How many ADRs do you make?

[TheLittles]

I am wondering if most people make ADR for most of their meals or only a few to keep it spontaneous. I can see a reason for both. My biggest fear is that with a party of six it will be very difficult to just walk in somewhere but I could be wrong. Have never been in September before. So what does everyone do? I have a few days just breakfast and lunch ADR and a few just breakfast and two with all three.

 

[dachsie]

For a party of 6 you may have a tougher time being spontaneous. For 2 or 3 you would probably have better success. That being said, its always better to have an ADR than to not

 

[cjappert]

We try to do 1 ADR per day, no more than that, unless there's something we really want to try and other times aren't available then we'll do 2 in one day but its very rare. This will be out first year with a party of 5 instead of 4 and I'm assuming it will be harder to get the times we need but we will see.

 

[GillianP1301]

In the past we've done 2 per day (usually breakfast and supper). This year, I'm doing 3. The main difference is this year it's just DS (6) and I and DH is staying home. My DS really has to have 3 meals a day and close to his normal routine as far as schedule or he gets cranky quickly (I'm kinda the same way). I really don't like navigating QS, but it's somewhat bearable when DH and I can divide and conquer. So being solo with my DS, I've decided to schedule all our meals and just eliminate the QS stress. We'll see how it goes, I'm actually pretty excited about trying out a lot of new places. I've got it well planned so I have minimal travel on any given day. We have a car, which helps. I could never do 3 ADRs a day if I were relying on Disney transportation because that stress would probably outweigh the QS stress.

 

[mickeynut1]

I am wondering if most people make ADR for most of their meals or only a few to keep it spontaneous. I can see a reason for both. My biggest fear is that with a party of six it will be very difficult to just walk in somewhere but I could be wrong. Have never been in September before. So what does everyone do? I have a few days just breakfast and lunch ADR and a few just breakfast and two with all three.

We do a TS every night of our trip, so I book a dinner ADR for each night. I also book an ADR for breakfast at our resort on check out day, along with at least one other breakfast during our stay. With that said, if there are certain places you know you want, I'd make ADRs for those must do's as getting a table as a walk up isn't totally impossible, but can be hard to get depending on the restaurant, especially with a larger party.

 

[TheLittles]

The day that I have three is my Epcot day and that's only because we are staying at YC so even if we go take a break because of DD2, we will still be right there. I wouldn't want to depend on transportation. I don't think it could handle QS with a party of 6! We are pretty much doing all TS since we have Deluxe Dining.

 

[minnie mum]

I

am wondering if most people make ADR for most of their meals or only a few to keep it spontaneous

The day that I have three is my Epcot day and that's only because we are staying at YC so even if we go take a break because of DD2, we will still be right there. I wouldn't want to depend on transportation. I don't think it could handle QS with a party of 6! We are pretty much doing all TS since we have Deluxe Dining.

Well, that answers that question. If you are paying for DxDP you pretty much have to do TS for all of your meals. Otherwise (using some of your credits on QS) it's a huge waste of the money you've paid for the plan. And since you've already paid that money, and with a party size of 6. you might as well make ADRs for each of the meals to guarantee a table when and where you want to eat. Pretty hard to be spontaneous on the DxDP unless you are willing to waste credits.

 

[Melanie B]

Since we get the deluxe plan we always book TS. We like to eat at off times and still see walk ups being turned away.

I would suggest making an ADR for breakfast and dinner or an early lunch and later dinner. Otherwise you will be so full that you won't be able to enjoy yourselves.

 

[Frozen2014]

We booked one TS per day...most are for dinner, but a couple breakfasts (one on MNSSHP day and one on departure day). We'd like one sit down meal per day to unwind and relax. My understanding too is that it is hard to just walk up and get a table (except for the non popular restaurants)

 

[XtraEdGe]

On the 6 days we're there we have the following:

Sunday - 1 ADR (Dinner)
Monday - 1 ADR (Breakfast)
Tuesday - 1 ADR (Dinner)
Wednesday 2 ADR (Breakfast & Dinner)
Thursday - 1 ADR (Breakfast)
Friday - 1 ADR (Breakfast)

 

[pigletgirl]

We have the following --

Monday - None (arrival day, no reservations)
Tuesday - 1 B and 1 D (The Wave and Raglan Rd)
Wednesday - 1 D (The Plaza)
Thursday - 1 D (Rose and Crown)
Friday - 1 B (Kona Cafe)
Saturday 1 L and 1 D (LTT and BOG)
Sunday - 1 D (Via Napoli)

We have 8 ADR's. To some that might seem excessive but meals are an important part to our trips. We love food!

You'll just need to figure out what is best for your travelling party. Everyone does it differently.

 

[Mouse Fanatic]

For a party of six I would defiantly make ADR's for the places that are important for you to eat at. Other than that I would keep it spontaneous

 

[Flamingeaux]

I make one ADR each trip for me and DW.

 

[BeckyEsq]

Not on the dining plan this year. Party of 3. We have ADR's for dinner each night plus two character breakfasts.

 

[belle912]

We always have an ADR for dinner. Always.

We love to have our park for the afternoon already picked out since we love to park hop. We usually will pick a different park for the morning, swim/rest in the afternoon and head out for dinner/evening in the park we have chosen for our ADR.

Sometimes we add a breakfast ADR for a special character breakfast before the park opens but usually we wing the other meals and just look forward to our scheduled dinner plans so that we can do whatever we feel like the rest of the day.

With six it will be harder to walk into a restaurant than if you were alone or a couple. I think those are the easiest to seat at the last minute.

Have a great trip!!

 

[lizard1]

We have at least one booked per day, sometimes two. I find that it is a great place to get an air conditioned break from the parks.

If you have the DxDP, I would book at least 2 meals per day and try to make one a 2 credit meal. Then you aren't confined by all of the dining but still get the value from your dining plan.

 

[disney meema]

We always make ADR for each day and sometimes 2, but for sure for dinner each day or a lunch as some restaurants that offer both lunch and dinner as the same menu. I think you will have to make ADR for a party of 6 for any restaurant unless you want counter service because that's a larger party of guests. I found it very easy I just thought of the park I would be in and made the reservations to match were we would be. We are going in November and I have all our meals reserved and it's really easy ... Like I know AK closes at 5 pm so I made early morning breakfast reservations at Tuskers house for breakfast at AK and the dinner late that evening at Sanaa's at AK lodge.
I would for sure make reservations : )

 

[POTCfan]

When I did the Deluxe Dining Plan, we did 2 to 3 a day. It was a lot of food, but a great way to experience a lot of restaurants.

Now that we are not on the dining plan, we do 1 to 2 a day. Mostly dinners, with two breakfasts and one lunch on our 9 day trip.

 

[DWillowBay]

We do some days with ADRs and some with nothing planned at all. The ADRs give us a time (especially during hot days) to sit and relax for a bit. But we find that having too many restricts our ability to get to other things because we're locked into a specific time to eat. (Though I like the new FP+ system, this is especially true when it comes to scheduling Fps if you have an ADR). So, usually no more than one per day for us, and some days none at all.

 

[kastoney]

I'm the odd ball who doesn't make ADRs or if I do make them do it day of. With a party of 6 you will have less flexibility, but we did this in January and were able to eat at tusker house! via Napoli! flying fish! and wolfgang puck with day of ADRs. Just needed to be flexible on time and location and follow our taste buds. It's a good idea to look at the website once in a while and see what is available that day. Will give you an idea of what you may encounter in the future.