Early Sept - NO res?

[EveClark]

Hi everyone - this is my first post, so hello to all!

I haven't been to DW in about 7 years, so I came to the board looking for some tips. We're going Sept 10 - 14 for our honeymoon!
My question is, do I really need to make dining reservation before we even leave? I never remember making any ressies before I left for my previous trips and don't recall having any problems. But I've read about a "free dining" going on during our trip this year and most of you already have things booked...
Since it's just going to be the two of us and we aren't planning any character meals, do we really need to plan our meals out now? We really enjoy dining out so I'm sure we will eat TS restaurants at least for dinner, and maybe for lunch too.

Sorry this is kind of long.
Thanks in advance for your help. I hope to get to know all of you well!

 

[Mom2Evie]

If y ou're going to be down there 9/10 through 9/14, I'd make sure I had ADR (advance dining reservations) for dinner every night. SInce you're a party of 2, it will be easier for you. I'd really hate for you to spend any of your honeymoon time waiting for a table to be ready, eating counter service because nothing was available or an hour with your resort concierge trying to find somewhere, anywhere that's available.
One night during our April trip, I left some flexibility & didn't book an ADR. It took me almost an hour to find somewhere to eat dinner that was before 9pm. Never again will I be flexible during a busy time!!

 

[YetiSlayer]

I would recommend getting reservations. It was slim pickings when I called and that was over two months ago. I think they have fewer slots available for two guests which could even make it tougher for you. Happy Disneymoon!

 

[antmaril]

I would definitely make some ADR's, if you can. You may be very disappointed, if you can't get in anywhere because of Free Dining.

 

[helenabear]

Because of the free dining I definitely would! I have heard they book up rather quickly during that time.

 

[momof1princess]

honestly, with it being just over a month away and your trip being during free dining...call NOW. please don't wait. i'd hate to see your honeymoon (i honeymooned in wdw too-15 years ago) tarnished b/c you couldn't get dining reservations for the restaurants you had in mind.

 

[crazykids]

absolutely call now! there is very limited availabitlity at most TS restaurants.

 

[DisneyMom&Fan]

We are doing a pre-cruise WDW trip on 9/11-9/14. I tried to change my ADRs a couple weeks ago and couldn't really get what I wanted, so I kept what I had. I would definitely call asap!

 

[Tink3Belle]

I hope you have luck getting the ressies you want with a party of two it shouldn't be too back. Stress its you honeymoon maybe it will help. Good luck and congrats with the wedding.

 

[CamColt]

Welcome to the Dis, EveClark. We are glad you decided to join us!

I just want to echo what the others have said here, definitely try to make some dining reservations in advance if you want to enjoy some sit down meals. Openings for September will likely be limited.

 

[J and R's mom]

HI!

Welcome to the DIS!

Congrats on the wedding and upcoming honeymoon!


Times have changes at WDW in the past seven years. I have been going at least once a year since 1999 (when DH and I were married and honeymooned at WDW).

Even if you weren't going during the free dining seaon (did you get the free dining package?) I'd still recommend making ADRs well in advance of your trip. Seven years ago you could make ADRs at only 90 days out. Now you can make them at 180 days out. And believe it or not, things fill up FAST now! There will be plenty of cancelations along the way, but it's nice to get things books before you get there, especially if you're trying to go to some of the more popular restaurants.

If you know of a few places you'd like to eat, give WDW a call and see what they have available during your time period. That'd be the fasted way for you to tell whether or not you need to make all of your reservations now.

There's also a DIS forum for weddings and honeymoons (if you haven't visted it yet).

Have an awesome honeymoon!

 

[huckster]

i would call know and see what might still be available,
welcome to the DIS and Congrats

 

[Mickiethepooh]

You really my be out of luck already and you should make a plan and call immediately, though you probably will have to keep calling and hope for the best.
Unfortunate you are honeymooning during the free dining plan special period.

 

[Neelloc]

I just got off the phone with Disney Dining trying to make some changes to ressies starting 9/12 and there were very slim pickings, and many place had no availablilty at all.

Call now! Don't wait!

And, I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon!

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes! You're going during the free dining promotion. If you want table service meals, make some ADRs as soon as possible.

You may do better if you eat early or late. If you want to do walkins on property, find out which restaurants don't take the dining plan (several at Downtown Disney, Swan & Dolphin for instance)

 

[jennib5426]

I am a party of 2 going in September and it was harder to get a table for two ADR then a table for four. There seems to be fewer tables for 2 in most of the restaurants. Good luck, I tried to change some ADR's around last week and there was almost no availablity, all dinner ADR's available were for 8:55pm.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Things have changed in 7 years!!! Here is a little advice on some of the lesser booked, but definitely excellent restaurants

Grand Floridian Cafe (not sure if this is a character meal right now, ask, if it's not, it's one of our not to be missed, delicious food, excellent service.)

Olivia's at Old Key West (nice family atmosphere, excellent food)

Chef's de France at Epcot

The Plaza at Magic Kingdom (perfect for a nice lunch)

Yachtclub Galley at the Yachtclub (nice anytime, but they have a very nice little brunch for breakfast, or you can order off the menu)

Wolfgang Puck Cafe at Downtown Disney (one of our not to be missed)

I'm not one to mention ones that I've not tried, but the Turf Club at Saratoga Springs has gotten excellent reviews. We'll be trying it in October.

Kona Cafe at the Polynesian (very nice anytime)

My suggestion would be to look over the menus at allears.net and there's no harm in asking about ones that look good to you.

We usually make 2 a day, either a brunch and early dinner or a lunch and late dinner and then a snack as necessary. You can always cancel, but you might have a hard time getting one if you "play it by ear".

 

[disneykidz4]

Hi everyone - this is my first post, so hello to all!

I haven't been to DW in about 7 years, so I came to the board looking for some tips. We're going Sept 10 - 14 for our honeymoon!
My question is, do I really need to make dining reservation before we even leave? I never remember making any ressies before I left for my previous trips and don't recall having any problems. But I've read about a "free dining" going on during our trip this year and most of you already have things booked...
Since it's just going to be the two of us and we aren't planning any character meals, do we really need to plan our meals out now? We really enjoy dining out so I'm sure we will eat TS restaurants at least for dinner, and maybe for lunch too.

Sorry this is kind of long.
Thanks in advance for your help. I hope to get to know all of you well!

We are not going until the second week in December. When I called yesterday to change some things around, what I wanted was not available.
She could only seat me after 8:40 pm at every restaurant I asked her for (Kona, Whispering Canyon, Crystal Palace,Spoodles, Yachtsman -- get the picture?) As luck would have it, while I was talking to the CM a cancellation for Crystal Palace popped up on the screen (this happened when I called about CRT, also). So, I snagged that one (and, of course, CRT!). But, all the others? I had to leave them as is and we'll just have to work around them (or keep calling!). I couldn't believe it would be so hard to change things four months out . . . did read a couple of times on other posts that you could try for ADR cancellations at 45 days out from your trip (many people have to cancel ADR's when they cancel their trips, also). I don't know when in September you are going -- you may have missed the 45 day "thing" already. Anyway . . . at least give it a try . . . first thing tomorrow. Hopefully, you will get everything that you want. Let us know!

 

[EveClark]

WOW!
Thanks to everyone for your quick and detailed replies.
I'm going to work on it today! I'll let you know how things turn out.
I'll probably be on some other posts asking more questions... See you there!

 

[battricia]

I am a party of 2 going in September and it was harder to get a table for two ADR then a table for four.

We had this problem also! My parents are coming a few days before the end of our trip so we made some ADRs with them, and it was easier to get ADRs for 4. I was really surprised.

Good luck with the ADRs and definately make atleast one per day because last year when we went (around the same time - sept) most restaurants were not accepting walk-ins.

tricia.