Do you need ADR's in January?

Antonia

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 25, 2000
Messages
2,205
DH and I are possibly going at the end of January. Can you just walk up and get a table for two at this time of year or do you still need ADRs?
 
If you want to eat at one of the more popular restaurants then yes I would make a reservation just to be sure. Sometimes you can get lucky and just walk up, but I have found this to be true mostly with lunch, and being there when they open. I have also been at Disney and made a reservation for the same day with no problem, but I always had my fingers crossed. There are no sure things.......
 
Depends on where you want to eat and if there is anything going on at WDW the time you are going.

We went Jan 20-25 2009 and had breakfast ressies at CP and we really didnt need it because the place was empty. We also had breakfast ressies at the Princess Breakfast in Norway and that was packed so I am glad we booked it in advance.

Dinner was at 1900 PF and Coral Reef, both places were booked solid. We did 1 night at Fultons and we did have ressies but didnt need them as they were taking many walk ups
 
I say yes.

Especially if you are going during Free Dining.

How I look at it is this....

Ask yourself do you want to be on vacation and can't get in anywhere to have a sit down meal?
Do you want to have "......." (fill in the blank) and can't eat there because they are booked? And the only place to eat doesn't have any foods you like???

Depending on your answer to those questions is your answer.

Have a good trip! :)
 

We go every January and eat at a lot of places without ADRs. Character meals are crowded although we had no problem getting into Cape May Cafe at BC. We have even done a walkup to LeCellier right at opening.

If you have your heart set on someplace, make the ADR. We don't have a burning need to eat at certain places so we have always been successful getting a walkup or last minute reservation. You can go to Guest Services at any park and they can check availability for you for the day.

If you don't do the dining plan, we've never had a problem getting into the restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin (they are not on the plan). Many of them are more adult oriented and have excellent food.
 
If you have your heart set on someplace specific, I would make an ADR. We were able to do a walk-up to Tokyo Dining on a Saturday night in January. But on the other had, we tried to move our lunch at The Plaza to an earlier time slot and they were booked solid. So you just never can tell.
 
I agree with PP's. If you want to eat in prime meal time at the popular in -park or resort restaurants, than make an ADR.
I also agree that you will probably be able to eat somewhere without an ADR, just not where you want to eat.
Good Luck
 








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