Dining Reservations during Food & Wine

[minniecarousel]

I'm not getting a lot of support regarding ADRs for our October trip. We plan to eat & drink through Epcot a couple of days. I erroneaously made an ADR on the day we arrive at Le Cellier (I meant to make a lunch ressie on my birthday!) DH thinks we'll be just fine - I keep telling him that if we don't make ADRs, we won't be eating in sit-down restaurants. We're going with our only-mildly Disney enthusiast son & DDIL. (our older DS & DDIL are the Disney nuts).

So, the question is: when you go during F&W, is it just as satisfying to nosh at all the kiosks when you're in Epcot? And since we can't get into LeCellier, I'm rethinking my birthday & going to MNNSHP instead.

Will we regret not having ADRs all over WDW?

 

[scottny]

I'm not getting a lot of support regarding ADRs for our October trip. We plan to eat & drink through Epcot a couple of days. I erroneaously made an ADR on the day we arrive at Le Cellier (I meant to make a lunch ressie on my birthday!) DH thinks we'll be just fine - I keep telling him that if we don't make ADRs, we won't be eating in sit-down restaurants. We're going with our only-mildly Disney enthusiast son & DDIL. (our older DS & DDIL are the Disney nuts).

So, the question is: when you go during F&W, is it just as satisfying to nosh at all the kiosks when you're in Epcot? And since we can't get into LeCellier, I'm rethinking my birthday & going to MNNSHP instead.

Will we regret not having ADRs all over WDW?

We are going down then but we are also doing the deluxe dining. I find the kiosks nice but not really what I call a meal. I prefer the liquid beverages better.

I know many people who go just for the kiosks and they really enjoy it.

I do not think you will regret it and while your there you could ask the concierge at your hotel to see if anything is open at a restaurant you would like.

 

[itchin2go]

I'm not getting a lot of support regarding ADRs for our October trip. We plan to eat & drink through Epcot a couple of days. I erroneaously made an ADR on the day we arrive at Le Cellier (I meant to make a lunch ressie on my birthday!) DH thinks we'll be just fine - I keep telling him that if we don't make ADRs, we won't be eating in sit-down restaurants. We're going with our only-mildly Disney enthusiast son & DDIL. (our older DS & DDIL are the Disney nuts).

So, the question is: when you go during F&W, is it just as satisfying to nosh at all the kiosks when you're in Epcot? And since we can't get into LeCellier, I'm rethinking my birthday & going to MNNSHP instead.

Will we regret not having ADRs all over WDW?

There is no downside to making ADRs. If your plans end up changing, you can cancel them.

I'm also going in October and IMO dinner ADRs are ESSENTIAL. Do yourself a favor and book whatever ADRs you can get.

P.S. We are planning on visiting the F&W kiosks for lunch. But for dinner, I tend to like to sit down and have a relaxing meal.

 

[disneypryncess]

I think that I read somewhere that you can use your snack credits on the dining plan for small plates at the F&W Festival? I'm not 100% sure but it would be great if it were true!

 

[Neverland98]

Isn't Free Dining in effect during that time? If so, I would expect many restaurants to be full. However, there are many "hidden gems" that might be easy enough to get an ADR at during your stay (Olivia's, Captain's Grill, Biergarten, Kona, The Wave,...).

If you are on the dining plan, DEFINITELY make ADR's. Otherwise, you are just throwing away your money...you are not guaranteed a meal, so why pre-pay for one without an ADR?

On the other hand, if you are paying Out-of-pocket (OOP), then just make an ADR is you really want a sit-down restaurant. If your group would prefer to just eat as the mood arises, then just go in realizing you'll probably be limited to CS options (which in many places, CAN offer a variety of dining option...just do your research.) For instance, try some of the ethnic CS in Epcot. Or, CS at MK such as Columbia Harbor House or Cosmic Ray's, which offer more than just burgers.

And...as you noted, noshing at the F&W is a great way to eat! (Although, it may really add up quickly!) We plan on doing this our first night at WDW (and the last weekend of F&W).

 

[lockedoutlogic]

you should balance out the stands with some sitdowns....

you will not get into the sitdowns on a walk up basis during food and wine festival. so if its even a 1% chance you should book what you can get ASAP

whatever ressies aren't booked within the next month or so will be used by florida residents on short notice/ short term stops by the time you get there...as has been the case for several years

 

[minniecarousel]

Thanks for the replies! I do have a few ADRs made, but will avoid F&W on the weekends. It's been frustrating doing all the planning myself. DH keeps reminding me that we'll be happy with the restaraunts that we've already planned for. I have set aside $$ for purchasing the wristlets for us when we "eat & drink around the World"!