Are Reservations a mst??

[harley090104]

We are going to Disney Aug 6-13. DH wants this to be a relaxing vacation. This is our first time staying on property and our first dining plan. I know that with the character dining, dinner shows, and extremly popluar rest. you must make a reservation and that is fine but here is my problem. We are going with a 6 year old and my DH wants the freedom to eat when he wants to and not be tied down to a certian park because of dinner reservations. (We are not doing park hopper) He says what if we are having fun and not want to go all the way across the park for a dinner reservation...especially if we are not hungry. So if I make reservations for the thinks I absolutly want to go to do you think I have a chance to get into any rest. without a reservation? I will have 5 of my sit down meals planned. (Royal Table, HDD, and b-fast at animal kingdom.) So I only have 2 more table services and i just thought maybe we could go to Downtown Disney and eat dinner down there or maybe be able to get into trails end. (We are staying at ft. Wilderness) I just don't want to waste 2 table services because my DH wants me not to plan everything. What do some of you seasoned pros think?

 

[figment_jii]

It largely depends on crowds, timing, etc. My guess says there are walk-ups available (with the exception of the popular spots) as long as you aren't to fussy about where you eat or when you eat (better luck probably at off times). Generally, in-park restaurants are harder to get into than resort restaurants, so if you're interested in eating outside the park you might have better luck.

If you have a smartphone or an interest connection you can try looking up ADRs on the day to see what is available (and when). I think the window is for two hours from the time you're looking (so if you looking at 11 am, the earliest times you'd see are for 1 pm).

You could make ADR's for the last two TS and then if you decide they aren't at the right time/place, cancel. As long as it's not a CC gaurenteed ADR, there is no penalty for cancelling at the last minute. At least this way, you'll know you have something lined up.

 

[TDC Nala]

Will the parks be busy when you are visiting, and do you know where you want to eat? Are you willing to walk around until you find a restaurant that will seat you?

Yesterday, San Angel Inn (which is not a hugely popular restaurant) was turning away anyone who did not have a reservation at lunch. Doesn't happen all the time but it does happen.

If you are on the dining plan I would suggest reservations - you may have to decide if you want to have a reservation or if you want to risk not being able to get into a restaurant where you can spend your credits.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you are on the dining plan you really should make ADRs for all of your meals. If you don't and are unable to find a place to eat, Disney will not refund you for your unused credits.

 

[Nadjalu]

Here is what I say to everyone that thinks having 1 adr per day a hassle....

The scenario, you are in MK and it is around 5pm. Your family is starting to hear the rumbles in the tummy and you decide "hey Crystal Palace" looks good, let's eat there".
They tell you sorry no availability, as they are booked.
So now what...you could either run around MK looking for a TS place with availability or head to guest relations. Guest relations, that is easier, besides if CP is booked the next one may be too.

So you are told at Guest Relations that all TS restaurants in MK are booked, sorry they can find you an adr for San Angel Inn at Epcot. (what if you don't have hoppers???)
Or "ewe...mexican food, I don't want that". So the Cm looks for something else......
You say "oh wait, I heard great things about Kona, what about there?".
Ma'am you are in luck they have an opening at 8:45pm.
WHAT??? It is only 5 now, the kids are starving and to wait another 3+hours???
So the CM finds you a ressie at Boma for 6pm. Great, now you pack the kids up and head to AKL. You have lost time in the park searching for a TS place to eat, are now going all the way across property to eat and by the time you are done the park is closed....you head to your resort. Which you have to transfer at a park, because the buses don't run from resort to resort.

Is that relaxing???

Ok, yes I agree that may or may not all happen. It may seem a bit extreme, but here is the fact. It can happen, so why chance it???

I am all about a relaxing vacation (who isn't...well the commandos of course, God bless them, they do give great tips), and I don't plan my whole days at WDW. But you can believe that I do my adrs at 180 days or as close as I can. I say, it is 1 meal each day, just pick the time you usually eat at and the place you would like to eat (look at the menus and pick together) and be done.

Viola, you have your meal planned, you won't get left with the scenario above and you STILL are relaxing on vacation!! Tada!!

Have a great trip!!

 

[Debbie Jean]

Here is what I say to everyone that thinks having 1 adr per day a hassle....

The scenario, you are in MK and it is around 5pm. Your family is starting to hear the rumbles in the tummy and you decide "hey Crystal Palace" looks good, let's eat there".
They tell you sorry no availability, as they are booked.
So now what...you could either run around MK looking for a TS place with availability or head to guest relations. Guest relations, that is easier, besides if CP is booked the next one may be too.

So you are told at Guest Relations that all TS restaurants in MK are booked, sorry they can find you an adr for San Angel Inn at Epcot. (what if you don't have hoppers???)
Or "ewe...mexican food, I don't want that". So the Cm looks for something else......
You say "oh wait, I heard great things about Kona, what about there?".
Ma'am you are in luck they have an opening at 8:45pm.
WHAT??? It is only 5 now, the kids are starving and to wait another 3+hours???
So the CM finds you a ressie at Boma for 6pm. Great, now you pack the kids up and head to AKL. You have lost time in the park searching for a TS place to eat, are now going all the way across property to eat and by the time you are done the park is closed....you head to your resort. Which you have to transfer at a park, because the buses don't run from resort to resort.

Is that relaxing???

Ok, yes I agree that may or may not all happen. It may seem a bit extreme, but here is the fact. It can happen, so why chance it???

I am all about a relaxing vacation (who isn't...well the commandos of course, God bless them, they do give great tips), and I don't plan my whole days at WDW. But you can believe that I do my adrs at 180 days or as close as I can. I say, it is 1 meal each day, just pick the time you usually eat at and the place you would like to eat (look at the menus and pick together) and be done.

Viola, you have your meal planned, you won't get left with the scenario above and you STILL are relaxing on vacation!! Tada!!

Have a great trip!!

I agree. It may not happen... but it could. So the question is how lucky do you feel?

You lose nothing by having the reservations. If you change your mind on any particular day and there is something open that you find meets your needs better, you can always cancel the reservation. But this way you know that you at least have a place to eat if nothing is open.

 

[mcd2745]

We are going to Disney Aug 6-13. DH wants this to be a relaxing vacation. This is our first time staying on property and our first dining plan. I know that with the character dining, dinner shows, and extremly popluar rest. you must make a reservation and that is fine but here is my problem. We are going with a 6 year old and my DH wants the freedom to eat when he wants to and not be tied down to a certian park because of dinner reservations. (We are not doing park hopper) He says what if we are having fun and not want to go all the way across the park for a dinner reservation...especially if we are not hungry. So if I make reservations for the thinks I absolutly want to go to do you think I have a chance to get into any rest. without a reservation? I will have 5 of my sit down meals planned. (Royal Table, HDD, and b-fast at animal kingdom.) So I only have 2 more table services and i just thought maybe we could go to Downtown Disney and eat dinner down there or maybe be able to get into trails end. (We are staying at ft. Wilderness) I just don't want to waste 2 table services because my DH wants me not to plan everything. What do some of you seasoned pros think?

Are reservations a must? Only if you want to eat.

Seriously, I would love to be flexible and decide where and when to eat on that day as well, but that is just not feasible. The idea of having to have a lot of your plans practically etched in stone 6 months out is something I hate, but you have to accept it as there is no way around it. The senario the PP laid out is quite possible. You would have to be willing to eat anything, anywhere and willing to take (potentially a lot of) time out of your day to get from point A to point B and back. That, and expect to end up eating at Marrakesh most of the time.

 

[phabric]

You are going the last week of free dining with the PIN discount. The TS restaurants will probablly be crowd.

I would recommend making reservations. See what the park hours are and plan your visits to the parks around that. That is what I have done, we go Aug 21-27.

 

[harley090104]

You are going the last week of free dining with the PIN discount. The TS restaurants will probablly be crowd.

I would recommend making reservations. See what the park hours are and plan your visits to the parks around that. That is what I have done, we go Aug 21-27.

Free Dining??? Am I missing something? I don't have free dining. Should I call and find out about this?

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I guess I will go ahead and make reservations.

 

[phabric]

Free Dining??? Am I missing something? I don't have free dining. Should I call and find out about this?

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I guess I will go ahead and make reservations.

Some people are receiving through email or regular mail or by calling in a PIN number that gives them free dining until August 13 with certain requirements. Free dining is not open to the general people just the people that receive this PIN code.

Call Disney and ask if you have a PIN attached to your name. If there is, they will adjust your reservation.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Free Dining??? Am I missing something? I don't have free dining. Should I call and find out about this?

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I guess I will go ahead and make reservations.

From time to time Disney offers free dining as a promotion to the general public. There is currently no offer available. Instead Disney has been distributing pin codes to potential guests as an enticement to book a trip. Some people have gotten email or snail mail notices, while others have called Disney to find out whether any pin codes were attached to their name.

Free dining has several requirements, however, so it may not be the best price in the end. You must pay full rack rate for your room and purchase park tickets. Depending on other discounts being offered and how many are traveling in your group, this may or may not be a bargain.

There are currently no promotions for the beginning of August,however, that is not to say Disney won't release any. Keep your eye on the website... and the DIS since offers almost always find their way here first ... you can always rebook to take advantage of any special pricing or promotions if happen to come along.