Do I really need ADRs months early?

[Laz]

It has been 10 years since I have been to WDW. We are going the week after Thanksgiving. In the past, we would make reservations the day of or day before, having our big meal of the day around 2pm-4pm. Wishing to keep our same routine, Is it really necessary to make ADRs that far out?

 

[Capang]

No it isn’t, but only if you don’t care where here you eat. There is no guarantee of availability but you can usually find something.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Oh how disney has changed! You can now walk up to a restaurant and be told no walkups. Then go into app and book dinner at the same place. It is weird but how they work

If there are any must do restaurants, book. If you don't care or are willing to eat cs, then book day before or day of.

With the no show penalty, many popular restaurants will have openings next day, same day. They may not be ones you want or times you want.

But do not expect to walk up to ohana and expect to be seated without an adr

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

It has been 10 years since I have been to WDW. We are going the week after Thanksgiving. In the past, we would make reservations the day of or day before, having our big meal of the day around 2pm-4pm. Wishing to keep our same routine, Is it really necessary to make ADRs that far out?

Pretty much for any restaurant you absolutely want to have dinner in.
I also have seen many open tables at some restaurants that show no availability on the app. My belief is they also staff according to popularity and ADRs, not necessarily to tables available, in some restaurants.