Last Day...to ADR or not to ADR?

[NEdis2009]

I have planned the last day of our First Timer Trip of a Lifetime as a "favorites day"...so which park we will be at when is up in the air... Do you think we can just play the ADRs by ear, call in the morning and take whatever we can get? Any other suggestions, or is this not such a good idea?

 

[thorphin]

Several unknowns here. The time of year/park/time/restaurant will all affect if you can get by without an ADR. Are you on the Dining Plan, locking you in to a certain combination of meal types?

We're also planning to use part of our last day as a "favorites day" (and a segway tour and finishing up at MK, as per tradition). Because we're not sure what we're going to want/need to do on that day, we actually decided not to make ANY ADRs on that day, electing instead to go for counter service wherever we happen to be.

I just didn't want to be trying to rush around soaking up the last bit of Disney AND be tied down to an ADR that might be inconveniently placed or timed.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Not knowing what park you will be at on your last day is key. That, and I am not sure if you are talking about your last full day or your last day but you will have a flight out at 7PM or something.

Unfortunately, not knowing hurts you... you have a few options I think.


With Park Hoppers:
1. You could make a breakfast ADR before park opening at a Disney park... which ever one, then go to your favorites from there.
2. You could opt for a late dinner ADR. If you aren't flying or driving out on the day in question, having a late night ADR is ok since you'll just be packing and sleeping on the plane/car anyway... minus he/she who is driving.

Without Park Hoppers:
1. Make an ADR at one of the many TS restaurants in a resort hotel. Again, either early or late so you don't ruin your day or waste time eating when you have a lot of favorites to attend to.

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

I wouldn't chance it..I've tried to eat at acouple TS restaurants without an ADR, and I couldn't get in. You don't want to be scrambling for a place to eat on your trip. Make a tentative reservation.

 

[arielmomma]

It really depends on when you are going and how large your party is. When we went in January, we made no ADR's and were able to easily get into each of the table service restaurants we wanted. When we go in September, during free ding, I will be on the phone at 7am 90 days out fighting for those same seats. You could just plan on having quick service on the last day. If it is important to you to have a table service meal, why not consider an early breakfast or late dinner at one of the resorts so that you willl have plenty of time to enjoy which ever park you choose.

 

[Maybelle]

For our trip in 2007 we did the same thing, wanting to go back to our favorites. We were leaving mid-afternoon so I made ressies for Chef Mickey's (our only breakfast eaten out the whole trip) because I figured that since it was outside the park and on the monorail that we could eat there without using a park entrance, then a quick trip back to MK on the monorail, OR, a quick trip by bus to one of the other parks, to finish up our morning before we left. As it worked out, we decided on MK for our last morning anyway, so it was a nice quick trip and we LOVED the breakfast. It was the perfect way to end the trip.

SO, my point is, you may want to think of something outside the park in one of the resorts for you last dining day, that was you can be more flexible with the park you enter.

 

[NEdis2009]

Sorry for the lack of information...we are a party of 5 (2 adults, 3 kids). It will be the last "full" day of our trip, June 2nd. I just remembered we do have an ADR at Chef Mickey's that morning. We will probably just do counter service then or a late dinner somewhere. Thanks for the input! You guys are the best!