Crazy inlaws...no ADR's made for free dining...

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

i was trying to do last min.trip next week. we go by amtrak train cause i do not fly. we usually go in aug. but have not been during free dining. we noticed the summer with fairy tale pkg it was busier. but my silly question is do you think it will be so packed that itl be hard to get one or two sit down., we usually do just the hotel for breakfast,then we play it by what ever we want to eat. i actually have until tomorrow to decide if me and husband are going or not, my father in law is in nursing home,but is very very ill . so im feeling guilty ,and thinking we should not go. i really really needed this break..........but we are not sure if we should chance it. sorry for babbling , but i know it will be busy, but to packed that without res. should we wait and not go??????????

 

[kimberh]

I actually had a Disney CM call me last week because my ADR's were not showing up with my reservation for the free dining. She said, it was not smart to come without the ADR's. We rechecked everything and mine were there. Today, I added 3 days onto our trip and had to pay for the DDP for the 3 days. I didn't have a problem with the restaurants that I wanted to add. They were on the Boardwalk or at Epcot but I got them and had a choice of times. Magic Kingdom and MGM is where I think the problem would be.

 

[HaleyB]

She is 35 weeks and going to WDW. I don't think the lack of ADR's is what is going to cause her not to enjoy the trip.

However what I know is, Disney extended hours at several places for Free Dining time period... which they would only do if they HAD to, IMHO.

Last year there were signs up at the MK saying that there were no more openings at any TS for any meal in the park at opening. I saw them myself twice during the last week of free dining.

Odds are that they will be able to find an opening, but not always where they want or when they want.

Last of all, for one of 'us' the unplanned trip sounds like a horror, but to someone who knows no better it might be a fantastic trip. I have a friend who would not listen to me or let me help her plan the trip. She went very last minute and had no ADR's. Paid for the Dining plan for 4 adults and a child. Also stayed at the Beach Club at rake rates... They ended up burning credits at 2TS places because that is where they could get in, and they GAVE UP on riding most of the headliners because of the lines. Except for the ONE they used their fastpass for each day I about died when she said that (no I did not tell her you can get more than one a day). After all that, she said she loved WDW and had a wonderful time!!!

 

[sherreis]

I wish them luck. I think it would be nice if you did spread a little pixie dust their way and make them some ADRs just in case.

As a Labor & Delivery nurse, I just can't believe she would go to DW when 35 weeks pregnant and that far from home. That is a lot of walking in the heat.

 

[BillSears]

That's funny, I thought about doing that! They'd never call and check in though for me to tell them. I hope I'm wrong and they can find some places to eat and have fun...that is part of the experience!

I called to confirm my ADRs today and while I was on the phone I was told that I'd get a listing of them when I checked in at the hotel. If you make them under thier phone number I'd guess they'd get a list.

But it's abit tricky and they might not appreciate it. On the other hand by the 3rd or 4th day they might think you're a lifesaver.

 

[Tiffer]

My sil and bil are flying w/ 2 kids for their 1st ever trip to WDW in early Sept. I've tried and tried to impress up on them that it's during free dinign and they MUST make ADR's. I talked to her the other day, she asked if we were set for our Dec. trip (of course) and if that meant we had all of our ADR's (of course)...I asked if she did and the ONLY one they've made is for CRT for breakfast. Do they want to eat while they are there?

To top if off, she will be 35 wks pg w/ #3 and it is going to be HOT and humid there. They are nuts. We tried to get them to go w/ us in Dec. b/c it will be us and daughter, our inlaws (grandparents to the kids) and a nephew...we are all close family and would be a huge help to them with a then 7 wk old. Nope, taking the baby sounded more miserable to them then flying down hugely pg w/ NO dining plans made.

Think they'll ever go back? I doubt it. I'm so frustrated with them!

Scr#w em. Don't waste another brain cell on them or another key stroke and if they ever did go with you, their lack of preparation would put all of the planning on your shoulders and it would drive you mad. Everything happens for a reason ans if they are turned off to WDW, it is a blessing in disguise.

 

[n2mm]

We went last year during the free dining and now going this year. This year appears to be much more popular than last year. Last year we watched at every restraurant we ate at that people were turned away. My kids thought I was nuts and CD for making all of the ADRs, after they saw folks being turned away at (CRT-dinner, twice, LeCellier, Kona Cafe-twice, Concourse SH, 50s PrimeTime), my kids (all adults) turned to me and said "thanks mom". They knew there was no way we would have gotten in at any of these places without me making ADRs prior to arriving, especially since we were a party of 8. I am a firm believer of ADRs and would never go to WDW without them. We only go during the slower times of year 4-5 trips a year (Feb/May/Aug/Oct).

To the OP: we too have friends who refuse to make ADRs and then end up eating CS everytime. Mostly they all complain to us how expensive WDW is and that makes me nuts too. I believe eating at the restraurants adds to the enjoyment of your trip and is a nice relaxing way to end each day.

 

[IwannaseeMickey]

As a Labor & Delivery nurse, I just can't believe she would go to DW when 35 weeks pregnant and that far from home. That is a lot of walking in the heat.

So you know...did you see the part where I said she is an OB? So she knows too! I"m sure she'll be fine...I doubt the walking will put her in hard labor there, but I bet the baby comes on time or early! (Her other 2 were late.)

I'm going to just leave it up to them...I feel better after so many people have said they've had no trouble. After all, it really is none of my business, right?

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Try not to worry. They'll eat while they're on vacation.

Back a few years ago during a May trip, a CM asked if I'd wanted to make any PS's. I'd never, ever had to do that in the past and always enjoyed my WDW vacations (I'm only a couple hours away and go many times throughout the year). Well, we went and were pretty much stuck with counter service our entire trip. Suddenly dining at Disney had become a must-do for people. But you know what? There is very good food off Disney property! Like a mile away. Is someone going to have a car? If so, eat breakfast at the hotel, grab a turkey leg or something for lunch at the parks, and if there's no nice restaurant where y'all can get a seat for dinner, hop in your car and get yourselves some grub

 

[pyrxtc]

my DH thought I was crazy with all my planning but this time he made sure I already had everything planned. he said he couldn't believe how much we did last time cuz it was all planned and wants to see just as much this time.

Just yesterday he asked me if we were getting to AK early so we could do one of the first rides on KS to see the animals. I said well we had a 8 am at DB but since the park has EMH starting at 8, I changed it to 10 so we could do some stuff before breakfast. I didn't tell him that the day before, we would be doing the Sunrise Safari with breakfast at Tusker House. I know he is going to love it!!

 

[disneyfan19712006]

I was thinking the same thing. Airlines do NOT allow you to travel past a certain point in your pregnancy, and I'm fairly certain 35 weeks is past that point. Maybe they need to rethink their timing.

It would be a shame to get to the airport and not be able to board the plane and lose the airfare, disappoint the other kids, and have to cancel your vacation. Better check with the airlienes I think the cut off is like 7 months which is about 29 weeks. Unless her Dr had okay'd it and they they still may not let her fly. What would happen if she went in labor early.