Help! Do we have to make ADR's?

[Opal's Mom]

We are on our way to Disney in just a couple of weeks. We have never been and don't really know what we want to do! The only reservation we have make is for the Fantasmic dinner and show. We wanted to eat at Chef Mickey's but there are no available seats for us.

Do you have to make reservations? Or do they save some seats for walk-ins? There are 6 of us in our group. Should I keep trying other places to see if I can get a reservation or just go with the flow and hope we can get in? Should I try Chef Mickey's that night? Thanks for any help!!!

 

[KarenAylwood]

They do not save any seats for walkups, but that day/week they may have cancellations. Two years ago we got in the day before for Cinderella's Royal Table for a good dinner time (7pm). But in order to get something like this, you need to check a few days ahead of time. Check back that week to see if any Chef Mickey's opened up.

Last September we saw two men walk up to get dinner at 5pm at Coral Reef. They told them they were completely booked with ADR's and they could not seat them.

If there's somewhere you really want to go, make the ADR. If you're on the dining plan- DEFINITELY make the ADR so you have something- otherwise you won't be able to make the best of your TS credits.

 

[jonslola]

With a party of 6 ADR's are definately recommended. If you want to go to Chef Mickeys, I would just keep trying, there's always a chance someone will cancel. I don't think any of the restaurants "save" tables for walk ups, but you can always try, lots of people have had luck with this especially if you go at odd times (think early dinner, or very late). Good Luck!

 

[Helpmate]

In some cases ADR's are required and in others they are simply suggested.
I think character dining is one of those cases where they are required. Regardless, as a rule I would make ADRs as soon as possible for any restaurants that you really want to go to. I've seen people get turned away because restaurants were booked solid . I know it's hard making a decision in advance, but websites like this one have made it easier by providing us with the menus for the restaurants.

Disney here we come!

 

[MEM]

We will be there at the same time as you. DH made our ADRs 60 days ago and he had to make quite a few adjustments on the times in order to get the ADRs.

You say you have never been to WDW - I can tell you that they do not set aside tables for "walk-ups" -- there have been many times when we were checking in WITH ADRs and walk-ups were sent away - they wouldn't even take their names. It can get kind of unpleasant when you have hungry people hoping for a table and not wanting to take "no" for an answer.

Not to alarm you, but I suggest you make a few ADRs now while you can - you can always cancel or change them once you get to WDW and can tell what your schedule is. Based on what I have witnessed, it would be very difficult to seat a party of 6 without ADRs.

 

[Opal's Mom]

Wow, I would never have even thought of making a bunch of reservations and then cancelling them. We REALLY wanted to go to Chef Mickey's, but I guess we'll have to make a reservation somewhere else! I'll check a day or so before we leave to see if anyone cancelled! Thanks for the advice!

 

[lynninpa]

Wow, I would never have even thought of making a bunch of reservations and then cancelling them. We REALLY wanted to go to Chef Mickey's, but I guess we'll have to make a reservation somewhere else! I'll check a day or so before we leave to see if anyone cancelled! Thanks for the advice!

Call now! And then each day (at least once!) from now until you go. Once there, keep checking-people do cancel all the time. Good luck!

 

[Captn Jack Sparrow]

I would also recommend that while your on property to call Disney Dining every day to see what is available. That is the only way I Got CRT one year for the crew. Good luck!

No matter whatenjoy your Disney trip.

 

[cleophus12]

I would definitely recommend the ADRs. I made mine way ahead of time, and when I called to see if I could make a change for next week, the only times available were 9:30 pm. When your party is hungry and nothing (except counter service is available), things can get frustrating.

 

[slimplaw]

We will be there May 3-8 and earlier this week I made ADRs for Donald's Breakfastsaurus and Whispering Canyon. I tried for LeCellier, but could not get it, but did not expect to get it anyway. There are places available, but I expect Epcot TS to be filled with the Minnie Marathon and Flower show going on.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Wow, I would never have even thought of making a bunch of reservations and then cancelling them. We REALLY wanted to go to Chef Mickey's, but I guess we'll have to make a reservation somewhere else! I'll check a day or so before we leave to see if anyone cancelled! Thanks for the advice!

We were there this same time last year and I didn't make too many ADR's. We did have Chef Mickey's and I was glad we did, they were turning away people that night and I felt very sorry for those poor, disappointed, hungry kids! One character meal you might try is the Cape May character breakfast at the Beach Club (note characters are only there at breakfast). It was very fun, Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Pluto were there. I was able to get that one last minute, its not quite as popular as Chef Mickey's. I was also able to ge the Gardne Grill at Epcot (Mickey is at that one) last minute as well. I know it seems weird to make ADR's sometimes 180 days out and thinking all along you may end up cancelling, but unfortuantely Disney dining is all about pre planning! Good luck, there are plenty of wonderful counter service places that serve way more than burgers. Sometimes its nice to just wing it and believe me you won't starve. And I agreee, keep calling before your trip and again once you are there. Things do open up.

 

[silverarrowknits]

Please make your ADRs. When I go with just my parents, I am pulling my hair out when we don't make ADRs because we spend the entire day trying to decide where to eat and then trying to find a place that will seat us. Yes, getting the restaurants you want is great (especially with the free DDP); however, more importantly, it will keep your crew calmer. It is one less decision to make.

Call every day if you really want to go to CM. It isn't like you are going to get the same cast member every time and annoy him/her. In fact, if you haven't gotten the ADR by the last week or so, call twice a day. My Dad was able to save a bunch of money on a last minute room stay, because he called twice in the same day. A room at one of the AS resorts opened up while he was deciding whether to take a room or not.

 

[aubriee]

Definitely make ADRs ASAP. We were there last May and saw walk ups turned away at Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose, Crystal Palace, Le Cellier, and Coral Reef. We've been there the last two Sept for free dining and also saw alot of people turned away. I wanted to change the day of my Le Cellier ADR for my May trip in two weeks, so called a couple of weeks ago and was told nothing else was available at Le Cellier for the entire week I'm going to be there.

Good luck and keep calling hoping for cancellations.

 

[Opal's Mom]

Well, I spent last night going over our plans and did get into a couple of places! The only night I am having trouble with is Sunday, May 6th. I ended up making lunch reservations at A Buffet With Character at Crystal Palace. I figured it might be easier to get in at lunch and it was. I will keep trying Chef Mickey's until we go and even when we get there, you never know!! We are going to Boma the day we do AK and Wolfgang Puck Cafe on Downtown Disney night. The only thing I had to sacrifice is that we are split into 2 tables. At least we got in, though!

 

[n2mm]

As mentioned there is a marathon (the Minnie Marathon) going on the first week of May that may have an impact on both the resorts and restraurants. Anyone going the first week of May should be aware of this. I had trouble getting into my room choice at the 7 month window for DVC members. I have all of my ADRs set and had no problem making them many months ago. Trying to find a place to eat at the last minute isn't not on my agenda. While others don't like being tied to a specific time and place to eat, I'm the opposite and like stucture and knowing that I have a table waiting for me, as it is one less decision I have to make when my vacation begins.

 

[castleri]

Well, I spent last night going over our plans and did get into a couple of places! The only night I am having trouble with is Sunday, May 6th. I ended up making lunch reservations at A Buffet With Character at Crystal Palace. I figured it might be easier to get in at lunch and it was. I will keep trying Chef Mickey's until we go and even when we get there, you never know!! We are going to Boma the day we do AK and Wolfgang Puck Cafe on Downtown Disney night. The only thing I had to sacrifice is that we are split into 2 tables. At least we got in, though!

We had this happen last year and at each place the two tables became one when we checked in so you may find the same thing happens. Call before you leave for the parks in the morning each day and then later in the day to try for CM if you don't get it before you go. I was able to get a reservation on Jan 2 when I called Disney Dining (55 on a resort phone) at 4:30 PM for Mama Melrose at 5:25 so there is always hope. I don't know if I would have gotten in as a walk-up though.

 

[Opal's Mom]

Wow, I had no idea we should book so early! I am a big scheduler so I do like knowing where we'll be each day, but until I read my Disney Guide book I had no plan of attack. I guess I should have read it earlier! That's ok, though, I'm just very excited to be going, even if we had to eat counter meals each day!

Does anyone know if you needed to use a full service meal ticket for a counter meal do they allow that?

 

[Katiebell]

Wow, I had no idea we should book so early! I am a big scheduler so I do like knowing where we'll be each day, but until I read my Disney Guide book I had no plan of attack. I guess I should have read it earlier! That's ok, though, I'm just very excited to be going, even if we had to eat counter meals each day!

Does anyone know if you needed to use a full service meal ticket for a counter meal do they allow that?

No, they don't -- and that's one of the really important reasons to make ADR's. If you've paid for the dining plan, and then can't get into the TS restaurants, you might end up with leftover, unused, non-refundable credits at the end of your trip. If you haven't paid for the plan, and you don't mind eating CS for most -- or possibly all -- of your trip, then you are fine. You can usually find something for TS every day if you call Disney Dining that day, but it might be a weird time, like dinner at 4:00 pm or 9:45 pm, or a really out of the way restaurant, not anywhere near where you were planning to be.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Wow, I had no idea we should book so early! I am a big scheduler so I do like knowing where we'll be each day, but until I read my Disney Guide book I had no plan of attack. I guess I should have read it earlier! That's ok, though, I'm just very excited to be going, even if we had to eat counter meals each day!

Does anyone know if you needed to use a full service meal ticket for a counter meal do they allow that?

I have seen people report that they have been allowed to have a table service credit subbed for a counter service one. The restaurants will not do this, the only chance you have is if your resort will do it for you. As for getting some more full service ADR's, so that you don't waste table service credits (because really and truly even having them converted over to counter service credits is a waste in a sense and no guarantee they will even do it for you) is to call Disney Dining again, give them your dates, what park you want to eat at (or resort) and ask them what they have. They will look down the list of restaurants for you and give you the restaurants that do have opening. Also, the full service restaurants at the moderate level resorts: Boatwrights (Port Orleans Riverside), Maya Grill (Coronado Springs) and Shutters (Caribbean Beach) almost always have some availability. If you have a car in particular, it would be easy to eat at one of them and they all three are good. Its just that since they are not hooked to a park or the monorail they don't fill up as much.

I also agree that its likely your two tables will become one once you arrive at the restuarant. Just arrive a bit early and tell them your situation. If you are willing to wait a few minutes they may be able to get you all together. If not they will at least try their best to have the two tables very near each other.

I would call back and see if you can get some more ADR's. Because if you are on the Disney Dining Plan that really makes it even more important for you to have meals to eat since you have paid for them up front.

Good luck, I think you will be able to get more ADR's, but do it quickly. It will put your mind at ease if nothing else.

Also, check out this website: www.allearsnet.com Click on the dining link and you can see menus for each and every WDW restaurant.

 

[Bev J]

We just made reservations for a trip in 5 weeks and went to make our ADRs and a couple of the places were already booked up. We were able to make some for theplaces we wanted by doing lunch instead. You could try that and make it for late in the afternoon. There are lots of character meals available. Keep trying.
Last trip during Free dining we were able to get Coral Reef the same day we called, someone must have cancelled..
Have you thought about trying resort resturants? Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge is great fun and it would probably be easy to get lunch there. Kona in the Poly is also a good place to try.