Haven't made ADR

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

Hi Everyone,

Help convince me that I haven't made a mistake. I've never made ADRs before but with the free dining, this time I have made a couple. We're going Aug 21-26 and planned to just wing it on the table services. My plans were to utilize these meals at lunch, late lunches, then use the counter meals at night. Do you think we'll have any problems with this plan? I don't want to eat at the nicest restaurants but would like to try Sci Fi for lunch.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Kaycee]

First of all, welcome to the DIS!

Most people are reporting that, due to the dining plan, it is much more difficult to get into table service restaurants without an ADR than it used to be. And we've seen people turned away for lunch at Sci Fi several times even before the dining plan. Given those two facts, I'd really recommend making an ADR for Sci Fi if you want to eat there.

As far as your other table service meals, if you can be flexible about where and when you eat you will be able to find someplace to dine I'm sure. But if there are certain restaurants that you're interested in, it would be a good idea to go ahead and make an ADR.

 

[calgarygary]

I would definitely make ADR's. I booked at the 90 day mark for our stay in Oct. and twice decided not to wake up early to book what I thought would be less popular restaurants. In both cases, I had to adjust the time as when I wanted to go wasn't available.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'd make some if you want to ensure you'll have some table service places to dine at. You can always cancel if you opt to not go. I would rather know I had a spot to eat then be stuck without.

We visited SciFi in May and they were turning away all walk-ins, BUT, we made an ADR 2 hours prior! So we could get an reservation at the last minute, but they wouldn't take people walking up - for whatever reason. This was before the free dining, and when the parks were not crowded.

In August, I would expect most places to be turning away walk-in's.

If you're happy with trying to get into places and eating counter service if you can't, then I wouldn't sweat it. But if you wnat to use those table service places, I'd make some.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

CG, Le Cellier, Sci Fi, and CP (breakfast) were completely booked for dinner when we visited this past weekend. Kona had a few openings. The restaurants were definitely hopping!

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

Thanks for your advice. I passed it on to DS (19) who is going with me but he still wants to take our chance. Oh well, the worse that can happen is that we lose a couple of meals. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to spend any more $$ than I have to but I really don't want to be stuck to a schedule.

Only 11 more days! Can't wait!!!!!!!

 

[bigmac5]

As long as you are flexable and don't have any "have to's" on your list you can probably wing it. If there is some restaurant you really want then I wounld try to book it.

 

[abacobaby]

Why don't you just make ADR's for lunch anyway? That way you'll at least have reservations, just in case. You can always cancel them if you decide not to use them. It would be too bad to have the free dining plan, but still not be able to eat at sit down places or places you might want to try, just because you didn't make ADR's. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Figment56]

Thanks for your advice. I passed it on to DS (19) who is going with me but he still wants to take our chance. Oh well, the worse that can happen is that we lose a couple of meals. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to spend any more $$ than I have to but I really don't want to be stuck to a schedule

I have made ressies for dinner the week of Aug 21-28 and hate being stuck to a schedule too, but most of the restaurants are at resorts, so we don't really have to worry about being in a certain park that day. The restaurants that are in the parks, we will just make sure we are in that park that day. Some of my ressies were hard to get btw-especially Le Cellier!

 

[rocky41102]

Why not just make the ADR's and see what happens? That way if it works out you have it scheduled and you're guaranteed a place. If it doesn't work out you can always cancel it.

 

[deltachi8]

We will be there Aug 24-29 and Made our ADRs in the past 10 days. The only one we could not get was Chef Mickeys on the 27th - other than that, we had a nice choice of times.

 

[Cindy B]

I just called for my upcoming trip and wanted to move/add things for Sept 2n and 3rd.

They told me they had availability and it was much better to do it ahead of time. There were openings after 6 at Teppanyanki and moved a breakfast around for the 3rd.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

Ok. You have convinced me. I'll take a look at the restaurants and try to narrow down which days we'll go to each park and go ahead and make a couple more. It would be a shame to waste the meals wouldn't it? Thanks!!!