Do I NEEEED ADR's?

[rivercottage]

Hiya guys!

Im just making final decisions in booking next years trip...

It looks like dining plan is going to be included for free, it just worries me a bit...do I really need to plan in advance where i want to eat in the evening? This probably depends a lot on season, ill be going in May if this helps

Would it be enough to ring up that morning and get a place?

Or should I turn into a Disney Comando and plan everything and get some laminated sheets sorted (which i think im heading towards anyway)

Thank you!

 

[summerlady]

Yes, you need ADRs. It's so easy to do them online so there's really no reason not to. If you want to make changes later on, you can.

 

[LilyWDW]

Here is the way I look at it...

1) Is there somewhere you really want to try? If yes, book the ADR.

2) Do you like to eat at "normal" dining times? If yes, book the ADR.

3) Do you want to do any of the more popular places (Le Cellier, 'Ohana, Character Meals)? If yes, book the ADR.

4) Are you will to take whatever may be available the day of even if it is out of the way? If no, book the ADR.

5) Are you willing to eat counter service if you can't find someplace? If no, book the ADR.

I went May 2007 and even then they were turning people away unless they had ADRs. Add in free dining and I would think hard about going without any reservations.

 

[Nadjalu]

You don't need to become a "planning commando", but YES you do need to plan where you want to eat in the evening, if you want to have a TS meal.

Especially if you are using Free Dining. That brings in more people to the restaurants, those who normally go and those who normally stay offsite and eat offsite. So the restaurants are much busier.

Everyday of our vacation last year during FD, by noon every park had a sandwich board at the entrance saying "All TS restaurants are booked, please enjoy one of our Counter Service places for your meal".

ADRs are important if you WANT to eat TS meals.

 

[julluvsdisney]

yes you have to have ADRs!! Unless you plan on eating counter service or offsite. If you are staying onsite and want to take advantage of free dining you NEED ADRs. I went may of 2009 not during Free dining and I had already booked my ADRs in advance but my father tried to have lunch with his girlfriend at a few places in the parks and they turned him away. They were booked solid everywhere! If your not picky and you want to wing it you could call the reservation line the day of and see whats available BUT you will get ADRs for places and times no one else wants. Im not saying you that you wont get lucky and get a good ADR but it wont happen your entire trip. If I was you I would book my ADRs as soon as your window opens up then the day of if your not feeling like going wherever you booked then call the ressie line and see what other options you have. Atleast you give yourself some options. Plus you can be crazy like the rest of us and spend 6 months changing your mind and you ADRs! Its half the fun! lol! Have a great trip!!

 

[Cafeen]

Here is the way I look at it...

1) Is there somewhere you really want to try? If yes, book the ADR.

2) Do you like to eat at "normal" dining times? If yes, book the ADR.

3) Do you want to do any of the more popular places (Le Cellier, 'Ohana, Character Meals)? If yes, book the ADR.

4) Are you will to take whatever may be available the day of even if it is out of the way? If no, book the ADR.

5) Are you willing to eat counter service if you can't find someplace? If no, book the ADR.

I went May 2007 and even then they were turning people away unless they had ADRs. Add in free dining and I would think hard about going without any reservations.

This.

While there is usually something open, it may not be your first (or third!) choice of places (either due to time, food, or location). So, if you're ok with some out of the way or lighter demand locations (Turf Club, Nine Dragons, etc), then you don't have to make them for those.

So, as Lilly mentioned above, book reservations for the places you're sure you want to eat, book them if you want to eat at traditional times, and book them if they are popular.

 

[princessmom29]

YES, YES, YES you need adr's ESPECIALLY during free dining. Without them you are going to find yourself without a place to spend TS credits.

 

[Forever Fairy]

During free dining, it is often a good idea to make ADR's at the sit down restaurants. The only time I've been able to make reservations the day of was when I scheduled dinner after 9PM.

If you are staying on property, you should be able to make them 180 days ahead of your trip.