Do we need ADR for free dining end of AUG/SEPT?

[heartsy77]

We are a grand gathering ( 9 people) headed to WDW on free dining Aug -28- Sept 4. Our friends don't like making reservations and rather play by ear. We always make ADR and stick to them! Do we need them for this time of year with such a large party?

 

[newrygirl]

Yes, yes and again yes!

 

[TDC Nala]

For a large party during free dining I would strongly urge you to have ADRs for every TS meal.

 

[Kyen]

I agree with everyone else! yes yes yes
When I went last year, I had trouble finding a table for 1! I can't imagine trying to find a table for 9 without a reservation

 

[ancestry]

I agree. If you want to do any sit-down restuarants then you most definately need reservations.

 

[zhazhazsu]

YES!

The caveat to free dining is that the restaurants are very crowded during that time. Now 2 years ago DH and I went during free dining, and made ADRs for every meal except 1 TS. We were able to get into Teppan Edo easily as a party of two that same day. However... with 9 people I think availability would be even more limited.
I would use touringplans.com to pick your best days for each park, and then review menus in the general area with the group. If people complain about making ADRS, I would tell them that it is better to have what you want NOW, then be stuck with NOTHING later. You could also try telling them, that you can always cancel the ADRS, or try to switch when you actually get to WDW.
On that same trip two years ago DH was reluctant about the ADR thing. I made them anyways, and as we were going into a PACKED 50's PTC, and a man was yelling at the hostess about how could you possibly need a reservation for a restaurant at a theme park... DH turned to me and thanked me for taking care of things.... months in advance....

 

[karliebug]

You absolutely, positively must have ADR's for a group of that size during free dining.

 

[aubriee]

I've gone every September since WDW first started offering free dining. Every single year we have seen many, many walkups turned away multiple times. Sorry, but no way is a party of nine going to find a TS restaurant to take a party that size every day. Well maybe a few of the less popular restaurants (Marrakesh, Shutters, or Olivias). Even that would be taking a chance though. I know last fall I didn't feel like leaving my resort one evening, so walked up at Maya Grill. The CM told me it would be a few minutes, but the party of five just behind me were turned away. Maya Grill is not normally considered a popular restaurant at all, but were turning away people that night.

 

[heartsy77]

Op here- Thanks for eveyone agreeing with me! We have always made ADR's, but we go to WDW almost every 18 months. Our loving friends aren't quite the addicts we are( they haven't been since 2004). I knew that ADR's were going to be necessary for our party size ( actually i counted wrong 10 of us). Thanks for the conformation my WDW peeps! Sometimes it is hard to explain to non- addicts the need for itineraries , ADR, and schedules!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

You absolutely, positively must have ADR's for a group of that size during free dining.

Absolutely, positively must have ADR's for ANY party size during free dining!

 

[SunnyMel]

YES- most definitely YES!!! If your friends want to play it by ear, make ADRs for yourself and let them see how it works out.

 

[CanadianPaco]

We were there last August for free dining and without question ADRs are required. GL

 

[rubato]

Has Disney announced free dining yet? I thought they were talking about promo cutbacks and no one was sure free dining was absolutely going to happen this year. Has that changed?

 

[TDC Nala]

Has Disney announced free dining yet? I thought they were talking about promo cutbacks and no one was sure free dining was absolutely going to happen this year. Has that changed?

No, they have not announced, and it can never be anticipated with complete accuracy what Disney will do from year to year. But there has already been a bounceback offer for August/September 2010(the OP may have already booked on a bounceback), plus extended summer - fall offers to residents of Great Britain. I would say there will probably be free dining for August/September, likely not starting before August 15. Don't look for an official announcement until March. Not so sure there will be a repeat offer for October-December in 2010 though.