Does anyone else make their ADRs during their trip, not before?

[minijenny]

I went to WDW Jan 4-13 this year. The only ADR I actually made in advance of arriving was for California Grill. For every other meal I just walked up to the concierge desk at BC in the morning or early afternoon for our evening meals. I reserved spots for every full service restaurant I wanted each day at decent dinner times (5-8pm). We at at the Coral Reef, Chefs de France, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Big River Grille, Rose and Crown, and Restaurant Marrakesh.

Does anyone else just wait to decide where to eat the day of, or do you mostly plan out 180 days in advance? I'm just not sure I can decide what I'd like to eat for a whole week 6 months in advance.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

I made reservations at the 180 day mark for what I think I want.

I have definitely changed my mind during a trip, made new ADRs, and cancelled the old ones. If you go at a less crowded time, it's very doable for a number of locations. (It was also very doable 5+ years ago when I never had more than a month and a half lead time between making the ressies and arriving.) Just know that some places will be booked solid and unavailable. If you really want something in particular, make the ADR in advance and know that you can cancel if it doesn't turn out.

 

[suzimar57]

we always call on the 180 day mark - that way we get what we want, where we want - as difficult as some ADRs are to come by, we plan way ahead

 

[mcco5543]

Honestly, I don't like the idea of deciding what I might want to eat on what day 6 months early either. However i'm extremely picky and their are certain resturaunts where i'd eat the whole menu and some i'd never eat a thing off the menu. So I defintiely need certain resturant.

 

[anbouk]

I went to WDW Jan 4-13 this year. The only ADR I actually made in advance of arriving was for California Grill. For every other meal I just walked up to the concierge desk at BC in the morning or early afternoon for our evening meals. I reserved spots for every full service restaurant I wanted each day at decent dinner times (5-8pm). We at at the Coral Reef, Chefs de France, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Big River Grille, Rose and Crown, and Restaurant Marrakesh.

Does anyone else just wait to decide where to eat the day of, or do you mostly plan out 180 days in advance? I'm just not sure I can decide what I'd like to eat for a whole week 6 months in advance.

WOW~ That's LUCK! It was a definite SLOW time (Jan)! I would NOT recommend doing this during PEAK, you'd be eating counter meals....but now that is fine for some! Guess you can do what you feel like doing?

 

[yngsj]

We did on our 1st trip and were not sucessful. The only places we got were Biergarten and a very early Chef Mickeys and that was in late Jan./early Feb. I wouldn't try it again.

 

[Christine]

I would love to do what you did; however, I never get to go to the parks at such a slow time. I believe the week you went (the week after New Year's) is one of their slowest weeks. So I can see how that would work out for you.

I go either in May or June (my last trip was over Easter) so I would be foolish to try this.

 

[disgram]

For as long as I can remember, we have always made ADRs a long time before we went to WDW. I know that at the time I make them, I have no idea really what I want to eat. I use the ADRs and then build around them as to which park, activity etc. we will do. Guess I do it backwards but it seems to work for us.
With the DDP, most times are getting busier and I would not want to have to eat CS for every meal.

 

[Magic2000]

I like to make my ADRs as far in advance as possible, especially for some family "must-do's". We always eat at least once at LeCellier, so I make that ADR as soon as possible.

Our first full day at Disney is usually always Magic Kingdom. So I'll usually get an ADR for Plaza Restaurant (family favorite). Second day is usually Epcot, and that's when I try to get LeCellier in. Then I try to mix up my parks over the length of our stay, and make an ADR for a restaurant either in that park, or where I'm thinking we'd like to try. I try to get at least one ADR for each day.

If, as the trip gets closer, we decide to try something new, then I call and see if an ADR is available for that restaurant, and I'll cancel the ADR I have. Same thing if once we get there we change our minds - just cancel the ADR.

I'd rather have the ADR at the place (and time!!) that I want, than to take a chance and not have a TS restaurant.

Good luck!!!!

 

[Kae]

I make them for our must dos. but we have found some new Favorites by getting ADRs after we get to WDW or by changing plans. Artist Point & GF Cafe we have tried because of this. And Cape May Charater Breakfast also which is now our Favorite Charater Meals.

Kae

 

[danicaw]

This is the first trip we have made adrs in advance.
We usually make then once on property.
But with all the adr talk here on the boards I got spooked and went for it.

 

[TDS'93]

My husband and I stayed at WDW the first 3 weeks in March of this year. I made 1 ADR before we left and the rest we took our chances. I made a couple while at the World and all others we just walked up. We ate at every table service restaurant we wanted. We usually tried to eat early, but not always.

 

[debbiedoo]

Last Oct and This pasty May, I have. I ate everywhere I wanted to from yachtsman, Brown and Derby, Boma, Alfredo's, Kona, Ohana's, I went to conceirge late at night or first thing in the morning and went from there. My park days may have changed, but not a big deal for me.

There was only 2/3 ppl to seat for, and I am sure larger parties would be a lot harder to find tables for.

 

[faindrops27]

Last year, i wanted to get into Ohana' again.. I heard from the board that there were people who were able to book ressies once there. So, I tried to. Yeah right! Never again. Will I believe that you can just walk up, and get seated. If anyone actually does, and gets a spot in one of the most popular resteraunts. They must have extreme luck. Or they are down for the slowest times.

 

[debbiedoo]

Last year, i wanted to get into Ohana' again.. I heard from the board that there were people who were able to book ressies once there. So, I tried to. Yeah right! Never again. Will I believe that you can just walk up, and get seated. If anyone actually does, and gets a spot in one of the most popular resteraunts. They must have extreme luck. Or they are down for the slowest times.

Their are ppl that have last minute cancellations, just go to concierge late at nite, or in the morning. I have called late at nite, no -- about 8am no, 10am it came open. The key is -- be FLEXIBLE and have no set park days.

 

[faindrops27]

Debbie, as I said. Pure luck, as I see it. People cancel. Yes, I agree. But, I was not able to get into Ohana' at anytime in any of the remaining 7 days I was there. It didnt matter what park I was attending. Since, it was a resort resteraunt. I made several calls morning, noon, and night, to no avail. I will never bet on walking up to any ts from now on. I learned a very valuable lesson.

 

[melomouse]

We were at WDW last year during free dining and made three ADR changes, calling dining from our room each morning. Miraculously, after months of trying from home, we got into Le Cellier! Bye-bye Biergarten!

Also switched from Rose & Crown to Crystal Palace and at the very last minute, as DS was having a meltdown in time for our CG ressie, I walked up to the podium, tearfully cancelled CG, got my $10 deposit credited back, went down to Chef Mickey's and waited 15-20 minutes to be seated.

We are often pixiedusted on our trips in unexpected ways.

We are trying CG again this trip! Wish me luck!

 

[cremebrulee]

I only make a few reservations, and I make them for the restaurants I absolutely MUST eat at. Everywhere else we eat is spur of the moment.

 

[Safari Queen]

We book maybe one place we really want to go and wing it the rest of the time. We're okay with CS if nothing is available, but we usually manage to find something that works for us. We hate being tied to a particular place at a particular time. We're there to relax!

 

[debbiedoo]

Debbie, as I said. Pure luck, as I see it. People cancel. Yes, I agree. But, I was not able to get into Ohana' at anytime in any of the remaining 7 days I was there. It didnt matter what park I was attending. Since, it was a resort resteraunt. I made several calls morning, noon, and night, to no avail. I will never bet on walking up to any ts from now on. I learned a very valuable lesson.

guess I managed to be at the right place at the right time. When I go with friends and family and a larger party,(or a party 4 or more) I always book at the 180 mark, I know what it can be like.