Dining all booked!

[zippy99]

Well, after a last minute decision to do Disney in August (we normally plan a year in advance) we have just done our reservations.

DH wanted to try new places so aside from Cali Grill & Coral Reef we are trying all new restaurants:

Sci-fi
Nine Dragons
Liberty Tree
Yak & Yeti
La Hacienda

We have saved one resi for trying a boardwalk or dtd restaurant. Also DD wants to do Bubba Gumps & without a doubt we will do The Great Feast at the three broomsticks again - really enjoyed that last time. But with 5 nights on I- drive & 9 at Disney we will need to find a couple off offsite restaurants.

So excited we are going this year as we had planned to take a year off .....

 

[dixonsontour]

Glad you are sorted

 

[stephensmum]

Can you tell me about the Three Broomsticks Grand Feast?

 

[zippy99]

The Great Feast is for 4 people costing $49.99 and consists:

A massive (and I mean HUGE) bowl of Salad to start
4 X Corn on cob
Garlic & Rosemary Roast potato slices
Half a chicken each
Ribs
Vegetables - lovely green broccoli and carrots and red peppers

There was loads here - really enjoyed it! I thought great value for money (picture below is of the display one they put out in the queue)

 

[starrysky]

Sounds like you are well on your way to a great trip.

We love Sci Fi and its always our first meal of the trip. DH says it would not be the same if our first day was not lunch there.

I have the task of booking all our ADRs next week as the 4th of April is our 180 days. Hope I am as lucky as you and get what we want

 

[Disney Princesses LW]

where is the 3 broom sticks restaurant??

 

[disneymumuk]

Hi, I am new to the forum and just planning my disney trip. I hadn't thought much about dining, but looks like everybody is planning it much in advance. Is that really required? As this is my first trip, Can I not go there, look at a restaurant and try it out, rather than reserve it one year in advance? Are they really that booked?

Thanks!

 

[madmumof2]

Sounds like you are well on your way to a great trip.

We love Sci Fi and its always our first meal of the trip. DH says it would not be the same if our first day was not lunch there.

I have the task of booking all our ADRs next week as the 4th of April is our 180 days. Hope I am as lucky as you and get what we want

You'll be there when we are! My ADR window is the 14th

 

[wilma-bride]

Zippy, well done on getting your ADRs. I must admit, I cancelled a couple of ours a week or so ago and was struggling ot get the exact time/date I wanted at a couple of thers so you did well to get what you wanted.

We are trying Yak & Yeti (TS) for the first time this year and reappl ylooking forward to it.

Hi, I am new to the forum and just planning my disney trip. I hadn't thought much about dining, but looks like everybody is planning it much in advance. Is that really required? As this is my first trip, Can I not go there, look at a restaurant and try it out, rather than reserve it one year in advance? Are they really that booked?

Thanks!

Hi disneymum and to the DIS.

To be honest, it really depends when you are going, where you want to eat and how many in your party. If you are going during the free dining period, you may struggle to get walk-ups at some of the more popular restaurants (and even some of the less popular ones). If there are only a couple of you and you can be flexible, you will probably find it easier to get a table at some of the restaurants. Restaurants within the parks will no doubt be busier than those in resorts at lunchtimes. If you are going off-peak then, again, you will find it easier to get something at the last minute.

But, generally, in answer to your question, people do book up reservations in advance (not quite a year - you can book 180 days ahead) and most restaurant only hold a small number of tables (if any) for walk-ups. If there is a restaurant you really would like to eat at, you will always be better off making a reservation than waiting and hoping to get in on the day.

 

[disneymumuk]

Zippy, well done on getting your ADRs. I must admit, I cancelled a couple of ours a week or so ago and was struggling ot get the exact time/date I wanted at a couple of thers so you did well to get what you wanted.

We are trying Yak & Yeti (TS) for the first time this year and reappl ylooking forward to it.



Hi disneymum and to the DIS.

To be honest, it really depends when you are going, where you want to eat and how many in your party. If you are going during the free dining period, you may struggle to get walk-ups at some of the more popular restaurants (and even some of the less popular ones). If there are only a couple of you and you can be flexible, you will probably find it easier to get a table at some of the restaurants. Restaurants within the parks will no doubt be busier than those in resorts at lunchtimes. If you are going off-peak then, again, you will find it easier to get something at the last minute.

But, generally, in answer to your question, people do book up reservations in advance (not quite a year - you can book 180 days ahead) and most restaurant only hold a small number of tables (if any) for walk-ups. If there is a restaurant you really would like to eat at, you will always be better off making a reservation than waiting and hoping to get in on the day.

hmm..ok..Thanks for that info. I hate planning in advance for these stuff, but I guess I have to start it anyway... Thankyou also for the special 'welcome'

 

[BlondeViki]

Hi, I am new to the forum and just planning my disney trip. I hadn't thought much about dining, but looks like everybody is planning it much in advance. Is that really required? As this is my first trip, Can I not go there, look at a restaurant and try it out, rather than reserve it one year in advance? Are they really that booked?

Thanks!

Hi Disneymum!

I felt exactly the same when I heard about ADRs. I thought as I was going in September when it's a bit quieter, it wouldn't be necessary but my colleague who went in September last year without any ADRs said she really regretted it. They found it difficult to get walkups, when they were able to get them the wait was often lengthy (2.5 hours for TRex!).

They spent each morning of their trip at guest services getting them to check on cancellations and it wasn't much fun.

I don't mean to sound negative but if food is important to you while you're on holiday I really would recommend making a few bookings. At first I thought it was a bit of a pain and removed flexibility, but to be honest I've enjoyed doing it. I'm there for two weeks and have made reservations for about 16 meals. I figure we can always cancel if our plans change, but we have the peace of mind of knowing we have options!

Good luck sorting it out!

 

[disneymumuk]

Hi Disneymum!

I felt exactly the same when I heard about ADRs. I thought as I was going in September when it's a bit quieter, it wouldn't be necessary but my colleague who went in September last year without any ADRs said she really regretted it. They found it difficult to get walkups, when they were able to get them the wait was often lengthy (2.5 hours for TRex!).

They spent each morning of their trip at guest services getting them to check on cancellations and it wasn't much fun.

I don't mean to sound negative but if food is important to you while you're on holiday I really would recommend making a few bookings. At first I thought it was a bit of a pain and removed flexibility, but to be honest I've enjoyed doing it. I'm there for two weeks and have made reservations for about 16 meals. I figure we can always cancel if our plans change, but we have the peace of mind of knowing we have options!

Good luck sorting it out!

Thanks for the kind suggestion, Vicky. Yes, I suppose I have to figure it out now.
Don't mind the dumb question...What is ADR? I see it a lot in this forum, so I know it is accepted terminology..but me being new to all this...just coming up to terms with all disney terms

 

[dixonsontour]

Thanks for the kind suggestion, Vicky. Yes, I suppose I have to figure it out now.
Don't mind the dumb question...What is ADR? I see it a lot in this forum, so I know it is accepted terminology..but me being new to all this...just coming up to terms with all disney terms

Welcome to the DIS

ADR is a disney dining reservation.

Somepeople don't make any - preferring to eat away from disney or just have quick service food in the parks.

If you want a character meal or any of the popular disney options then it is recommended to make an adr - you can do this from 180 days out and can ring or do it online.

If you are on the disney dining plan (staying at a disney resort) then again it is recommended to book adr's.

If you need more info jump in and start a new thread - no silly questions on here

 

[zippy99]

Welcome Disneymumuk!!

When we first went to Disney we did not have the dining plan - my DH is one who likes to be spontaneous and never liked the idea of booking all your meals etc.. In fact we made one reservation for the Lilo & Stitch Breakfast

Our second trip we had the quick service plan and made the decision to book a couple of Table Service meals and pay OOP - so i think we made 4 reservations.

It was not till our third trip we really got into all the planning! It actually becomes just as much fun as the holiday itself - and certainly keeps you going during the countdown. I know it seems overwhelming - I use to come on here and think people were mad planning where they were each day, what they were eating.....and slowly without realising I became one of them!!

If you have the free dining it is worth booking some table service restaurants - especially the popular ones. Are you going as a family group, couple, young kids, old kids.... I am sure knowing your party make-up will enable others on here to recommend some good restaurants!

Happy Planning!! (it's really not that bad once you get into it!)

 

[starrysky]

You'll be there when we are! My ADR window is the 14th

Its crazy how fast its coming round though. As a heads up the october hours are up on the Disney site. Looks like my rough plan is going to work perfectly.

With Citricos to be able to see Hallowishes from the GF and on our last night Dinner at Cali Grill to see normal Wishes from there.

DH is mostly looking at me like I am going mad because I keep looking at my list and looking at the computer and muttering. If I left it to him we would not get anything booked.