Do you have to have ADR's for all the restaurants?

[sukhakuli]

From reading the Dis boards, things have changed since our last trip with regards to ADR's. Last time, we got ADR's for a few places like CRT and Le Cellier, but for the other restaurants, you could just walk up and wait, especially during off hours of the day, like after 1 or before 11 for lunch, or before 5 for dinner.

I'm trying to balance planning and spontaneity on our trip. I don't want my family to go hungry, or end up with TS credits we couldn't use because we didn't have ADR's. However, I also don't want to be stuck with a schedule that we absolutely have to follow no matter what. I have some days with no ADR's planned, is it impossible to get in to a TS restaurant without ADR's?

I feel like this trip is becoming all about food and where we are going to eat instead of going to Disney and seeing the attractions. Has Disney changed so much in the last 5 years or so that it has to be that way?

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes. Yes it has..immensely. There is no way I would go to WDW, at any time of year, without some ADRs. If you don't mind waiting over an hour or just making do with only counter service, then fine...go without making any. BUT....I do know that almost every single time I have been at a restaurant, waiting to be seated, there have been guests that arrived, without ADRs, wanting to know how long the wait would be. Sometimes they were told there were no openings at all, sometimes they were told it would be 90 mins. Only once have I ever heard a walkup guest told it would be less than an hour.

ADRs aren't binding. I would make one for each day. I'm sure you have an idea as to what park you'll be in on any given day of your trip. So, make an ADR, if you are able to at this point, for one meal a day, usually dinner. If you decide you don't want to use it, just go to Guest Services and cancel it. No big deal.

You 'may' be able to get into LTT at MK. At DHS, it's going to be iffy anywhere. Maybe Brown Derby simply because it tends to be expensive. At Epcot, one of the WS country restaurants may be able to seat you...Morocco, or China.

 

[richmo]

It has gotten to where ADR's can control your trip. A lot has to do with when you go. If you happen to go during a period when there's dining included packages, you'll find it almost impossible to get in "popular" restaurants unless you reserve early. The advice to book something early is good, you can always change your plans.

 

[sukhakuli]

We do have ADR's for almost every day of the trip, but there are a few days I want to keep flexible. Like we're going to be there on the day they tape the Christmas parade, and I don't want to make an ADR for that day just in case. There's a few other days that I just don't feel like planning an ADR for. You can't even get in to a less popular restaurant without an ADR anymore?

It seems like a lot of the places require a credit card hold, too, so you can't just cancel that day, you know?

 

[RMulieri]

We do have ADR's for almost every day of the trip, but there are a few days I want to keep flexible. Like we're going to be there on the day they tape the Christmas parade, and I don't want to make an ADR for that day just in case. There's a few other days that I just don't feel like planning an ADR for. You can't even get in to a less popular restaurant without an ADR anymore?

It seems like a lot of the places require a credit card hold, too, so you can't just cancel that day, you know?

SOme of the less popular restaurants in some of the resorts are easier to get into without an adr.But the restaurants in the parks and the popular ones in the resorts...Not without an adr.Alot has changed in the past 10 yrs or so.If you are ok with eating counter service, or eating real late or waiting 90 mins for a table..then go without them.I will say that even the less popular places are harder during Free Dining, since many people that do not know about Adrs who have credits to use flood those places

 

[Moon Child]

I have all my ADR'S set except for Sci Fi and Tutto Italia, I am hoping we will luck out. We did last time, we walked up and waited about 15 minutes for ea. We even got a car in Sci Fi, we are there the 1st week in Oct, and yes, I know it's free dining, keeping our fingers crossed

 

[beansmom]

yes, it has changed, as mentioned above. The last few trips we've made, we've tried to do walk up and most places say there is no availibility...period.
I would also agree that resorts are probably easier to walk-up...except ones on the monorail.

We make ADRs for the places we really want to eat and wing the rest with counter service.

 

[Moon Child]

Woo Yoo! Strike off Tutto off my list! Was able to make an 8 pm ressie for the day we are there!
That leaves just the Sci Fi!!

 

[francie57]

We just got back last Thurs. from our yearly trip to Disney and had ADRs for each night. We saw people turned away from Rose n Crown (England), LeCellier, and Les Chefs de France. We went Mon. night to Via Napoli in Italy and they had a line for people without ADRs and as we were seated and had our meal the line basically didn't move. By the time we left (about an hour and half later), maybe one or two families had been seated from the line. Years ago you would be able to walk up to basically any restaurant without an ADR but for at least the last 6 years they are basically a must.

 

[Berlioz70]

Depends on the restaurants you're going to. There are several resort restaurants that always have openings - it's the park ones that are busy. Additionally, going off hours (late lunch) always helps.

My brother is coming to town in two days and the only ADR we made is Hoop for Friday (and I just made it yesterday so clearly not full). My stand by restuarants are Turf Club, Olivia's, Sanaa, and Captain's Grille... I never need ADRs here and they're all great. I also LOVE Boatwrights for dinner and if I'm at MK I'll ride the monorail for The Wave (though it's not high on my list, it'll do for lunch).

Now if you're planning on only eating in parks - then yes - you need ADRs. Try Biergarten, they always seem to have openings!!

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Disney Dining Reservations board.

 

[TDC Nala]

There are a few park restaurants you MIGHT be able to get into without an ADR (possibly with a wait for a table).

AK: do counter service. They only have two TS restaurants. Or go outside the gates and try the Rainforest Cafe (they're not on the dining plan though - that's mostly the reason why you might get a seat).

MK: Maybe LTT or the Plaza. Don't count on this if it's busy. I've often seen a sign outside City Hall saying "No table service dining available in the park today."

Epcot: Marrakesh, Nine Dragons or Biergarten. They seem to have openings when everything else is booked up.

DHS: Brown Derby (sometimes it is easier to get into because it is a signature and it costs more).

 

[habsfan71]

I agree with the OP's comment about not wanting to be tied down too much for ADRs. That being said, we have booked most of our ADRs for the restaurants that we prefer to eat at. Those that required a credit card - we will not likely change. As for the other ones, we would like to keep them, but depending how our day is going, we may also make some last minute decisions when we are at Disney. This is our first trip to WDW since 2000 - so I'm sure a lot has changed. We will be there during free dining also, so that has to be factored in to restaurant availability (ie. walk ups to certain restaurants).

 

[Moon Child]

OK, now I feel better, was able to snag a ressie for Sci Fi too, I couldn't get one to come up on line, so I called down and a very nice rep helped me out
The only one we could get was for 9:45 pm, Fantasmic is at 8 that night and the park is open late so that should help. Plus, my boys are used to eating late while on vacation.
She also told me to call back about 3 days before my ADR, as people will cancel, so we may be able to get an earlier time, here's hoping, but at least we are in

 

[goodtmz37]

The necessity for ADR's has originated out of the development of the dining plans. Because people want to assure themselves all TD credits are used, reservations are being made earlier and more often.

I would absolutly recommend getting as may ADR's as you possibly can (if you want to experience the excellence Disney imparts to cuisine). If you are fine with burgers or hotdogs every day, no worries.

And contrary to your earlier statement, only a few of the fine dining restaurants ask for credit cards. My wife and I have 7 ADR's, none of which require a credit card.