How necessary are reservations really?

[IndyPirate]

Also, the app makes it really easy to see what's available. If you're at Magic Kingdom, it enables you to see what's available & when for the entire park. You can then check resorts, DS, and the other parks. So much easier than calling.

That's really great! This will be our first time with the app. Getting excited!

 

[jabrony76]

My husband and I will be going mid-week mid-October (within 180 day window now, thus already missed many prime bookings). I don't recall making many reservations in the past, but it's been a few years since our last visit. It seemed that in January, April, and December 5+ years ago that we were easily able to do stand-by seating (maybe arriving at restaurant opening). We don't do the dining plan, and it seemed like mentioning that often magically opened up a table. Is this still common, or has advance planning with FP+ made it necessary? Also, are there certain restaurants that are less likely to book up at all or at least closer to our trip? Or maybe ones that have walk-up bar seating that will serve food? We really prefer that atmosphere anyway.

If there is anywhere you absolutely want to eat at, yes make an ADR. If you really don't care and want to see if something is open, you can always check for same day reservations. We have had lots of luck that way. You just have to be very flexible on where/what you are going to eat.

 

[Shanti]

I have been eating TS at Disney for about 11 years and reading here for about the same.(granted not a long time lol) In that time I always was under the impression that is was just necessary...This is really the first I have ever heard where people have said if you want to wait. I have always read and experienced just being turned aways with a simple NO... Granted it has been a few years but has something changed recently?

The biggest change is that Disney now guarantees reservations via credit card and charges $10 per guest (not per ressie, but per guest) for a no show without canceling the day before. That's a $40 charge for a family of 4 who decided on a different restaurant at the last minute & ditched the old reservation.

This policy has cut down on the double & triple booking of ressies that many people used to do, so availability at restaurants is up. I love the policy, as it makes it a lot easier to get a table.

 

[jabrony76]

The biggest change is that Disney now guarantees reservations via credit card and charges $10 per guest (not per ressie, but per guest) for a no show without canceling the day before. That's a $40 charge for a family of 4 who decided on a different restaurant at the last minute & ditched the old reservation.

This policy has cut down on the double & triple booking of ressies that many people used to do, so availability at restaurants is up. I love the policy, as it makes it a lot easier to get a table.

I agree, we have found same day ADR's at character meals, 'Ohana. Love the credit card guarantees!

 

[margot31]

In compared to the past reservations have become huge part of planning. But I will say this since its just the two of you....you can also do same day. When I started my planning there were places I wanted to go and couldn't....but if I looked up that day we were in that park i was able to grab where I wanted.

People drop their reservations and things so only 2 people is kind of nice.

 

[busymommy2pink]

Well it can be done, I personally don't take the chance. I don't like waiting lol. We were there during slow season (sept) food and wine last year and saw people turned away from le cellier, teppan edo, Tokyo dining, raglan road and rain forest Cafe at aK. All siting completely booked for the evening.

 

[patlakpok]

This is making me feel so much better. First time planning, and all the talk of 180-day ADRs and having to get up at 3am has been stressing me out! It will all work out. Hehe!

 

[pa. dad]

You might be ok with not booking an ADR for some of the less popular places in EPCOT, but most places it's smart to have an ADR booked.

I agree. There have been times when we have checked some of the better places when we couldn;t get a good ADR and we were flat out turned away. Not now, not an hour from now, not just before closing- go eat somewhere else as we are booked. If you want a specific place and not just pot luck, an ADR is a good thing to have.
As the parks have gotten more popular, the importance of the ADRs has grown IMO. We are really "let's see when we get hungry lets see where we are at that time" type family but the bigger crowds have made us get at least some reservations in advance.

 

[beccasmom]

I am of two minds about this topic. We've lucked out a few times without ADRs. I am a planner, but most of the other members of my family prefer spontaneity. So we usually wind up with a few ADRs on each trip, but opt for luck or counter service otherwise (which disappoints me sometimes, but harmony is a good thing too). And to be fair, with the exception of the new spots at Disney Springs, we've been to most of the WDW restaurants at this point. So we mix it up. They know the drill though - if they think they'll want to eat at a specific spot, we need to make ADRs or experience possible disappointment. It's an easy process, especially now that it's online.

 

[jmkjr72]

Here today trying to get any walk up at mk we were greated by do you have an adr.
No. Sorry go to the app or town hall we can't tell you if anything is open

 

[LynJ]

While waiting for Christmas morning breakfast at Crystal Palace (45 minutes with an ADR), I felt bad for the CMs monitoring the check in stand. probably half of the people coming up to the podium didn't have reservations, and a lot of them took it out on the CMs when they were told it was reservation only that day.

 

[LovesTimone]

Here today trying to get any walk up at mk we were greated by do you have an adr.
No. Sorry go to the app or town hall we can't tell you if anything is open

We had lunch at the Plaza a couple of weeks ago, DH and I made ADR's the night before, while on the bus back to the resort. We headed for the Plaza about 10 mins before our time slot we were also greeted with Do you have a reservation? Yes.. Great please step to the podium,. The family behind us answered No... but could you check for a reservation for us, the Host then stated the same thing, we have no way of telling, please use the app or head down to town hall. The woman started giving him a really hard time about the fact that they could not make them a reservation or seat them 5 minutes ago. The cast member handle it great, and made the suggestion again, or suggested counter service right up the walk way or Casey's across the street.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

As a long time Oct. traveler I would make the following suggestions to you. Make ADRs! My reasoning is this, right now with the two new discounts coming out people are just starting to finalize their dates. Once they do that they will be scoping out more ressies and jockeying for better times. Also, when MNSSHP tickets go on sale and eventually F & W events are announced more times will be filled in as those plans are finalized. You will find that MK and Monorail resort eateries will not have availability on party nights and then crowds shift to other parks with EMHs and then those eateries will fill up. Oct-Dec. with free dining, Parties, F&W result in very full restaurants. HTH

 

[mds88]

Unfortunately, yes ADR's are necessary. Maybe not 180 days out, but I would definitely make them. I tried making a day of ADR when I was there in December, and there was NOTHING in MK before 8 PM. I didn't check about walk ups because I figured if there were no ADR times, there would be no walkups (or a reallyyy long wait), but I could be wrong. We just did CS instead.

 

[jimmytammy]

MK... not much chance of a walkup at any of their TS places without a long wait at best
Epcot...Nine Dragons and Marrakesh you can most likely land last min. ADR or chance a walkup, others, if you can make it happen, you will wait for awhile
HS...TS, not a chance
AK...Yak n Yeti and RFC can be spotty but possible for a walkup or last min ADR
Resorts...The Wave, Trails End, sometimes Kona at lunch if you get there when they 1st open, Olivias, Maya Grill, ESPN(non big game day)

 

[IndyPirate]

As a long time Oct. traveler I would make the following suggestions to you. Make ADRs! My reasoning is this, right now with the two new discounts coming out people are just starting to finalize their dates. Once they do that they will be scoping out more ressies and jockeying for better times. Also, when MNSSHP tickets go on sale and eventually F & W events are announced more times will be filled in as those plans are finalized. You will find that MK and Monorail resort eateries will not have availability on party nights and then crowds shift to other parks with EMHs and then those eateries will fill up. Oct-Dec. with free dining, Parties, F&W result in very full restaurants. HTH

Wow, I didn't even think about the monorail resorts during MNSSHP. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[mrzrich]

Just checked for Tonight it is 2PM I checked for 6 pm tonight. There is PLENTY available including Ohana, Akershus, Fantasmic Packages, The Plaza, every place in Epcot except Le Cellier and San Angel Inn. We have been programed for so long that YOU MUST BOOK ADRs 180 days in advance, its simply not true any more. Especially if you check the night before. I have snagged BOG the night before on SEVERAL occasions

 

[mrzrich]

I need to add, use the app rather than walking up.

 

[mrzrich]

Also don't forget to check Open Table for many of the Disney Springs and Swan and Dolphin eateries. Big River Grill at the Boardwalk is also on Open Table.

These restaurants do not give all of their tables to Disney to book, so often there is a lot of availability that Disney's site does not show.

Added benefit is that Open Table does not charge the $10 no show fee, which is why I always book my arrival night dinner on open table as travel delays are always possible

 

[IndyPirate]

Also don't forget to check Open Table for many of the Disney Springs and Swan and Dolphin eateries. Big River Grill at the Boardwalk is also on Open Table.

These restaurants do not give all of their tables to Disney to book, so often there is a lot of availability that Disney's site does not show.

Added benefit is that Open Table does not charge the $10 no show fee, which is why I always book my arrival night dinner on open table as travel delays are always possible

Good info, thanks! Especially since we'll be staying at the Dolphin