Do you make ADRs when solo?

[BlueFairy]

I'm inside my ADR window. I have some ideas about *maybe* eating at some resort TS restaurants. But I like to be flexible and make things up as I go. I am open to eating at the bar, trying poolside QS, Kona Island, The Wave (lounge or no?), Trader Sams (perhaps), and lots of QS. Mainly like to do that to save time since I don't have someone to share fancy food and drinks with. Is there any reason to make ADRs? They seem to be more restrictive than helpful. I don't expect to have any TS breakfasts, maybe 1 QS in a park, and no character or signature meals unless I try the bar at CG. This will be right before Thanksgiving. Staying CR.

What do you do?

 

[croach]

I'd say it depends on the restaurant and the time you are there. But if it's something you think you might do, I'd say make the ADR and then cancel later in your planning if your mind changes. I usually have a couple TS reservations planned when I go.

 

[Sir William]

Agree with PP. I usually make a couple of ADR for specific restaurants I want to eat at, otherwise I take my chances as I also like to be flexible. I have had good luck at being seated at the bar, but in some instances I was looking at a good hour or more wait to get in, even for the bar.

A few years ago I had a lunch ADR at the Rose & Crown at Epcot. I found myself there the evening before and decided to test my luck. I heard them turn away a group of 4 as they were fully booked and there was at least an hour wait, but I asked anyway. To my surprise they said, yes. After a few minutes I was literally seated at a table for one; there wasn't room for a second chair. But I was comfortable, I had several servers making sure I didn't lack for anything, and I had a wonderful evening.

 

[rangerxenos]

I traveled solo last year for the first time, and made reservations at the places I definitely wanted to eat at.

 

[ludari]

Like you I enjoy the flexibility and going with the flow but I was at WDW in March during race weekend and the few ADR I made saved time at those busy restaurants.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I like planning rather than leaving much open-ended, so I do make ADRs and for whatever QS places I'd like to include, I leave open slots for them in my plan.

 

[kwdw]

I always pre-plan some ADR's when traveling solo. I am very aware of the cancellation deadline though - and sometimes cancel the night before. Also - you can often find last minute ADR's starting late in the evening the day before - as people cancel due to changes in plans.

 

[BrianL]

I usually do not do any Table Service alone. Mostly just to save money. My solo trips have always been during F&W too, so that made up the bulk of my eating.

 

[Hazelon]

I like to do an ADR each day to break my day up. I'll start at one park, have a late lunch or an early dinner, relax and then end the day at another one.

Disney is one of the only places I'll eat alone and I would have missed out on a lot of great meals and servers if I hadn't. Though it is kind of annoying when a server kind of brushes you off for eating solo.

 

[Amirah95]

I'm making ADR's for sure. I know I'll want to take a load off and relax while enjoying all of the excitement.

 

[godders]

I do for multiple reasons but part of me thinks why shouldn't I enjoy all these amazing places just because I'm on my own. When I've gone previously it's been in September so a lunch time ADR has been great for getting out of the heat or getting to watch the fireworks from California Grill is just amazing.

I'm not so sociable when I eat because I use that time to write my trip diary and many others read or watch things on their Ipads (with headphones of course) but many others just eat and people watch.

 

[raddisneyfan]

I always make ADRs just in case. Like when I make resort reservations though and when I make Fastpass selections, I'm changing and canceling ADRs all of the time. On MDE before i leave and using the Disney App when I'm there. Just make sure you cancel within the window so that you don't get the $10 charge.

 

[karly05]

I make ADRs, but not always far in advance. If there's something I really want (esp on a specific day/time) or something I know will be hard to get, I do that at 180 days. But this year, I made only a couple of ADRs that far ahead. I made a few more as my trip got closer, and I actually made a few after I got there (ended up cancelling 2 because I got sick). Get on the WDW website and start looking on a regular basis for ADRs for that day - you'll get a good idea of what restaurants are usually available "last minute," or a day or two out. If you're flexible on when and where you eat (and I suppose if you're not there during Christmas week or something?) there will be things available, especially for a solo.

 

[MchL]

Yes, definitely! I also have the Disney app on my phone and constantly check the dining if there are cancellations at a place I may not have had a reservation. You can always try to get in somewhere as a solo, and it's a lot easier to get a last minute spot as a solo, but I don't ever risk it if there is somewhere I really want to go.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We rarely make reservations and we ALWAYS eat at the bar in any restaurant where we can get a full meal.

We eat early and rarely have a bit of trouble getting seated at the bar. I'll give you a list of places if you want--several dozen of them.

 

[BlueFairy]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like y'all mostly plan your "must-dos." My trip is all around Destination D. This time, the food is at the bottom of the list.

We rarely make reservations and we ALWAYS eat at the bar in any restaurant where we can get a full meal.

We eat early and rarely have a bit of trouble getting seated at the bar. I'll give you a list of places if you want--several dozen of them.

There's a list of a few dozen? Yes, please, but only if it's no trouble. Your plan sounds like a good one to me.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Here goes--Shulas, Blue Zoo, Il MUlino, Jiko, California grill, Citricos, narcoossee's, Flying Fish, Fultons, Portobello, Boathouse, Paridiso, T-rex, ESPN, Territory Bar next to Artist Point, Yak and yeti, Raglan Road, Olivias, Splittsville--and I'm probably leaving out several more...including that new Steak House at the Springs and Morimitos

At all you can just walk in (earlier is always better) and get a seat w/o a reservation. And a full meal available at them all. We haven't made a dining reservation in the past 5 years.

You are away from all the screaming kids, bartenders always friendly and the other bar patrons (if any) are friendly as well.

 

[BlueFairy]

Here goes--Shulas, Blue Zoo, Il MUlino, Jiko, California grill, Citricos, narcoossee's, Flying Fish, Fultons, Portobello, Boathouse, Paridiso, T-rex, ESPN, Territory Bar next to Artist Point, Yak and yeti, Raglan Road, Olivias, Splittsville--and I'm probably leaving out several more...including that new Steak House at the Springs and Morimitos

At all you can just walk in (earlier is always better) and get a seat w/o a reservation. And a full meal available at them all. We haven't made a dining reservation in the past 5 years.

You are away from all the screaming kids, bartenders always friendly and the other bar patrons (if any) are friendly as well.

Wonderful! Thank you.

I should point out to anyone following - we've done this at TL at WL before and had a great experience. But they (and probably most other WDW-owned lounges) do not accept the DDP. Know before you go.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Didn't realize you were encumbered by the DDP---

 

[BlueFairy]

No, I'm not, thank goodness. But I did know that TL and lots of lounges do not accept it. Just want to be sure other people know, too, if this strategy sounds good to them.