Do we REALLY need ADR's at Disney?

[Daysleeper40]

Hi All,

We are heading off to Florida on 9th May for 17 nights. We are staying on International Drive and will only be going to Disney for a maximum of 4 days - probably 3.

I keep seeing threads about people booking ADR's way in advance and I've been drawn into wondering if we should be doing this too? We didn't make any reservations on our first trip in 2007 and managed well enough.

We will only be staying a Disney late enough for dinner one night at Epcot and I think this is what is bothering me - is it going to be a problem to walk up to restaraunts in the evening?

 

[2Tiggies]

In short, probably not a problem at all

It will depend where you want to eat. Popular restaurants like Le Cellier book up quickly, usually on the 180 day mark. However if you don't have a particular place you want to eat you should have no problem being seated.

How many are in your party? This is also a factor in how easy it is to be seated quickly

 

[Pegasus928]

In short, probably not a problem at all

It will depend where you want to eat. Popular restaurants like Le Cellier book up quickly, usually on the 180 day mark. However if you don't have a particular place you want to eat you should have no problem being seated.

How many are in your party? This is also a factor in how easy it is to be seated quickly

I agree totally with this.
We never used the ADR system until our last trip and never had any problems with walk ups.
The number of you in the party will be a big factor - if there are only 2 of you you will obviously get a table quicker than if there are 8.
It's also worth remembering that just because you may be told on the phone that somewhere is fully booked it doesn't mean that all the tables are taken. We were told by a CM at T-Rex that only around 10-15% of the tables are booked via the ADR system and the rest are kept for walk-ups.

 

[Daysleeper40]

Thanks both - there are only two of us and I didn't think it would be a problem but you know when you start overthinking things...

We have no MAJOR preferences on where we eat at Epcot. I was thinking maybe Mexican or Italian, or maybe Coral Reef - but if we end up somewhere else I wouldn't be upset.

I think I will just leave it till the day.

 

[2Tiggies]

Coral Reef may be a challenge, but you won't know until you try. Having only two people certainly ups the odds of being seated significantly.

Thankfully you are at Epcot where you are spoilt for choice. You could just try as you make your way around the World Showcase and take what you are offered. There are so many lovely places to choose from. Have you looked at Coral Reef to see if there is an ADR? You can always book one an cancel if you change your mind. That way you have a buffer to fall back on. Ditto for the Mexican restaurant.

 

[Elise79]

Thanks both - there are only two of us and I didn't think it would be a problem but you know when you start overthinking things...

We have no MAJOR preferences on where we eat at Epcot. I was thinking maybe Mexican or Italian, or maybe Coral Reef - but if we end up somewhere else I wouldn't be upset.

I think I will just leave it till the day.

Coral Reef will be a challenge as they usually fully booked and unlike the non-Disney owned restaurants they don't leave tables for walk-ups.

The best thing to do is pop in to guest services when you arrive and they can book you an ADR for later that day.

Also if you have a laptop you can check online the day before.

I have seen the sign up many times saying no more table service dining available and seen people turned away.

If you want to try and get in without an ADR then your best chance is before 5pm.

 

[paulh]

we usually ADR our must dos as were a party of 10,but that's in AUG, may you shouldn't have a problem,
Tip for T-Rex sign up for the landerys card and you get fast seating for there and rainforest
Paul

 

[jns]

Think ADR's are good if you are on the dinning plan

 

[WiganTony]

On a slight tangent, if you are visiting EPCOT you may also want to consider dining locations at the Boardwalk (a pleasant 10 minute stroll from the International Gateway) as a back-up just in case you can't get into your preferred EPCOT restaurants.

We enjoyed very good meals at the Captain's Grille and Kouzzina here.

 

[starrysky]

We managed to get an on the day booking for California grill through guest relations at MK. Grantedit was at 8:50pm but we did get to see the lovely view of the hallowishes fireworks.

ADRS are good if you are on the dinning plan or plan to spend all of your time in WDW. As you are only planning a few days of your holiday it might not be worth tying yourself down to ADRS.

 

[london75]

Coral Reef will be a challenge as they usually fully booked and unlike the non-Disney owned restaurants they don't leave tables for walk-ups.

The best thing to do is pop in to guest services when you arrive and they can book you an ADR for later that day.

Also if you have a laptop you can check online the day before.

I have seen the sign up many times saying no more table service dining available and seen people turned away.

If you want to try and get in without an ADR then your best chance is before 5pm.

Conversely we never had a problem walking up to Coral Reef last August eating there three times with no more than 5 mins wait. I think it's more important for dining plan customers who must get their credits used whereas we're always offsiters and if we don't get a table we'll just have counter service. Not that we've ever struggled getting a table. I think different rules apply to le cellier though, never got a table there! Not sure the menu justifies the demand for this place to be honest, much rather eat at Coral Reef or Tutto Italia personally.

 

[>Ash<]

me n my girlfriend (soon to be disney wife)

went to disney and because their was only 2 of us we got seated at each restraunt alost instantly. depends on party size.

 

[Disneymad]

It depends on a few things imo.

The restaurant - some are way more popular than others, if you are flexible then you'll likely have less problems.

The time you're visiting - obviously there are times of year that can be considerably busier than others.

Free Dining - if the US have any Free Dining promotions on then most restaurants will be mobbed, even if the parks themselves are fairly quiet.

May is generally a quiet time, I booked a trip covering first week of May only on Monday and made some ADR's yesterday - I was surprised at what was still available. Even places like Crystal Palace before park opening, 'Ohana (for both breakfast and dinner) and Le Cellier were still available, so I think you should be fine.

That said ADR's are free to make and sooo easy to do online so why not book something anyhow? If you change your mind then it's VERY easy to just cancel it (or even just not turn up though obviously it's always better to cancel if you can).

ADR's are just Disney's way of managing 'traffic' through the restaurants - they don't physically hold a table to one side for you that will be sitting empty and unused if you fail to show. I've even been told that Disney factors in 'no shows' into their system and that on the odd occasion where people have long table waits even though they turn up for their ADR on time is because more people have turned up for their ADR's than they'd allowed for. A bit like an airline overbooking seats I suppose.

So yeah, for peace of mind perhaps just book something and if nothing else consider it a back up plan?