Do you think some Disboards members put to much hype into making ADR's?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I have read a lot of posts where people say they have made all their ADR's when their 180 mark had started & etc. Anyway I was wondering for people that like to plan their ADR's that far in advance do you think some Disboards members put to much hype into them, because to me it sounds like they are saying make all your ADR's now or you will have no luck getting them in the future. I do realize that is true because of the DDP however I tend to think some people go over board when saying make them now, which forces some people to do that when they really don't want to, because not everyone plans where they like to eat 180 days from when they are supost to leave for Walt Disney World. Anyway what do you all think?

 

[MScott1851]

I made my "must-haves" as soon as I hit 180 days, and am glad I did.

I see way too many posts of people saying how they can't get any ADR's to their favorite restaurants, or are eating at ridiculous times. I want to eat WHERE I want, WHEN I want.

I don't know if this matters or not, but I am only making them for a party of 2, and every single time I've called to change an ADR, there is ALWAYS availability. I have gotten reservations at restaurants on the same day that other posters have said they couldn't get into, but their parties were for 4 or 6 or more. So I think its doubly important to make them if you have a large group. You can always change them later, and if you can't, then you still have the original ADR's to fall back on.

 

[Cass]

I've seen lots of people turned away when they walk up so I make as many ADR's as possible.

Having said that, I have had good luck in making changes when I have had to and getting new ADR's without a problem other times it is a big N.O.

 

[tmt martins]

Well my family on our last trip didn't want to be bothered with ADR's .June25-July2
So I made a few Character breakfests but that was it.

Well we get there and it's like het I would like to try that place ( now I'm not a big eater I fend for myself picky) .I said well I. told you 6 months ago I could get that .
They would walk up and you know it We are not accepting walk-ups sorry.


So I get on the hone and start making Adr's right from the park and got them in almost everynight but late time ( mostly last sittings) but they eat late anyhow so thats OK.

I get back and Ask DW about our Dec trip only 3 of us for this one and she starts with the I would like to try so and so . I got all I needed but WCC is very late but got it .

So like others have said if you want a certain place at a certain time you better book at the 180 .

 

[EEYOREMAMA]

ADR's are important if you want to eat at a specific time and at a specific restaurant. If you're flexible, you may not find them as necessary.

You can always find somewhere to eat, especially after the magic 8:30 hour rolls around. But If you don't want to wind up living on snack food or vending machines, play it safe and make your ADRs. It never hurts to plan ahead.

 

[MissMagnolia]

I certainly know that if I didn't make my ADRs that far out, we wouldn't be eating at any TS restaurants - and I would be very sad about that. I had to last minute (1 month out from the trip) try and switch our ADRs from 4 people to 5 people and THAT was a huge challenge - definitely didn't get our first time choice/some didn't work at all. I pretty much know the order of the parks we visit (MK-MGM-Epcot-AK) so I can plan ADRs pretty easily. I don't worry about EMH, etc. If it works out that way, great, if not, oh well. I don't think we could come to WDW and NOT do MK first .

 

[Stacerita]

I think if you want to eat at certain places then you need to make ADRs as soon as you can. If you want to have more freedom, make a few must haves, and wing the rest. Our first trip to WDW we had no clue you could make PSs so we ate only CS the entire trip, except for one lunch in France. The next time around I made an ADR most days of the trip, and we were really glad we did. We were able to eat at almost everywhere we wanted, when we wanted. Now, I planned all my ADRs and booked them right away. We have everything we want, at the places and times we want. If we change our mind, we can cancel. But its nice to know we have that option. I could wing it, and try my luck, but why would I want to?

 

[autumnsmommy]

I had never made ADRs before our last visit...boy, did that change the quality of our trip. I made 2 per day last trip. This trip only one per day, but I got a Cindy's breakfast in there as a suprise for dd4. Doing MNSSHP, booked a dinner for then. It's a lot easier with a little one to be able to say, "we'll eat at so and so" than to have to find something that suits us both. A sit down meal gives mommy a break, too. I prefer buffets so we can try things and it drives me crazy when she orders and won't eat it, so getting to see what her options are helps out there.

 

[seven dwarfs]

For us being a family of eight ADR's are a must. If I do not make them early, I most likely will not get them. I wish it was not that way. It would be neat to not plan but not planning would be not eating TS period.

 

[utahkennedys]

For us, ADRs have become much more necessary with 2 small kids to plan their meal times before they get too cranky. Another issue has been the free dining -- lots of people who never ate TS now do b/c it is free...I am a planner, and to me, planning the ADRs is part of the fun although we don't go overboard.

 

[jarestel]

If eating at specific restaurants is an important aspect of the trip, it's best to make ADRs just to make sure one isn't disappointed if unable to get into a desired restaurant at the last minute. All it costs is a phone call to get this peace of mind, so I guess I would recommend ADRs for at least the "must do" restaurants.

As far as planning every meal day by day, we don't bother since we no longer even map out our days' activities in advance.

 

[brando5111]

We are a family of three (2 adults, 1 child (well, now pre-teen)...

Anyway, we've been to WDW every year since 01' and we have not made ADR ever and have always been able to get whatever restaurant we've wanted. Now - on our last trip we noticed a huge increase in guests and did stop in at the guest service area in MGM to book our restaurants the day we were there. We had no problem getting Sci-Fi and our favorite 50's Cafe. We did however, have a problem getting a table (at first) in O'Hana's, but since we arrived right as they opened for the evening, they accommodated us. It was not a great table, we were in the back, no water view, but there you have it. You can eat where you want, it depends really on the time your going.... In my opinion anyway....

 

[Cookie Princess]

I make our ADRs as close as possible to the 180 days. That way, I get the restaurants I want, at a time that I want to eat. That also gives me plenty of time to keep changing my mind and my ADRs.

If people are happy to settle with some of the less popular eateries at some very late dining times, than that is up to them. Hey, the early bird catches the worm. To us, the dining is an important part of the overall vacation.

 

[Quinn222]

It's important to make ADRs if you want to eat at certain places and you don't want to wait hours or be turned away completely. I normally only make Dinner ADRS but for a couple of my upcoming trips I've also made lunch ADRs as well. I want to know that we have a cool place to sit and take a break in the middle of the day.

 

[bicker]

Since there is no harm in making the ADRs early, since you can change them if you wish (as long as there is still availability), and there is significant real chances of disappointment if you don't, making ADRs early is the most prudent approach. I cannot think of any reasons to justify not making the ADRs early, and lots of reasons to do so.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Especially if dining is the main part of your WDW vacation--as it is for us.

 

[KimWDW]

If I had the dining plan, I would definitely make more ADR's. But we don't use the dining plan and we go during slow weeks, so ADRs aren't that necessary for us. Plus, we do mostly counter service because we want to get in, get out, and get on more rides! Last year we didn't make any ADRs and we did a few table service meals no problem. This year, I made 4 ADRs, mainly character dining that I want to make sure we get into. But most of our meals will be quick cs again.

 

[100 acre wood]

Not really. we always make our ADRs and if we decide not to eat there on that day, we just don't. But it is nice to have a sit down in the sites if you like to have TS...If you don't have ADRs you will be limited to CS. After a few days of CS I get tired of the offerings and am so very pleased to get a sit down square meal. Really there is nothing to lose with making the ADRs and then you won't be the people being turned away.

 

[antmaril]

I have read a lot of posts where people say they have made all their ADR's when their 180 mark had started & etc. Anyway I was wondering for people that like to plan their ADR's that far in advance do you think some Disboards members put to much hype into them, because to me it sounds like they are saying make all your ADR's now or you will have no luck getting them in the future. I do realize that is true because of the DDP however I tend to think some people go over board when saying make them now, which forces some people to do that when they really don't want to, because not everyone plans where they like to eat 180 days from when they are supost to leave for Walt Disney World. Anyway what do you all think?

I do agree with you. We've been going to Disney for years and I make one or two (maybe) ADR's before we go. I usually call a month or so before the trip. Sometimes we wait until we get there and then make an ADR. I have NEVER been denied a reservation. We've gone in the summer, President's week, May, January. You name it.

I think the only time I would have to plan ahead is if we went during Christmas week or Easter. I do think it would be necessary to give it more thought at those times. Otherwise, we pretty much wing it.

 

[Lizzybee]

I've never made ADR's 180 days out because I've never booked a WDW vacation that far in advance. Last August for free dining/surprise the kids trip, I didn't book the trip til maybe 6 weeks before the trip. The only ADR I wanted and couldn't get was CRT. I tried calling a few times and got in for CRT lunch. The CM who found me the booking was so excited she squealed in my ear and yelled "I got it! I got it!" I had just called to ask if we could have just a dessert in the castle so we could say we "ate" in the castle and see the inside. I was pretty casual about it too she said "well let me just check..." I think it was a more difficult ADR to get before it became a 2TS meal. I did however book ADRs as soon as possibly could for both free dining trips (ie..."ok your trip is all booked"..."Can I please make my dining reservations now?") A coworker of mine is taking her kids on their first trip to WDW the same time we'll be there this yr. I gave her suggestions about what resort/restaurants and let her know ADR's are ESSENTIAL or you will most likely waste some TS credits. She's there for 5 nights and I think she made 2 ADRs.