Do you NEED ADR?

You could compromise. Don't make ADR's for the first 2 nights you are there but do make them for the rest of the days. If fly by the seat of your pants works for those first couple days you can dump the other ADR's before the fees kick in and wing it each day. But if it doesn't go well at first, you can at least eat what / when you want for the balance of the trip. The challenge would be for either of you to keep from saying "I told you so" !
 
Make ADRs for every night. Let him fly by the seat of his pants the first night and when he has been turned away from 3 or 4 places that first night and the reality and frustration starts to set in, then you can spring the master plan on him that you did make ADRs. You will be hailed as a hero...trust me. No one can imagine the scene until you get there. It can be crazy, especially during a busy week.
 
My husband's family is the exact same way. Because they refuse to make ADRs, I went ahead and made them for the 3 in my family. We haven't been to Disney before, and I wanted to ensure we had a TS dinner each night.
 
My husband thinks ADRs are ridiciulous, BUT he's willing to go with my expertise. Food is super important to him and while he thinks it silly to plan what he's going to eat 6 months out, he'd rather do that than miss out on some of the restaurants we really want to try.
 

The best way to convince someone you need to plan for a WDW trip is take them on one with out planning. After eating pizza and waiting in hour long lines every day they will eventually understand what you mean.
 
Oh my, yes. Especially in the summer. They're a necessity!

I still remember waiting for our (reserved) table at Le Cellier in May. Someone came in trying to get a walk in. They asked, "Well, when is the next available reservation?" The host responded, "Um...in 4 months."

My husband's friend just went and texted him - "You were right about the reservations! We couldn't eat anywhere we wanted to!" yes....yes. That is what happens.

You NEED ADRs!
 
I always think people should have them. I don't necessarily plan one for every night we're there (I'm fine with a QS dinner) but I like having them when I want to eat at a table service. Disney World is not like Disneyland when it comes to planning. You are going to have a wait and you may very well be turned away from the restaurant entirely. Even with an ADR, you will still likely be waiting 10-15 mins at most places. Especially looking at your dates, you will need ADRs. I'm glad that you're at least taking charge and scheduling them! Your husband will definitely thank you for it once you arrive. It can be hard for some people to be locked into that type of schedule but it is definitely worth it.
 
I must be really sneaky but I plan all our ADRs but don't tell the family. Then on the day in question I jut suggest eating where I've booked and ask what they think. Never failed to work with my family.

I would never go without ADRs in the summer. Many restaurants just refuse to take walk ups then. So it's not a case of having to wait ages more a case of not getting in at all.
 
Disney is a magical when planned properly, ADR are needed for all tables. We visited in July and had made a few reservation and for the night we haven't, it was a nightmare. We ended up at quick service. Trust me, get ADR and start reserving early as most of the good restaurants and time go quickly.
 
Awesome replies guys! I already made an ADR for a character breakfast.. and I am just going to go ahead and make dinner ones for every night we are there.

breakfast and lunch I am totally cool with quick service. Or grabbing a hot dog, lol.

But now the really hard part.. Choosing 7 restaurants out of all the awesome places!!! :scared:

When you put down your CC do they charge it?

I am so overwhelmed lol. Now I have to do mega restaurant research! At least it will be sort of easy because I definitely want to stay close to the park we are at for the day. =P

Is it until midnight the night before that you have to cancel?

I'm glad you made the ADRs. Do you know which parks you're going to be in? The only place that charges a CC (I believe) is Cinderella's Royal Table. DH thankfully understands the importance of early booking (in fact, anything I say about WDW is bible to him. He never questions me). When I plan trips for my extended family, my dad gets annoyed that "it's August...why are we talking about where we'll eat in April?" So, we don't include him. He knows it's necessary but it still drives him bonkers because it's "not the way it used to be". Thankfully, my family doesn't really question me when it comes to planning. They know I do my research and know my stuff (Thanks Dis ;) ).

Hopefully he'll be happy with the choices you've made. And...if on the first few days you can do walk-up, he can say "told you so". And if you can't, hopefully he'll thank you for being prepared!
 
He actually conceded and I ended up making ADRs for every day!!!! (For dinner). And character breakfast our last day. Not sure if I will make an ADR for our last full day as I am not sure where it will lead us, where we will want to spend it. That's okay with me cause every other day would have been perfect =P . Even if we end up eating at boatwrights at the hotel =P
 
He actually conceded and I ended up making ADRs for every day!!!! (For dinner). And character breakfast our last day. Not sure if I will make an ADR for our last full day as I am not sure where it will lead us, where we will want to spend it. That's okay with me cause every other day would have been perfect =P . Even if we end up eating at boatwrights at the hotel =P


I like Boatwrights. We have dinner there whenever we stay at POFQ, and enjoy breakfast as well.
 
Yes absolutely make ADRS. The sooner the better. You're going during a very busy week so even walk ups will be very unlikely. After a long hot day at the parks you'll be thankful you made them.

I totally agree! 4th of July week is one of the busiest weeks on property. I would NOT go without ADRs during that time of year.
 
On our wedding/honeymoon trip my DH kept telling me I was over planning. I had lunch ADRs for most days only 1 a day most days and if I booked 2 they were breakfast and dinner. We were there in August and the end of our trip was over free dining. Wasn't I laughing when he said he was hungry and I told him we had lunch in an hour and he suggested we try to get in early. Only 1 time in a three week trip did we ever get in early and while we waited we watched multiple parties get turned away as the restaurant was fully booked.
 
Yes, you need them. We went in January and one of the days we had an ADR (Melrose) the wait for a table without one was 90 minutes. This was the off season (a Wednesday in late January).
 














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