Going down with no ADR's.. not by choice

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Just a little background...there is a group up us that are heading down to WDW for nationals in 6 weeks. I usually plan everything out from park days to ADR's, but unfortunately in this case my hands are tied..TILL ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE WE LEAVE!!. We do not get the girls dance schedule (classes/competition/performance) until about a week or two before the trip. I honestly am a little freaked out by this. The only day we have planned is the day before everything starts because we are free all day. Also, it's not like there are just 2 of us so an ADR might be easy to get, there are 6 of us! If anyone has been in this sort of predicament, what did you do? Just get counter service and take your chances at TS? HELP

 

[sharonabe]

As soon as you can after you get your schedule, go to the online reservations at the WDW site. You can put in the date, the meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) and the number of people. It will show you what's available. This way, you should be able to have at least a few ADRs in place and you won't have to just eat CS or "hope" for a walk-in.

 

[disnut8]

Well, there's nothing you can do about it so don't work yourself into a state. Once you get the schedule, see what table service places you can get. You probably won't be able to get your prime choices but explore places you've never been to if table service is that important. Check out resort restaurants if you really need/want a reservation.

But Disney counter service has gotten better, in my opinion. We love Flame Tree BBQ at Animal Kingdom, Cosmic Ray's at Magic Kingdom and the many options in World Showcase at Epcot. We're still finding different things at the Studios but we don't go there enough to have a favorite.

You aren't going to starve. You just have to adjust your thinking now because if you don't and you go to Disney World thinking your food is going to stink, it probably will. Have a positive attitude and you will do just fine.

 

[TravelingJen24]

Our last two trips have been without any ADR's. We have done fine. I kind of like running around with no reservations so that there is no pressure as to where we have to be. If there has been any restaurant that we want to eat at, we try to go when it first opens and have no problems getting in. Good luck and have a great time.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

We did a trip last Sept during free dining. My sis's 2 youngest were joining us after 3 days and I kept trying to get Sis to agree to a meal at a resort that night. The night before we left she says we ought to eat with the kids when they get there. I went online and 3 places had tables for 7 at resorts. I picked GFC and we had the best meal I've ever had at WDW. Don't ignore the resorts. Many are easy to get to and ADRs are far easier to get for most.

 

[Donnainnj]

Just took a quick look at Lunch and dinner for 6 on Friday of Memorial day weekend, came up with 40 for lunch and 47 for dinner, including a lot of our favorites, Kona Cafe for lunch or dinner, Liberty Tree Tavern we only like (love) lunch there, Chefs de france, lunch or dinner, and there were plenty more we wouldn't mind trying or going back to. I wouldn't worry to much.
Donna

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We do love all the choices at Epcot and do have hoppers, so we will probably end up there alot. The only thing we are worried about is a character breakfast since one of the children have never been to WDW and I think it will be a great experience for him. I think my best bet for that is the first morning we are there - at least we know we have nothing to do that day. We also will probably be hitting DTD for meals too - my dd and I love Earl of Sandwich, so that's a good place to start.

 

[sunshineNJ]

Try Wolfgang Puck Express @ DTD which is excellent counter service, Grand Floridean Cafe, Captains Grill @ yacht club,other resort restaurants. Good Luck

 

[newserenity]

Well, I would stalk the reservation site the week before you go and you will find some ADRs open believe it or not. I got several last minute ADRs at the times and days I wanted with little problem and we have a family of 5. I did spend a lot of time checking the disney site though. If you don't mind getting online periodically and checking the site you will find cancellations the last week- few days before the trip no problem.

 

[FireDancer]

I hardly ever make ADRs for Disney and so far I have not starved to death on any trips. For the vast majority of my trips I make only 1 ADR (Boma) and then just go with the flow and eat when I am hungry. I think it is ridiculous to try and determine when I will be hungry or where I will even be 90 or 180 days out. I don't go during peak time and have no problem eating at off times or going with my second or third choice if my first choice has a long wait.

Micromanaging a vacation has about as much appeal to me as passing a kidney stone.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I hardly ever make ADRs for Disney and so far I have not starved to death on any trips. For the vast majority of my trips I make only 1 ADR (Boma) and then just go with the flow and eat when I am hungry. I think it is ridiculous to try and determine when I will be hungry or where I will even be 90 or 180 days out. I don't go during peak time and have no problem eating at off times or going with my second or third choice if my first choice has a long wait.

Micromanaging a vacation has about as much appeal to me as passing a kidney stone.

My family and I are the same way and we never make ADR's before we arrive to WDW unless it's a restaurant we really want to try, because then we will make that ADR. Now the difference is since we stay Club Level we know each morning we can have breakfast in the lounge of our resort and go back there at 5:00 PM for the hot food offerings. Plus we always have our own car while at WDW because we drive down from Toronto, so it's very easy going to offsite restaurants where we don't need to make ADR's and can always walk-in. Plus without making ADR's in advance we can change our minds at the last minute and go somewhere else to eat, which we have done and one time we did that when we were driving to a specifc restaurant for dinner.

 

[cleophus12]

Once you get your dance schedule, it may not be as hard as you think to make some ADRs. I have been checking the dining site frequently for our June trip, and have been able to get just about whatever I wanted. Lots of availability out there. Hope you will be as lucky!

 

[eliza61]

Just a little background...there is a group up us that are heading down to WDW for nationals in 6 weeks. I usually plan everything out from park days to ADR's, but unfortunately in this case my hands are tied..TILL ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE WE LEAVE!!. We do not get the girls dance schedule (classes/competition/performance) until about a week or two before the trip. I honestly am a little freaked out by this. The only day we have planned is the day before everything starts because we are free all day. Also, it's not like there are just 2 of us so an ADR might be easy to get, there are 6 of us! If anyone has been in this sort of predicament, what did you do? Just get counter service and take your chances at TS? HELP

nope. I have very rarely been to disney world where ever TS is booked. Every morning we get up we call disney dining and the great cm's there are always, always able to get me into great places.

Now I totally admit character buffets and really popular places like Le Cellier will be packed but truthfully since I think LC is about the worst of all the steakhouse offerings thats not a big problem in my world.

Are you able to eat at slightly off times. 7:00 pm has been a really easy time for us to get last minute adrs. How about skipping lunch and having a big breakfast then an early dinner ~4:30. You know the best thing about that, usually around 7 oclock we are ready for a great dessert treat. Usually if we eat at 630 ish every one is so full no one wants dessert.

be flexible and call each day. You may be surprised.

 

[dalt01]

I have been checking the dining site frequently for our June trip, Lots of availability out there.

that is what i am seeing also..................and...........a couple of easy table service ressies...........Olivia's at OKW...... good food......get the Key Lime Tart for dessert....Boatwright's at POR.....the food is just ok there....but if you stick to Prime rib and chicken you will be fine.

 

[Cotton's Parrot]

I would make ADR's now for the most likely times when you'd be free. Then when you do get the schedule, you can go back and cancel the ones that won't work and try to make others. But you might just get lucky and have a few of your ADR's fit right into your schedule. Might be better than not having anything.

 

[dalt01]

I would make ADR's now for the most likely times when you'd be free. Then when you do get the schedule, you can go back and cancel the ones that won't work and try to make others. But you might just get lucky and have a few of your ADR's fit right into your schedule. Might be better than not having anything.

dont get me started

 

[edcrfv]

have to agree with firedancer, its a vacation, "if you have to worry about where you have to be when", you might as well be at work. theres always someplace to eat.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I am not worrying about where I need to be (been there, done that) but would like to have one or two good TS meals. We go quite often and have our favorites, but are always willing to try new things. We also have a few picky eaters, so this limits our choices. I just heard that it is a very busy time since schools are just getting out and would like to secure a TS or two.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I would make ADR's now for the most likely times when you'd be free. Then when you do get the schedule, you can go back and cancel the ones that won't work and try to make others. But you might just get lucky and have a few of your ADR's fit right into your schedule. Might be better than not having anything.

Good idea..thanks!

 

[kchughes]

I always make ADR's, but with the exception of the one restaurant each we have chosen as our "my trip will not be complete without..." everything else is a suggestion. If we make it, great! if not, we will figure something out. And our most enjoyable meals have been the ones when we have stopped by the concierge desk and said what you got in 2 hours? Don't care where. It really will be ok. BTW, we got le cellier that way one year... Called disney dining from my cell phone, said I am in Epcot. Do you have anything in Epcot around 5 pm? Yes, ma'am, le cellier at 5:15.