Goodness, that was easy!

[ziggylu]

We've book a fairly last minute trip arriving to WDW on 10/30. We did buy the Dining Plan as we figured it would be economical for us in the long run.

We haven't sorted out how to use the Plan and are reluctant to do so from now. we're just not planners. Our last vacation, we packed a suitcase, drove the freeway and decided if we should head North or South. We were gone for ten days and never did have any sort of plan...so trying to decide where we want to have dinner over two weeks from now? It's just not our nature!

We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and I do want to try Jiko while we're there. We agreed that the first night we're there, Tuesday, would be the best as we're arriving from the Renaissance over at Sea World after a conference. It'll be after 6:30 before husband gets over to the Lodge that night...so we figured this would be a nice night to relax, enjoy the resort and have a nice dinner to start things off.

I picked up the phone to call Disney this afternoon. Listening to the message I expected to be on hold for an hour...5 minutes later I got some nice young lady. Told her what I wanted and the time...and she booked it and gave me a confirmation #.

I'm shocked at how easy it was really. It's tempting me to not reserve anything else and just play it by ear.

We're really flexible(obviously ) so I'm thinking I can just call each day and ask what's available if anything? There's nowhere we're set on eating anyway....

Anyone done this with any success?

 

[mickeymousemom]

I think there are many people that have done it "with success", but I don't think you can necessarily be picky about where you eat. Chances are you won't get into LeCellier, or eat with Cinderella at the castle, but you should still be able to find something. I'd say that if you were going during free dining you'd be outta luck period, but you should be fine. You might be limited to resort restaurants(on some nights), but then again, you never know. Since it looks as though this is what your family is used to, then I say go for it.

 

[georgiapeach]

I think it is much easier to get reservations at the Signature restaurants (like Jiko), as they require 2 table service credits, so many people on the DDP avoid them.

It's offen recommended on the Dis that you make some ADRs and you can always cancel later. Better to have something to fall back on than get stuck with nothing.

Disney is getting difficult for those of us who hate over-planning!

 

[disneyfan55]

We've book a fairly last minute trip arriving to WDW on 10/30. We did buy the Dining Plan as we figured it would be economical for us in the long run.

We haven't sorted out how to use the Plan and are reluctant to do so from now. we're just not planners. Our last vacation, we packed a suitcase, drove the freeway and decided if we should head North or South. We were gone for ten days and never did have any sort of plan...so trying to decide where we want to have dinner over two weeks from now? It's just not our nature!

We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and I do want to try Jiko while we're there. We agreed that the first night we're there, Tuesday, would be the best as we're arriving from the Renaissance over at Sea World after a conference. It'll be after 6:30 before husband gets over to the Lodge that night...so we figured this would be a nice night to relax, enjoy the resort and have a nice dinner to start things off.

I picked up the phone to call Disney this afternoon. Listening to the message I expected to be on hold for an hour...5 minutes later I got some nice young lady. Told her what I wanted and the time...and she booked it and gave me a confirmation #.

I'm shocked at how easy it was really. It's tempting me to not reserve anything else and just play it by ear.

We're really flexible(obviously ) so I'm thinking I can just call each day and ask what's available if anything? There's nowhere we're set on eating anyway....

Anyone done this with any success?

We were there 1 1/2 weeks ago on the dining plan. We did have reservations for all days that were made 3 1/2 months ahead of time with much difficulty. I really never like to plan much either. You can wing it maybe, but the restaurant that may have availablity might not be where you are when dinner time comes around. A number of the days we were there MK had signs that NO table service was available in the park. I would make some type of reservations and cancel if you find something better or at all. Good Luck!! Just to let you know we have been to WDW many times and never made any reservations prior to being there. We were very surprised at the lack of availabilty.

 

[septbaby]

Since you are on the dining plan I'd make at least a couple more TS reservations. You have paid for those meals, it would be ashamed to not use them. Even if you just booked Boma for breakfast since it at the AKL at least you'd have a guaranteed way to use the credits. We had dinner there and loved it and will be going back next trip.

As for CS you won't need reservations, but at least do enough research to know which park places you'd be willing to try or in the case of Mara at the AKL if there are any items you'd really like to try. This really helped us twice, at MK one night our my first choice was closed, second choice was on the other side of the park so we used my 3rd choice. Another day my family went to Epcot w/o me, I directed them to a food court there and it worked out great for them.