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

[Missy Mouse]

We've done it both ways and it worked out fine each time....We always book 'Ohana ahead of time just because it's our favorite restaurant (we're eating there twice this coming vacation!). A few times we called the dining board the day of a reservation we wanted to make and always got in with no problem. We usually leave a few nights to chance if we don't have any other particular place we want to eat. Some things you HAVE to make an ADR for, such as the Cinderella's Castle. Good luck getting in there if you don't have a reservation! I think it depends on the situation

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?

 

[LauraAnn630]

Our first trip we only made 2 adrs.

We wanted to eat at the Rainforest Cafe and had to wait 2 or more hours to get in! We were starving and still hated it! LOL

We were spending $40 to $50 at counter service places.
(my kids were ordering chincken strips and frys and when they were done
they wanted more!)

We were spending $60 to $70 for table service.

We decided we will always make adrs. At least one a day.

I make them at the 180th day mark! you spend so much money at Disney, why not make sure its going to be exactly what you want and need to make your trip the best possible!

 

[jayhjay]

Considering there are 170 posts on the "who is cancelling reservations" thread, there are clearly people who are being shut out of restaurants they want.

 

[musicmama]

We learned the hard way that ADRs are important, on our very first trip. It was only May and there were only a couple restaurants we wanted (character meals). Ended up with late seatings or no seatings, even calling from in-park for next day.

We got better for the next trip, which was also May. Learned about the 90-day rule and had our choice of seatings.

When we went for post-Christmas 2004, again made them all at 90 days including Candlelight Processional - was not allowed to "book early just because the package was for sale", which meant we missed out on Le Cellier and settled for Rose & Crown. Stood in line for 40 minutes past ADR time to check in at Crystal Palace, finally sat for dinner at hour+20 past ADR; waited 25 min past ADR time for R&C. We saw many families turned away.

Last year, made all of them at 180+10 except for Candlelight which was about a week earlier. Only way I could have gotten Le Cellier because it was otherwise all booked out. Saw many many families turned away pretty much everywhere.

So, no, it's not too much hype if you've actually experienced the sadness of having nothing available at the places you want.

 

[The Sweetness]

This upcomming trip is going to be my first fam vaca in 5 years.My 2y olds first vaca ever. It will have been postponed, by the time we get there, for 2 years.

I feel that this makes this our most special, and highly anticipated trip ever. Or at least since the first time we took our older dd when she was 2.

I dont feel silly at all, to be carefully planning when and where I want all of my ADRs to be. Its important to time things extremely well, when tots are involved IMO. And I wont be risking not getting what I wanted (or at least my alt choice) because it was *silly* to call 6 months out

 

[Barak's Disney]

We have one ADR for our next trip and I made it as soon as we hit the 180 day mark. It was for CRT character breakfast - everything I've heard/read says to make ADR's as soon as possible for this. I am not into big meals at WDW, but if I was, I am definately the type to make ADR's 180 days in advance - I just like to have everything planned out. The early bird gets the worm ...

 

[budbeerlady]

I dont think there is too much hype, If you like to plan your vacation down to where you eat at what time, then it is a wonderful thing. I do it at the 180 days to get for sure where I want and what days I want to eat there. If that isnt your way of doing things why does it matter? If you are happy making them at 30 days out then do that. I know openings pop up, people cancel, etc so I dont think not making them at 180 days is the end of the world and it will wreck your whole vacation.

 

[erikthewise]

Yes, some put too much hype into it.
But then, others don't put ENOUGH hype into it!
It all balances out.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am going in Sept before my cruise and after and we have not made any adrs.....I also am going in December and have not made any adrs.....I will just go with the flow, if I cannot eat at one restaurant, I will do another and have no problem with that. Since I have eaten in all restaurants at least once, I can do that and not care.

 

[Hoopfamily]

It's a must to do it asap. I waited until about 100 days out and had to settle for a few times I didn't really want.

 

[frozone]

I think most people here are inherently planners...so what might seem like hype is really the daily operation of this board. It's here to help people figure out what type of restaurants they want to try.

I also don't really buy the "how will I know what I want to eat until that day" argument. Maybe if the WDW menus were really limited, but each place has a variety of options, including chicken, beef, fish, and vegitarian...if you can't find something you like, then you're in the wrong place anyway.

 

[lsteadman]

A perfect example, we went to the motor cars Stunt show. I had schedule a ADR for Sci-Fi at the end of the show. When I arrived a Sci-Fi the line was extremely long and they continue to turn away people without an ADR.

Even with my ADR reservation I had to wait 15 minutes but I wasn't turned away. I hear people in line complaining that they didn't know about the ADR at the time (PS) reservation and want to get reservations for the rest of their trip.

I said to myself "thank goodness for DIS". Make those reservation because if you don't you will be turned away.

My next trip is Dec 18 - 28, 2006 and I already have 10 full days of ADR scheduled for that time. I got every request and time I wanted. Now try getting a reservation at the times and dates you want during a month or two from now.

I don't think ADR are emphasized enough Plus I need the pictures for the food porn thread as it has been called!

 

[brerrabbit]

I think it's all about your family and your style. Like an earlier poster said I don't make ADR's 180 days out because I never book my trip that far out. Most posters here are aware of the situation and know if you want certain TS meals you better call early. Also if your going during free dining or at Christmas or Thanksgiving you better call early. But for every person not getting the ADR they wanted there are plenty getting exactly what they want. Case in point, we weny July 15 through the 21 and I called three weeks in advance and got Ragland Road, Garden Grill, and Teppenyaki at the times and dates I wanted, no problem. On Sunday the 16th we went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour and while we were waiting saw that Tony's was available for that evening (we always look at the signs by guest services when we enter the parks to see if we might want to eat at a TS that has availability that day, provided we don't already have an ADR) Before our tour we booked a 7:00 seating for that evening. We had friends there the same week as us and they were using the dinning plan and they got all the ADR's they wanted like two weeks before their trip including CRT for dinner.

It just depends on when your going and what your must have ADR's are as to when and how you make them.

 

[Topper]

There is no more hype in folks making their ADR's as there are folks stating that they get free refills in their refillable mugs for life (without written or photographic proof).

Then again, some folks like to and never return to a thread they started.

YMMV.

 

[disney09]

As you can see, there is a wide range of responses. So basically depends on your preferences: Do you NEED to be in a certain restaurant at a certain hour at a certain day? Then do your ADR's as soon as posible. You want to be flexible? Don't worry too much, make them when you decide without pressure and with backup restaurants in mind.

I am going in September and I have changed my ADR's 3 times! No problem whatsover, just a 6:30 ADR instead of a 6:30, no more that that.

Have fun!

 

[autumnsmommy]

I made 7 ADR for my Oct 7-16 trip, not booking for the 1st or last day, so I can wing it those days. Just booked most of them last week, with the exception of a Cindy's breakfast. Got Ohana, 1900, CP, H&V (hey I liked it...yummy spoonbread),Chef Mickey's, Whispering Canyon. Just me and dd4, so nothing too gourmet or fussy...although she can put away the crab, shrimp & lox. I may try something for our last day, any suggestions?? What is the atmosphere like at Coral Reef??? She is a reasonably well behaved child.

 

[100 acre wood]

No wonder people are having trouble making reservations. If folks would quit making reservations and then not showing up, much of the problem would be eliminated. I wish WDW would start requiring a deposit when a reservation is made, so people would think before making it harder on those who really do show up for a reservation.

Perhaps you should ask for the entire story prior to jumping to conclusions. We rarely do a no show, thank you very much. As another poster stated, wherever you do end up eating, they are kind enough to cancel your ADRs on the spot, leaving the cast well prepared to dole out a spot to a walk in. I think the present system works just fine, and requires planning and forethought. But sometimes, just sometimes the best laid plans will go awry. So, with all said make those ADRs at the 180 mark to get the desired results and remain flexable as to times, we do!

 

[ely3857]

If I decide on a 'cant miss' meal then I am happy to book 180 days ahead to guarantee a seat at my preferred time but for any more then I am happy to risk been turned away and dont have a problem with eating CS instead.

I dont know how people stick to an exact dailt schedule that allows them to be at MK for CRT in the morning then WL for WCC for tea, any more than a couple of ADR's would make me feel too restricted. I'm not criticising, just wondering how they do it!



Jodie

 

[MickeyNicki]

For me, I always make my ADR's as soon as I hit the 180 day mark. Now I have my Oct and Dec ressies all made and have changed them so many times but I have always been able to get what I want.

I never used to make the reservations so far in advance but after my last few trips I found out that I could not get into Chef Mickeys, Le Cellier or Mama Melrose's...now I plan early!

 

[Lila95]

I booked our ADR's as soon as I could because there places we really wanted to go. When you have party of 9 it's hard to walk in without an ADR and get to sit together. Plus there are 4 kids in our group and I don't want to drag them out at 8:30 for dinner. For us, the ADR's just make life easier.