For those paying OOP during FD....

[BuckeyeFanDan]

We are going the last week of August, but staying off site, so no free dining (which works OK for us because we don't want to be captive to a dining schedule, plus we have more space at a condo).

My question for others that stay offsite during FD is - how many ADR's do you typically have (assuming a week at WDW)? I am currently holding more than I will ultimately keep since FD pretty much forces me too, since it is so hard to find something at the more popular places (and I am still trying to finalize a gameplan for where we will be when).

As a follow-up question, how many of those are character meals? (for those with preschool age - mine is DD4).

Right now I am leaning toward 3 character meals and 2 non-character meals (mostly around lunchtime, but some being considered as late breakfast).

My final question is....how long should I expect to wait to be seated during this time of day during FD? I know it could vary a lot depending on numerous factors, but I'm just trying to get a sense of things. I don't want to stand around for 30 minutes or more before even sitting down. I would rather just eat CS instead.

Thanks!

 

[parkers*momma]

We are going the last week of August, but staying off site, so no free dining (which works OK for us because we don't want to be captive to a dining schedule, plus we have more space at a condo).

My question for others that stay offsite during FD is - how many ADR's do you typically have (assuming a week at WDW)? I am currently holding more than I will ultimately keep since FD pretty much forces me too, since it is so hard to find something at the more popular places (and I am still trying to finalize a gameplan for where we will be when).

As a follow-up question, how many of those are character meals? (for those with preschool age - mine is DD4).

Right now I am leaning toward 3 character meals and 2 non-character meals (mostly around lunchtime, but some being considered as late breakfast).

My final question is....how long should I expect to wait to be seated during this time of day during FD? I know it could vary a lot depending on numerous factors, but I'm just trying to get a sense of things. I don't want to stand around for 30 minutes or more before even sitting down. I would rather just eat CS instead.

Thanks!

It could very well be 30 minutes or more depending on the time of day, party size and popularity of the meal. This is my 3 FDing and with checking in 15 minutes before our meal it has been at times 30-45 minutes. Occassionally, it would be at the ADR time but not very often.

Just make sure you do check in no later than 10 minutes after your ressie because they will classify you as a NO SHOW 15 minutes after your dining time. Some times the lines are long checking in...I lost a ressie at LTT last year due to being late. BUMMER!

 

[TDC Nala]

One a day (when choosing park restaurants or restaurants close to theme parks). I have no reservations for character meals (no children). Unless you choose out of the way resort restaurants or restaurants that do not accept the dining plan, you would be taking a chance on having a long wait or of not being admitted to the restaurants at all during the free dining period. Your odds of being admitted to a character meal without a long wait - or at all - without an ADR are probably not good.

The Garden Grove Cafe at the Swan has a character breakfast buffet on weekends - and they don't take the dining plan. If you want to try to get into a character meal without an ADR this may be the best bet. Be advised there is a parking fee at the Swan, even if you're just going there to eat.

With an ADR, it's still possible to have to wait past your ADR time, because you are waiting for the next table that will fit your party to open up. An ADR is not a typical restaurant reservation where the table is held open for your party. 30 minutes would be an atypically long wait, although it does happen on occasion.