Are ADRs really necessary for late Aug?

[wifemomkate]

We've been considering Sci-Fi, 50's PTC, and Biergarten for lunch/dinner. Should I make ADRs? The only reason I haven't yet is because we aren't sure what night we'll be going (trying not to have quite that regimented a trip). Surely there is a chance we'll be able to walk in, right? Or am I dreaming?

 

[TAKitty]

I have found that ADRs are always necessary. We went during the slow period in Dec. and they were turning people away who didn't have ADRs. I would make them and cancel or change the ones you do not want when you get there.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It depends where you hope to eat, and when. I was at Disney last year over Labor Day weekend (plus a couple more days). I could not get PS for or seated at Le Cellier at all, or at Cinderella's Royal Table for dinner. Even at the places where I did have PS, walk-ups were being told there was an hour or more wait.

 

[reesa roo]

I would suggest that you make them as soon as possible. I just called the other day for our trip 8/18-8/26 and was only able to get Le Cellier at 4:20pm. I had them check every day during the trip and every day was booked. I made 3 other ADRs and had to adjust my desired dinner time by about 30 minutes for all 3. I think if you have an idea of where you want to eat, you should make the ADRs and if your plans change, you can always try to change later.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We used to be able to go without making ARs for every day, but unfortunately, that is no longer the case. I would definitely make ARs for those meals that you know you want, then change them while there if necessary. Better to have something booked.

We have been able to find availability at the last minute for lunch, if we were flexible. For instance, if we walk into SciFi and find them booked, we ask the cm to check all MGM TS, and there would be something available at '50's PT or Mama Melrose's - they make us an AR, and we head over to the other restaurant.

 

[wscato]

No matter when I travel to WDW, I always make ADR. I would rather be safe than sorry. And I'm a planner.

Enjoy your trip,
Ginger

 

[ScoJo15]

If I were you, I'd go ahead and make some ADR's....it doesn't cost anything. Just cancel them if you find that you will have to change around the days.

 

[mla973]

With the advent of the dining plan, lots of sit-down restaurants are starting to fill up and turn guests away. Many recent trip reports have said that walk-ins could not get tables. I would plan out as best you can, make the reservations, and as long as they are not restaurants that require a cc# deposit, you can always cancel if you need to.

 

[aaroncg]

We will be there for 12 days starting around the end of Aug. I called a couple of weeks ago(180 mark) and couldnt get some of the times I wanted and a couple of the resturants we will be at 2 tables. So CALL NOW!!!!!!

 

[Mamu]

The dinning plan has become so popular that walk-in are getting harder and harder to get.

Some restaurants like "50" and Sci-Fi are almost impossible to get into without an ADR. I would call and make them, you can always cancel. Who wants to sit around for a couple of hours with a beeper waiting. Even with ADR lately you have a long wait.

When your there and you change your plans on certain days you can call and see whats available. I was there on a slow week in October and they were turning away people from most restaurants even for lunch.

The one thing I did notice was the long lines at the CS restaurants are not there anymore.

 

[LISAMWDW]

If you really want to dine at the specific restaurants, make the ADR's!
You can't "wing" it anymore with the dining plan popularity!

 

[my4kids]

If ya wanna eat anytime between 4 and 10 pm - Yes - ADR's definately needed.

 

[Karnak]

There is no way I would ever consider a visit to Walt Disney World resort without advance dinner reservations, no matter what time of the year I was planning to visit. If that's "regimentation," so be it. (I call it "planning," by the way.)

Enjoy.