50. We had to change our schedule and switch days to even get into Le Cellier. Only 2 out of our 6 TS dinners are before 7pm.

We do have a party of 7 (infant included), so that might make a difference. I'm not sure if tables for 2 are easier to get. It might also have to do with the restaurants we picked being more popular and more expensive. I assume that the more expensive restaurants book up more quickly due to people on the DDP trying to get the most for their money. We've got Mama Melrose, 1900 Park Fare, Le Cellier, Tutto Italia, Chef Mickey, 50's PTC and Coral Reef. So maybe if you're not picky about what restaurants you eat in you'll be fine to just walk in?

Hope this was of some help!

 

[ladybugkisses]

I'm not the best help, because I've never been.

That being said, I just got through making all my reservations and things were filling up pretty fast. I was able to get everything I wanted, but had to pick different times than I wanted.


I also know that there is a marathon weekend and MLK weekend in Jan.

Hope this helps some.

 

[RMulieri]

If you are set on eating a Ts every night,I would make the adrs and cancel if you don't want.with the popularity of the dp, restaurants book up way in advance and even at off times.You still may be able to score a walk-up or call and get a same day ressie.But sadly, you simply can not rely on that as a given anymore.Sometimes you get lucky sometimes you don't.

 

[honeybiscuit]

Thanks for the answers so far! It's scary to hear how fast things are filling up! Yikes.

If you are set on eating a Ts every night,I would make the adrs and cancel if you don't want.with the popularity of the dp, restaurants book up way in advance and even at off times.You still may be able to score a walk-up or call and get a same day ressie.But sadly, you simply can not rely on that as a given anymore.Sometimes you get lucky sometimes you don't.

So Disney doesn't care then if I go and make a bunch of ADRs that I might need to cancel later? I know there are some places that make you prepay and/or have a cancellation fee, but I'm not going to any of those. If that's really the case, then great! I'll have to do that. Does Disney care if you have two ADRs at the same time? And do you have to give any notice, or is it okay to just not show up?

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

You will not be penalized if you don't show up for a ressie if they haven't taken your CC# (like they do at CRT), but if you know you won't make it, cancel as a courtesy to others who might appreciate taking your spot.

You should also not double book as a courtesy to others. You will be holding up a reservation that someone else could have. Although I know people do it, I have heard of BOTH reservations being cancelled because someone is double booked. I am hoping that the new reservation system will recognize double bookings.

Just so you know, this response is not intended to sound harsh. If everyone would be considerate when making reservations and/or cancelling, it would be much better for all of us!

 

[Poppins2000]

We'll be there Jan. 16-24 and I made all my ADR's yesterday for DH and I. I was able to get everything that I wanted at the times that I wanted but I'm sure that's because I've reserved this far ahead (Cali Grill, Narcooses, Hoop-De-Do, Artist Point, Brown Derby/Fantasmic Show, Tony's....)

 

[RMulieri]

it is ok to book then CANCEL if not needed, try not to pull a no show .Also, do not book 2 or more adrs for the same date and time since it is considered rude to do so, and disney has been known to wipe duplicates out of the system.

 

[honeybiscuit]

You will not be penalized if you don't show up for a ressie if they haven't taken your CC# (like they do at CRT), but if you know you won't make it, cancel as a courtesy to others who might appreciate taking your spot.

You should also not double book as a courtesy to others. You will be holding up a reservation that someone else could have. Although I know people do it, I have heard of BOTH reservations being cancelled because someone is double booked. I am hoping that the new reservation system will recognize double bookings.

Just so you know, this response is not intended to sound harsh. If everyone would be considerate when making reservations and/or cancelling, it would be much better for all of us!

Thanks for the information! You're very right, it would be rude to do that -- I was just curious about what would happen if we couldn't cancel a reservation on time, or if I wasn't sure so far ahead what might be happening on X day and made two bookings. I guess I wasn't totally thinking about the big picture.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I think they are needed for all times of the year

 

[n2mm]

I think they are needed for all times of the year

I agree. Looking for a place to eat when I'm hungry is not how I want to spend my vacation time. We are going Jan. 17-24 and all of our ADRs are set. We are also a party of 2. We however, did not have any trouble getting our ADRs, so there are opennings.