How necessary are ADR's with free DDP

[bobbyshawatl]

I figured this question would be asked and answered a bunch, but looked through 6 pages here and didn't see it... so here goes!

We just booked for the end of September, during the last offerings of the free DDP. Everywhere I read is that you should do ADR's to get into the sit down restaurants, since they will be so crowded during the free dining plans. Honestly, I've never wanted my Disney trips that planned out. Like to get there, and work out what we want to do, depending on the weather and how we feel. On our previous trips, we've always been able to get to a park in the morning and decide if we plan to be there all day, and book dinner where we want for that evening. What are our chances of doing that at the end of September with free dining still going on?

 

[deakam]

tables for 2 might not be too hard to get...tables for more than that might be a bit tougher. I will be there the week of Sept 24th and I had a hard time getting reservations for a table of 4----at the 180 day mark.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It depends how flexible you're willing to be. If you expect to eat in the busiest, most popular restaurants, in the parks... fahgeddaboudit. If, on the other hand, you'll try Morroccan food or somewhere along the Boardwalk if you're at Epcot, or The Plaza or The Wave or the Grand Floridian Cafe from MK, or some resort restaurant even more off the beaten path, then yes, you can eat somewhere every day.

 

[bobbyshawatl]

It will be just to two of us, me and my wife. Last trip, which was during early November in 2008, we were able to get reservations at Whispering Canyon, Nine Dragons, and Sci-Fi Diner on the day that we chose to eat there. We walked up to the Plaza and got in. I think that's all of the sit down restaurants we did. I have no idea if free dining was going on then... we certainly weren't on it!

We're flexible, and don't care about the really fancy restaurants. We *would* like to try one of the restaurants at AKL, and we'll probably try Boatwrights, since we're staying at POR. My wife would like to try Ohana's one of these days... But, other than that, we're not too set on any particular sit down restaurant.

 

[aubriee]

It will be just to two of us, me and my wife. Last trip, which was during early November in 2008, we were able to get reservations at Whispering Canyon, Nine Dragons, and Sci-Fi Diner on the day that we chose to eat there. We walked up to the Plaza and got in. I think that's all of the sit down restaurants we did. I have no idea if free dining was going on then... we certainly weren't on it!

We're flexible, and don't care about the really fancy restaurants. We *would* like to try one of the restaurants at AKL, and we'll probably try Boatwrights, since we're staying at POR. My wife would like to try Ohana's one of these days... But, other than that, we're not too set on any particular sit down restaurant.

Without an ADR you are probably not going to walk into 'Ohana, Jikos, or Bomas. I've seen people turned away from those three frequently. Your best chance would be to arrive there just before opening. Boatwrights shouldn't be a problem though. I'm not on free dining, but will be there mid Sept and again in Nov/Dec. We had a hard time getting an ADR for 'Ohana at the 180 day mark for the Sept trip and still don't have the time we want. I wasn't even able to get one at 180 days out for my upcoming Nov/Dec trip at all. I'm still checking every day. 'Ohana now seems to be the number one hot ticket (since Le Cellier went to two credits).

 

[Nadjalu]

If you don't make adrs your choices may be severely limited.

Here is our experience:

We have been twice during free dining periods and every day of our 7 day trips there would be sandwich board signs at the enterance of the parks, saying; "There are no TS available. Please enjoy a meal at one of our CS restaurants".

These signs were up by ~11am each day, both trips.

So if you are picky, or really want specific places you should book the adrs. You can always change if there is something available that day. But I would never go without having something in place I would like. Because your choices may be so limited it could be something you don't like or completely across the property and take you out of your way.

 

[design_mom]

It will be just to two of us, me and my wife. Last trip, which was during early November in 2008, we were able to get reservations at Whispering Canyon, Nine Dragons, and Sci-Fi Diner on the day that we chose to eat there. We walked up to the Plaza and got in. I think that's all of the sit down restaurants we did. I have no idea if free dining was going on then... we certainly weren't on it!

We're flexible, and don't care about the really fancy restaurants. We *would* like to try one of the restaurants at AKL, and we'll probably try Boatwrights, since we're staying at POR. My wife would like to try Ohana's one of these days... But, other than that, we're not too set on any particular sit down restaurant.

We went during free dining two years ago. We had an in-the-park ADR for a late lunch, but DH wasn't feeling well. We decided to go back to the hotel (POR). I called the ADR hotline by 11am hoping to switch our reservation to Boatwrights either for a late lunch or dinner at any time. There was *no* availability. (We did not try walking up).

I think Boatwrights sounds like the "easiest" reservation to get of the restaurants you listed and we were not able to get same-day ADRs during free dining. I think you're going to need to make reservations.

 

[TDC Nala]

Anyplace you'd like to be sure you get into without a long wait, make a reservation. If you want 'Ohana, you will probably need a reservation.

 

[jcarter29]

as the others said, you will not get into Ohana without an ADR. You will also struggle with seating anytime between 5:30-8 even at the most "off the beaten path" places. I would strongly suggest making at least a few ADRs for those places that are "must do". You can always cancel or change them later but at least you have some spots for sure. if you want to go with the fly by the seat of your pants option, you need to be prepared to travel far (like from one park to the other or a resort that you aren't staying at). i would make the first attempt at same day adrs with your concierge. good luck! don't overlook the fabulous options at downtown disney too!
kim

 

[Cafeen]

While the parks won't be crowded, the restaurants will be, and especially the in-park ones. If you're flexible with times and locations, you will find something though.

Chances are, you're not going to walk into Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, LeCellier (lunch), Sci-Fi, Mama Melrose, 50s (maybe at the bar), Tusker House (breakfast), Akershus, Teppan Edo, Garden Grill, 1900 Park Fare, CRT, Chefs de France, or some others that I'm not remembering, but you're still likely to get at least something.

If you have any must do's, or you're inflexible about your dining times or types of food, I'd make ADRs for those. Otherwise you will find something, somewhere, it's just a matter of how far away or how late you'll be eating.

 

[dzorn]

I figured this question would be asked and answered a bunch, but looked through 6 pages here and didn't see it... so here goes!

We just booked for the end of September, during the last offerings of the free DDP. Everywhere I read is that you should do ADR's to get into the sit down restaurants, since they will be so crowded during the free dining plans. Honestly, I've never wanted my Disney trips that planned out. Like to get there, and work out what we want to do, depending on the weather and how we feel. On our previous trips, we've always been able to get to a park in the morning and decide if we plan to be there all day, and book dinner where we want for that evening. What are our chances of doing that at the end of September with free dining still going on?

We have been several time during free dining and see people turned away on each trip. If you don't mind eating at off times at less popular places you may be Ok. If not there is always CS.

Denise in MI

 

[bobbyshawatl]

Ya'll were scaring me a bit! I was getting the impression that I'd have to stick to counter services all week! I just started surfing through the online ADRs. It doesn't look as dire as I thought after reading here. It's true that it appears Ohana and some of the more popular restaurants are completely booked for dinner the entire trip, but most of the other places that I'd be interested in seem to have some dinners, especially later in the evening (when I'm used to eating anyways). But, I'm definitely going to take ya'lls advice and at least put a couple of bookings early just in case, like at Boma, Boatwrights, WCC, probably something interesting around Epcot world...

Thanks everyone! More and more excited every day since booking, and I still have 3 months!!

 

[squirrel]

Glad you booked at least a few ADR's.

It's better to have something and if plans change, then try and get a different ADR.