Are ADRs really, really necessary?

[Mississippianna]

I'm going the last week in Feb with my husband and our 18-month old daughter, and my mom. So, we're not a huge group. I just don't want to feel locked into what we're doing for dinner each night, since the little one can be unpredictable. When we do go out, we'll go for an early dinner each night, around 5.

So far, my plan is to make reservations just for 'Ohana dinner one night, and CP breakfast one morning. Other than that, do you think we can walk in most places for dinner, or call for a res the same day, if we're going at 5? I'm excited about trying Coral Reef this trip, but I don't want to get us locked in to going on a particular day. I'd kind of like to be more relaxed and not plan every day on this trip.

 

[Lmichele]

If you know you want to eat at Coral Reef then I would book an ADR. It is possible to go to WDW with no ADRs, but don't expect to eat at the restaurants you want to. Expect to eat at restaurants that have room.....which in most cases will be counter service.

5:00 is the start of prime dinner time, you may have a better chance at walk ups for lunch....not dinner.

JMO

 

[burberryplaid]

Even with a small group, if you know you want to eat somewhere book it. You won't have a problem finding somewhere to eat, but it may not be your first or second or third choice if you don't book now.

 

[traci]

For Coral Reef I would make an ADR. Make a couple on different days and cancel one as it approaches. We were there in October and we had a a small handful of last minute spots...but those were for Kona dinner, Tokyo Dining dinner and a really later dinner ADR at Narcoosees.

 

[savvy?71]

A few things come to mind~

*how important a certain meal/experience is for you/family
*time of year/events taking place
*time of day (peak eating hours)

Back in April, a CM outside of CRT hinted to my husband to come back first thing in the morning as a walk-in for the castle breakfast (no promises, of course). We bolted to the castle, and with just a 20 minute wait, we were inside. Every cm there told us that it was raining pixie dust for us that morning and that would probably never, ever, happen again (there, at least)

We know how lucky we were, and don't expect that to happen at the most popular restaurants/character meals.

That said, I am a little like you in that I like to 'wing it' ( I am rather commitment-phobic); I won't be devastated if we don't get in somewhere, but I like the spontaneity of stumbling upon a walk -in TS restaurant.

If you keep your expectations reasonable, have a couple ADRs to make up for any let downs, then you should be fine.

 

[mousehouselover]

DH and I went in the middle of Jan '07 and there were several spots that didn't have openings for walk ups. We had hoped to get into a few places early; Coral Reef was able to accomodate us (DSis and BIL joined us unexpectedly, we got there an hour earlier than anticipated arund noon)LeCellier couldn't get us in before our scheduled time. Like PP said, if you really want to do something, make the ADR and try to work it out with the baby's needs.

 

[Hopefully]

My rule of thumb is "If I want to eat at a particular restaurant at a particular time of day Make an ADR"
You are looking at walking up to a popular restaurant at a popular meal time (Coral Reef). Remember you are surrounded by families with young children who also want to eat dinner early. It is possible, but not likely, that they will be able to seat you.
The reality now is that most popular, theme park restaurants book to capacity in advance. Very few walk ups are ever taken.
I agree witht he others, you will not go hungry, but last minute planning will likely result in availability at out of the way places at inconvenient times.
Good Luck

 

[Brian Noble]

If you are willing to be flexible---including possibly having to travel to a place for dinner, and/or eating CS for dinner from time to time---you could certainly get by without ADRs. We do this often, but we are also fine with eating at places that are not quite as in-demand.

For example, you might find that, rather than eating dinner in the Magic Kingdom, that you'll have to dine at the Grand Floridian Cafe instead.

But, before you try to walk up anywhere, always either call WDW-DINE from your cell phone, to see what might be available.

 

[Lynne M]

Yeah, they are necessary, and the size of your group doesn't matter. I don't like to make them either, but after the trip where I got turned away from just about every TS place I tried, I make the ADRs.

Coral Reef is going to be difficult to impossible as a walk-up. I've had trouble getting reservations there 4 months in advance. Same goes for nearly any restaurant in a theme park.

Make the ADRs now, while there's still availability. If the little one isn't having a restaurant-friendly day, you can always cancel, and you can always try to adjust your ADRs after you get there, or even the same day.

While it's often possible to get same-day ADRs, they may not be at a time that works for your family, or in a location anywhere near where you planned to be that day. So it's not really a good idea to wait that long.

 

[Mississippianna]

Alright, I did it. A went with two breakfast ADRs (CP and CRT) and dinner on 3 of our 7 nights.

 

[ElizabethB]

Yes, unless you're going to eat only at Signature Restaurants (other than California Grill for which you also need an ADR or you'll never get in.)

 

[Csaks]

We found that if the restaurant is not on the DDP you can walk up like anywhere else.

 

[buckirj1]

Well, for that many people (and 4 is a pretty big party as far as I'm concerned), and as early as you want to eat (when all the other folks with children want to eat)...I think you'll need to make an ADR. I empathize, I don't like to make 'em, either.

 

[LovinPooh]

I have made ADRs. I dont like the feel of I have to be somewhere either. But I am sure glad I did. I called to get ressies at Tusker House and got the last table for the time I wanted. You just never know....

congrats on your ADRs OP!