Important DDP Question

[4reeds09]

Hello all. Long time reader, 1st time poster. We are traveling to WDW Jan.22-Jan.22. We will have the delux dining plan. The last time we were at the World, was in Jan of '05. At that time the DDP was not nearly as prevelant as it is now. We never made reservations and always got seated. Now I am not so sure. We will have DD (4) DS (1). Should we make ADR's for all our sitdowns, or just the important ones like characters? Eating at off times is not a problem. Any and all insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PEANUT1]

I would make reservations for sure...you get 3 credits per person a day..no way you'll be able to do that without planning. I am not sure if free dining is going on still for that period but if it is...you will have a hard time. I would check the disney online reservation system for your days and see what is available.

 

[skiingfast]

I would make a reservation or expect to wait 30 minutes or more around common dining hours.

 

[skelooch]

You may already to late to get some of the more popular TS restaurants or Characters dining places (breakfast or dinner) for any half way decent times.

Good Luck though.

 

[Nadjalu]

I do believe your travel date are in a free dining promo.....so ADRS are absolutely necessary.
Yes many years ago they were not, now you have to have them if you want a sit down meal.

Since you are on the deluxe plan, you have 3 meals to cover...no way will you find TS meals for all 3 if you walk up.

Sorry to break it to you, but in honesty I would hate for you to go not being aware of how important this is.
And as PP said....you are way behind the 180 day mark, people have already been reporting they can't get what they want for Jan and Feb.

It is my advice that you start booking your meals asap, don't wait and don't chance it.

 

[canopynut66]

Hello all. Long time reader, 1st time poster. We are traveling to WDW Jan.22-Jan.22. We will have the delux dining plan. The last time we were at the World, was in Jan of '05. At that time the DDP was not nearly as prevelant as it is now. We never made reservations and always got seated. Now I am not so sure. We will have DD (4) DS (1). Should we make ADR's for all our sitdowns, or just the important ones like characters? Eating at off times is not a problem. Any and all insight would be greatly appreciated.

For sure get your reservations: Hoop de Do would be good for the kids and it takes 2 TS each. You can pull up all dining menus thru allears.net or the Unoffical Guide is also good reading.CRT is 2 TS each and kids really like it for breakfast of dinner with the princess. You can make ressies on line of or of course over the phone 180 days out from arrival. Have a great trip and hope you get ressies you want

 

[Disney-Chick]

As mentioned in the above posts people start booking ASAP. But should you want a certain restaurant that is booked, don't give up, book what you want and call every couple of days or even while there as people will cancel. I know we are not huge sit down fans and have cancelled while we were down there.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation.

 

[MHSweb79]

Things have changed, OP, since the last time you were there.Thing have changed.

Frankly, I would NEVER purchase the DxDP and not have ADR's in hand well before arrival. You've got three meal credits to use each day - now you may be able to find walk-ups or same day ADR's in the park or resort of your choice here & there, but no way will you score three, or even two, per day. Your only choices may involve a lot of waiting or travelling to the far-reaches of WDW to dine at a less popular restaurant at a far-flung resort. Do you really want to waste that many hours searcing for meals when you could be enjoying a park instead? Plus, your childrenare very young which makes travel and delayed meals even more of a hassle.

That said, we were able to get walk-up seating at Biergarten (Epcot/ Germany) and Kona Cafe at the Polynesian during free dining last September. Many days the parks were quite manageable with very low crowds, but the restaurants were packed. A nasty side effect of the free dining promotion.

Also, I've heard if you approach a restaurant podium about 15-20 minutes before opening time for that meal, you have a shot at getting seated.

 

[ratlenhum]

Absolutely make ADRs. If you find your plans have changed you can cancel, but without them you will be waiting, if you get in at all.

 

[cmesq61]

We love the DxDP and always get it. We mostly do ADRs but have had some success with walkups at early times. I'll tell you the different ways we have done the DxDp, although my kids are older than yours. We have done DxDP with ADRs for all 3 TS meals. Didn't work so well for lunch, basically because 1) travel time always took longer than we anticpated and 2) someone (not always the kids--sometimes it was we grownups) needed or wanted more time to ride. The next trip, we made only one lunch ADR for the whole week at a place everyone agreed we wanted to try. Every other day, we made breakfast ADRs, used snack credits in the park during the day, and supper at 2 TS places. Worked so well that's how we always do it now. Again, with younger kids that may not be good for you, but no matter how you do it you need ADRs. Have a great time!

 

[disneydreaming4now]

we will be arriving on the 22nd of Jan also and we are on DDDP. We love it!! You have probably already started with your dining ressies, considering its been 3 days since you posted. However, Im still making reservations. I keep changing my mind, lol. I have had no trouble with the exact times I have wanted. Just a thought..... I still wouldnt go without reservations but I dont anticipate you having trouble getting the reservations you want. Happy planning and maybe we will cross paths. I will have my dis mickey head on my bag..... hope to see you there!!! Have a safe and magical trip

 

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

I would definitely make your ADR's ASAP. There should still be some decent openings, but I wouldn't wait. Even in the off season, it's not always easy to just walk up and be seated. We have lucked out and walked right into CP, but I don't know how common that is.

 

[4reeds09]

Thanks for all the great advice! We have made a few ADR's now and have not had trouble getting the times we wanted/needed. Now if I can get my dd to eat! I wish she was like her little brother! Eats anything and everything! See you Jan22-29.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Since you asked for insight, I would never recommend anyone with a 1 and 3 year old purchase the Deluxe Dining Plan. That is A LOT of time spent getting to and from reservations and eating. Unless you have reservations at a lot of 2 credit restaurants, the Deluxe plan is not worth the time or money.

 

[lovebuzz]

Dont give up on getiing great reservations. Keep checking the reservation boards. Things open up all of the time. The last week before you go check the website several times a day and you will get the places and times you want with the exception of Le Cellier.

One thing I might suggest on the DXDP is to eat a late breakfast like around 10:30 and the do a 2 credit signature dinner.

We did the DXDP in September and we were tired of eating 3 meals a day and 2 snacks.