Are ADRs really necessary late October?

[wilma-bride]

OK, so we are going 10th to 24th October and don't really want to make ADRs as it ties us down too much to being in a certain park/area on a certain day. We are staying off-site so a lot of our plans to eat in the parks will be impulsive.

We aren't bothered about any character meals but DH wants to eat at Sci-Fi one day and we want to do RFC at AK.

Can we really manage without ADRs or am I better making ADRs just for those 2 places and working round that?

 

[Bob P]

There are certain restaurants you will definitely need ADRs for, no matter the time of year. Sci-Fi is certainly one.

Why not make ADRs anyway? Thay are free (in 99% of the cases) and you can always cancel or change them later.

 

[oybolshoi]

I completely understand where you are coming from - I feel the same way. But just to offer you some perspective...

My family and I (DH, my parents, and me) are going to be at WDW October 18-28...I went ahead and made ADRs for every place we wanted to have dinner and would you believe in some instances there were only 2 or 3 time slots available for me to chose from? At 180 days out...I know it's a busy time of year with the F&W festival but I was still shocked because I really felt like I was over-planning (and I love to plan).

If there is some place that you really want to go to I suggest making the reservation now - you can always cancel it later if you change your mind or if it conflicts with your schedule.

 

[Mouse511]

We usually visit WDW in late October. I've noticed on our last couple trips that the crowd levels seem to increase each visit. I would recommend making ADR's for the more popular restaurants. I know Crystal Palace is always busy, this is a restaurant that we always make an ADR.

 

[pigletforever]

We are going to be there from the 14th to the 22 of October. When I called to makeADR's at the 180 days I was surprised that at 2 restaruants I got the last spot for the evening. I was there 10 years ago and never had a problem walking in and eating where we wanted. I am glad I found this board or we would have been in a world of hurt in October. We are traveling with another family and I can't convicne her to make ADR's and I have a feeling after reading here and on other boards the other family is going to be disappointed when they get there.

 

[Lindy Loo]

Last year we made ADRS and kept most of them ( canceled the ones we didnt use) our friends didnt make any, and were REALLY MIFFED when they missed out on 4 of the 5 places they wanted to eat.


They MOANED about Disney not planning enough!!! HELLO, I said,its you not planning enough!!! This year, guess who made ALL their ADRS exactly 180 +10 days out ????????????????????

 

[lillygator]

we always visit late October as DD's birthday is Halloween, and yes, I would make ADR's if there is a particular restaurant you would like to dine - otherwise you may be eating counter service of offsite the entire stay. I make our Oct ADR's this week!!

 

[crisi]

Food and Wine in Epcot. If you want to sit down in Epcot, make a reservation.

We've never seen anyone walk into a table at Sci Fi. I'm sure it happens - and normally go in October.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'll be on the phone tomorrow morning making my ADRs for Oct. I like to have a table service meal every day, just to be on the safe side. So, I make those ADRs even if there is a chance I won't use them. But, if you do make them and then decide not to use them, don't forget to call and cancel them.