How to talk Mom into ADRs

[chefgirl96]

We are planning an all girls trip for early 2010. Maybe late Feb/early March. Me, my mom {grandma} and my two girls. Mom is paying. I'm doing all the planning ~ she hates extensive planning. We briefly discussed DDP {she heard from someone that "it isn't a good deal"} and she's said a couple times that she also doesn't want to do DDP because she "doesn't want to be tied down to a reservation". I know she's confusing ADRs with the DDP. The last time she visited WDW was in 2000, before the DDP, yes? We've only briefly talked, but I've tried to explain that we'll need some ADRs either way, DDP or not. I'm a big-time foodie, so I don't think I'd be too happy eating CS ALL the time {since mom has the $$, I wouldn't complain too much } and honestly, knowing my mom, she wouldn't be either. I doubt either one of us would want to be tired of walking all day & not know where our next meal will come from either.

My questions are: How hard is it REALLY to just walk up to a TS place during that time of year & get seated in say, under 1 hour? When the time comes, should I just make some ADRs anyways and just cancel what we don't need?

So many details to think about!

 

[micminnieapolis]

While it shouldn't be crowded at that time of the year -- I would never trust it! Compromise! When you are able to make ADRs, make them for every other day OR make them for every day and let Mom decide which she would want. If this is a first trip for the girls, depending on their age, they may want to do one of the special meals and those you do need ADRs for. Many of those you have to cancel within a certain time or pay for so you would have to be careful. Most ADRs can be cancelled very close to the time.

Maybe you could surprise your Mom by paying for one of the meals????

 

[daisyduck123]

should I just make some ADRs anyways and just cancel what we don't need?

Most definitely "YES".
You can always cancel them later.

 

[noahdove]

I go for yes for making the ressies...your mom may really like knowing that she will have a ts sometime during each day...good luck..

 

[Lynne M]

My questions are: How hard is it REALLY to just walk up to a TS place during that time of year & get seated in say, under 1 hour? When the time comes, should I just make some ADRs anyways and just cancel what we don't need?

So many details to think about!

Restaurants at WDW don't hold tables for walk-ups. If they're booked, they won't let you wait for a table, they'll just turn you away.

You're going during spring break season. Many restaurants, especially in the theme parks, are going to be booked up months in advance. If it were me, I would just make the ADRs and not make a big deal about it with mom. If something comes up and you all decide you don't want to eat there, just cancel.

Having the ADR and cancelling is a lot easier than desperately trying to find a TS restaurant with open tables when everyone's starving, and then having to eat a fast food cheeseburger for dinner because you couldn't get in anyplace.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I agree with the last post and I think you should try your best to explain to your mom that it's not like the real world (LOL) at WDW... if you don't make ADR's you're likely to have a hard time finding some place you want to eat that will take a walk up and even if they do take a walkup the wait might be LONG.. and otherwise you may end up eating CS the entire time. Ask her if she's okay with eating hamburgers or hot dogs or chicken strips the whole time? LOL
If it were me? I'd make the ADR's -atleast some. She'll thank you later!

 

[Cobbo]

My questions are: How hard is it REALLY to just walk up to a TS place during that time of year & get seated in say, under 1 hour? When the time comes, should I just make some ADRs anyways and just cancel what we don't need?

So many details to think about!

Make the reservations. Better to have them & cancel them if you don't want it that day or it doesn't fit your schedule, then to have to risk being closed out of someplace you wanted to eat just by procrastinating...

 

[chefgirl96]

...helping me go with my gut, LOL, about making the ADRs and then canceling if necessary.

If this is a first trip for the girls, depending on their age, they may want to do one of the special meals and those you do need ADRs for.

Yes! We were planning on doing one character meal & mom realizes that we'll AT LEAST need an ADR for that.

Maybe you could surprise your Mom by paying for one of the meals????

Yeppers! Took the thought right out of my head. I was actually considering saving enough to pay for ALL our meals, but at the very least I can start with ONE really nice one.

 

[CanadianImagineer]

Make ADR's!!! Your said travel dates are considered "Peak" season. I'd send her links to Disney's policy regarding cancellations and assure her that they are a "just in case you feel like it..." thing and that if it doesn't fit in with her spontaneous plans for the day she can simply phone (or not, though that would be considered immoral on the disboards) and say you're not showing up.

 

[indigoxtreme]

Also to prove the point of cost for DDP and meals so your mom can see that the DDP is or is not a good deal for you, go to allears net com. Look at the various restaurants you would want to eat in and price out the meals you would normally buy. Include the tax in your calculations. Also include the calulations for CS meals as well. Only figure in what you would really eat and drink etc. Tip must be paid either way so you need not figure that in. Once that is done Mom may realize that DDP is better for you than not.

 

[BostonRob]

Also to prove the point of cost for DDP and meals so your mom can see that the DDP is or is not a good deal for you, go to allears net com. Look at the various restaurants you would want to eat in and price out the meals you would normally buy. Include the tax in your calculations. Also include the calulations for CS meals as well. Only figure in what you would really eat and drink etc. Tip must be paid either way so you need not figure that in. Once that is done Mom may realize that DDP is better for you than not.

I'm not sure that would work for somebody who already thinks the dining plan is a waste and who isn't in favor of over-planning. An indepth analysis like that might turn her off to the idea even more. I'd say go ahead and make the adr's and don't even tell her about it. Then, when you get there, go with the flow. Maybe you'll use some of the ADR's, maybe you won't. But I think it will be important to go into it with the right expectations. I think most of us would enjoy table service every night, but that isn't always realistic for a number of reasons. As enjoyable as the food experiences can be, they really aren't necessary to having fun. Hopefully your mom will learn something about planning from you and you'll learn something about spontaneity from her.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Early December (supposed to be a quieter time?) we saw people turned away from Boma and Ohana. We also heard at 50's PT that there were no vacancies at any sit down restaurantes in DHS. I don't like to be tied down 100% but also don't like the idea of wandering around trying to find somewhere to eat.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I would never go to Disney with out ADR'S. Make them.

 

[Wendybird55]

I agree to maks ressies especially if you want to try some of the more popular restaurants or character meals.

I dont' want to prsume anything or step in where I shouldn't, but since the trip is a year away maybe you can offer to pay for the DDP since your mom is paying for everything else. Again, I don't know your finances and all, but you do have time to save for it and maybe mom will be more willing to go along if you offer to pay - heck she may offer to go half with you.