Better to overplan or underplan?

[Neesy228]

Alright, so we're going during Free Dining...for 10 nights. I have 6 ADR's and I was going to leave the other few days open. Now, I'm starting to worry that I may be short-changing myself. Well, actually I'm worried that we'll run out of CS meals and have to pay OOP for things.

Do you think it's better to make the ADR's and cancel them if we chose not to use them or better to just fly by the seat of our pants?

I've read that the past couple of years, during Free Dining, you've been able to swap TS for CS+snack credits. Is that true? With our kids, I'd rather have a couple more CS's because it's quicker, easier and back to the parks! (Which is why I didn't make more ADR's to begin with.)

Did any of that make sense?

Any opinions? I just don't know what to do...Thanks!

 

[kbtennant]

I would definitely make them ahead of time that way you have something. Easier to cancel then have nothing set up.

 

[stopher1]

Alright, so we're going during Free Dining...for 10 nights. I have 6 ADR's and I was going to leave the other few days open. Now, I'm starting to worry that I may be short-changing myself. Well, actually I'm worried that we'll run out of CS meals and have to pay OOP for things.

Do you think it's better to make the ADR's and cancel them if we chose not to use them or better to just fly by the seat of our pants?

I've read that the past couple of years, during Free Dining, you've been able to swap TS for CS+snack credits. Is that true? With our kids, I'd rather have a couple more CS's because it's quicker, easier and back to the parks! (Which is why I didn't make more ADR's to begin with.)

I would say, especially during Free Dining, it's better to have plenty of ADR's made and cancel if you need to...since getting into a TS later on will NOT be easy to do. Last year we were there during FD, and were not able to exchange downward, but we were able to the year before. We also tried to change a TS choice while on property (switch out one existing ADR for a different restaurant), and the only time available was 3 hrs later than our original ADR time at the original restaurant - needless to say we didn't change and just kept the original plan in place.

In this case I'd say it's better to have all 10 ts ressies and cancel at the last minute than be shut-out when you get there.

 

[jaymdubbs]

for what its worth, in june ill be going on my first disney trip financed by myself (im 24) and I ended up making all my ADRs for 4 nights - i sat down with my girlfriend to look at all the menus and the timing of everything and she is looking forward to trying all the different types of food

planning on certain times is a little restricting, but the thought of eating out every night is exciting to her by itself (shes a very spontaneous girl, but cant wait for the dining)

 

[Esmerelda]

with Disney...definitely "overplan".....

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Overplan! with your remaining credits maybe book 2 signature restaurants or maybe 2 buffets and a signature to maximize the remaining credits that you dont know what to do with! But we don't know if we'll make all of our 10 ADRs for Free Dining , however we have them booked and if we can't make them will call and cancel when we are down there. Its nice to have the option to go.. well we had a long day atthe park I'm really not hungry so maybe I'll get a snack from the resort and cancel my ADR for blah blah! Then you can always try to use the remaining TS at a place like Big River Brewing or Beaches and Cream that don't take ADRs!

 

[suzimar57]

overplan - better to have an ADR made and cancel, than none - especially during free dining...

 

[disnut8]

It's up to you. Do you want to have a dining reservation every day you are there? You know how many credits you have and how your family eats.

Not to be snarky but this is why I don't do the Dining Plan. WAY too much emphasis on the second word.

 

[Wendy5055]

I truly believe that the decision is ultimately yours. However, I would like to say that I will never go to WDW with my family and not plan at least the ADR's for dinner.

Free Dining compounds the fact that the Table Service restaurants will be filled and you will be turned away if you do not have an ADR.

I would do what you want and realize that you will be there during an extremely busy promotion (Free Dining!!!).

I personally wouldn't want to have the decision made for me (being turned away from TS Rest. and HAVING to eat at CS) by not making my own decision prior to my trip.

Best of Luck with your decision!!!

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

I would definitely make them ahead of time that way you have something. Easier to cancel then have nothing set up.

For sure!!

 

[MickeyNicki]

It is best to overplan...I always do!

 

[kimberh]

If you leave days open, you will not find a place to eat. The lines at the restaurants are staggering. Overplan and then cancel if you have to.

 

[momandseandodisney]

I would say, especially during Free Dining, it's better to have plenty of ADR's made and cancel if you need to...since getting into a TS later on will NOT be easy to do. Last year we were there during FD, and were not able to exchange downward, but we were able to the year before. We also tried to change a TS choice while on property (switch out one existing ADR for a different restaurant), and the only time available was 3 hrs later than our original ADR time at the original restaurant - needless to say we didn't change and just kept the original plan in place.

In this case I'd say it's better to have all 10 ts ressies and cancel at the last minute than be shut-out when you get there.

For sure!

 

[ZoZo]

Definitely, definitely plan ahead! You can always cancel something if you change your mind, but you can't make ADRs appear magically out of thin air if everything is booked up!