First trip, do I NEED adrs?

[RobynPrincess]

As title says really, my hubby and I are headed to DL in May for our first ever trip, staying in the grand California for 5 nights with a 4 day ticket. Do we need to make adrs? We are wdw vets but as this is our first trip west, do we want to be tied down to reservations? Are restaurants as hard to get into in DL as in WDW?

Thanks for your help!

 

[HappiestHaunt]

Only if you wish to eat at the sit down restaurants in the parks and on the resort. You will find having them will make the trip easier. The remaining spots are counter service and the like, which is the majority in the parks. Maybe look through the All ears menu site to see what appeals to you for the visit, which may enable you to see if you will need them. Their menus are here:http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm.

 

[figment_jii]

In general, on average, you typically do not need to make ADRs at DLR like you do for WDW (the booking window at DLR opens 60-days in advance, but you can usually find a good selection of options with less than a week to go, expect during the height of the busier periods - Christmas week, Thanksgiving day, 4th of July, July 17th, etc.). That being said, if you know you want to eat somewhere and/or at specific time, then I would go ahead and make an ADR. You can often get a walk-up somewhere in DLR, but it's not always at the place you want or with a short wait. The more popular the place (e.g., Blue Bayou) or the busier the day (e.g., Saturdays) the more likely it will be a good idea to have an ADR. If you're flexible (i.e., willing to eat at off times), then you'll stand a better chance of getting a walk-up.

When you say you're going in May, when are you going? If it's over the Memorial Day weekend, I would make ADRs just to be safe because that is typically a fairly busy period.

I have been to DLR when they were turning away walk-ups (specifically at Carthay Circle, Cafe Orleans, and Blue Bayou) during less busier periods of the year (mid-September weekday but during HalloweenTime and in February after Presidents).

 

[emily94]

Are you going during Memorial Day weekend? If so, it might be a good idea to make 1 or 2 ADRs and you can always cancel 24 hrs in advance if you change your mind!

I would suggest reservations for Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle, Big Thunder BBQ, any character meals or any Fantasmic/World of Color dining packages!

Have a great trip!!

 

[JasonShannon76]

I've been turned away at multiple table service restaurants without a reservation. If you want table service, then make a reservation. Otherwise, there are plenty of counter service places to choose from.

 

[jaxy82]

I would recommend it only if you want to go to a very specific table-service restaurant. Our first trip, we walked up to Café Orleans and had to wait forever. Our second trip and upcoming one, reservations all the way! If you're not set on any one place, I wouldn't bother. There are plenty of options for counter service places and in Downtown Disney, too.

 

[HydroGuy]

As title says really, my hubby and I are headed to DL in May for our first ever trip, staying in the grand California for 5 nights with a 4 day ticket. Do we need to make adrs? We are wdw vets but as this is our first trip west, do we want to be tied down to reservations? Are restaurants as hard to get into in DL as in WDW?

Thanks for your help!

This should help you understand ADRs at DLR a bit better...

"What WDW Vets Need to Know About Dining at DLR" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2914467

 

[RobynPrincess]

Thank you so much everyone for the help and advice! I might make one or 2 adrs in that case. I've started making a list of places we fancy to eat after looking at the menus.

 

[Iceman93]

I'm really impressed to see such good advice in this thread. Let me just highlight a couple of previous points:

- Reservations are not essential like they are at WDW.
- That being said, I've seen far too many people disappointed people turned away from host stands as I was waiting behind them to check in for my reservation, at table service restaurants all over the resort.

Make at least a few special reservations, then be flexible with the rest of your trip. The best of all worlds!

 

[StyledSugar]

Keep in mind, if you make ADRs and choose not to go, you must cancel the day before or you will be charged $10 per person. That's what I was told yesterday when I booked some.