Do I really need to make reservations?

[ostrom]

Hello,

This is our first time on the DDP. We have a combined group of 10 people, but can split 5 and 5. Trip date = end of Oct, start of Nov 2011.
I’m wondering if reservations are really needed for the places we want to try? Or can I make the reservation the day of?
We usually let the weather, EMH and touring plans decide which parks we go to on any given day. I don’t really want to lock us into a park with a ADR, such as, if I get a ADR at Tusker House at AK and it rains all day, I might have changed parks to MK or HS where there is more indoor things.

Here are a few of the dining locations we want to try.
What are your thoughts on needing reservations?
Really appreciate your suggestions!

MK:
Tony’s town square
Liberty tree tavern

AK:
Tusker House
Yak & Yeti

HS:
Sci-fi
Mama Melrose’s

Epcot:
San Angel Inn
Coral Reef

Poly:
Kona café

 

[JanetMom]

For some places your would need the ADR and for others you would get in the day of.

I suggest you make the ADRs now and on the day of you can always call and cancel if you change your mind. That way you will have a guaranteed ADR somewhere. If you leave them all to the last minute you may get frustrated as you spend each day on the phone trying to get in somewhere.

Or... another suggestion is to not have ADRs but go to guest relations at the park and ask them where/when you can get in - but again this might be frustrating.

 

[worm761]

Yes. If you want to dine at table service restaurants you will need reservations. Especially since there is free dining at that time. Have you looked online to see what is available?

 

[KeroKero]

Just book what you can now and if you need to cancel, then do so the day of. Better to know that you have guaranteed yourself something you want than to have to worry about it the day of.

 

[ostrom]

What is the cancellation policy?
Can I cancel the day of with no penalty?

 

[worm761]

There shouldn't be a penalty for any of the restaurants you have listed. The ones that do have one are dinner shows, prepaid dinners, and some signature restaurants.

 

[havoc315]

Likely, you will need reservations for all those restaurants before the day of. Especially if you want to eat at "regular times."

But yes... You can always cancel the same day, and pick what's still left.

Do a little experiment.. Go in the Disney dining reservation website, and see what's available day of, or just a day in advance. It will give you an idea of what to expect.