Is ADR recommended for Breakfast and/or Lunch?

[BJSforVols]

Hi all. New Disney planner here. We're planning to be at WDW 10/7 - 10/14. We enjoy breakfast as much as any meal of the day, and we also want to experience some of the lunch/dinner options which require table service. Is ADR something I need to do for our TS breakfast and/or lunch options, or is this only needed for TS, dinner options?

 

[ses1230]

IMO if you want to eat at a specific restaurant and at a "normal" time, you need ADRs, it doesn't matter what meal. Especially restaurants in the parks, character meals, and during free dining times. You can wing it and try for walkup availability, and try resort restaurants too, and early and late times, but I wouln't expect it to be the norm. If you are on the DDP, I would make ADRs no matter what.

 

[nkereina]

Agree with PP. ADRs are recommended for any TS meal - no matter the place or the time. The more experienced Disney vacationers can "wing it" because they know what places are less popular and what times are good, but as a new planner, I would definitely make ADRs. And as PP said, especially if you have a dining plan so you don't have left over credits.

What time of year are you going? During times with the free dining plan promo, it's also more difficult to walk up to restaurants with no ADRs because restaurants tend to be more crowded then.

 

[BJSforVols]

We are booked for 10/7/12 - 10/14/12, and we currently think we will not get a DDP. I calculated the costs for OOP dining versus DDP, and it looks like the DDP would cost us more than OOP. If free dining is offered though, it could make us re-evaluate our options of using a DDP or not.

 

[purple figment]

We are booked for 10/7/12 - 10/14/12, and we currently think we will not get a DDP. I calculated the costs for OOP dining versus DDP, and it looks like the DDP would cost us more than OOP. If free dining is offered though, it could make us re-evaluate our options of using a DDP or not.

You'll be arriving on Columbus Day weekend and that's also during Epcot's Food & Wine Festival. I would suggest reservations for at least the Columbus Day weekend and Friday/Saturday if you're going to be in Epcot.

In 2011 free dining was offered until just before Columbus Day (Oct 8, later the cut off date was changed to Oct 6.)

I agree with everyone who recommended that if there are any restaurants you really want to eat at, as well as character meals and CRT, regardless of whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, make a reservation.

If you decide not to make reservations in advance you can ask the concierge at your resort or stop at Guest Services in the park and see what is available for that day. As long as your are willing to be flexible in restaurants and time and be willing to eat at a counter service if nothing is available, you won't go hungry.

 

[maggiew]

You really should make ADRs for all your meals. It might not be as bad in Oct as in June, but you don't want to be shut out.

You can definitely find places to eat if you don't have ADRs, but you might have to leave the park and go to a hotel restaurant or DTD or the Boardwalk.

If you just want to eat breakfast at your hotel counter service or non-character breakfast at your hotel (e.g. Captain's Grill at Yacht Club), you would be OK. But any character breakfast or popular breakfast (e.g. Kona Cafe), you should definitely get ADRs.

If you do end up getting the DDP, definitely do ADRs so you don't "waste" one of your credits because no availability at restaurants.

If free dining is offered during your time, definitely do ADRs as the restaurants are especially busy then.

If you have an idea of where you were thinking about going, we could let you know if those are places that really require ADRs.

Maggie

 

[TDC Nala]

If you want any character meals you should definitely make reservations for those.