Can you get by without ADRs in Oct?

[LucyR]

The last time we went to WDW was 5 years ago and 12 years ago, both in October. We pretty much just ate TS meals whenever we felt like it, sometimes with a short, maybe 20-30 min wait. Not always our first choice, but there was always something else available nearby. Once or twice we called first thing in the morning for an ADR (they called 'em Priority Seating then) if there was a particular place we wanted (e.g. Coral Reef). We don't really need to go to the most expensive, exclusive joints.

We'll be there Oct 16-23, do you think we'll find similar conditions? I wasn't worried about being able to eat a nice sit-down dinner when the urge strikes, but after lurking around here seeing all the people getting ADR's weeks in advance, I'm getting anxious. Specifically, I'm worried about getting a character breakfast at O'hana - just one any day we're there.

TIA

 

[Allison]

Things have changed a lot since them-namely the advent of the dining plan. If something is important to you, you need to make ADR's.

People don't just make ADR's weeks in advance-they make them 6 months in advance.

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

There was no dining plan the last time you went. The dining plan has made a HUGE difference in availability of sit-down restaurants. Even in the least busy seasons the sit-down restaurants are pretty crowded. And the most popular ones are booked solid. Not only that, people can now make ADRs six months in advance.

I'd advise you to make an ADR for any restaurants you have your heart set on trying.

 

[blue_eyes5212]

My last trip I had an ADR for Sci-Fi and the CM's that you check in with were saying "We are booked for the whole week, If you do not have a ressie then you have to leave" I was so glad that my ADR's were made!! And Sci-Fi is probably not as in demand as places like Le Cellier and Boma!! I would at least make ADR's for your must do's!!!

 

[Lindy Loo]

To get a character meal, I would get on the phone NOW!!!! We booked ours 6 months ago for 7th to 28th Oct, and we almost always got what we wanted, but then I called fro the UK, about every 3 days or so, as the 6 month mark went past. for Le Cellier, i called exactly on the day, 6 months out.

Get on the phone, and book what you can, at least that why you will have them. You can always cancel.

 

[Magickndm]

Before the free dining plan it was possible to squeeze in a walk up for some restaurants, now...sorry to say, no way.
I used to be able to call and get into Boma on a days notice, but not any more. I tried calling yesterday for a reservation for Sunday, earliest they could get us in was at 9:20 p.m.

 

[LucyR]

Oh my gosh - I had no idea. I feel like such an idiot now. I just figured those making so many advance plans were traveling at busier times than me. Will be on the phone shortly so cross your fingers for me.

 

[LucyR]

Okay, that wasn't so bad. Got an 8:30 ADR at 'Ohana on the 18th with no fuss at all. Seemed like I could have had my choice of days and times, but I basically took the first available one. Maybe breakfasts are easier to get? Now I'm trying to decide if I should try to get a couple dinner ADR's. Hubby is pretty adamant about staying flexible. (I'll be secretly smiling 'I-told-you-so' at him if he's sick and tired of burgers by the time we get home.)

 

[TikiGoddess]

I would make the ADRs- you can always cancel them if your plans change. We were there last Oct and they were turning away people right and left. All the boards in the parks said that the TS were full. I too was glad to have made reservations.

 

[fws]

We're going to be there at exactly the same time as you. I booked most of ours about 6 weeks ago and got exactly what we wanted. I've since been fine-tuning and also got what we wanted every time (apart from Le Cellier). It's obviously reasonably quiet, but even so, get them booked if there is anything special - the glow of being able to say "I told you so" is very tempting (I know, I do it all the time), but not half as good as having a great meal!

 

[Pooh Crew]

May I pile onto what everyone else has said? You definitely need ADR's in October. We went last year and I had all my dining ressies done except for one night. That night, we waited over two hours for a table--and were lucky to get one at all because they were turning people away left and right. Many of the places we ate at were telling people that they had no availability at all for the entire week. Good luck!


...now go get back on that phone!!!

 

[karrit2000]

The breakfast ADR's are much easier to get than dinner. Another thing no one has mentioned yet is that your dates are smack in the middle of the Food & Wine Festival. This makes getting last minute reservations in EPCOT impossible. If you want MK any of the nights of the Halloween Parties it will be difficult also. Try to Book a few dinners now. It will give you a good idea of how difficult it may become the closer you get to your trip.

 

[PinGirl]

I would make the ADRs- you can always cancel them if your plans change. We were there last Oct and they were turning away people right and left. All the boards in the parks said that the TS were full. I too was glad to have made reservations.

We wil be there Oct 13-21. I booked the ADR's and figured if plans change - we can always cancel.

 

[whogirl'smom]

I just made the last of our dinner ADRs on Saturday, for our trip Oct.7-14, and got what I requested, even Rose and Crown at 7:50pm so we can watch Illuminations from there. I think you can still get some good places, so don't worry, just call!

 

[ZoZo]

I agree with everyone else - make your ADRs now! You can always cancel them later if you want to change your schedule, but you'll be happy you have them (otherwise, you'll be stuck with only CS places).

We went for a week in October 2005. Made ADRs at several restaurants, and boy, are we glad we did! We tried to get into Le Cellier for dinner one night (stopped by early that morning to try to get a dinner reservation) and felt very lucky to get an 9:15 p.m. reservation. I hate eating that late when you get up early to go to the parks!

I try to think of ADRs as a "necessary evil" -- you certainly don't have to make any, if you'd rather be flexible, but you won't be able to get in anywhere when you're ready to decide what to do!

My mantra: Plan ahead, plan ahead, plan ahead! You won't be sorry.

 

[BTown]

You'll need ADR's. With all the people on the Dining Plan, plus all the people that double and triple book, it's becoming incresingly more difficult to get seats in any resturant without an advance booking.

 

[Laura_Lewis]

If there is anywhere you think you would really want to go for dinner I would strongly suggest ADRs. Mine are all made for our February trip. We learned our lesson last December, we were there early in the month. No wait time for attractions, but since the dining plan, I couldn't get into a couple of the places we decided to eat at after we got down there.