how do you plan

[headinsouth]

I haven't booked any of our trip yet, I know my SIL hasn't done any research. Even then, we aren't the type to plan evey minute of our trip. So .. how do you plan ADRS ... We aren't freq visitors so have no idea about the restaurants and no idea what days we will be doing what things ....... I don't know where to start. The only thing I do know is I want to do a character meal w/ my kids, so I'll try to schedule that .... everything else I don't really care, i just want to be able to eat. From what I read, it doesn't sound like you can show up anywhere without ADRs

 

[francie57]

This is the exact reason we get the park hopper option on our tickets. We have certain restaurants we love to go to (LeCellier, Chefs de France, Rose & Crown, Teppan Edo) each trip. We are ones that have been enought times that we don't really plan out our trip. With the hopper option we are able to make our ADRs and then go the parks that we want during the day, back to the resort (Boardwalk) for swimming in the afternoon, and then to Epcot for dinner. This has worked great for us for years now. I would makes ADRs since we have seen people turned away because they didn't have them. They are especially needed if you go during a busy time or during free dining.

 

[Jenngoofys]

If you really want to plan you would start by looking at the park hours deciding which days to do which parks then book meals. Or if you choose you can decide which places you want to eat and let them decide which park you go to each day based on your ADR's Good luck

 

[plutosgirl]

With the hopper option we are able to make our ADRs and then go the parks that we want during the day, back to the resort (Boardwalk) for swimming in the afternoon, and then to Epcot for dinner. This has worked great for us for years now.

I agree...this is why we get parkhoppers also. We do plan our meals but kind of decide ahead of time what restaurants we really want to do and then see what the park hours/fireworks etc are and plan from there. We normally end up canceling one or two adrs while we are there because we decide to go a different way but I'd rather have the adrs then not be able to sit down and get a good meal. We always try to do Boma, Ohana & LeCellier and....well I could just go on and on! LOL

 

[OhThePain]

All we ever plan are our ADR's and where we are staying and utilize park hoppers.

Sit down with your kids and/or your SIL, with a guide you may have purchased or on the Disney website and figure out 1 or 2 restaurants you would each want to try. Then try to make ADR's for the ones that seem to be "must do's". Then, if you do not have park hoppers, let your ADR's determine which park on what day. If you still want some freedom as to which park on which day, try some of the resort restaurants.

If you ask on the boards about opinions, you will get mixed reviews with every restaurant. So take everything with a grain of salt and take note of peoples opinions and experiences but don't let it dictate where you go.

One thing I can tell you is that if you don't have ADR's, you may not get into most TS restaurants. So at very least make ADR's for the places you really want to try.

 

[Nadjalu]

I agree that hoppers are priceless to maximize where you want to eat.

I too don't plan anything but which days in which park and my adrs.

WDW has some very good food and I love many restaurants, we have our favs and always try to go to new ones, so it is important to schedule these meals, or chances are we wouldn't get in.

Basically what I do is study the menus in each park, learn what type of food is there.
Then I choose which ones I would like to try and then try and schedule it for that park day. Because it is easier to eat in or near the park you are in that day. You lose less park time.

Since you haven't been to any or know where resorts restaurants are it is hard to choose one close to the park you are at. That is where we can help.
Look thru the menus and choose some places you would like and then ask where they are.

It sounds overwhelming at first, but it really isn't. Good luck searching and remember ask away, that is why we are here to help you!

 

[ollyg]

I haven't booked any of our trip yet, I know my SIL hasn't done any research. Even then, we aren't the type to plan evey minute of our trip. So .. how do you plan ADRS ... We aren't freq visitors so have no idea about the restaurants and no idea what days we will be doing what things ....... I don't know where to start. The only thing I do know is I want to do a character meal w/ my kids, so I'll try to schedule that .... everything else I don't really care, i just want to be able to eat. From what I read, it doesn't sound like you can show up anywhere without ADRs

I always start by viewing touringplans.com best park days and determine what parks I will be at on each day then plan my ADR's from there.
(I subscribe to the site, imo, there is a lot of valuable info).

We always travel during non-peak periods so I do not have a very specific itineary, but I do know what park I will be at for the majority of the day and I do purchase the park hoppers.

Hope this helps.

 

[sazzifrazz]

If you have a hopper it makes it easier. I am trying to book ADR's mid afternoon (liek 3pm so we can eaither be in that park all morning, have late lunch then leave to go to a different park, or we can go to a different park in teh morning and get to the next park in time for late lunch and stay the evening. Ity gives us some flexibility. We also tried to do a couple resort restaurants the same way. I figure we will need a break mid day no matter what park we go to.
But, if you plan to use dining plan and want table service you should for sure get some ADR"s

 

[3pletprincesses]

I don't get park hopper but I figure which park I will be each day and then look for ADR at that park or something late dinner or early breakfast at a resort before going to a park. For exemple O couldn't get reservation a Tuckers for breakfast on the day we will be at Animal Kingdom so we will be eating at Ohana that morning before going to the park. We will do Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom, akershus at Epcot, couldn't find a good ADR for DHS since I refuse to go to H&V so we are having breakfast at Cape May.

We have an ADR everyday at caracter meals since it's just me and the girls and we are going what the girls like.