Disney Advanced Dining Reservations. How necessary are they?

[WeLoveNemo]

I am a bit more optomistic I think. I have been discouraged on the phone making ADRs prior to trips. Accepting times like 4:30 for dinner, separating into two tables, etc. In the end, during a slow August week (with free dining offer) and heavy spring week in '06 I had great luck calling that day and was offered many times. My type A personality still requires me to make ADRs but I feel much more flexible knowing that once people get into their hotels and are handed that list of ADRs by guest services they rethink and cancel quite a bit. Good luck and please keep Artist's Point on your list - everything about that meal was lovely (ADR made that day at 5pm for 7:30 )!

 

[vicki_c]

To update: I called today and talked to a wonderfully nice reservationist. I got all of my restaurants at the desired time, with the exception of Le Cellier Steakhouse. I did get in, but the reservation is for 4pm. Luckily, this is our first day and coming from the West Coast, I'm sure it will feel much more like lunch than dinner - and thought we'd just nibble on things from the Food & Wine festival booths for the actual lunch.



Question for those who have been - are the Food & Wine booths open late? Or do they close at a certain time?

That is great - I'm glad our predictions of nothing being left were wrong. And a Le Cellier 2 months out, even at 4 PM, is great. I'm still kicking myself from cancelling ours in January (and I cancelled Jiko in June -- what is WRONG with me anyway??).

 

[Aliceacc]

I'd love to here about your great deal at the Poly!

I got a PIN code for 40% off accomodations!!! No one is really sure how Disney decides who gets them, and they're not transferable or share-able, or I would be happy to share the wealth!!

 

[catne]

O.K., while I agree that you should at least try to get ADR's for those restaurants, if you can't get them I suggest you still try to get in while you're in the neighborhood...

when we were there in May 2008, the week of Memorial Day, we went to several very popular restaurants. All of which were "totally booked" a couple of weeks before we got there (I had to change one from a 4 to a 2, and add a 2 at another restaurant. I was able to do that, but just barely, and not at exactly the preferred time on the new 2 person.) But, that said, when we got to the restaurants the reality was very different. We arrived early at all of our ADR's, and we were seated early at all (except California Grille, but that's cuz we had the first seating at 5:30.) And there were empty tables at every single restaurant...they were taking walk-ins at Le Cellier on a Thursday night that had late EMH. So it's worth a try.